About
About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxUniversity of Northern Iowa, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxUniversity of Northern Iowa event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.
Organizing Committee
licensee & Organizer
Deanne
Gute
Deanne is an adjunct faculty member at UNI and Co-Director of UNI’s Flow Lab. She played a key role in planning and organizing TEDxUNI in 2015 and attended the TEDSummit in 2016, gaining extensive knowledge of TED rules and guidelines. Deanne is highly experienced in identifying the elements of compelling TED Talks and is an invaluable coach for our speakers, helping them refine and perfect their presentations for the event.
organizer
Jesse
Heath
Jesse is the Employee Relations Coordinator with Human Resource Services, bringing a wealth of experience in event planning from his previous roles. His primary goal is to deliver outstanding professional development opportunities to the UNI community. Jesse plays a versatile role in the event's success, assisting with planning, coordination, and execution while supporting other team members as needed.
curator
Nikki Zumbach Harken
Nikki Harken serves as the Internship Director for the Department of Communications and Media and Co-Director of UNI’s Cornerstone program. With a distinguished career teaching courses in speaking, research, and leadership, Nikki brings a wealth of expertise to this role. She will contribute to the event's curation and work closely with speakers to ensure the TEDxUniversity of Northern Iowa delivers exceptional, impactful content.
EVENT MANAGER
Steve
Carignan
Steve is the Associate Dean for Outreach and Special Programs in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Sciences at UNI. He also serves as the Executive Director of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center and teaches Arts Administration. Leveraging his extensive expertise, Steve plays a crucial role in overseeing event logistics, including ticketing and registration, and ensuring smooth management of day-of operations at the venue.
design director
Samantha Schmiesing
Samantha is the Senior Graphic Designer with University Relations, bringing her expertise to craft a distinctive aesthetic identity for the event while ensuring seamless alignment with the university’s brand. She has played a key role in designing the event webpage and has created all promotional materials, contributing significantly to the event's cohesive and professional presentation.
marketing director
Katie
Kreis-Voigt
Katie is the Marketing Manager for Business and Community Services and the UNI Family Business Center. Her expertise has been instrumental in executing a strategic and seamless outreach campaign, ensuring broad awareness of the event both on campus and beyond. Katie’s marketing efforts have been a cornerstone of the event’s success.
SPONSORSHIPS MANAGER
Brian
Gabel
Brian is the Assistant Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving and serves as President of the UNI Alumni Association. His expertise in fundraising, securing sponsorships, relationship development with partners, and managing budgets has been instrumental in keeping event costs low, ensuring accessibility for attendees.
SPONSORSHIPS MANAGER
Ryan
Randall
Ryan is the Director of Annual Giving Programs and has collaborated closely with Brian to secure funding and cultivate strong relationships with event sponsors. In addition to his fundraising expertise, Ryan brings strategic insight to sponsor engagement, creating mutually beneficial opportunities that support both the event’s mission and the sponsors’ goals.
finance director
Jocelyn
Moeller
Jocelyn is the Director of Finance at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. She is an expert in creating budgets and navigating the financing of large-scale events and will be crucial to the success of the event operations.
About TED
TED is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to discovering, debating and spreading ideas that spark conversation, deepen understanding and drive meaningful change. Our organization is devoted to curiosity, reason, wonder and the pursuit of knowledge — without an agenda. We welcome people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world and connection with others, and we invite everyone to engage with ideas and activate them in your community.
TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, but today it spans a multitude of worldwide communities and initiatives exploring everything from science and business to education, arts and global issues. In addition to the TED Talks curated from our annual conferences and published on TED.com, we produce original podcasts, short video series, animated educational lessons (TED-Ed) and TV programs that are translated into more than 100 languages and distributed via partnerships around the world. Each year, thousands of independently run TEDx events bring people together to share ideas and bridge divides in communities on every continent. Through the Audacious Project, TED has helped catalyze more than $3 billion in funding for projects that seek to make the world more beautiful, sustainable and just. In 2020, TED launched Countdown, an initiative to accelerate solutions to the climate crisis and mobilize a movement for a net-zero future, and in 2023 TED launched TED Democracy to spark a new kind of conversation focused on realistic pathways towards a more vibrant and equitable future. View a full list of TED’s many programs and initiatives.
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Vendors
Photography / Elliot Tensen
Venue / Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center
Videography / Pixel Labs