TEDx Appeals to Parents, Educators, Healthcare Professionals
ONEONTA—TEDx Oneonta returns to the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center on Saturday, October 4 at 5 p.m. This year’s six speakers include an award-winning elementary school teacher, a parenting educator, a recovering overachiever and three healthcare professionals.
Students pay no admission to this event and adults pay just $25.00 to hear all six speakers, as the event is subsidized by local sponsors. Tickets include a sampling of hors d’oeuvres prepared by the Green Earth Health Market from 5-6 p.m. Cookies will be served after the program, when guests can mingle with and get to know the speakers. A cash bar will be available.
Dr. De’Shawn C. Washington is the 2024 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, a national education advocate, and founder of Cultivating Changemakers. He champions equity, joyful learning, and student empowerment through policy, storytelling, and purposeful disruption. His topic is “Lighting the Fire of Joyful Trouble.”
Lorena Seidel is a former Montessori teacher turned parent educator who helps communities raise emotionally resilient children. Her work has been featured in “NY Metro Parents,” “Motherly” and “Welcome Parenthood.” Seidel is an instructor on MasterClass and is featured in David Yeager’s book, “10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People.” Her talk is titled “Parenting on Purpose: Moving from Reaction to Intention.”
Erika Coleman is a speaker, consultant and recovering overachiever. She believes most successful people are getting accomplishment wrong. Coleman founded a million-dollar training company that serviced some of the world’s top organizations. Her curiosity about stress, motivation and well-being led her to a master’s degree in industrial-organizational psychology from Harvard. She will talk about “How to Reduce Stress without Sacrificing Success.”
Dr. Anna Thomas is a palliative care physician, speaker, author, and leadership coach who empowers individuals and organizations to navigate crisis, caregiving, and change with clarity and resilience. She is the founder of LifeCare Leadership and a passionate advocate for those balancing work, life, and caregiving. “Storm Leadership: How to Stay Grounded During Times of Crisis” is the title of her talk.
Dr. Judy Wright is a physician, international speaker and author, with over 20 years in healthcare leadership. She is passionate about burnout prevention and redefining success in today’s ultra-speed world. Dr. Wright hosts a podcast, “The Balance to Excellence Show,” and authored “Girl! Get Your Life Off The Fault Line.” She will address “Self-Care: The Overlooked Engine of Sustainable Living.”
Karen Komondor, RN, BSN, CCRN, is an internationally recognized health literacy leader and retired nurse. Founder of Health Literacy 360 and president of the U.S. Health Literacy Association, she delivers keynotes, training, and consulting that bridge the gap between medical expertise and everyday understanding—making healthcare clearer, more compassionate, and easier to navigate. Her talk is “AI, Jargon, and the Healthcare Maze: Time to Speak Up and Take Charge.”
For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit www.tedxoneonta.com.
