2018 SPEAKERS
Amara Leggett Amara is an accomplished 16 year old - she has already graduated from both New Albany High School and Columbus State Community College. Amara is excited to inspire others at TEDxNewAlbany 2018 by discussing how to form a plan that allows you to do what at first seemed unthinkable, which for her meant graduating from high school and college simultaneously.
Julie Wilkes As a heart disease survivor, Julie believes she was given a second chance at life for a reason. She finds that that when she is sharing the inspiration behind her second chance with others, she is living into her life purpose. Julie is the North American Wellness Lead for a Global Fortune 500 Company, CEO and Owner of Seven Studios (a yoga and fitness studio), published author of The 7 Life Miracles, a Life Coach, a motivational speaker and an entrepreneur, owning several companies, including: aromatherapy product lines, and an online life coaching series. In Julie's TedX New Albany talk, she will ask the question, 'Would you live differently if you knew..?' and will discuss and contrast if life offers us answers and insight that we overlook. Julie will share an experience she had when her heart stopped for over 9 minutes in hopes it may inspire you to look at your life with new eyes.
Jodi Kempner Collins Jodi Kempner Collins is a clinical social worker specializing in developmental disabilities and mental health issues. As the parent of a child with neurodevelopmental, medical and cognitive impairments, Jodi recognizes the importance of sharing her experiences both as a professional and as a caregiver. While she doesn't recognize herself as an advocate, she seeks to bridge the conversation of disability awareness, rights and advocacy by lending a balanced voice for professionals and families through speaking engagements, storytelling and writing. Her writing has been featured on The Huffington Post, The Mighty and she is a contributing writer for TODAY Parenting Team. Jodi is honored to take the stage again at TEDx New Albany to expand her message of creating an accepting and inclusive space in our communities for individuals and families living with disability.
.jpg)
Brian Thomas Brian is a technology strategist and consultant who believes technology should be the fulcrum to businesses rather than an afterthought. He specializes in web applications and marketing systems. He lives in Columbus, OH and is the Founder and President of Impact Social, a digital marketing and web technology firm. At Impact Social, he consults with businesses to improve their processes by implementing marketing automation systems and developing execution strategies. Brian graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and has since worked in business development for an IoT (Internet of Things) technology development company, before starting Impact Social. His responsibility was to find problems that could be solved with IoT technology in the large manufacturing and healthcare industries. From concept to delivery, he was involved with entire life-cycle of new technology products.
Michelle T. Patella Michelle T. Patella is the Founder & CEO of ZenithPointe, MiradorWellness & FinancialVue. She has a passion for helping others become the best versions of themselves. In her talk she will be discussing tools and techniques to align your time and energy with your core values and highest purpose.
Damon Dillard Damon Dillard is first and foremost a believer, a husband, father, friend, and entrepreneur. A graduate from Westerville South high school he also attended Capital University where he majored in Financial Economics and Marketing. As a collegiate athlete he was able to help lead the Crusader basketball team to two straight conference championships and their first NCAA tournament appearance in the last ten years. Upon leaving Capital he was able to find his niche in the insurance industry where he now owns his own agency. His passion is in the area of personal self-development, while living by the adage, “How you do anything, is how you do everything.” When he is not building his agency he spends much of time in the community mentoring young men, reading, working out, and spending quality time with his wife Teairra and his children.
Meagan Warren Meagan Warren is currently a freshman at Bexley High School. She is involved with Mensa, and her life revolves around her charity Books For Bedtime, which she founded when she was 11 years old. Her talk will focus on breaking out of the middle class bubble, and seeing the world in a new light.
Chad J. Willett Chad J. Willett is a speaker, author, and artist who was featured in the hit films “She’s All That,” “Halloween H2O” and “Can’t Hardly Wait.” Chad has a passion for thinking and acting different and he hopes to inspire men and women of all ages to not only think outside the box of life... But SMASH it. His talk will center around the "Unscripted Moments in Life" and how they define us.