Past TEDx event

TEDxLakeShoreDrive

UnexpecTED

Took placeJanuary 30, 20269:00 AM - 6:00 PM (GMT-6)
LocationChicago, Illinois, United States
FormatStandard
TEDx LakeShoreDrive Come to be surprised by what you see, hear, experience, and share. By stories that start in familiar places and then quietly turn, revealing something you didn’t expect to notice—about memory, about care, about choice, about connection, and about how we relate to the systems we build. Some moments will feel intimate. Others will feel unsettling in the best way. You’ll hear voices that explore what fades, what fractures, what binds us together, what we let go of, and what we carry forward even when the ground shifts beneath us. This isn’t about trends or talking points. It’s about the human moments hiding in plain sight—and what happens when we finally pay attention. And this isn’t a sit-back, polite-applause kind of event. From the moment you walk in, you’re part of it. Your perspective matters. Your reactions shape the room. This is an experience designed to pull you in, invite you to reflect, and lean in instead of leaning back. Expect to engage. Expect to question your assumptions. Expect to leave with conversations still echoing in your head long after the lights go down. The unexpected doesn’t just happen on stage. It happens inside you.

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

  • Antoinette Whirl

    Spiritual Strategist + Surgical Assistant

    Antoinette Summer is a surgical assistant, spiritual strategist, and devoted mother who bridges science and spirit to help others live with intention. After graduating college, she began volunteering on medical missions, where her love for helping people grew into a lifelong calling. In the operating room, she serves with precision and compassion; in her spiritual work, she guides others toward healing, clarity, and purpose. Antoinette believes true transformation happens when faith and focus meet — creating a life grounded in service, strength, and spiritual alignment.

  • Bob Roitblat

    Transformation Catalyst

    Bob Roitblat has been a doctor, lawyer, and hit man—though that last one was only on TV. With more than 60 film and television credits, he’s often played the villain, but works behind the scenes to help others shine. He’s also been to federal prison three times—but only as a guest speaker. He directed his first TV commercial at 16 and has been hooked on storytelling ever since. A professional speaker and coach, Bob has directed six TEDx events, helping speakers turn big ideas into powerful moments on stage.

  • Cam Dunson

    Founder of Dunson Insights

    Dr. Cam Dunson is the founder of Dunson Insights, a consulting firm dedicated to accelerating innovation, maximizing performance, and maintaining engagement within globally mobile and culturally diverse teams. After 21 years abroad leading cross-cultural initiatives, she returned to the U.S. to earn her doctorate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Her research examined how belonging influences measurable business outcomes. Through her consulting and speaking engagements, Dr. Dunson helps leaders turn human connection into organizational success.

  • Cheo Rose-Washington

    Founder & CEO of Hand-off and creator of the Relay Race Methodology™

    Cheo Rose-Washington is Founder & CEO of Hand-off and creator of the Relay Race Methodology™. After experiencing a medical injury that's virtually unprecedented—caused by miscommunication between hospitals—he’s transformed his crisis into a calling to improve healthcare transitions. Cheo helps healthcare leaders reimagine patient handoffs as relay races, transforming patients from passive information carriers into active teammates to reduce preventable harm and deliver safer care. With 15 years of startup experience across industries including clean energy, finance, and media, he has also worked alongside serial entrepreneur and mentor Peter H. Diamandis, MD at PHD Ventures.

  • Christy Scattarella

    National Award-Winning Journalist

    Christy Scattarella is a national award-winning journalist whose work focuses on child safety. When she witnessed her son struggle with dyslexia and ADHD, she launched The Shadow Project: a unique nonprofit that has empowered nearly 25,000 kids with learning differences to thrive in school. Special education teachers use her children’s book in their classrooms. These days, Christy continues to choose hope over despair on her journey with Alzheimer’s, sharing her story to help others. She looks forward to hitting the slopes this winter with her snowboarding son.

  • Eric Sheinkop

    The Desire Company, Co-Founder and CEO

    Eric Sheinkop is a visionary entrepreneur, acclaimed author, and Emmy-winning innovator whose transformative work spans industries. Honored with Cannes Lions, CLIOs, LIA awards, and Billboard’s "30 Under 30," Eric is also an author of 2 bestsellers used in university curricula worldwide. He revolutionized commerce with trusted content solutions for leading brands and retailers. Previously, he founded Music Dealers, a groundbreaking music licensing company later acquired by Coca Cola. Eric hosts the “Tap Into An Expert” Podcast and has appeared on countless shows and podcasts and has presented at top conferences globally.

  • Julia Myers

    International Speaker + Podcast Host + Founder of Generational Wisdom™

    Dr. Julia Myers is an international speaker, podcast host, and founder of Generational Wisdom™. After a life changing medical diagnosis, she transformed a medical anomaly into a mission to help high achieving parents overcome the disconnect between building wealth and a legacy that lasts. Through her Family Constitution Experience, she equips families to raise financially mature kids without entitlement. A Doctor of Pharmacy with an MBA and 15 years of healthcare leadership, Julia blends clinical precision with real-world parenting as a mom raising five kids. Featured in Business Insider and onstage with thought leaders like John C. Maxwell and Nick Vujicic, she inspires families to see wealth differently.

  • Omar Ramírez

    pianist, composer, songwriter, and recording artist

    Omar "Moreno" Ramírez is a pianist, composer, songwriter, and recording artist from the Dominican Republic. He holds a degree in Piano Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music. His albums include *Libre*, an exploration of improvisation in classical piano, and *Morí-Viví, Vol. 1 “Morí,”* which reflects on the immigrant search for belonging and opportunity. His compositions span classical and popular traditions, shaped by jazz, improvisation, and Dominican folklore. An accomplished session pianist, Omar has collaborated with musicians worldwide. Bridging classical and popular music, he brings a distinctive voice as keyboardist for the cumbia group Éxodo Kumbiero.

  • Reid Holmes

    Executive Creative Director

    An award-winning Executive Creative Director, author, and brand igniter with 30+ years helping brands break through with meaning, his best-selling book, Appreciated Branding, lays out a powerfully fresh strategy for businesses to improve Customer Acquisition Costs and Long-Term Customer Value. His work for Burger King, Mayo Clinic, and H&R Block has been featured in The New York Times, Adweek, and Forbes. In the age of AI, where meaning gets surfaced and rational attributes get ignored, branding has never been more important, but doing it the old way is outdated.

  • Richard Bolton

    U.S. Law Enforcement Training Company, Co-CEO

    Richard Bolton is a safety consultant, keynote speaker, and CEO of U.S. Law Enforcement Training Co., providing real-world instruction to schools, businesses, police, military, and civilians in conflict resolution, de-escalation, situational awareness, and life-saving response. A U.S. Army Combat Veteran and retired Chicago Police Officer, he has earned numerous honors, including Officer and Soldier of the Year, plus over fifty commendations for valor and service. Featured on CBS, ABC, and WGN Radio, he’s a seven-time author whose book Dark Angel was spotlighted in Poets & Writers Magazine. He owns The Bunker Military Surplus Store.

Organizing team