TEDxJohnsonCity

Speakers

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

• Alexandra Battle

  Show Set Design Intern at Universal Creative in Orlando, Florida.

  Born and raised in Johnson City, Tennessee, Alexandra is completing her undergraduate degree in Interior Architecture at East Tennessee State University. As Director of Young Professionals On Campus (YPOC), she connects students with the broader Johnson City community through events, mentorship, and partnerships that create meaningful relationships and real opportunities. She is especially interested in the design process and in cultivating studio culture—building environments where creative work is collaborative, disciplined, and energizing. Alexandra is also a muralist with work installed throughout the city. She views public art as civic work that builds pride, sparks conversation, and signals investment in place. Currently based in Orlando, Florida, she works as a Show Set Intern with Universal Creative, gaining hands-on experience in large-scale collaboration, production, and immersive design.

• David Nelson

  Serial entrepreneur and Executive Director of FoundersForge

  David Nelson is the Executive Director of FoundersForge (a nonprofit entrepreneur center located in Johnson City) and East Tennessee State University faculty member in the Entrepreneurship Program. David's passion is empowering underdog entrepreneurs throughout the Appalachian Highlands, and through impactful regional initiatives — from startup bootcamps to pitch competitions — he helps make entrepreneurship more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable throughout rural and emerging markets. A seasoned entrepreneur himself, David has launched multiple tech ventures across sectors including healthcare, software, and agency services, bringing real-world startup experience to his work. Under his guidance, FoundersForge provides free mentorship, coaching, networking opportunities, and programming that connects founders with critical resources, investors, and community partners — all designed to stimulate economic growth and innovation across Northeast Tennessee and beyond.

• Dr. Karah Sprouse

  Co-founder, national speaker, author, + researcher

  Dr. Karah Sprouse is the co-founder of ReGenerate—a company empowering generations to work with (and not against) each other. She serves as adjunct faculty in Lipscomb University’s College of Leadership and Public Service and as a professor of practice at Cumberland University, where she spent more than a decade as a business professor. Before academia, Karah held project management roles at Underwriters Laboratories and LexisNexis, leading multigenerational teams and developing a passion for intergenerational collaboration. Her research has been recognized by national and international academic bodies, including SACSCOC and ACBSP. Karah holds a BS from the University of Tennessee, an MBA from the University of Mississippi, and a DBA from Liberty University. She lives on her family’s multigenerational farm near Nashville with her husband, children, and barnyard pets.

• Dr. Sarah Long

  Author, professor, therapeutic writing consultant

  Dr. Sarah Long is an author, full professor at Appalachian State University, and therapeutic writing consultant. Her forthcoming, award-winning memoir Uprooted: A Memoir of Belonging and Becoming (Regal House Publishing, July 2026) is a lyrical meditation on family, identity, inherited trauma, and the strength it takes to grow something new from broken ground. She is the founder of the Writing Cure (www.thewritingcure.com) and offers customized expressive and therapeutic writing curriculum and consulting to human-centered organizations and individuals.

• Jessica Stollings

  Co-founder, national speaker, author, and coach

  Jessica Stollings is the co-founder of ReGenerate—a company empowering generations to work with (and not against) each other. She serves as an adjunct faculty member in Lipscomb University's College of Leadership and Public Service and is an executive education facilitator at Belmont University. She has held roles in corporate communication/talent development and worked as a nationally syndicated news reporter for a radio news program heard by more than two million listeners. Jessica has studied how to bridge gaps across generations for more than 15 years. Her work has been highlighted in SHRM, Ragan/PR Daily, The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, and The Review of Managerial Science and her experiential team training using an escape game in a box was voted one of the top 120 trainings in the world by Training Magazine. Jessica holds a BS in English and Communication from King University and is a graduate of Leadership Tennessee Class V.

• Joshua Britt

  Founder + communication coach

  Joshua Britt is the founder of Wisdom With Josh, a coaching and communication development service dedicated to helping individuals and leaders speak with confidence, lead with purpose, and make meaningful impact. He specializes in combining behavioral insight with biblical wisdom to strengthen interpersonal communication skills, public speaking, and purposeful leadership. Joshua uses certified behavioral frameworks like DISC and practical communication strategies to help clients clarify their voice, reduce barriers, and build lasting confidence. His coaching approach emphasizes integrity, discipline, and growth, tailoring every session to each person’s challenges and goals. Joshua also brings his business experience, including generating nearly $5 million in sales through trust, discipline, and effective communication. Rooted in a commitment to continuous learning, Joshua strives to equip others with practical tools that foster growth — all aligned with purpose and wisdom.

• Kate Craig

  Front end developer, political consultant, author, former candidate, and community organizer

  Kate Craig founded Harvesting Democracy PAC in 2023, after moving the needle 7 points in her 2022 state senate campaign. She served two terms as both the Chair of the Washington County Democratic Party and Chair of the First Congressional District for the Tennessee Democratic County Chairs Association. She’s launched 3 businesses: Kate Craig Photography, Harvesting Democracy LLC, and Kate Craig Consulting. She’s written eight books and has completed the NaNoWriMo challenge 4 times. Currently, she works as a front end developer, a digital marketing consultant, and a political consultant for Tennessee’s state and local rural candidates. Currently, she serves on the board for Planned Parenthood of Tennessee & Northern Mississippi, Tennessee Advocates for Planned Parenthood, and the Tennessee Equality Project. Kate is passionate about her community, building relationships, and inspiring positive, lasting change.