TEDx Colorado Springs Speaker Forum

This is an exclusive panel discussion featuring speakers from the 2016 Colorado Springs' TEDx event. This year's TEDx theme of "To be of Service" will be explored through a panel discussion and community dialogue. The fee for this event is $10 (LPP Alumni, use this code to waive the $10 fee: ALUMNI) . Please register by 10/30.

Dr. Mary C. Boardman is a social scientist with expertise in philanthropy, social and sustainable entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial cognition, and intelligence analysis. She holds positions as a methodologist for Globalytica, LLC, affiliate faculty in the Business and Technology Division at Colorado Christian University, and is a courtesy professor in the School of Library and Information Science at the University of South Florida. Dr. Boardman has published articles in peer-reviewed journals including Small Business Economics, Public Administration Review, and World Health and Medical Policy. In addition to this, she is an editor of the forthcoming Handbook of Research Methodologies and Design in Neuroentrepreneurship. Dr. Boardman holds a Ph.D in Public Policy from the School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs at George Mason University. She also holds an MPP from Pepperdine University, focusing on International Relations and Economics, and a BBA in International Business from the University of Oklahoma

Jill Davis spent the majority of her adult life morbidly obese. She lost 135 pounds and along the way regained her identity. Through her own journey, research, and working with thousands of women in transition, Jill discovered that the move from body shaming to body acceptance is only possible when we shed the belief that we are intrinsically good or bad based on the foods we eat and instead trust our bodies to tell us what they need. When we embrace ourselves, we can explore the possibilities of who we can become and discover the best in ourselves. Through workshops, keynote speaking, and one-on- one coaching, Jill helps women to quit fighting their weight and start finding their way.

Lauren Hug is an accomplished speaker, author, and strategist, Lauren has helped people reach and move audiences for 20 years. In 2012 she founded HugSpeak, a digital marketing firm specializing in social media strategy, integrated brand communications, and custom market research. With insightful questions and intense listening, Lauren cuts to the core of each client’s identity, leveraging their uniqueness to understand and move target markets.

Her academic credentials include an LL.M. with merit from the University of London, a J.D. with honors from the University of Texas School of Law, and a Bachelor of Journalism and Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the University of Texas. She is the author of two business skills books and a soon-to- be-released book on digital kindness. She is also an attorney, a certified mediator, and an occasional Instructor at University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Anthony Perez is the founder of Success is a Language Inc. and a founding partner and certified speaker and coach for the John Maxwell Team.Anthony has created and authored a number of training programs for his audiences and was a contributor for the development of the John Maxwell Youth Max youth leadership program.Anthony has a broad and diverse career background; Military, Financial Services, Staffing and Marketing, Education and Community working his way in to supervisory and leadership roles affords him the ability to truly connect and relate to everyone at every level in an organization.As a Speaker and Results coach he has successfully offered impactful motivational teaching and results for various sectors and communities; Education, Healthcare, Law Enforcement, Hospitality, Corporate and Non for Profit. Anthony has also organized and launched his own leadership events: Future Leaders of Chicago Youth Conference and the Power of Community Summit in Colorado Springs, Co. He has shared the stage with professional athletes and nationally renowned speakers and helped other speakers, authors, consultants and experts raise their game by helping them gain clarity and create their message and brand, recently working with the CIA Security Team and co-authors of 13 Hours in Benghazi and co-founding Next Level Consulting– What are you Nexting?

Watch his TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md6monZNfyQ

Dr. Christopher Bell is an Assistant Professor of Media Studies and the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Communication at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS). At UCCS, Bell teaches both theory and methodology courses in critical analysis of popular culture, rhetorical theory, representation theory and mass media. His academic books include American Idolatry: Celebrity, Commodity and Reality Television (McFarland 2010), Hermione Granger Saves the World! (McFarland 2012), Legilimens! Perspectives in Harry Potter Studies (Cambridge Scholars 2013), From Here to Hogwarts (McFarland 2015) and Wizards vs. Muggles (McFarland 2016). For more than ten years, Bell has been a featured professional speaker on a variety of college campuses, both large and small, nationally touring on issues of race, class and gender in the media. In what little spare time is left over, Bell is the author of the children's books Do Not Open the Door! and Do Not Look Under the Rug!, a competitive gamer (competing on regional and international circuits), and he travels with his wife and daughter.

Watch his TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAZPIxYvBAE