TEDxSemesterAtSea

Speakers

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

• Chris Bradshaw

  Chris Bradshaw is the Founder of the African Library Project, a nonprofit that has started thousands of small libraries in 13 Sub Saharan countries. A lifelong learner both on and off the Semester at Sea ship, she has lived, traveled or worked in 75+ countries including 24 in Africa. A proud mama of two, look for her on the basketball or pickleball courts or outdoors enjoying the miracle of our marvelous planet. africanlibraryproject.org

• Danica McCormick

  Danica McCormick is going into her Junior year at Boise State University and is studying Nursing. She hopes to further her education post-grad by specializing in anesthesia. Originally from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, she grew up spending a lot of time outdoors camping, fishing, and wake surfing with her mom, dad, and twin sister. When she was younger, she travelled a lot for competitive gymnastics and found a love for experiencing new places of the world. When she went to college, she knew she wanted to broaden her horizons and decided to go abroad with Semester at Sea this past Spring, on Voyage 137.

• Dr. L.J. Hartig

  Dr. L.J. Hartig is a first-generation college graduate, international educator, and lifelong believer that the world is a classroom. She has traveled to over 75 countries and all 50 U.S. states, spending her career helping students access global learning through experiential education and intercultural experiences with organizations such as Semester at Sea, Education First, and in higher education. She recently completed her Ph.D. in Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change at Colorado State University, where her research focused on first-generation students and education abroad. Her work is driven by the belief that travel expands not only how we see the world, but how we see ourselves. She hopes her work inspires her nephew Lazlo, and all students, to believe they belong out in the world and have the power to change it.

• Lane Goodwin

  Lane Goodwin shares a powerful story about discovering what real impact truly means. After traveling to Ghana to volunteer at an orphanage, she arrived with the intention of changing lives through service and giving. But through one unexpected conversation, everything shifted. Lane realized that impact isn’t always big or dramatic. Sometimes, it’s quiet. It looks like listening, being present, and making someone feel seen. Her talk challenges the idea that we have to save the world to make a difference—and reminds us that the greatest impact is loving the person right in front of us. Social Medias- Instagram- lanegoodwin_ TikTok- lanegoodwin_ #TEDxSemesterAtSea #SemesterAtSea #TEDx #TED #TEDxSpeaker #TEDxTalk #Impact #Kindness #Empathy #HumanConnection #Inspiration #MakeADifference #BePresent #LoveInAction #Ghana #studyabroad #student #leader #studyabroad #africa #studentleader #love

• Mari Edler

  Mari Edler is a Marketing and Creative Strategist passionate about bridging creativity and strategy. She is completing a degree in Arts, Technology, and Business at the University of Southern California's Iovine and Young Academy. Mari believes the most innovative solutions come from those unafraid to live in their "and.” From digital product design to brand identity analysis, she brings human-centered thinking to complex problems. In her free time, Mari enjoys scuba diving, fantasy novels, musical theater, and café hopping. www.linkedin.com/in/mari-edler | www.mariedler.com

• Natasha Thanay

  Natasha Thanay is a student from Mozambique. She is passionate about making a difference in everything she does, driven by a clear sense of purpose. She aspires to be a young changemaker in her field, contributing to the advancement of her country and the world, with a strong commitment to investing in education and the empowerment of youth. Her goal is to visit every country in the world, fueled by her love for connecting with new people and cultures. Natasha enjoys good music and deeply cherishes time with God and her family. Proud of her roots, she holds a deep love for her country and her people. Looking ahead, she is committed to creating a lasting impact and leaving a positive mark on the world through her work and her travels. LinkedIn: Natasha Thanay ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-thanay-b65812246/ )

• Nick Nadeau

  Nick Nadeau is a recent college graduate from Bentley University with a bachelors degree in Economics & Finance. He began his professional career working in finance and pursing fitness passions such as GoRuck events and endurance events. After a year and a half of working in finance, Nick choose to apply to the Spring 2026 Semester at Sea voyage to be able to learn more about the world and other areas of schooling. Through pursuing fitness passions and taking the leap to sail around the world with Semester at Sea as a recent college graduate, he has built a version of himself that he is proud of and is finally living a life that is his and not others.

• Riley Alkove

  Riley Alkove is a student at Elon University, where he is double majoring in Business and Outdoor Leadership & Education. Raised in Seattle, Washington, he grew up immersed in the outdoors, developing a deep appreciation for skiing, hiking, and mountaineering. He now leads and facilitates backpacking trips, helping others step into challenge, discomfort, and growth. In high school, Riley discovered aviation and learned to fly, drawn to the challenge and discipline required to make decisions in the sky. Whether in the mountains or the cockpit, his work centers on overcoming adversity through the idea: that the best decisions come not from pushing through, but from learning when to pause and listen.

• Sophia Earnest

  Sophia Earnest is a junior studying politics, public policy, and environmental studies at the University of San Francisco. After earning associate degrees in Political Science and Social and Behavioral Science from Santa Rosa Junior College, Sophia now applies a sociological lens to complex environmental challenges. On USF’s campus, she is a fierce advocate for the transfer community within the Honors College and the Humanities Mellon Scholars program. As a Sustainability Specialist at the Office of Sustainability, she champions zero-waste peer education and sustainable voter behavior. Her commitment to the planet is both professional and deeply personal; as an avid outdoorswoman, she is happiest hiking or paddleboarding. Recently, Sophia followed a family legacy by embarking on Semester at Sea to continue her studies and activism abroad. Through her global travels, she’s witnessed the pervasive reach of plastic pollution and the urgent need for consistent waste sorting systems.

• Zyairrah Jackson

  Zyairrah Jackson is a recent high school graduate, ending her senior year with an associates in arts along with her diploma. Skilled in public speaking, active community engagement and bringing an upbeat attitude to any situation. A multi passionate creative, spending her free time writing, painting, dancing or simply watching anime. She was a Student on Semester at Sea (Voyage 137) Spring 2026.