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).

Laguna Blanca School
4125 Paloma Drive
Santa Barbara, California, 93013
United States

Abe Powell

John Abraham Powell (Abe) graduated from Vassar College in 1993 with a BA in Philosophy. After working at Skate One Corporation, he founded Solforce, a solar energy company, in 2000, which he ran for 17 years. In 2018, Abe co-founded the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade to respond to the January 9th debris flow, serving as Executive Director. With expertise in community organizing, disaster response, environmental protection, and alternative energy, Abe now focuses on building the Community Resilience Engine in Santa Barbara County to address climate change and improve disaster preparedness.

Ada Green

Ada Green is a senior at Laguna Blanca. She fell in love with acting at seven and has been in dozens of productions since and is a company member of Lights Up! Last summer, she attended the National High School Institute at Northwestern University for five weeks, where she studied under Chicago theatre professionals. Ada is also an avid creative writer of poetry, plays, and journalism. Ada has found acting and creative writing to be invaluable outlets for discovering herself and her vulnerability.

Alana Tillim

Alana Tillim is an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and business coach. She has owned Santa Barbara Dance Arts for nearly 30 years and founded the mother-daughter empowerment brand, I Am Her. She spent 18 years leading nonprofits that helped underserved communities build confidence and healing through dance. Her latest venture, Move With Purpose, offers scholarships, mentorship, and an inclusive dance company. Alana's businesses promote self-love, purpose, and balance. She inspires entrepreneurs and young women to find their sense of purpose and leadership through shared experiences and listening to their inner voices.

Cara Ferrick

Cara Ferrick, Co-Owner and Director of Operations at CorePower Yoga Central Coast, is known for her compassionate leadership and dedication to helping others find strength and peace. With 18+ years of experience in yoga, meditation, and women’s retreats, Cara inspires her team of 250+ employees to embrace authenticity, trust their instincts, and create fulfilling lives. A certified Reiki Master and Breathwork Facilitator, she fosters environments where people feel seen and supported. Cara believes leadership is about being present, kind, and willing to grow, and she encourages others to take small steps toward big dreams. Her message: “You are stronger than yesterday!”

Chris Gocong

Chris Gocong is a visual artist focused on capturing emotion through portraiture, figurative art, and abstraction. Raised in Carpinteria, California, he was a standout athlete at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, holding the FCS career sack record. A third-round NFL draft pick in 2006, Gocong played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns, earning a reputation for his physicality. His career ended due to an Achilles injury in 2013. Now an advocate for brain health, Gocong uses art and philanthropy to inspire others. He lives in Santa Barbara with his wife and two daughters.

Elisabeth Robillio

Elisabeth Robilio is a junior at Laguna Blanca School and a dedicated ballet dancer with 13 years of training. She began at Pacific Northwest Ballet and now dances with Santa Barbara Festival Ballet, where she recently performed as Clara in the 49th Annual Nutcracker at the Arlington. Elisabeth trains under the Cecchetti method and is preparing for her Level 8 exam. Ballet has deeply influenced her life, teaching discipline and the importance of expression. The physicality, music, and choreography of dance have inspired her, and she hopes to share that passion with others today.

James Chavez

James is an entrepreneur and thought leader inspired by history's pioneers. After transitioning from corporate roles, he co-founded ventures across industries, including consumer goods and biomedical, gaining hands-on experience in launching and scaling businesses. As Co-Founder of Cabrillo Club, he helps startups navigate growth stages, offering guidance on operations, fundraising, and governance. James explores mental models—dynamic tools for solving complex challenges—to unlock human potential. Drawing on game theory, psychology, and history, he reimagines boundaries to inspire transformative progress and support innovative, impactful change

Jim Sterne

Jim Sterne has spent more than 35 years selling and marketing technical products. He began his career helping people understand Visicalc at a time when “personal computer” was an oxymoron. He sold business computers to companies that had never owned one in the 1980s, consulted and keynoted about online marketing in the 1990s, and founded a conference and a professional association around digital analytics in the 2000s. He is currently focused on applying artificial intelligence and machine learning to marketing.

JJ Mcleod

JJ McLeod, founder of Autism Embrace, is a passionate autism advocate with 15+ years of experience in creating inclusive programs, championing disability rights, and empowering families. As Education Director for the Santa Barbara Zoo, she led inclusion initiatives, earning recognition as one of the Pacific Business Times’ Top 40 Professionals in 2020. A certified Autism Specialist, PhD student, and mom of three, JJ combines professional expertise with a personal perspective. Her mission is to create lasting change, ensuring every family feels seen, supported, and empowered.

Laura D’Asaro

Laura is the co-founder of Chirps, a company making food with insects as a more sustainable protein source. She helped pioneer the edible insect industry in the US, bringing Chirps into over 1500 stores nationwide. A Shark Tank winner and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Laura also holds multiple world records, including the Fastest Time to Crawl One Mile and the Largest Nachos—made, of course, with bugs.

Oneda Castillo

Oneda joined the LPGA in 1997 to grow the game of golf, contributing as a National Evaluator, Global Instructor, Leadership Academy Instructor, and LPGA*USGA Girls Golf site director. She has also served as Director of Golf for the Women in Golf Foundation and established an Adaptive Golf site in 2018. Oneda supports programs like The First Tee and PGA Hope for veterans. In 2023, she earned her Master LPGA teaching certification, becoming only the second Black woman to do so. A Top-50 Best Teacher since 2017, her honors include a Lifetime Achievement

Robin Nabi

Robin Nabi, PhD, is a Professor of Communication at UC Santa Barbara. She holds degrees from Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania and has published over 100 articles and chapters, along with two edited books. Her research explores how media affects emotional outcomes like decision-making, coping, and well-being. Featured in outlets like the New York Times and NPR, her current work examines how media content can reduce stress and build empathy. Outside of academia, Robin enjoys spending time with family, traveling, volunteering, and watching TV. She is also the mom of a 9th grader, which keeps her grounded.

Shaylee Larson

Shaylee Larson is a Ph.D. candidate in Biological Engineering at UCSB, researching Electrochemical aptamer-based biosensors and aptamer dynamics. She is an NSF Graduate Research Fellow and receives support from an NIH T32 Grant. Shaylee holds a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Utah, where she focused on non-invasive tuberculosis diagnostics and engineering. She teaches "Making Bio-Sense" at UCSB's Summer Research Academies and mentors students, bringing science education to underfunded schools. Outside of academics, Shaylee is a yoga instructor and trail runner and enjoys the outdoors.

Tom Kenny

Tom is an investment professional with leadership experience at Goldman Sachs, where his team oversaw $650 billion in assets, and Franklin Resources, where they managed $50 billion. He "retired" at 48 and now serves as a Board member and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee for Aflac Insurance, as well as Chair of the TIAA/Nuveen Mutual Fund Group. Tom also holds leadership roles on several local non-profit boards and invests in private companies in Santa Barbara. A paraplegic since a car accident at UCSB 41 years ago, he is passionate about solving problems and helping others.

Victor Rios

Dr. Victor Rios is a MacArthur Foundation Professor at UC Santa Barbara and author of nine books on education. Known for his research on youth resilience and teacher motivation, he has advised local and national education and policy leaders, including the Obama Administration. Dr. Rios channels his journey from high school dropout to Berkeley Ph.D. into developing tools that help educators inspire marginalized students to succeed. In his free time, he enjoys restoring old cars, training his “chihuahua” Korra, and spending time at the beach with his wife and three kids, where they attempt handstands.