TEDxSeattleWomen 2019 Reflections

I left TEDWomen 2018 inspired by the diverse and dynamic experts across a multitude of disciplines, from art to civic & business leaders. As more people look to challenge the status quo, it was incredible to help bring this experience to our Seattle community in 2019 with the theme of "Bold + Brilliant."

I had the opportunity to set the stage for an inclusive & safe space for the audience. Starting with a Land Acknowledgement to recognize the traditional territory of indigenous people brought us together in a moment of reflection. Then, include & empower everyone in the room by welcoming those "looking to elevate the power of all underrepresented and marginalized genders" and not only "women and girls."

It was such a powerful day with each speaker creating moments of reflection:

Maura O'Neill (Serial entrepreneur, Former Chief Innovation Officer, teacher): Be curious, question the status quo, embrace diversity & dissent.

Renee Holiday (Seattle-bred singer-songwriter): The power in writing a love song to yourself.

Tanmeet Sethi, MD (Integrative Family Physician): The formula for Suffering = Pain x Resistance. Use "Thank You" as a doorway to gratitude and practicing this to reduce the resistance factor.

Tracee Ellis Ross (Actress' recording): Exploring fury. How an act "not only ignites the current fury, but it lights up the past."

Emily Chang (Senior executive & two-time TEDx speaker): Character defining moments that expand our capacity to give and helping others plant bigger dreams.

Cheryl Platz (Interaction designer, author, & actress) & Tiffany Swanson (Improvisational actress, director, and teacher): The best conversationalists are the best listeners. Take up space, slow & short sentences, and embrace stillness.

Yifat Susskind (Women's rights activist): Act with an idea of a future you want to bring about. Building a brighter future starts with building it in dark times.

Rosalie Fish (Member of the Cowlitz Tribe. Competitive runner. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) activist): An 18-year old with a moving story of resilience and persistence. Raising awareness of the severity of the epidemic affecting indigenous women.

Ranae Holland (Research Biologist. The Skeptical Scientist): Curiosity leads us to truth regardless of how we feel. Embracing kid-like wonder and enthusiasm. The danger in having discussions/arguments to prove the point rather than solve the problem.

Jeannie Yandel (KUOW editor & producer. Co-host of Battle Tactics For Your Sexist Workplace): A masterful host who elevates the experience by beautifully capturing each talk and navigating the day for the audience.

If you were also there, I'd love to hear about your experience. Planning for TEDxSeattle 2020 begins next month, and I cannot wait!