What is TEDx?
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx.
TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxRainier, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxRainier event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group.
The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.
| Stephen Bezruchka | physician, faculty UW's School of public health, founder of Population Health Forum |
| Jerilyn Brusseau | chef/restaurateur, creator of Cinnabon, humanitarian, founder of Peace Trees Vietnam |
| Kevin Espirito | manages Microsoft's volunteer strategy, giving campaign, and the matching gift programs |
| Bill Gates Sr. | guides the vision and strategic direction of the Gates Foundation |
| Meklit Hadero | Ethiopian-American singer/songwriter, TED Fellow |
| Matt Harding | former video game designer Matt Harding became an Internet celebrity |
| Rob Harmon | Chief Innovation Officer, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, retail Green Tag and carbon calculator eco-pioneer |
| Lesley Hazleton | writer and 'accidental theologist' working at the intersection of religion and politics |
| Michael Hebb | food provocateur, culture curator, founder of One Pot |
| Chris Higashi | co-founder and director of “Seattle Reads,” the Library’s widely emulated One Book community reading program |
| Jourdan Imani Keith | poet, naturalist, educator, storyteller, founder of Urban Wilderness Project |
| Pramila Jayapal | immigrant rights champion, author, founder and executive director of One America |
| Wendy Johnson | physician, UW professor, global health activist |
| Patricia Kuhl | early learning brain scientist, UW professor, co-director of the I-LABS, co-author of The Scientist in the Crib |
| Eric Liu | civic leader, author, UW professor, host of TV program Seattle Voices |
| Claudia Mauro | poet, pilot, founder of activist, non-profit Whit Press |
| Logan McClure | program officer of the TED Fellowship |
| Nancy Muller | program officer at PATH specializing in global women’s health issues |
| Dominic Muren | eco-friendly industrial designer, UW professor, author, TED Fellow, founder of humblefacture.com and the Humblefactory |
| Nalini Nadkarni | Evergreen professor, multidisciplinary tree activist, president of the International Canopy Network |
| NANDA | juggling, stick-fighting, acrobatics and more |
| Rick Rashid | senior vice president, Microsoft Research |
| Joshua Roman | cellist, was youngest member of the Seattle Symphony |
| Mark Roth | Video presentation. Fred Hutchinson researcher and Mac Arthur Genius grant recipient, expert in “suspended animation” |
| Peter Seligmann | Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder of Conservation International |
| Tiberio Simone | sensual chef, food artist, James Beard Awardee |
| Ed Viesturs | world-renowned mountaineer, author |
| Bob Walsh | businessman, humanitarian, citizen diplomat, director of the Goodwill Games, founding chairman of One World 2011 |
| Carla Wilcox | former professional boxer, lead coach at the Wilcox Boxing Studio |
| Chris Young | chef, co-author of the 6-volume Modernist Cuisine cookbook |
| Tai Chi Instructor | |
| Derryl Willis | bank executive, Tai Chi teacher, honorary Chinese citizen |
| Eco-performance artist | |
| Colleen Flanigan | visual, performing and environmental artist, TED Fellow |
| Emcees & Hosts | |
| Elizabeth Austen | Washington Roadshow poet, teacher, Children’s Hospital communications specialist, KUOW literary producer |
| Eric Liu | civic leader, author, UW professor, host of TV program Seattle Voices |
| Nassim Assefi | doctor, novelist, humanitarian, TED Fellow, TEDxRainier curator and emcee |
| Phil Klein | TEDxRainier producer, community software technologist, interpreter of data |