TEDxMountainAve

Speakers

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

• Craig Woodall

  Leadership Consultant, Author, and Retired Educator

  Craig is a retired educator with thirty years of experience in public education. He served as principal of Rocky Mountain High School for his last twelve years, where he focused on building strong connections and creating a sense of belonging. He is known for his open-door policy, direct communication style, humor, and ability to lead through challenging times. Married for thirty years and the father of four, he draws deeply on the inspiration of his family and his faith. His approach to leadership and connection has been profoundly shaped by loss and adversity, experiences that challenged him to cultivate resilience and develop a perseverance mindset. Through his journey, he discovered that hope is not passive; it is built through intention, discipline, and a willingness to pick your head up and move forward. Today he shares those lessons as a leadership consultant and author, helping others create clarity, build perspective, and establish clear purpose.

• Emma McHugh

  Lead Research Associate

  Emma is a passionate researcher, advocate, educator, and storyteller who is actively working towards global menstrual equity. She graduated with a B.S. in International Development from Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) in San Diego, California where she founded the holistic menstruation research initiative: Akinyi (www.akinyi.net). Emma is now the Lead Research Associate for the Center for International Development at PLNU, expanding Akinyi’s work throughout Africa, South America, North America, and Southeast Asia. Although her work requires consistent travel to countries across the globe, Emma prioritizes visiting her hometown in Fort Collins often, making sure to include a drive up Horsetooth and a bagel from Gibbs whenever possible!

• Matthew Fisher

  Graduate Mental Health Counseling student

  Matthew is a mental health therapist and is deeply passionate about human connection. Drawing from over five years of clinical experience and his own journey through mental health challenges, he specializes in addiction recovery and mental wellness. Learn more about Matthew's work at mattfisher.life

• Rachel Faulkner Brown

  Director of Never Alone Widows

  Rachel Faulkner Brown is the founder and visionary leader of Never Alone Widows, the nation’s largest support network for widows. Twice widowed and radically restored, Rachel is passionate about bringing life to broken places and helping women move from shame to joy. Her story is disarming, her faith is catalytic, and her message is simple and steady: you are not alone. Rachel is the author of two nationally distributed transformational studies, the best-selling Widow’s Might, and is also a weekly podcast host. She has been featured on Fox News and serves as a national advocate for military widows, helping raise millions in scholarships for Gold Star families. Whether she is walking alongside widows, hosting transformational gatherings, or mentoring emerging leaders, Rachel blends humor, vulnerability, and practical tools that spark emotional healing and personal breakthrough. Her life’s work is to inspire boldness, resilience, and the courage to live free.

• Rayna Kumar

  Student

  Rayna Kumar is a junior at Lynbrook High School in San Jose, CA. She is a content creator and award-winning writer who hosts Cognitive Corner, a youth-led podcast at the intersection of AI, neuroscience, and cognitive science. Through her research experiences and interviews with scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovators, Rayna delves into the mysteries of the brain and how artificial intelligence can help illuminate the ways we think, learn, and make decisions. She also serves as Vice President of the Aletheia Club, a student publication where she writes and edits articles on the psychological dimensions of adolescent dreams, burnout, trauma, and mental health. She is passionate about giving back to her community and volunteers at her local library and with the World Literacy Foundation.

• Silvia R. Meyer

  Executive Advisor & Educator: AI-Driven Change and Global Strategy

  Silvia R. Meyer is an executive advisor and global strategist who helps organizations navigate the collision of AI, human behavior, and international markets. With more than three decades in Silicon Valley working across Cisco, Lucent, Autodesk, and IBM, she has guided leaders through cycles of disruption where technology, regulation, and culture intersect. She now leads Silvia Meyer & Company, developing executive programs on AI-driven change management, identity-based leadership, and cross-border collaboration. Her earlier teaching experience at Hult International Business School, Santa Clara University, and Universidad Politécnica de Madrid informs her approach to translating complexity into practical, human- centered strategies. Trained as a mechanical and naval engineer with a master’s in engineering management, she brings a systems lens to every conversation.