TEDxGrand Canyon University

Speakers

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

• Chelsie Baham

  Chelsie Baham, winner of Big Brother 2024, is a speaker and media personality who has built a platform around resilience, decision-making, and identity. As a former collegiate athlete, nonprofit creative director, and now host of The Diamond Podcast , she brings real-world experience in leadership, communication, and high-stakes performance to the personal development space. Her work sits at the intersection of performance psychology, faith, and practical leadership, equipping audiences to shift from reactivity to intentionality when under pressure.

• Dalton Jensen

  Dalton Jensen is the Head Wrestling Coach at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where he has led the program since 2016. Under his leadership, the Lopers have won 136 dual meets, multiple conference and regional championships, and two NCAA team titles. As a collegiate wrestling coach for over a decade, He brings personal experience to the sports/athletics category. During his time as a competitor and as a coach, he has been exposed to both the highs and the lows that come with setting and chasing big goals, learning just why stagnation into contentment is never the right path for growth and success.

• Devin Flanagan

  As a private hot air balloon pilot and lifelong learner, Devin’s journey began with a simple question: “How?” Now, she’s on a mission to help others stop waiting for permission and start taking action — because curiosity doesn’t require readiness, just the willingness to try.

• Diane Scott

  Diane Scott is a Georgetown-trained, ICF-credentialed executive coach (PCC) with over 23 years of experience partnering with the world's top AI leaders and Fortune 100 C-suite executives to drive digital and enterprise transformation. She has worked with world leaders at the United Nations and across healthcare, technology, and public sectors. Her experience includes working at an Oxford-based consultancy implementing and researching measurable approaches that increase engagement. Additionally, she recently co-authored a book, The Best Boss: Becoming the Positive Leader People Never Forget , which is soon to be published.

• Dr. Nikola Markoski

  With over a decade of experience at the intersection of sourcing strategy, drug shortage response, and data analytics, Dr. Markoski brings both a frontline and executive perspective — advocating for a shift from reactive crisis management to proactive system redesign, so reliability in healthcare becomes intentional, not accidental.

• Dr. Tonya Stafford

  Dr. Tonya Stafford is a self-described “survivor-thriver” of human trafficking. An advocate and international speaker today, Dr. Stafford’s lived experience informs her professional advocacy across the stage and in systems-level work. Advocating for better care for survivors of human trafficking, Dr. Stafford collaborates with law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and government agencies to advance trauma-informed, survivor-centered responses. Furthermore, Dr. Stafford is the founder of It’s Going To Be OK , a non-profit organization providing housing, hope, healing, and trauma-informed care to survivors of human trafficking. Dr. Stafford brings a culturally grounded, sociologically focused perspective to the Culture & Sociology category, examining how communities, institutions, and policies shape healing after survival.

• Hammad Abid

  Hammad Abid is a fifth-generation textile-weaver, descended from the Ansari weaving community of India, carrying forward generations of inherited textile knowledge through contemporary design. An internationally award-winning designer featured in Forbes, he bridges heritage, material innovation, and storytelling—using fabric as a medium to explore memory, identity, and migration.

• Julia Chacón

  Chacón toured for twelve years with international flamenco companies based in New York, Madrid, Seville, and Santa Fe. Between tours in 2008, she founded her troupe, Flamenco Theatre. In October of 2025, she completed her Tenth Anniversary of season programming with Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. She was a two-time finalist for the Phoenix Mayor’s Arts Award and a finalist for the Arizona Governor’s Arts Award. She holds undergraduate degrees in Dance and Anthropology, an MFA in Dance, a MA in Creative Enterprise and Cultural Leadership, and is working toward a doctorate in Theatre & Performance at Arizona State University.

• Madison Land

  Madison’s journey through TEDxGCU reflects a leadership style rooted in vision, creativity, and care for the team around her. From her start as a Design Team Member in Year 7, to shaping direction as Design Director in Years 8 and 9, to now serving as President in Year 10, she has consistently led with both clarity and heart. Her style is collaborative and empowering — creating spaces where ideas are valued, voices are heard, and people feel inspired to contribute their best. She leads by elevating others, proving that strong leadership isn’t about control, but about cultivating confidence and connection within a team.

• Steven Owens

  Steven’s path within TEDxGCU showcases a deep commitment to growth and leadership. Beginning on the Media Team in Year 2, advancing to Director of Finance in Year 3, stepping into VP of Operations in Year 4, and ultimately serving as President in Year 5, his experience highlights the value of consistency and adaptability. His journey reflects how leadership is developed over time — shaped by the teams we serve, the challenges we navigate, and the people we grow alongside. He reminds us that true power is built through trust, collaboration, and shared vision.