TEDxCNU

Speakers

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

• Ashley Fournet

  Dr. Ashley Fournet is a management professor who cares deeply about helping people grow — in the classroom, in their careers, and in their everyday lives. She teaches Human Resources and Organizational Behavior at Christopher Newport University, where her classes are less about memorizing business terms and more about figuring out what it really means to lead, communicate, and show up well for other people. Ashley is known for being direct, real, and deeply invested in her students. She advises two student-led organizations — Women in Business and the CNU Next — where she mentors emerging leaders and helps them connect their ideas to impact. Her favorite moments are when students start to believe in their own potential and learn to push through the hard stuff with purpose. Outside of the university, Ashley coaches at her local CrossFit gym, where the lessons often sound a lot like the ones she teaches in class: effort matters, feedback fuels growth, and consistency beats motivation every time. Before entering academia, she worked in sales, marketing, and event planning — experiences that taught her how to adapt fast, connect with people, and keep a sense of humor when things go sideways.

• Berend van der Meer

  Junior at Christopher Newport University studying Environmental Studies with a minor in Leadership and I am a member of the varsity Sailing team. Outside of competition and the classroom, I like to spend my time fly fishing, coaching, and doing anything outdoors. My experiences in sport and the outdoors have played a large role in shaping the person I am today

• Britt Hunter

  Britt Hunter is a dynamic speaker, leadership coach, and former top-ranked athlete who empowers future leaders and changemakers through candid storytelling, engaging workshops, and executive coaching. After a devastating sports injury ended her basketball career at Duke and UConn, Britt pivoted to mentoring and leadership, earning an MBA from Vanderbilt. She spent years working in public education in Harlem, where she developed a deep passion for servant leadership and youth mentorship, before transitioning to the corporate world at Microsoft. Now, she leverages her unique journey—marked by resilience, humor, and an unwavering commitment to leadership—to inspire others. Whether coaching executives, mentoring student-athletes, or delivering high-impact keynotes, Britt helps others unlock their strengths and redefine success on their own terms.

• Charlotte Swanson

  Charlotte is a junior from Richmond, Virginia, majoring in psychology with minors in leadership studies and childhood studies. She is part of the Masters in Teaching program where she is studying elementary education, following her dream of being a kindergarten teacher. She's on the executive board for CNU's Special Olympics Gymnastics organization, and can best be found spending time in schools, with the children she babysits, or at a Mexican restaurant.

• Jason Tilley

  Jason Tilley is an accomplished technology executive with over 30 years of credit union IT experience and a strong record of strategic leadership in financial services. As CIO at 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union, he shapes the organization’s technology vision, drives digital transformation, and ensures operational excellence. His expertise spans IT governance, cybersecurity, strategic planning, and regulatory compliance. Jason also hosts The Knowledge Stack, a podcast exploring the intersection of finance and technology, where he shares insights on emerging trends and innovation strategies

• Jay Robeson

  Jay is Language and Literature teacher at Green Run Collegiate in Virginia Beach, working with a vibrant, diverse group of students—many from underserved communities. They’re performing at levels that defy expectation, not because the work is easier, but because the learning feels real. He brings innovation, storytelling, and voice into the center of his classroom. His goal has never been to just teach texts. It’s to help students find their own.

• Karsten Schenkelberg

  Karsten Schenkelberg is a senior at CNU studying Finance hailing from Yorktown, Virginia. He is an Honors student actively involved in the Captain’s Educational Enrichment Fund, as well as a brother of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He plans to pursue entrepreneurial ventures post graduation, and is currently developing a company with his long time best friend and working with a software start up out of Norfolk. He often spends his free time camping, hiking, lifting weights, and reading.

• McKenna Findley

  McKenna is a current student at Christopher Newport University studying Political Science with minors in Communication and Leadership Studies. She is deeply committed to building community, amplifying student voices, and fostering meaningful dialogue. McKenna aims to create environments where people feel seen, supported, and inspired. She is passionate about advocacy, service, and using leadership as a tool for positive and lasting impact.