TEDxUofM

Speakers

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

• Baktygul Chynybaeva

  Baktygul Chynybaeva is an award-winning journalist from Central Asia with over twenty years of experience reporting on human rights and social justice. Her work on bride-kidnapping, domestic violence, children’s cancer care, and disability rights has contributed to major legislative reforms in Kyrgyzstan, including the criminalization of abduction for marriage, increased public awareness of domestic abuse, the introduction of free pediatric cancer treatment, and the ratification of the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In 2025, she was a Knight-Wallace Fellow at the University of Michigan. Her current research focuses on the legacy of Soviet-era political repression in Central Asia and its lasting impact on Kyrgyzstan’s historical memory. She enjoys hiking and cooking.

• Carol Hutchins

  I am Carol Hutchins, or Coach Hutch to most anyone who knows me. I have spent my entire adult life in college. I was the Head Softball coach at UM for 38 years, and have been here now for 44 years. I coached championship teams on the field, but I actually coached championship people, by teaching them that excellence is harder than average, and anything less than excellence is not acceptable. Not just on the field, but IN LIFE.

• Catherine Badgley

  I am a professor in the Residential College and the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology [in LSA if important]. I study the response of terrestrial ecosystems to environmental changes over Earth's history and the environmental impacts of the global food system. I live on a farm, which is a living laboratory for my interests in deep time, biodiversity, and the food system.

• Frederick Richard

  I’m Frederick Richard, an Olympic bronze medalist in gymnastics, and a senior at the University of Michigan. I’m also known as Frederickflips on social media with a following of over 2 million across platforms. I’m an athlete creator who has been fortunate enough to navigate the world of sports, media, and NIL.

• John Pasquale

  Hello! My name is John Pasquale, and I am honored to serve as the Donald R. Shepherd Professor of Conducting and Director of Marching and Athletic Bands at the University of Michigan. As an American and Italian conductor, author, lecturer and pedagogue, I am proud to perform and teach around the world—and to advocate as a member of the speech disfluency community. Together with my wife, Jessica, I love discovering new cuisines, traveling, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends.

• Klementina Sula

  Klementina (Tina) Sula is passionate about helping people articulate and activate their life’s purpose. She is grateful for the opportunity to live her own purpose by teaching networking to students at UM and by serving as a legacy advisor and chief learning officer to successful individuals and families.

• Kyle Fraser

  Kyle is a litigator and entertainment attorney for Warner Music Group and its label & publishing affiliates. He won Season 48 of CBS’s Survivor, and will return for the landmark 50th season this Spring. Outside of work, Kyle divides his time between his wife and dogs, music and sports fandom, storytelling, and pretty much anything else that sparks curiosity.

• Lisa Bee

  Lisa is the CEO & co-founder of Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, an Ann Arbor based company specializing in globally inspired, real ingredient focused beverages, and fostering positive community engagement. After over 32 years of refining operational systems, marketing, and product development, Lisa continues to grow Sweetwaters into a national franchised brand with over 38 locations in 12 states and more in development. Lisa enjoys working with her team and brings a philosophy of working hard and having fun at work. Together, her team and franchise partners continually make Sweetwaters all about loving your day.

• Paul Juda

  My name is Paul Juda and I am a recently retired men's Olympic gymnast. I currently work in real estate development, specifically as a financial analyst in Tampa, Florida. I'm a loving family man and I recognize that nothing is possible without a strong support team.