Archives
In March 2013 we hosted our third annual TEDxConcordiaUPortland event for 700 attendees with the theme of Velocity. Our focus was on stories of people who have chosen a direction and speed for themselves and their lives in the pursuit of a cause.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Gary Hirsch
Advocate for Co-Creation
Gary Hirsch is an artist, illustrator, improviser, and co-founder of On Your Feet—a consultancy that collides improv with business to help companies relate, create and collaborate, all while having a ridiculously good time. Read more about Gary on our blog.
Jensine Larsen
Global Advocate
Jensine Larsen, an award-winning social media entrepreneur and international journalist, is the founder of World Pulse, an action media network powered by 50,000 women from 190 countries. Jensine has pioneered World Pulse magazine, grassroots women’s citizen journalism training, and an interactive website that enables women on the ground to speak…
Jim Zemlin
Technology Guru
Zemlin’s career spans three of the largest technology trends to rise over the last decade: mobile computing, cloud computing and open source software. As executive director of The Linux Foundation, he uses this experience to accelerate the adoption of Linux and support the future of computing. Zemlin works with the…
Mohammad Khan Kharoti
Builder
Mohammad Khan Kharoti was born in 1943 in Zabul Province, Afghanistan and up to the age of seven lived in a nomadic caravan. In 1950 his parents settled on land in Helmand Province. A year later he did something no one else in his village had ever done; he started…
Rebecca Shapiro
Artist in Residence
Rebecca was born in Portland, OR, and spent her teenage years in Houston, TX, where she learned graphic design and medical illustration at the University of Texas Medical School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art from Smith College in Northampton, MA, working with noted photographer Carl Chiarenza and…
Stephen Kellogg
Musician & Philosopher
Stephen Kellogg claims that when he was growing up, his musical interests were divided between his father's record collection, devoted to '70s singer/songwriters like Jim Croce and Cat Stevens, and his sister's rock & roll discs, dominated by hair metal acts like Bon Jovi and Mötley Crüe. In a curious…
In March 2012 we hosted our second annual TEDxConcordiaUPortland event for 650 attendees. Our theme that year was Becoming Extraordinary which focused on the idea that we all have the potential to be extraordinary and it is a continual process full of gumption and unlimited potential to get there both as individuals and as a community.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Anis Mojgani
Spoken Word Poet
Anis Mojgani is a two time National Poetry Slam Champion, winner of the International World Cup Poetry Slam, and a National Book Award Nominee. Everyone, he believes, is “invested with nobility,” and he says his parents gave him, “the permission to be oneself, acceptance of who one is.” His goal…
Cheryl Strayed
Writer
The writing of award-winning author Cheryl Strayed has been described as courageous, gritty, elegant, precise, smart, funny, and sublime. She’s a writer of both fiction and non-fiction, having written the critically acclaimed novel Torch, as well as articles for The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post Magazine, Allure, Self,…
Governor Barbara Roberts
Politician
She served as the 34th Governor of Oregon from 1991 to 1995. She is the first and, to date, only woman to be elected to that office. A Democrat, Roberts was also the first woman to serve as majority leader in the Oregon House of Representatives. She also won two…
Joe Smith
Lawyer
R.P. Joe Smith served as District Attorney for Umatilla County and is the former chair of the Oregon Democratic Party. He was the Executive Assistant to the Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives and held a short interim position in the Oregon House of Representatives. An active lawyer in…
Mark Powers
Percussionist
Mark Powers, percussion artist, teacher, and writer, once co-held the Guinness Book of World Records title for longest continuous drum roll (2003-2005). He admits that it’s a silly claim to fame, but it does show this adventurous world-traveling musician’s devotion to rhythm. “Percussion has held such an integral role in…
In May 2011 we hosted our first annual TEDxConcordiaUPortland event for 450 attendees. Our theme that year was Think. Inspire. Go! which highlighted local voices from the Portland area who showcased some of the inspiring things happening around Portland and beyond.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Chris Guillebeau
Writer
Chris Guillebeau is a writer, world traveler, entrepreneur, and lifelong learner. He has visited more than 180 countries on a 5-year quest to visit every country in the world and has written two books - The Art of Non-Conformity (and a blog of the same name) and The $100 Startup.…
Dee Williams
Minimalist
After a pivotal trip to Guatemala seven years ago, Dee sold her home, got rid of most of her belongings, and began limiting herself to about 300 possessions -- that was everything from heels and a toothbrush, to a couple of dinner plates and a two-ton jack. She then built…
Jefferson Smith
Democracy Entrepreneur
Jefferson Smith founded the Bus Project, which has registered over 70,000 voters and engaged 1000s in grassroots democracy (like Trick or Vote). Elected to the Oregon State Legislature in 2008, he has championed policy on online voter registration, transparent budgeting, human trafficking, water investment, economic gardening, and energy efficient "cool…
Polly Bangs and Tres Shannon
Social Entrepreneurs
Polly Bangs has worked with youth since 2002 and founded the Program Manager of Urban Opportunities in 2007. She owned her own restaurant in North Portland, Pasta Bangs, where she created job opportunities for at-risk youth and developed the concept for Urban Opportunities. Her entrepreneurial spirit and business connections have…
Prashant Kakad
Entertainer
Prashant Kakad is an ex- Intel Engineer turned Bollywood Singer, Dance Instructor, and DJ, spinning an eclectic mix of International dance music to packed houses nationwide. He has moved masses, from kids to elders across both coasts of America. His Jai Ho Dance Parties in Portland cross barriers such as…