Past TEDx event

TEDxMontclair

Domino Effect

Took placeJune 24, 2025
LocationMontclair, New Jersey, United States
FormatStandard
Social mobility is one of those terms that feels both empowering and overwhelming. For some, it represents hope—the idea that anyone can rise above their circumstances and thrive. For others, it brings up questions: What systems are holding us back? What barriers exist? And for many, it’s a concept that feels distant, tangled in policies, statistics, and unreachable ideals. But what if we told you that social mobility is not just a possibility—it’s a responsibility? It’s easy to demand change from companies, institutions, and governments—and we should. Growth is a right, not a privilege. But the truth is: Growth isn’t handed out. It’s built—by systems that open doors and by individuals who dare to step through them. This Summer, we’re flipping the narrative. Through stories, ideas, and solutions, we’ll challenge the status quo and show that social mobility is a shared effort. When one person grows, the ripple spreads— through families, communities, and society. That’s the Domino Effect. Real change starts with us. We own our own progress. The glass ceiling does not exist. The sky is not the limit. Social mobility isn’t something to wait for. It’s something to own, to demand, and to create.

Speakers

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

  • Anjali Badrinath

    Anjali Badrinath is a clinical mental health professional and current PhD student at Montclair State University. As a therapist and researcher, she has dedicated much of her time to exploring the societal influences on childhood development and the noticeable shift in how core community values, such as kindness and compassion, are passed down historically and generationally.

  • Chris Fitzpatrick

    Chris W. Fitzpatrick is a Human Resources Professional who has interviewed more than 40,000 job seekers over a 20-year career in Early Career Talent Acquisition.

  • D'vorah Graeser

    D'vorah Graeser is an entrepreneur, scientist, and author who has been fearlessly exploring technology since building her first computer at age 16. With a PhD in pharmacology and experience as a programmer on the Human Genome Project, she brings a unique perspective to the intersection of human creativity and technological innovation. As a US Patent Agent, founder of a successful tech company, mother, grandmother, and ultramarathon runner, D'vorah embodies the multifaceted approach to life that she advocates for in technology.

  • Gary J. Nix

    Gary J. Nix, known as the brandarchist, is a strategic innovator whose career spans over three decades in branding and digital transformation.

  • Jade Walters

    Jade Walters is a multi-hyphenate marketer, consultant, and creatorpreneur working at the intersection of early career recruiting and brand storytelling. A proud first-gen, STEM HBCU graduate, Jade has held past roles at Ulta Beauty, TikTok and WayUp. Inspired by her struggles during her post-grad job search, she launched The Ninth Semester, an early career resources platform now supporting over 200,000 students and recent graduates.

  • Kathleen Culver

    Kathleen Culver is an educator, entrepreneur, and former tech professional who spent 35 years turning complicated ideas into practical successes at Bell Labs and Nokia.

  • Nick Fuentes-Zuluaga

    Nick Fuentes-Zuluaga is an engineer, data scientist, and entrepreneur who bridges the gap between technology and clinical research. In an industry where millions of dollars and years of work are on the line, he has built a reputation as a trusted expert and technical liaison—skilled at leading complex, difficult conversations with clarity, empathy, and precision.

  • Paige Swanstein

    Paige Swanstein is the Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of the Student Basic Needs Coalition, a national nonprofit working to end campus hunger and homelessness. Her journey began not in a boardroom but behind the counter of a fried chicken restaurant, working multiple jobs to stay in school while navigating food insecurity herself. Today, she leads a movement that has connected students across the country to over $5 million in food resources, empowering them to access critical support like SNAP and housing. Her work has been featured in Forbes and Fast Company.

Organizing team