Theme: Innovative Pulse - What Does the Future Hold?

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

May 3, 2025 Theme: Innovative Pulse - What Does the Future Hold?

Austin is a city synonymous with innovation, creativity, and a visionary mindset. This theme aligns perfectly with Austin's vibrant ecosystem, where technology, art, and community unite to pioneer new paths. It provides a platform for exploring the potential future impacts of today's innovations and encourages diverse perspectives on shaping a better tomorrow. Embracing "Innovative Pulse - What Does the Future Hold?" as a theme for a TEDx event in Austin highlights Austin's role as a leader in driving positive change, inspiring diverse perspectives, and building a community of forward-looking innovators ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

Complete the Speaker Application Open from October 30 to November 23rd: https://forms.gle/FEoQU8d9qthAVwmf6

The mission of TEDxSouthCongress is to be a catalyst for positive change, opening minds with inspiring ideas.
Our goal is to present talks on issues that matter to our community and to spark a real dialogue about how to make a difference.
If you have an idea that is clear, concise, compelling, original and relevant, we want to hear about it! We have a dedicated committee that reviews all speaker applications, and because we want yours to shine, we’ve developed guidelines about what does (and doesn’t) work on the TEDxSouthCongress stage. Apply to speak: https://forms.gle/FEoQU8d9qthAVwmf6

Austin
South Congress
Austin, Texas, 78704
United States

Alex Fink

Journalist

I am the founder and CEO of Otherweb, an AI-based news platform with 15.5m users in 53 countries. I am also the co-founder and president of Swarmer, an autonomous drone company whose products are used on the frontlines in Ukraine right now, and the founding director of Open Press Wire, a nonprofit that distributes timely news reports to hundreds of publications for free. I've spent 18 years building cutting-edge technology that solves real problems in the real world. My focus right now is on news and media and how technological innovation can improve them over the next decade.

Andrew Warden

Global Marketing Expert

Andrew Warden is the Chief Marketing Officer at Semrush, leading a global team of over 150 marketing and communications professionals. With experience in CMO roles and leading global marketing functions at UnitedLex, SoftServe, Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), and GfK, Andrew brings a unique perspective on building and optimizing global marketing operations from the ground up. Known for his passion for blending creativity with strategy, he empowers his team to drive impactful campaigns that resonate with audiences and push the boundaries of modern marketing.

Casey Fleming

Technology and global risk expert.

Technology and global risk expert.

Christopher Kunney

HealthIT Expert

Christopher Kunney is a brain tumor survivor, 2024 HIMSS Changemaker Award Recipient, and health equity advocate. He serves as Managing Partner and Digital Transformation Strategist at IOTECH Consulting and CTO at Ask Me Your MD. With over 30 years of leadership experience, he advises healthcare executives on emerging technologies and compliance. His previous roles include senior leadership at Hewlett Packard, Juno Health, and Piedmont Healthcare. A recognized thought leader, Christopher has served as an adjunct professor, member of various governing boards and advisory committees, including Morehouse School of Medicine, CaringMeds, YMCA Of Metro Atlanta, Diginity Global Health Education, American College of Health Data Management and HIMSS Global Health Equity. He hosts the podcast "Straight Outta Health IT" and is a sought-after advisor, speaker and author.

Claudia Six

Clinical Sexologist & relationship therapist

Born and raised in Paris, France. Clinical Sexologist & relationship therapist for over 30 years, author of the Erotic Integrity book, TEDx speaker, USF adjunct professor. My practice serves individuals and couples dealing with relationship and sexual issues ranging from mismatched desire, infidelity, desire disorders, performance anxiety unusual proclivities, sexual boredom, sexless marriages, difficulty finding a partner… I am a firm believer that nobody is broken and sex and relationship challenges always have a way of making perfect sense.

Deb Nichols

Professor of Psychologist

I have 25 years of experience in higher education, with a constant emphasis on enhancing communication and exchange of information between academia and industry or the community. I consistently translate evidence into actionable policies, interventions, technology development, and other experiences supporting science in decision-making and critical thinking. I have co-edited a book that brought academic researchers together with industry leaders; published research used in multiple media-related policies; partnered with PBS Kids to more effectively create educational media content; and co-founded a company to develop a mHealth app that supports informal caregivers and their loved ones.

Doug Burkott

HealthIT Expert

Doug Burkott is a healthcare IT expert with experience in Healthcare Systems Architecture, Strategy & Planning, Technology Business Management. He has a proven track record of leading cross-functional teams to achieve strategic objectives. Doug is passionate about driving innovation and fostering collaborative environments to deliver exceptional results.

James Lee

Dementia Advocate

A native Texan and first generation Korean-American, I am a CEO and a storyteller, utilizing the platforms of business ownership, content creation, and public speaking to assist individuals in rediscovering and embracing their fundamental life values and thus pursue their most meaningful lives. I believe that the most important thing you can do in life is to improve oneself and that the ripple effects of this mindset can change your family, your community, and the world. My chosen arena of demonstrating this lived philosophy is helping people who are living with dementia to be seen, whole and fulfilled in life.

jason Scharf

Digital Health & TechBio Expert

Jason Scharf has spent nearly two decades pursuing his life’s mission of catalyzing innovation. As an early stage investor, he targets the bio innovation tech stack and the business of health. He has held key leadership roles in strategy and market intelligence at industry pillars such as Illumina, BD, and Amgen. Through the Austin Next podcast and his writings, he explores innovation, Bio & Health, tech, ecosystems, Austin, and their convergence.

Jody Fuller

Comedian

ody Fuller is a father, comic, speaker, writer, and soldier with three tours of duty in Iraq. He is also a lifetime stutterer. He is a certified John Maxwell Leadership Speaker. Recently, Alabama Magazine selected Jody as one of Alabama’s top 40 men and women over the age of 40 whose lives and careers are characterized by great levels of giving and achievement. He was also named as “one of the 15 Southern stand-up comedians that will make you laugh ’til you cry” by “It’s a Southern Thing,” and GI Jobs Magazine listed him as “One of 15 Veterans taking the comedy world by storm.”

Kevin Daniel Smith

Country Singer

Kevin Daniel Smith is an Americana/Texas Country singer and songwriter from Austin, TX. He has been a prominent figure in the Texas music scene since the 1990s, with his first paid show at The Tap in College Station in 1994. Smith blends Americana and Texas Rock/Hill Country sounds, creating a unique style that incorporates elements of classic country artists like Waylon and Willie, while also incorporating influences from John Bell of WSP and Neil Young. He is known for his soulful voice and storytelling ability.

MamaDuke (aka) Kori Roy

Musican & Speaker

Kori Roy, better known as Mama Duke, grew up in Palacious, Texas. Influenced by her mom’s love of Tejano and country bands she started digging deeper into the meaning of the lyrics and was inspired to write her own. She soon found herself writing her own lyrics after school and impressing her high-school classmates with her newfound talent. She attended the Art Institute of Houston where she studied photography and later moved to Austin to pursue music. At her 3rd gig she opened for the legendary hip hop group Naughty by Nature. In 2019, Mama Duke founded ATX Social Club, where she provides high-quality live streams for hip-hop artists. In January of 2021, Mama Duke was named Artist of the Month by the Austin American Statesman and made her debut performance at SXSW as an official artist. Mama Duke has won two Austin Hip-Hop Awards including artist of the year and female artist of the year.

Melanie Hicks

Social Impact Advocate

Dr. Melanie Sue Hicks is an adventure-seeking, social impact advocate, writer, speaker and coach. Traveling to more than 44 countries, she has spent two decades in global philanthropy, studying human connection and resilience. Her book Incongruent discusses her personal journey through trauma through travel. She has been published in more than 2 dozen magazines including Marie Claire and Forbes.

Michael Ronen

Immersive Designer

I’m Michael Ronen, an immersive designer, AI strategist, and founder of Wonderland Immersive Design. I combine my background in immersive theater and creative storytelling with cutting-edge technologies like AI and XR to help organizations innovate through play. My Play Economy Framework empowers teams to discover customer insights, rapidly prototype ideas, and solve challenges with empathy and creativity. I’ve presented this work at AWE, authored The Guide to the Play Economy, and collaborated with startups, SMEs, and innovators globally to create experiences that inspire human flourishing.

Rawad Abou Zaki

Transportation & Architectural Design Strategist

2x Founder, designer, inventor & educator. Founder, CEO at HOVER CITY Inc. Founder, director at Creavan, a school on wheels. +10 yrs in transportation design. Worked for renowned companies like Pininfarina, Geely & Altran in 7 countries around the world - France, Italy, China, Spain, USA, Lebanon & Kuwait. International Ambassador & Lecturer at IED - Istituto Europeo di Design. Exhibitor at international technology & design shows like Milan design weeks, Turin design week, VivaTech Paris, IMTS Chicago, SXSW Austin TX, AFWERX San Antonio TX, & Tech Fuel. Built an excessive portfolio focusing primarily on transportation, product & architectural design. Patent pending on several inventions in industrial, transportation & architecture.

Sandeep Kondury

Venture Capital Strategist

As a Startup Operations Architect and Venture Capital Strategist, I empower early-stage ventures through innovative financial modeling and operational frameworks. With experience evaluating over 800 startups and driving successful capital raises, I specialize in identifying high-potential opportunities and optimizing growth through data insights. My journey spans building systems at Astralabs, advancing financial strategies at Forecaster, and now pioneering the Groundwork Framework at Startup Haven Ventures. A founder and Gildre community member, I am passionate about sharing insights on innovation and collaborating to shape the future. Let’s connect and explore the transformative power of forward-thinking strategies and technology.

Todd Krause

Start-Up Consultant

Todd Krause is a seasoned leader with over 20 years of multi-industry experience, including real estate, technology, and financial services. After successfully growing his own cleaning company to over $4 million in annual revenue, Todd has shifted his focus to empowering other cleaning businesses to achieve similar results. As the founder of Silversun Consulting, he now specializes in helping companies grow to $1 million and beyond within 12 months, offering a unique approach backed by a results guarantee.

Travis Davis

Disability Advocate

Travis Davis is a speaker, entrepreneur, and disability advocate with a passion for creating inclusive environments. Born with cerebral palsy, he holds a B.A. in English, a Master’s in Adapted Physical Education, and is ADA Coordinator certified. Travis has extensive experience in strategic communications, disability consulting, and business development, most recently opening a Rush Bowls franchise that employs people with disabilities. Through his podcast, Off The Crutch, and various speaking engagements, Travis shares insights on resilience and inclusivity, helping organizations embrace diversity to foster innovation and drive lasting progress.