TEDxClovis Play

Speakers

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

• Angela Hanscom

  Outdoor Play Enthusiast

  She is a pediatric occupational therapist, international speaker, and the founder of TimberNook, an award-winning, nature-based developmental program that has reached children, educators, and therapists globally. Widely recognized for her pioneering work in outdoor play and its impact on child development, she is the author of the bestselling book Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children. Hanscom’s expertise has been featured across major media platforms, including The Washington Post, NPR, Edutopia, Treehugger, Times of India, The Jerusalem Post, and the Children & Nature Network. She is also a frequent TEDx speaker. Her contributions have earned national recognition, including a Small Business of the Year Award in 2019 and being named a “Hometown Hero” by Glamour magazine. Through her writing, speaking, and TimberNook programs, Hanscom continues to influence a global movement toward more balanced, play-centered childhoods.

• Dan Roth

  Adaptive Play Enthusiast

  He is an Amazon Best Selling Author, Strategic People Operations Executive and Non Profit Advisor. He was a speaker at TEDxThirdWard in early 2026. Having been diagnosed as neurodivergent in 1989, Dan uses a lifetime of self reflection, research and understanding to advocate for others in spaces that rarely get enough attention. These areas include eating disorders, body dysmorphia, domestic violence, sexual assault, maternity & menopausal rights, neurodiversity & disability and anti racism and mental health. To accomplish his goals of helping to create a more inclusive world, Dan takes a three prong approach. The first prong is his work in corporate, the second is as a professional speaker and the third is his work in non profits. Currently, Dan sits as the co-chair for his daughter’s school district advisory committee on Special Education, a role that has let him to raising nearly $15,000 to put adaptive swings in all 26 elementary schools, sensory bags in each classroom and more.

• Dr. Kerry Magro

  Author

  Dr. Kerry Magro (Mah-grow) Ed.D. was nonspeaking till 2.5, diagnosed with autism at 4 and didn’t speak in complete sentences until 7 years old. Today as an adult he is an award-winning autistic professional speaker, best-selling author and autism consultant to Netflix’s Emmy-Award Winning Series ‘Love on the Spectrum U.S’and the HBO series Mrs. Fletcher. He has spoken at over 1400 events during that time include 2 TEDxTalks and a 'Talks at Google' presentation. In addition, Kerry is CEO & President of KFM Making A Difference, a nonprofit organization that hosts inclusion events and has provided 150 scholarships for autistic students for college and counting since 2011. He’s provided 27 small business grants for small businesses that hire people with disabilities and has played Santa Claus for autistic and special needs children for the past decade to give them an opportunity to meet Santa in a sensory-friendly environment.

• Dr. Monica Peterson

  Inclusive Play Studio Owner

  She is a children’s book author, educator, and business owner dedicated to supporting children and families through inclusive learning and play. A former special education teacher and administrator, she is the founder of Inclusive Kids and Inclusive Kids Play Studio, organizations that provide early learning support, developmental services, and play-based experiences for children. Through her work with families, educators, and communities, Dr. Peterson advocates for the power of inclusive play as a foundation for learning, connection, and belonging. She believes that families play a vital role in creating environments where children can grow, explore, and build meaningful relationships across differences. As an author, she writes stories that inspire empathy, understanding, and friendship among young readers and the adults who support them. Her work centers on the idea that when children learn and play together, everyone benefits -- making communities stronger.

• Dr. Nicole J. Smith

  Kinesiology Professor

  Dr. Nicole J. Smith is an Associate Professor of Kinesiology and director of the Physical Activity Research in Kinesiology (P.A.R.K.) program at CSU, Fresno. Her work focuses on understanding how schools, communities, and everyday environments can support active, healthy lifestyles across the lifespan. At the heart of her work is a simple belief: everyone deserves access to enjoyable, sustainable ways to be physically active. Dr. Smith explores the powerful connection between play, physical activity, and well-being, highlighting how play can help people of all ages build healthier, more active lives. She is passionate about helping communities create environments where play and movement are embraced as essential parts of everyday life, and believes that play is not something we outgrow—it is a lifelong pathway to health, connection, and well-being.

• Dr. Stephanie Byerly

  Neuro-Obstetrical Anesthesiologist

  She recently transitioned from a successful academic career as Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Management to private practice. She is also a dynamic Certified Life, Women’s Centered, and Trauma Informed Professional Coach, , and is recognized as an Associate Certified Coach by the International Coaching Federation. Throughout her career, Dr. Byerly has excelled in leadership, serving in pivotal roles such as Chief of Staff, Chief of Anesthesiology, Chief of Obstetric Anesthesiology, Director of Resident Recruitment, Director of the Operating Room, and Chair of the American Society of Anesthesiologists Committee on Women Anesthesiologists. Her contributions extend beyond clinical excellence—she has authored numerous publications addressing physician wellness and dismantling gender bias in the workplace.

• Evran Naz Shuva

  Internationally toured artist

  Evran Naz Shuva is a 2x founder, internationally toured artist, and speaker who has lectured at Columbia University and many other institutions, blending insights from creativity, technology and mindfulness practice. He founded Origin Coliving, Mindstream Wellness, and the band PUi in New York City, cross-disciplinary experiences that informed his perspective on the common patterns underlying the creative process. A mindfulness practitioner for over 10 years across retreats in India, Thailand and a neuroscience-informed study in NYC with renowned teachers. He’s currently a startup advisor while developing his own new venture. His TEDx talk will be a unique hybrid of artistic performance and future-forward conversation about the power of play in creative adaptation.

• Mia Sundstrom

  CEO, National Institute for Play

  Mia is the CEO of the National Institute for Play and the granddaughter of NIFPlay founder and play expert, Dr. Stuart Brown. Mia also works as a consultant for the Office of the Chancellor at the University of Denver to infuse play and character development in the student experience. Mia was previously an NCAA D1 assistant coach for the University of Denver's top 10 gymnastics team. Before coaching, she was a student-athlete and captain for Denver Gymnastics, helping lead the program to a historic final four appearance while earning two degrees: a master’s in public policy ('23) and a bachelor’s in business information and Analytics ('21).

• Nash Fung

  Magician + Crisis Line Volunteer

  We are always encouraged to be more innovative, so what is the secret behind innovative thinking? Nash Fung might have cracked the code. With his decade long experience as a magician who creates original magic for live & television performances (CW network, Travel Channel, Channel5 (UK), etc...). He now unveils the curtain as a keynote speaker, sharing with his audiences the tricks behind innovative thinking. His keynotes had inspired audiences from TEDx, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, helping teams ignite their curiosity to create more impactful ideas together.

• Stephen Hood

  National Team Coach

  Stephen Hood is a former NCAA gymnastics coach currently based in Iceland, where he coaches elite gymnasts on Iceland’s National Team. He is the founder of The Go Live Project and the author of the substack publication “How to Avoid a Boring Eulogy”. His work sits at the intersection of performance, aliveness, and what it means to build a life worth remembering.

• Tracy Clark

  High-performance Coach

  Tracy Clark believes play is the most underestimated state in business. She works with founders and CEOs who are scaling through complexity — helping them lead from a state that catalyses growth in themselves, their teams, and their results. Her perspective is grounded in two decades of commercial experience. She is an MCC-accredited coach — one of fewer than five percent worldwide. Tracy’s mission is to bring play into the world of leadership as the catalyst for real growth, real results, and real human aliveness at work. Her first book, Let’s Play: The Catalyst Advantage — How Great Leaders Unlock Exponential Impact, will be published in late 2026. Outside her work, Tracy lives in London with her husband, their four children, and two dogs who regularly crash her coaching sessions. She’s happiest cooking for a full table, traveling the world, and living with curiosity and purpose — all of which she’ll be bringing with her to the TEDx stage this year.