Ctrl + Alt + Teach: Why Cybersecurity Should Be Mandatory In Schools | Romeo Gardner
In a world where smartphones are ubiquitous, cybersecurity education is no longer a luxury—it’s a critical life skill. Romeo Gardner reveals the alarming truth: we are sending students into the digital realm with virtually no training on how to protect themselves. From phishing scams to oversharing, the lack of cyber literacy is a growing crisis. This talk makes a compelling case for why digital self-defense, encompassing everything from password security to social media risks and cyber threats, should be a mandatory subject in schools. It’s time to build a future where individuals are empowered, not easy prey for digital exploitation.
The Courage to Ask: How a Simple Story Can Save a Life | Marc Coronel
Every 14 minutes, someone joins the kidney transplant waiting list, yet thousands of viable kidneys are discarded annually. Marc Coronel, a kidney transplant recipient and advocate, redefines courage by revealing how he defied medical skepticism to find his own living donor through social media. For over a decade, Marc has empowered countless patients to harness digital storytelling to save lives, proving that asking for help publicly isn’t desperation—it’s bravery. His talk challenges the stigma around asking for help and shows how individual voices can drive real-world impact in healthcare, urging us to rethink how we confront life-or-death challenges.
Paying the Passion Tax & Learning to Love the Low-Paying, High-Impact Job | Noah Fenstermacher
In a world driven by the “dream job” narrative, Noah Fenstermacher challenges us to rethink what truly constitutes a valuable career. He introduces the “Passion Tax,” the concept that high-impact fields like education and public service often come with lower pay, despite their immense societal contribution. Drawing from his experience interviewing countless aspiring leaders, Noah reveals why passion—not just paycheck—is the ultimate fuel for enduring work. This talk isn’t about shunning financial stability; it’s a powerful call to embrace a career that uplifts others, arguing that the biggest impact we can have may just be the most fulfilling, even if it doesn’t come with the biggest salary.
Rethinking Resilience: Changing the System, Not Just Beating the Odds | Laura Singer
Less than 1% of former foster youth earn a graduate degree – a statistic Laura Singer knows intimately as a “statistical anomaly” and a product of the New Jersey foster care system. Her talk, “Rethinking Resilience,” exposes a devastating truth: the foster care-to-prison pipeline disproportionately funnels traumatized youth into incarceration instead of graduation. Laura challenges us to rethink courage not as just surviving adversity, but as the systemic bravery required to dismantle harmful practices. Discover her tangible, research-based solutions for educators and policymakers alike, proving that success for foster youth isn’t an exception, but a right that can be built into the system.
Where do you go when you gotta go? | Dr. Marakie Tesfaye
Where do you go when nature calls? For millions of women worldwide, the answer involves a daily threat to their dignity, health, and safety. Marakie Tesfaye exposes a silent but powerful form of gender inequality: the hidden ways public spaces exclude women through inadequate sanitation. This talk challenges us to rethink courage by recognizing that for countless women, the simple act of using a toilet is an act of bravery. Marakie argues that toilets aren’t just infrastructure; they’re a battleground for power, safety, and freedom, demanding that we design a world where every woman can exist in public without fear or shame.
Reimagining Senior Care: The Courage of Home | Melissa Hunt
The current senior care culture is broken, leaving many elderly neglected, disrespected, and burning out caregivers. Melissa, driven by a passion sparked during the pandemic, challenges this failing system. Her bold solution? A family-based care model in a real home, where residents receive intimate, honoring support, caregivers are valued, and families find peace of mind. Despite industry skepticism and resistance from “big box” facilities, Melissa had the courage to create a space that prioritizes connection, dignity, and a fulfilling life for seniors. Discover how this radical rethinking of care can transform the last days into a truly beautiful experience for everyone involved.
Help Kids Succeed: Let Them “Fail” | Beth Barr
Today’s students face an epidemic of anxiety and disengagement, which can lead to rampant cheating in the classroom. Beth, a veteran teacher, challenges the conventional wisdom that cheating is a result of laziness or moral failure. She reveals a powerful truth: true self-trust, resilience, and integrity are forged when students fully own their missteps and navigate their own comebacks. Beth shares her tested approach for using failures as an opportunity to empower children and help them develop the self-confidence they need to thrive.
How to say goodbye with Grace | Dr. Ivy Akid
The world is becoming more aware of autism, but are our public spaces truly welcoming to families affected by it? Whitney Ellenby will share eye-opening stories of the challenges faced by families with autistic children when navigating everyday outings. But this talk isn’t just about problems – it’s about solutions. Discover how businesses and organizations can establish “sensory set-asides,” providing safe and comfortable spaces for everyone to enjoy.
The Forgotten Courage of Engineering | Guru Madhavan
The world is becoming more aware of autism, but are our public spaces truly welcoming to families affected by it? Whitney Ellenby will share eye-opening stories of the challenges faced by families with autistic children when navigating everyday outings. But this talk isn’t just about problems – it’s about solutions. Discover how businesses and organizations can establish “sensory set-asides,” providing safe and comfortable spaces for everyone to enjoy.