Alexia Vernon

Change agent, Entrepreneur, Performer

Branded a “Moxie Maven” by the White House, since winning the Miss Junior America competition Alexia Vernon has been empowering companies, campuses and community organizations to build a new generation of heart-centered, high-impact communicators and ethical leaders. Alexia is the creator of Step Into Your Moxie, a women’s empowerment platform that teaches presentation skills, negotiation strategies, conflict resolution and interpersonal communication. Alexia has shared her advice with CNN, NBC, the Wall Street Journal, FOX Business News, CBS MoneyWatch, Mint.com, CareerBuilder.com, Monster.com and Forbes.com. She is the author of 90 Days 90 Ways: Onboard Young Professionals to Peak Performance and Awaken Your CAREERpreneour: A Holistic Road Map to Climb from Your Calling to Your Career. When not helping people and companies shift obstacles into opportunities, Alexia stays active in the sexual abuse prevention and rehabilitation movement, lets go through yoga and meditation and drinks a lot of green juice. You can learn more about Alexia and receive her 7 Biggest Obstacles to Success and the Sinfully Simple Formula to Shift Them Into Opportunities at www.AlexiaVernon.com.

My professional purpose is to build a world where all women can step into their moxie - listen to their inner voices, sculpt their powerful messages, and speak with confidence and competence.

As a sexual abuse "thriver" - meaning that I celebrate the life I have created for myself post-abuse - I am passionate about rehabilitating sexual offenders by helping them take responsibility for their behavior, heal the wounds that led them to their destructive actions, and transition back into their families and communities when deemed safe. While the notion that even sex offenders deserve the opportunity for redemption has not always made me popular, I know that if I'm really serious about protecting future women and children like me, I have a responsibility to understand and work with the abusers - not just the abused.

Communication Skills, Communication Skills - Public Speaking, Social Innovation, Women's Empowerment

I've been watching TED videos since I first stumbled upon Majora Carter's after my husband worked on a project with her in the South Bronx. I used it in each of my women's studies and public speaking courses for my 3 years as a university instructor. Ever since, I make sure I feed myself at least a few TED videos each month. Some of my favorites include the 3 S's Susan Cain, Sheryl Sandberg, and Sarah Kay. I look forward to seeing more TEDx events come to Las Vegas. We're ready!

I make a variety of terrific green juices. I've been able to do the famous Dirty Dancing lift since I was 8 years old. And I have never lost a game of Monopoly.