by Louis McDonald | Jan 18, 2022
Selecting Ideas for TEDx by TEDxTUM A great idea is the only essential prerequisite for a great talk. The process for selecting ideas for your TEDx conference is a process. A process that may be overwhelming. TEDxTUM recently published an article about their selection...by Louis McDonald | Jan 10, 2022
The Path to TEDxWarrenton TEDxWarrenton is a self-sustaining, volunteer-run, group with a license from TED to independently organize a local TED event. TEDxWarrenton was established in 2021 for spreading new ideas and connecting a community...Courageous Educational Leader, Teacher, Author, and 14 Handicap
Dr. David Jeck wants educational leaders to recapture the narrative regarding public education. School leaders across the country have allowed others to write a misleading, damaging, and politically motivated story that misrepresents what our schools and our teachers are all about. As a result, school leaders have been on their heels in consistent reaction mode. It is no wonder that we now face a worsening national teacher shortage. Teaching is the greatest profession on the planet but we have allowed others to make it seem very unappealing. This has got to change; otherwise, our kids face a dire instructional future.
Leadership Coach & Strategist
Shari is a former scientist and corporate consultant with over 25 years of experience and has authored two Amazon best-selling books. She is passionate about: learning, growing, and empowering others to achieve their dreams; horses and nature – they are her greatest mentors; and, testing the status-quo to open fresh insights and lead with confidence and trust.
Freedom Advocate
Amelia is a community advocate, freedom fighter and promoter of human rights. She is co-founder of the Fauquier Anti Sex Trafficking Alliance a service project of the Rotary Club of Warrenton. Through FASTA, she creates Community Awareness and promotes Prevention Education (CAPE) and firmly believes inside every one is a superhero with the power to end human trafficking – all they need is a CAPE! Amelia shares this message with individuals and Rotarians around the world, educating, inspiring and empowering them to take action when they see this injustice.
Most importantly, Amelia is a wife, mom, daughter, banker and community volunteer.
Corporate Educator
With a PhD in physics from Cambridge, Josef has learned to look deep into the way the universe works. He applies the laws of the universe to business, leadership and life.
Proponent of Restorative Justice
Louise Stowe-Johns believes there is good in every human.
She has been a teacher of art, drama, and religion as well as a pastor and prison chaplain. She knows that in a capitalist society, money bestows privilege, putting those without money at a disadvantage for receiving justice.
She and her husband, Dick, moved to Warrenton in 2015. They have two children, daughter-in-law, and a grandchild. All working for justice in their ways.
Louise has a forthcoming non-fiction book, provisionally titled: Redemption of a Murderer: The Life of Judith Neelley.
Author, The Serendipity Mindset
Dr. Christian Busch is the author of THE SERENDIPITY MINDSET: THE ART & SCIENCE OF CREATING GOOD LUCK, “a wise and life-changing book” (Arianna Huffington) with “excellent practical guidance for all” (Paul Polman, former CEO, Unilever), and an internationally known expert in innovation, purpose-driven leadership, and serendipity. Director of NYU’s CGA Global Economy Program, LSE Visiting Fellow, cofounder of Leaders on Purpose and Sandbox Network, and former co-director of LSE’s Innovation Lab, he is member of the WEF Expert Forum, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and among the 30 thinkers “most likely to shape the future” (Thinkers50). www.serendipitymindset.com
CEO
CEO & author Don Rheem uses neuroscience to build engaged, high-performance company cultures where employees actually look forward to work. A former science advisor to Congress, Rheem shares an empirically validated methodology to increase engagement and create a thriving work environment.
Conservationist
Charlotte is a conservationist and naturalist. She has worked for over a decade exploring human relationships with the land, developing conservation research and educational programs, and implementing regenerative land management strategies that promote resilient ecosystems and biodiversity.
Her work at the Smithsonian Institution and Oak Spring Garden Foundation integrates science, art, humanities, and community outreach to inspire conservation action on public and private land.
Ecology and plants are central to Charlotte’s personal and professional life. Her expertise ranges from surveying and monitoring native plant, bird, and pollinator communities, to agricultural economics and food systems, to foraging, nutrition, gardening, and herbalism.
Communication Enthusiast and Author
Mike Acker is an executive and communication coach, published author, and keynote speaker with over 20 years of experience. His expertise has attracted politicians, entrepreneurs, and professionals from around the world.
More importantly, Mike enjoys going to concerts, bike rides, and coffee outings with his wife and son.
Teacher, Author, and Researcher
Cathleen is a professional educator, author, and researcher. After adopting five children out of a case of extreme abuse and neglect, she has been on a mission to improve outcomes for those who experience trauma and anxiety. Cathleen has taught middle school English for the past 15 years. She also works as a part-time researcher holding an M.A. in Psychology. Her research focuses on psychological tools that can be interwoven into a person’s life to increase well-being, resiliency, and, most importantly, hope.
We will continue to announce our speakers until all 12 have been listed. We are excited to see TEDxWarrenton become a reality.
Popular Marriage and Relationship Experts
Dr. Willie Jolley and Dee Taylor-Jolley have withstood the test of time. They have been married for over 37 years. They work together, play together, and along the way, they have learned how to stay together.
Willie and Dee juggle their lives around each other, their children and grandchildren. They are best friends, traveling companions and trusted advisors to each other. They experience the world together – enriching the lives of those they encounter.
Entrepreneur
John is a Warrenton based entrepreneur and chairman of Experience Old Town Warrenton, which makes our town a vibrant, welcoming place to visit and live.
Speaker Curation Team Lead
Mike Schmidtmann is a business coach and peer group facilitator in the Information Technology field. He works with leaders of IT sales organizations to drive results in sales recruiting, new business development, and profitability.
Mike is a frequent public speaker on business and sales topics. In 2012-3, he was President of the National Speakers Association DC Chapter, and in 2015 was awarded the Certified Speaking Professional designation. Mike occasionally publishes the Trans4mers blog, a humorous take on sales and management.
He lives on a farm in Warrenton with his family and assorted horses, alpacas, goats and dogs.
Computer Scientist, Technology Evangelist, TEDx Licensee
With over 40 years of experience working in the information technology field, Louis has a breadth of experience supporting innovation. During his tenure with the Virginia Center for Innovative Technology (CIT now VIPC), Louis supported the Secretary of Technology as project manager for COVITS (Commonwealth of Virginia Innovative Technology Symposium). He was also responsible for a number of events as the CIO for CIT.
Both his experience as a technologist, and symposium project manager are valuable assets to TEDxWarrenton.