TEDxFargo

Speakers

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

• Alex Van Halen

  Alex Van Halen helped redefine the sound and spirit of rock & roll. Born in Amsterdam in 1953, he moved with his family to Pasadena, California, in 1962, where he and his younger brother, Eddie, began their lifelong creative partnership. Originally trained in classical piano and guitar, Alex found his voice behind the drums. In 1972, the brothers co-founded Van Halen, launching a band that would become one of rock's most influential acts. With his thunderous playing, signature double-bass technique, and massive custom drum kits, Alex powered iconic songs including “Hot for Teacher,” “Jump,” and “Runnin’ with the Devil.” Alongside Eddie, he was the only constant member throughout the band’s four-decade run. In 2024, he published Brothers, a deeply personal memoir celebrating family, music, loss, and the extraordinary partnership he shared with Eddie.

• Cara Osborne

  Cara Osborne MSN, CNM, ScD is a nurse midwife who holds a Masters in Nursing from Vanderbilt, and a Masters and Doctorate in Public Health from Harvard School of Public Health. She spent her early career as a clinician, nursing professor and perinatal epidemiology researcher. Cara owned and operated her own health services business, and in 2013, she sold her business to the partners fund at Fortress Investment Group. She has spent the past three years as a professor of practice in Entrepreneurship at the University of Arkansas Sam M Walton College of Business, starting businesses and advising start-ups. She is a technical advisor to Diana Health, a venture backed comprehensive maternity care solution based in New York, founder of Blaize and Brooks Bourbon, Managing Partner at Native Spirit Holdings and a maternal health subject matter expert for Ingeborg Initiatives.

• Connor McGovern

  I am a 9 year NFL veteran that has recently retired. I am born and raised in Fargo, ND. As my NFL career was taking off I wanted to use my platform to help the community of Fargo. I had the privilege of working with the Special Olympics in college. It ignited a passion for a segment of the population that gets over looked. With the help of TNT and Kim Pladson we started Able games. This is an all inclusive fitness completion that gets chair athletes, athletes with Down Syndrome, and Crossfit Games athletes on the same floor. That has grown into ABLE in School. This is a school program that allows the schools to implement these same principles and programs into their PE courses.

• David Snyder

  David Snyder is a pianist and composer redefining what the piano can be—turning it into a cinematic, electrifying storytelling experience. Blending virtuosic playing with bold improvisation and humor, his music moves from intimate emotion to explosive intensity, capturing audiences in seconds. From sold-out performances across the country to viral videos seen by millions, he has built a reputation for making the piano feel fresh, unpredictable, and alive. As the creator of the one-man piano show, "The Piano Says It Better," he crafts immersive, story-driven shows that inspire audiences to rediscover creativity and find their own musical voice. His mission: to prove that music isn’t just something you play—it’s something that can change your life.

• David Lee Roth

  David Lee Roth solidified his legacy as one of rock’s most influential frontmen by channeling pure, sharp-witted charisma and an athletic stage presence. While attending Pasadena City College in Southern California, he met brothers Alex and Eddie Van Halen and became the lead vocalist of Van Halen in 1974. Roth's trademark acrobatic high kicks and electrifying energy helped propel the band to international superstardom, a run that peaked with their landmark album, 1984. Driven by the chart-topping smash hit “Jump," the RIAA Diamond-certified masterpiece became a cultural phenomenon. Roth then launched a highly successful solo career in 1985, scoring major hits with iconic covers of "California Girls" and "Just a Gigolo." A 2007 Van Halen reunion sparked massive worldwide arena tours—a triumphant return that culminated in the band’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame—permanently cementing David Lee Roth's legendary status.

• Dr. Cam Caswell

  Dr. Cam Caswell, PhD—“The Teen Translator”— is an adolescent psychologist, parenting coach, TEDx speaker, and host of the Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam podcast. With 20+ years of experience and a teen of her own, she blends science and real-life insight to help parents stop yelling, start connecting, and rebuild trust. Followed by more than 300K on Instagram, Dr. Cam is a go-to voice for parents who want proven strategies and compassionate support—not more guilt. Her mission is bold and clear: Empower parents. Uplift teens. Transform families.

• Dr. Priya Shah

  Priya Shah, MD is a pediatric emergency medicine fellow at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). She earned her medical degree from Harvard Medical School and completed her pediatric residency training at CHOP. Her academic interests include medical education and legislative advocacy surrounding child injury prevention. She believes all children deserve safe spaces in which they can learn, grow, and play freely. Dr. Shah has shared her injury prevention work through oral testimony at Philadelphia City Council, presentations at local and national conferences, as well as letters published in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Outside of work, she loves trying out new baking recipes, traveling, and spending time outdoors with her friends and family.

• Haley DeGreve

  Haley DeGreve is a Communications Manager at John Deere and founder of The Gray Matters Collective, a national nonprofit she launched in 2018 as a student at Augustana College. What began as a campus initiative has grown into a movement recognized by the University of Michigan Depression Center, offering hope and healing to thousands. A 2020 graduate with degrees in Marketing and Communication Studies, Haley is a leading voice in youth mental health and suicide prevention. She has spoken at schools, workplaces, and community events, reaching more than 50,000 people worldwide. Her podcast, Surviving the Suck, ranks in the top 10% globally for mental health. At John Deere, she helped establish the ABLEd Brain Health Subcommittee to advance mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Trained in Mental Health First Aid and ASIST, Haley continues this work with compassion, including through her TEDx talk on the power of community in suicide prevention.

• Jacqueline Hieb

  Jacqueline Hieb is an advocate, artist, mother, and survivor who has spent more than three decades finding her way through a story she once believed she could never tell. At sixteen, Jacqueline tried repeatedly to get help for a teenager in crisis, but the adults and systems around them failed to respond. The tragedy that followed changed the course of her life, leaving her with decades of shame, guilt, and unanswered questions. Through motherhood, expressive art, and years of healing, Jacqueline found the courage to break her silence and share what she learned: children need adults who listen, notice, and act. Today, she speaks for the children who are too often overlooked—and reminds us that one person choosing to step in can change everything.

• James Sang Lee

  Best known for martial arts action, the 4x ISKA World Champion in self-defense has appeared in numerous films as an actor, stuntman, fight choreographer, and weapons consultant, including Lethal Weapon 4, Blade, and Netflix’s #1 Plane, which starred Gerard Butler. James has also worked on multiple documentaries as a stunt coordinator, action designer, self-defense expert, and firearms instructor, featured on the Discovery Channel, History Channel, MTV, and more. The internationally known martial artist’s humanitarian efforts extend with Rock Self Defense in Egypt, Ukraine, Brazil, and Sri Lanka’s nationwide Stop Harassment of Women campaign, “S.H.O.W.” The appointed ISKA Youth Ambassador has taken it a step further, utilizing his influence and expertise to produce innovative initiatives that strengthen the Autism community through Dragonfly ASD and provide access to online martial arts training, Kick Punch, for the private school and homeschool communities. Next Up, Avail Magazine, Global Unites Qatar, Student Leadership University Egypt and human trafficking film, "Let Her Go".

• Jen Burgard

  A native of the upper midwest, Jen Burgard is a mom to two living children and one who lives solely in her heart. Upon the death of her second child, she set out to fill a gap in accessibility to resources, support and community for others also experiencing trauma. With personal experience of her own and her newly formed network she launched Haven as a service to grieving parents in and around her region. Today, Haven has touched thousands of families with their healing gifts, podcast content, and grief workshops. With a goal to bring awareness and understanding not only to child loss, but our grief culture in general, we are creating and building conversations around the vast Landscape of Loss.

• Jennifer Illich

  Jennifer Illich is the Executive Director of FirstLink, a nonprofit organization providing 24/7 crisis support, suicide prevention, and connection to community resources across North Dakota and parts of Minnesota. She has spent more than a decade leading efforts to strengthen how communities respond to people experiencing crisis, including through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and 211 Information and Referral Helpline. Jennifer believes deeply in the power of human connection and in creating systems where people know they do not have to face their hardest moments alone. Her work brings together crisis services, healthcare, public safety, government, and community partners to improve access to help and build stronger pathways of support. In 2026, Jennifer was selected as a Bush Fellow, an opportunity she is using to deepen her leadership and explore innovative approaches to crisis care and suicide prevention, particularly for rural, frontier, and underserved communities. Jennifer holds an MBA from the University of Mary and a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Science from North Dakota State University. At the heart of her work is a simple belief: making room for one more person can change a life.

• Josh Madson

  Community Collage is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit public art initiative that transforms portrait photography into collective murals celebrating belonging. We create immersive pop-up photo studio events where participants are not just photographed, but are made to feel part of something bigger, a vibrant and inclusive community while fostering moments of joy, self-expression, and unity. These portraits are then assembled into large-scale public art installations and murals displayed in prominent community spaces, creating a powerful visual reminder of connection and belonging. With a major documentary in the works and numerous large scale murals to be placed throughout the country, Community Collage is looking to make our mark. Our goal is to create memorable, impactful experiences that amplify our shared humanity, one snapshot at a time. To date, Community Collage has photographed roughly than 16,000 people and continues to grow, partnering with nationally recognized organizations, universities, and communities across the country. About Josh Madson: Josh Madson is a dynamic, prolific photographer/director/DP who works internationally from various home-bases in LA, NYC and Tokyo. Josh was born and raised in Minnesota before relocating to Los Angeles in 2005. During the pandemic, Josh relocated back to Minnesota to be closer to family. Shortly after returning to Minnesota Josh’s family decided to move to Mankato. Josh now considers it to be a home away from home outside of his primary residence in Los Angeles. In 2018 and 2019, Josh directed motion campaigns for OPI, Goop, Beauty Counter and Murad. To see Josh's reel click here. Josh works with and has had works published in a diverse mix of top-tier, global enterprises and publications, such as: L’OREAL, NYX, goop, Murad, Beauty Counter, ipsy, Proctor & Gamble, COTY, Clairol, Bank of America, Nike, VOGUE Girl, Elle, SELF, Esquire, InStyle, Macy's, G- Tech, Target, Hitachi, Mac, amongst many others. Josh’s Links: www.communitycollage.org www.joshmadson.com www.instagram.com/instajoshmadson www.facebook.com/JoshMadsonPhoto Josh’s Production Company: www.madsonmedia.com

• Katie Kelly Dorn

  Katie Kelley Dorn is a school counselor, licensed mental health therapist, entrepreneur, published author, and mother of seven, with more than a decade of experience at the intersection of education, mental health, and leadership. She has served as a K–12 school counselor and as adjunct faculty and program director at Adler Graduate School, where she aligned led data-driven initiatives to measure program effectiveness and student mental health outcomes. As CEO and co-founder of EmpowerU, Katie has developed scalable mental health skill-building solutions for schools nationwide. She has founded three companies, including two multi-million-dollar exits. Her work is grounded in one core belief: lasting mental health improvement does not come from fixing people—it comes from teaching the skills that build resilience, agency, and lifelong capacity.

• Lynn Pietig

  Pietig and her husband operate Pietig Farms, a fifth-generation farm, where they raise corn and soybeans. She owns and operates Pietig Book-Works, a tax and accounting business. Pietig also serves as treasurer for Morgan Memorial Foundation, Inc., a nursing home and assisted living facility. Pietig was elected to the AgCountry Board in 2015; her current term ends August 31, 2027.

• Megan Burke Roudebush

  Megan Burke Roudebush is the Founder and CEO of keepwith®, a relationship technology company built around helping people create meaningful, real-world connections. An attorney, business leader, former Chief Compliance Officer, and lifelong relationship-builder, Megan began her career as a child journalist traveling the world with Children’s Express News Service. After moving to Chicago without knowing anyone, she developed a deliberate approach to networking that grew into a global speaking career—and eventually a company. A 2019 Shark Tank audition became the catalyst for Megan to leave her executive career and build keepwith® full-time, with a focus on making relationship-building more intentional, human, and safe.

• Melissa Kaiser

  Melissa Kaiser is a nationally recognized consultant, trainer, and speaker specializing in anti-human trafficking, multidisciplinary team building, and wellness for professionals in high-trauma fields. With over 15 years as a social worker, she has worked alongside first responders and helping professionals to improve victim outcomes through trauma-informed, person-centered practices. She pioneered a human trafficking and victim/witness program and has helps rescue missing and exploited children across the country. Melissa was a nominee for YWCA’s Women of the Year and is the voice behind Secrets of a Social Worker (swsecrets.net), where she shares honest insights on resilience, growth, and the human side of helping others. Her mission is to help those who protect and serve others remain resilient, connected, and effective while spreading kindness, offering support, and making someone’s day whenever she can.

• Pete Nelson

  Pete Nelson transformed a childhood dream—a simple tree fort built with his father in New Jersey—into a movement that reconnects people with the natural world through pioneering sustainable architecture and elevated living. As founder of Nelson Treehouse, Pete has redefined what's possible when imagination meets craftsmanship among the branches. His innovative designs have elevated treehouses from childhood playgrounds to sophisticated spaces for living, working, and healing. Through Animal Planet's "Treehouse Masters," Pete brought elevated living to millions worldwide, inspiring new relationships with nature and evoking childhood nostalgia. His expertise is showcased in six acclaimed books on treehouse design and through his robust social media following, which serve as both practical guides and sources of inspiration. But Pete's true mission extends far beyond building structures. In a world where we spend most of our time indoors and online, he champions a philosophy that views treehouses as gateways to wonder, mindfulness, and environmental stewardship. Through Nelson Treehouse vacation rentals across the United States and his high-quality treehouse hardware line for DIYers, he empowers others to discover the transformative power of time spent among the canopy. As treehouse design evolves into a recognized architectural practice, Pete champions a compelling vision: that our path forward leads up into the branches and back to our fundamental connection with the living world. Join Pete as he explores how ascending into the trees can ground us in what matters most.

• Robert Vargas

  Robert Vargas has transformed walls around the world into larger-than-life works of art. Born and raised in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, Vargas is an internationally renowned contemporary artist + muralist. Educated at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, he is known for creating massive public murals entirely freehand, without grids, projections, or stencils. His high-profile works include Angelus, a 14-story mural in Downtown Los Angeles, and LA Rising, a 150-foot portrait of Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani. In 2021, Vargas created Long Live the King, a 17-foot mural honoring Eddie Van Halen on the exterior of Guitar Center’s flagship Hollywood store on the Sunset Strip, connecting his artistry to one of rock’s most legendary figures.

• Ron Ness

  Ron Ness is the President of the North Dakota Petroleum Council (NDPC). Ness, with more than 25 years with the Petroleum Council and more than 36 years of career experience, under his leadership and commitment to energy development, North Dakota oil production has increased from just over 80,000 barrels of oil per day to over 1.1 million barrels of oil per day. Ness has been instrumental in driving the state energy policy and research, including the Legacy Fund, Oil and Gas Research Council, Outdoor Heritage Fund, and the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority. He serves as the industry spokesperson and manages the association, which represents more than 500 companies involved in all aspects of North Dakota’s oil and gas industry. Prior to his position with NDPC, Ness was previously the President of the North Dakota Retail and Petroleum Marketers Association. Prior to that, he spent ten years with the State of North Dakota, most of which as the Deputy Commissioner of Labor. Ness is a Tolna, North Dakota native, a graduate of North Dakota State University in Business and Economics. He received his Master’s in Management from the University of Mary. Ron was appointed by Governors Schafer, Hoeven, Dalrymple, Burgum, and Armstrong to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, the Oil and Gas Research Council, the Empower North Dakota Commission, and the Governor’s Revenue Advisory Committee. Ness serves on the Board for Sanford Health Bismarck and is the past board chair. He is the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the North Dakota Governor’s Cup, serves on the Boards of the Domestic Energy Producers Alliance, the Council for Secure America, and serves on the Board of Regents at the University of Mary. Ness is also a partner in a commercial real estate group. He previously served as the Chairman of the Board of the Energy & Environmental Research Center Foundation, and Leadership North Dakota, and served on the Board of Directors for the national Mule Deer Foundation. Ness and his wife Becky, have three adult children and enjoy working on wildlife and habitat projects on their farm and ranch properties, as well as golfing, shooting, hunting, and traveling.

• Ryan Mauk

  To Walk Amongst The Giants. Storm Chaser, Filmmaker, and Flight RN Ryan Mauk turns the most violent skies on Earth into gripping, cinematic stories. Known for racing straight into the jaws of supercells and tornadoes, he captures nature’s fury with breathtaking clarity. As the creator of The Rear Flank docuseries, Ryan delivers an unflinching look at the raw power of storms—where danger, beauty, and human determination collide. His work has been called “Netflix-worthy,” a front-row seat to chaos that few dare to face, and even fewer can capture.

• Scott Cramer

  Scott Cramer is a North Dakota-born YouTuber known for his comedic takes on pop culture and the YouTube scene. He's gained attention for his parodies of Billy Mays, Post Malone, and the show Hot Ones, with his Hot Ones parody going viral. Cramer has been posting videos since 2008, and celebrated 10 years on his current channel in 2024. He's also a musician with albums including Wii Fit (2024), Been a Minute (2022), and got milk? (2021). 953K subscribers 189 videos 135,819,058 views

• Tammy Miller

  Tammy J. Miller is a business executive, board leader, and public servant dedicated to helping organizations, communities, and individuals reach their full potential. Miller previously served as the 39th Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota, where she championed economic development, workforce initiatives, innovation, and policies that strengthened businesses and communities across the state. Prior to public service, she spent 29 years at Border States, one of the nation's largest 100% employee-owned companies. Beginning as Accounting Manager, she advanced through leadership roles of increasing responsibility. From 2006 to 2020, during her tenure as CEO and Board Chair, she led the company through a period of transformational growth, increasing annual sales from $485 million to nearly $2.5 billion while reinforcing its employee-owned culture and positioning the company for sustained growth. Today, Miller serves on the board of a publicly traded company. She is a founder and board chair of the North Dakota Center for Employee Ownership, where she advances employee ownership as a proven strategy for business succession, employee wealth creation, and stronger communities. She also coaches business leaders and serves as board chair of the Plains Art Museum. Miller has received numerous leadership honors, including an Honorary Doctor of Business from Minnesota State University Moorhead in recognition of her contributions to business, public service, and community leadership.

• Terry Brandt

  Rev. Dr. Terry A. Brandt believes that transformation happens when people create space for vision, risk holy experiments, and trust that something sacred can emerge in the process. As the Executive Director of the Offutt Family Foundation, Terry leads with a conviction that generosity is one of the most powerful forces for good in the world. He guides the Foundation’s efforts to strengthen communities and expand opportunity, helping people and ideas flourish in ways that make a lasting difference. Before stepping into his work with Ron Offutt and his family, Terry served as Vice President for Advancement at Concordia College in Moorhead and earlier as a bishop of the Eastern North Dakota Synod in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Those experiences shaped his deep belief that leadership is ultimately about relationship, namely listening well, calling out the gifts of others, and inspiring people to imagine what’s possible together. Terry’s path has never fit into a single category. He has been a pastor, entrepreneur, educator, and strategist, each role forming part of a lifelong commitment to bridging faith and innovation. He often describes himself as a “flipper and fixer,” not just of houses (his past time) but of systems, cultures, and stories that need new energy and vision. Today, Terry continues to explore how purpose, generosity, and imagination can renew institutions and communities alike. He brings humor, humility, and a deep sense of hope to every conversation believing that real change begins not with certainty, but with the courage to begin. Terry is married to Kristi Brandt, principal of Fargo South High School. Together, they have three children, Lindsay, Kallie, Austin and a beloved English Bulldog with a face that only a mother could love named Stella.

• Tom Huynh

  I have been in the nail salon industry for over 20 years, and more recently took the professional walleye fishing world by storm by being one of the first to use the newest technology to win multiple pro events and championships. I have taken what I have learned and developed the first ever online fishing curriculum to teach everything I am learning. In one year, I have enrollees in more than 40 states and 20 countries.