2025 TEDxChattanooga Conference

November 19

Walker Theatre

2025 Speakers

2025 Speakers

  • A man with curly hair and tattoos on his hands standing outdoors, leaning against a vintage light blue van with a weathered appearance.

    Michael Johnson

    Roots: The Art of Becoming
    Creative Director, Co-Founder

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  • A woman with curly, light brown hair smiling outdoors, wearing a white T-shirt.

    Krisi Olivero

    The Nightmare Below Your Feet
    Soil Scientist, Co-Founder

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  • Two women standing together, smiling, one with a pink blazer and black top, the other in a black, sequined dress, against a pink wall.

    Shawanda Mason + Jennifer Holder

    Why Curiosity Is the Root of Community
    Creative Director, Ops Director, Co-Founders

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  • A woman with medium-length dark hair, wearing a white blouse, is sitting against a plain white wall. She is looking slightly to the side with a thoughtful expression, touching her face with one hand, and has a black strap over her shoulder, possibly a bag.

    McKenzie Bergenback

    Re-membering the Face: Beauty, Belonging,
    and the Ethics of Being Seen
    Clinical Anaplastologist, Artist

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  • A woman with dark hair tied up in a bun, smiling, resting her head on her hand, wearing a colorful abstract-patterned shirt, in a cozy indoor setting.

    Lesley Brock

    Option 2: Choosing to
    Re-Root After Loss
    Policy Analyst, Writer, Astrologer

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  • A man with a beard and dark hair, wearing a black t-shirt, standing with arms crossed in a room with large windows and natural light.

    Luke Padgett

    Undiscovered: Finding Wonder
    in Our Fresh Waters
    National Geographic Storyteller

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  • A young man with dark hair, smiling, dressed in a gray polo shirt, standing outside next to a white wall.

    Noah Perales

    Peace Through Production:
    Transforming Emotions into Music 
    Occupational Therapist, Founder

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  • A man with curly dark hair and a beard, smiling broadly, wearing a light blue striped shirt, standing in front of a wooden panel wall.

    Blythe Bailey

    Between the Buildings: How Public
    Space Creates Community
    Urban Designer, Architect, Mobility Professional

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  • A young woman with long brown hair, wearing a bright orange shirt and gold jewelry, smiling and looking at the camera, standing against a plain light gray background.

    Savannah Wisham

    Craft for
    Connection
    Creative Director, Strategist, Quilter

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Two Fireside Chats

Rooted in Community: How Art and Belonging Shape a City

Anthony M. Wiley Jr. (Moderator)
Erika Roberts
Marcus Ellsworth
Chris Shaw

Trail Roots: How Outdoor Recreation Shapes Regional Identity

Gail Loveland (Moderator)
Shawanna Kendrick
Sunshine Loveless
Paul Morley
Ginny Smith

Thank you to our partners