What a fantastic group of inspiring and innovative thought leaders! We're so excited about them, we just can't wait 'til October 13.
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Chris Castro: Social Eco-preneur
Chris Castro is a humanitarian, entrepreneur and steward of the environment. As an undergraduate at the University of Central Florida, he co-founded IDEAS (Intellectual Decisions on Environmental Awareness Solutions), and through his non-profit – IDEAS for Us – continues to work with youth leaders and green professionals, across the nation and globally, to facilitate positive environmental change and sustainability. He is a Youth Delegate for the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and the Clinton Global Initiative, was awarded the prestigious Champions of Change honorable mention from the White House and Obama Administration, and recently attended the United Nations World Youth Congress in Brazil for the Rio+20 Summit.
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Ian Cole: Strategist, Marketer, Maker, Learner
Ian Cole is a Vice President for Starwood Vacation Ownership where he works to improve the lives of over 220,000 owner families both on and off vacation. He also has a passion for sharing his love of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics with his two sons and others through educational groups such as FamiLAB, Orlando’s Hackerspace & Community Lab in Longwood, FL and by co-organizing Orlando Mini Maker Faire, an annual event where over 3,000 people come together to celebrate hands-on innovation and invention.
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Scott Gass: Zoologist
Scott Gass has worked for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, both at the park and corporate level, for the past 18 years. He is a member of SeaWorld’s corporate Zoological Operations group, occupying the role of Director of Zoological Communications & Interpretation. He can be found diving or snorkeling whenever life lets him.
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Jonathon Gosier: Data Scientist, Entrepreneur, Senior TED Fellow
Jonathan Gosier is a software developer, designer and inventor working in various areas of data science. He is founder and Director of Product at MetaLayer.com which aims to make the world's information easier to understand, visualize, and share by making big data technologies simple through a drag and drop interface.
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Wae Nelson: Publisher
Wae Nelson was employed as a mechanical engineer in the aerospace and defense industries
for many years, working both as a designer and as a manager in manufacturing. Now he publishes
the magazine beloved by local gardeners, Florida Gardening, and
pursues his passion for biochar — a diy, scalable technique to both improve horticultural yields and
sequester carbon simultaneously.
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Mary Nichols: Disc Jockey
Mary Nichols (a.k.a. DJ Fusion) is a radio, mixtape & club dj,
independent music industry consultant, and writer with a passion for
both independent and mainstream music of the African diaspora. In
1998, she founded the syndicated Fuse Box Radio Broadcast, a clean,
radio friendly mix that has gone global, spreading to over 25 national
and international FM and internet radio stations.
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Amy O'Rourke: Gerontologist, Entrepreneur
In a world where growing older can mean entering into a complex and confusing maze of difficult choices, Amy O'Rourke stands out as a passionate advocate for the elderly and their families. As founder of Cameron Group Care Management Services, she prioritizes quality of life and helps families and elders navigate the challenges of aging while supporting vital lifestyle preferences.
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Amy Selikoff: Teacher
Amy Selikoff has been a 7th grade teacher for eight years and she
still loves her job, and her students. She also loves a good adventure,
and when she's not traveling the world with her wonderful husband
Nathan, she is practicing roller derby as an official member of the
Orlando Psycho City Derby Girls. Her derby name is Pirate-i-tude.
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Eddie Selover: Organizer, PechaKucha Orlando
As a marketing communications expert, Eddie Selover helps people and businesses express themselves in ways that are more relevant, credible, and impactful. Several times a year, Eddie organizes and hosts PechaKucha Orlando, featuring presentations by some of the city's most interesting people. Originally developed in Tokyo, PechaKucha has become a global phenomenon that has spread to over 500 cities around the world. PechaKucha Nights feature an eclectic mix of creatives and professionals who present in the 20x20 format: 20 slides, 20 seconds each.
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Karen Tilstra: Innovation Expert
Karen Tilstra, the co-founder and director of Florida Hospital’s
Innovation Lab, (FHIL), is passionate about helping people discover
their own innate creativity. At FHIL, Florida Hospital employees,
patients, and community members create solutions for a better patient
experience. Karen is also known for her idiosyncratic pets, including
the pet donkey who taught her that nothing is impossible and her stray
dog Nick, known by many to look like a cross between an opossum,
raccoon and weasel.
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Brian Uzzi: Leadership Expert
Brian Uzzi is a globally recognized scientist, teacher, consultant and speaker on leadership, social networks, and new media. He holds the Richard L. Thomas Distinguished Professor of Leadership at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. He also co-directs NICO, the Northwestern University Institute on Complex Systems, and holds professorships in Sociology and the McCormick School of Engineering. His award winning and highly cited research examines the link between social networks and outstanding human achievement. Media reports of his research frequently appear worldwide.
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| Program may be subject to change. |
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