TEDxButterfish Cove

Speakers

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

• Chrissy Ehrhart

  Chrissy Ehrhart is the founder, owner & operator of Zenna Wellness Yoga, Reiki and Sound Studio opened in 2012 as well as co-founder/co-owner/co-operator of The Healing Arts Center of the Eastern Shore since its opening in 2019. As a Shamanic practitioner & nature loving yogi Chrissy has been an integral and leading part of the holistic & integrative healing community on the Eastern Shore for over 16 years. She holds an intensive certification in Shamanic Sound Immersion & Vibrational Therapy since 2016, she has won many “Best Of” awards in the Yoga world with Coastal Style magazine and was the 2019 recipient of the “SHEro” award in 2019 for rising above adversity and her contributions to the Delmarva communities as an example and inspiration for others on their own healing journeys.

• David Rothner

  David Rothner is better known as "BullDog." BullDog is the longtime host of Ocean 98's Rude Awakening Show, where he has entertained and informed listeners for more than 25 years. Before radio, he spent nearly two decades as a commodity broker at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Known for his curiosity, humor, and willingness to embrace new experiences, BullDog believes life's greatest opportunities begin just outside our comfort zones. His TEDx talk encourages people to stop saying "I can't" and start saying "Why not?"

• Dr. Kathleen Stross

  Kathleen Stross is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and holistic health practitioner who has spent over three decades helping people reclaim their balance—physically, emotionally, and personally. A pioneer in vestibular rehabilitation, she is known for her ability to translate science into hope and practical action. Through her work at In Harmony, Kathleen empowers individuals to separate who they are from what they’ve been diagnosed with, rebuilding identity and possibility with compassion and clarity.

• Dr. Krishna Athal

  Dr Krishna Athal is a scholar-practitioner who works at the intersection of leadership, psychology, neuroscience, and human behavior. He is a life and executive coach, corporate trainer, and leadership consultant who has spent years studying how influence actually operates in real systems, not just in theory, but in boardrooms, teams, institutions, and everyday relationships. His work focuses on sustainable behavioral change, emotional resilience, and practical leadership maturity, helping individuals and organizations move from performance to presence, from control to clarity, and from charisma to clean influence. Known for blending sharp social observation with grounded compassion, he teaches leadership as a posture practice: when to step forward, when to step back, and how to build cultures where truth, dignity, and accountability can survive daylight.

• Dr. Sunita Punjabi, PhD

  Dr. Sunita Punjabi, PhD is a neuropsychologist, licensed professional counselor, researcher, and founder of Brain Coach LLC. Her work focuses on neuroplasticity, human behavior, purpose-driven living, and brain optimization. As founder of the Texas Brain Science Symposium, she translates complex neuroscience into practical strategies that help individuals and organizations improve engagement, resilience, and performance. Through research, clinical practice, and speaking engagements, Dr. Punjabi empowers audiences to unlock human potential and create lasting transformation.

• Eric Rittmeyer

  Eric Rittmeyer is the Director of Business Development and Patient Experience at LifeMed Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. A former U.S. Marine, he is a nationally recognized expert in mental toughness, emotional intelligence, and women’s health. Eric is the author of two books, The Menopausal Marine and The Emotional Marine. A frequent guest on major television networks, he educates audiences on hormone health, genetics, and strategies to optimize both mental and physical well-being.

• Heather Chirtea

  Heather Chirtea is an entrepreneur, aviator, and the first woman in the United States to own and pilot a flying car. Founder of So Fly and multiple successful technology ventures, she has built companies, led national experiential tours, and delivered millions of dollars in educational technology to schools. Now leading America's flying car revolution, Heather combines firsthand innovation with high-energy storytelling to inspire audiences to embrace bold ideas, outpace fear, and become the architects of tomorrow's future.

• Jason Jurey

  Jason Jurey has nearly two decades of experience in environmental education and is a controlled environment agriculture specialist. He travels the county helping school districts set up indoor gardening programs to address food security and elevate STEM learning experiences. Jason holds a Bachelor of Science in wildlife biology, master’s degree in secondary education and a master’s degree in environmental science. He enjoys spending his free time growing microgreens and gourmet mushrooms for friends and family.

• John Huffington

  John Huffington spent 32 years in the Maryland prison system, including 10 years on Death Row. Maintaining his innocence, he ultimately secured his release in 2013 through a Writ of Actual Innocence and eventually becoming the 191st person in the U.S. exonerated from Death Row. Currently, John is an internationally recognized author & motivational speaker. He is a trainer for statewide training programs in the Illinois Police Academies, presenting Wrongful Conviction Awareness and Avoidance classes. This training is the first of its kind for law enforcement in the U.S.

• Kim Kelley

  Kim Kelley was born and raised in one of the world’s most infamous international cults. After surviving 20 years of systemic abuse, including child trafficking, Kim escaped and transformed her lived experience into a mission of prevention, education, and systemic change. Today, she is an executive at a Tier-1 training facility where she collaborates with law enforcement, survivors, technology companies, and community leaders to develop survivor-informed solutions that bridge the gap between awareness and action — proving our greatest challenges can become catalysts for meaningful impact.

• Kristen LaRose-Gaasrud

  Kristen LaRose-Gaasrud is a storyteller, entrepreneur, and women's health advocate from Ocean City, Maryland. As the founder of Sunday Studio, she built a career in marketing, brand strategy, and design before redirecting her expertise toward women's health advocacy following a six-year journey that culminated in an endometriosis diagnosis and surgery in 2026. That experience inspired her to found FreyaLab and pursue certification as a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P), deepening her understanding of root-cause health investigation. In May 2026, she was selected to represent Maryland's Eastern Shore on Capitol Hill, sharing her story with congressional offices and advocating for policies that improve healthcare access for women in underserved communities.

• Marc Rohleder

  Marc Rohleder is Chief Technology Officer for Boldyn Networks, the world’s leading neutral host provider that designs, builds, and operates advanced network infrastructure for the most complex environments. With more than 30 years of experience in the wireless industry, Marc leads the company’s technology strategy to develop best in class wireless networks to transform connectivity and enable a hyper connected world.

• Mark Stross

  Mark Stross spent decades as a technologist building systems designed for speed—until he confronted a truth he could no longer ignore: the faster our tools became, the more humanity slipped out of the loop. That realization forced a transformation, pushing him to become a Humanologist, a role he defines in his upcoming book Killer Tech: Survival Guide. Today, he teaches leaders how to reclaim clarity, agency, and identity in a world accelerating beyond instinct.

• Matthew Kern

  Raised in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Matt grew up surrounded by food- from homemade pasta, to big family dinners, his passion for food started at an early age and eventually led to his first restaurant job at age 14. Having spent the last 16 years in Coastal Delaware, he has been One Coastal’s Executive Chef and Owner for the past 5 years, leading our kitchen with passion, and a true love of what he is doing. Through his extensive connections with local farmers, Matt is able to gather and produce beautiful food for One Coastal, that is hyper-seasonal and locally sourced. From oysters to soft shells, Chef is thrilled by unique ingredients that allow him to tell a humble story. Matt was Delaware’s first ever Finalist for “Best Chef Mid-Atlantic “ for the James Beard Foundation, and a semifinalist in 2019-2020. When not at the restaurant, Chef usually spends his time hanging out with his adorable Wife & Children, or fly fishing some secret Delaware “Honey Hole” for local fish.

• Mike Rucker, PhD

  Mike Rucker, PhD, is a behavioral scientist, organizational psychologist, and author of The Fun Habit. His work explores how enjoyment helps people stay connected to meaningful habits, relationships, and places. Drawing on decades of professional and academic experience at the crossroads of health, workplace well-being, and behavior change, Rucker argues that a good life is built not through discipline alone, but rather through practices and pursuits we actually want to return to.

• Nick McNulty

  Nick McNulty is the Managing Director of Blue Whale EV, where he leads the development and deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure projects. With a background in client success, business development, and project management, he has helped municipalities, schools, commercial property owners, and multifamily communities implement EV charging solutions. Nick is passionate about building strategic partnerships that expand access to EV charging. His interest in electrification began at Clarkson University, where he researched EV charging feasibility. Outside of work, he enjoys kayaking on the Chesapeake Bay and exploring national parks.

• Paula Morris

  Paula Morris, MBA, is an educator dedicated to empowering individuals to make informed, lifestyle choices. Drawing on her background as a marketing professor and Yoga Teacher (RYT 200), Paula combines education and wellness to make brain health both accessible and actionable. Inspired by her family history, she became a Brain Longevity Specialist through the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation (ARPF). Today, she leads workshops that translate the latest brain health research into practical strategies that help people reduce their risk of cognitive decline and support lifelong brain vitality.

• Scott Rosenfeld

  Scott Rosenfeld FIES is Exhibit Lighting Designer at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery. His research brings together scientists, engineers, and museum conservators to improve visual experience, protect collections, and evaluate emerging technologies. Scott is a Fellow of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), where he leads a community of experts to develop ANSI/IES RP-30 Recommended Practice: Lighting Museums. Scott is a contributor to The Museum Environment Revisited (2025), that introduces new frameworks for preserving cultural heritage.

• Tony Myers

  Tony Myers is a sustainability professional bridging the "Green Skills" gap. Since 2020, he has managed the State of Maryland’s Department of General Services Energy Audit Program, leading eco-initiatives across public facilities. Tony began his energy efficiency career in 2013, progressing from refrigeration upgrades to large commercial retrofits. In 2022, he joined MoCo Green Futures to fight the environmental talent shortage. Through this role, he champions green careers and inspires the next generation to enter the workforce.