Utica

UticaDream | Develop | Deliver

October 23, 2013The Dorothy Smith Center for Advocacy

AN EVENING OF IDEAS WORTH SPREADING

LEARN MORE AT WWW.TEDXUTICA.COM

Welcome

Dream. Thanks for being a part of history by joining us for the very first TEDxUtica conference, an evening of insightful, inspirational ideas. It was our dream to bring together in one room a group of like-minded speakers and attendees, people who are actively working to do great things. TED provided the chance to do just that. You’re probably familiar with TED Talks, but just in case: TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It began in 1984 as a conference that brought together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader, with people sharing inspirational stories and ideas that can affect change in communities around the world. TEDx was created in the spirit of TED’s mission. The program is designed to give communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level.

Develop.This evening’s speakers were carefully selected from a group of more than 50 applicants. They were chosen for their dedication to individual and community improvement, for their passion for their work, and for the diversity of subject matter about which they’ll speak. We’ll hear talks on topics ranging from education and the arts, to entrepreneurialism, food culture, and more. Our speakers have devoted many hours to preparing their talks, and we thank them for their hard work. We’d also like to thank local artist Julie Angerosa, who created the incredible stage design, and the Resource Center for Independent Living, an amazing green venue that provides the perfect setting for TEDxUtica. And of course, TEDxUtica would not be possible without the generosity of our partners, the dedication of countless volunteers, and you. We thank you for your support and encourage you to join the conversation. Post your thoughts and comments throughout the event via Twitter, using the hashtag #TEDxUtica.

Deliver. We all have dreams. The challenge for each of us is finding a way to make our dreams realities—to nurture our ideas, and ultimately, to create. Our goal this evening is to engage the dreamers, the doers, and those interested in making our community a better place. You’re here this evening because you’re one of those people. We’re all here to learn about each other, to learn from one another, and to be inspired. Our hope is that each of you will find in the energy of TEDxUtica the motivation to dream, develop, and deliver projects of your own.

Thanks again,The TEDxUtica Team

1

Schedule

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Welcome Reception/Registration

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Talks - Group 1TED opening videoRenee Heitmann, “Single Girl Cookies: A Kindness Revolution”Martin Babinec, “Fostering Startups as a Path to Revitalizing Upstate”Kelly Corasanti, “Stand Up Straight and Other Great Advice from Our Mothers”TED video

6:00 pm – 6:30 pmBreak/Networking

6:30 pm – 7:35 pmTalks – Group 2Marty Butts, “Redefining Our Food Culture as an Agent for Transformative Change in our Community”Cindy Koren, “What’s Love Got To Do With It? Creating Positive Change through Communication, Collaboration, and Design”John Zogby, “America’s First Globals: How Millennials are Changing Everything”TED video

7:35 pm – 8:00 pmBreak/Networking/Refreshments

8:00 pm – 9:00 pmTalks – Group 3Omar Badar, “Our Unprecedented Power to Shape the Future”Susan Osborn, “The Lafayette Big Picture”Alex Sheen, “Because I Said I Would”

2

Speaker Bios

Cindy Buckley-Koren Cindy Buckley Koren is a designer and educator with over 25 years experience. She serves as associate professor of communications design at PrattMWP and is the founder of the {meetinghouse} creative collaborative. After establishing a career in traditional editorial and advertising design, Cindy switched focus to pursue her passion for cultivating young creative talent and inspiring positive social change. The {meetinghouse} serves as an arts-based social enterprise designed to inspire economic opportunities in Central NY by fostering innovative collaborations between creative, cultural and educational institutions. Its initial purpose is to create positive social change by connecting social entrepreneurs with creative resources.

Alex Sheen Alex Sheen is the founder of because I said I would, an international social movement dedicated to bettering humanity through the importance of a promise. Before pursuing a life of philanthropy, Alex was an Innovation Manager and Corporate Strategy Lead at Hyland Software. Today, he helps others remember their promises and commitments through a concept called the “promise card.” Alex is a proud graduate of Ohio University and currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio.

Renee Heitmann Renee Heitmann is a singer, performer and voice teacher in New York City. She was most recently seen in the Center for Contemporary Opera’s Night of The Living Dead atelier and enjoys performing music theater and new music. Other credits include Yum Yum (Mikado), Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors), Julie (Carousel), Mabel (Pirates of Penzance). When she is not performing, she can be found in the kitchen baking for Single Girl Cookies or around her neighborhood of Astoria, delivering her baked goods.

Renee holds a Bachelors of Music from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ and a Masters of Music in Voice Performance from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. She believes in the power of one person and aims to be that person to affect positive change in her world.

Martin Butts Martin Butts is a local food advocate, entrepreneur, writer, and the owner of Small Potatoes, a boutique marketing and consulting firm that specializes in working with food businesses of all kinds. He previously served as the Director of Syracuse University’s Community Test Kitchen, working with aspiring foodpreneurs to help them turn their product ideas into businesses, and as the Community Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York.

He has worked with food producers, farmers, restaurants, retailers, distributors, non-profits, colleges, and consumers, as well as on advisory councils for fair trade standards, retail food co-ops, and currently as an advisor for Syracuse First. In 2010, he was chosen as one of Central New York’s 40 Under Forty, recognizing individuals who have excelled in both the workplace and in the community, and Small Potatoes was awarded a 2013 Snail of Approval Award by Slow Food CNY.

Omar Baddar Omar Baddar is a political scientist, human rights activist, and New Media professional based in Washington, DC. He earned his M.A. in International Relations and Comparative Politics from the University of Memphis, where he wrote his Master’s thesis on US policy towards the Middle East. He also holds an undegraduate degree in Graphic Design (multimedia concentration). He is the former Executive Director of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee of Massachusetts, and the former Director of the Palestine Cultural Center for Peace in Boston, MA. Omar travels to the Middle East on a biennial basis, and has participated in dozens of panels, lectures, and debates on college and university campuses throughout the US on conflicts in the Middle East and on US policy towards the region. He writes for the Huffington Post, and has made several media appearances, including BBC, Al-Jazeera, Sky News, Russia Today, and several other tv and radio programs. He is also a free lance translator (English-to-Arabic and Arabic-to-English).

3 4

Speaker Bios

Martin Babinec Martin Babinec is both a noted Silicon Valley entrepreneur and a native/current resident of Upstate New York. He launched Upstate Venture Connect as an outgrowth of his vision and commitment to accelerate transformational change across the Upstate region. Babinec has provided UVC’s initial capitalization and he serves full time without compensation.

In 1988 Babinec founded TriNet HR Corporation, a provider of payroll, benefits and human resources outsourcing solutions that has grown to serve more than 8,000 small businesses customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. He served as CEO from the company’s inception until 2008, and Chairman through January 2010. He remains active in the company as a Director and industry advocate.

Mr. Babinec has published more than 30 articles and given an even greater number of public presentations on topics ranging from entrepreneur and company development, leadership, human resources management, outsourcing and regional economic development to name a few. He is an active Angel investor, a member of the international Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) network, and a recipient of the Silicon Valley Entrepreneur of the Year award. He served for five years on a Kauffman Foundation Advisory Board and also been a guest lecturer at the University of California-Berkeley and the Stanford Graduate School of Business, which has profiled TriNet in a case study for academic research into high-growth, equity-financed companies.

Kelli Corasanti Kelli O’Brien Corasanti is the owner of Studio 8 Fitness, Inc. - a personal training and life transformation studio located in Clinton, New York. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Education and certifications in Personal Training and Youth Fitness. She is the author of Kelli’s Quips: Happy Thoughts for Busy People and Finding My Way Back to Me: A Journey of Self-Discovery and coaches fitness professionals around the world for the Todd Durkin Mastermind Group. Kelli is the recipient of the Accent on Excellence Award for her work throughout the community. For more information, visit www.studio8fitness.com.

John Zogby One of America’s most prized thought leaders, John Zogby delivers incredible insight into the most important trends that will change our companies, our government, and our own lives. He has been heralded as the nation’s most accurate trend analyst today.

Zogby is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Way We’ll Be: The Zogby Report on the Transformation of the American Dream, and a new e-book,The First Globals: Understanding, Managing, and Unleashing Our Millennial Generation.

He currently pens weekly columns for Forbes.com and The Washington Times, and a monthly column for Politics magazine. A well-known political and social pundit, his work has been featured in op-ed pages worldwide, valued in corporate boardrooms, and considered “must-read” material at every level of America’s political landscape. He has been interviewed by every major US news and cable network and has served as an election analyst for the BBC, CBC, and Al Jazeera, among others.

Susan Osborn Susan Osborn has had the pleasure of serving the students and families of the LaFayette Central School District for nearly twenty years. From her first student teaching experience at the LaFayette Junior-Senior High School, to teaching 8th and 9th grade, to serving as the Assistant Principal, and now the LaFayette Big Picture School Principal, Susan has dedicated her professional life to the LaFayette community.

As the founding principal of the LaFayette Big Picture school, Susan was awarded the Ted Sizer award by the Big Picture Learning Network and the school has been recognized for its outstanding practices in internships. In addition to the children she serves at school, Susan is proud to have Jordan and Hannah call her Mom.

5 6

Artist Statement

I am an artist, teacher and naturalist, eager to learn and to share, encouraging others to get in touch with their creative voice. I am a huge TED fan and am thrilled to be a part of this progressive organization and innovative local group. Being involved with TEDx Utica has been a transformational opportunity for my growth as an artist. My work for this event has a thread of sustainability that runs throughout. The materials I use have been salvaged and given new form for this space. Through my art, I hope others are able to see the possibilities in the discarded, the potential in the obscure, and the world through a creative lens.

I have a Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Geneseo in Studio Art, Business and Graphic Production. I have a Masters in Art Education from Syracuse University and am working on a Master’s in Transpersonal Psychology, with a focus in Creativity and Innovation, through Sofia University. I teach children at Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute, work in the Utica Public Schools leading an Entrepreneurship Program through the Business Training Institute, Inc., and sell and commission my art work. Every piece is a self-portrait and reflects a current state of being, internally or externally. Both a mirror and a window, the arts are a gateway into another’s world. I see the world like a puzzle, making the connections and putting the pieces together to create one step that leads to the next. Everything is a potentially usable material and this event has taken me to all sorts of places in the area: libraries, laundromats, recycling centers, and Lock 20 of the Erie Canal. The creative process teaches flexibility while learning from what doesn’t work. My dream for Utica is to become the vibrant, culture-filled, passionate city it once was; a city revitalized and reborn. My art demonstrates this possibly of change, with cooperative work, innovative ideas, and shifts in perspective.

Julie Angerosa

Our Utica Partners

We thank our partners for their support and for offering their own Big Ideas. Over the next few pages, read about what our partners are doing to make our community a better place.

Utica

Utica

7 8

Big Ideas

Excellus BlueCross BlueShieldCollaborating to Improve Health Care Quality in Our Community

Collaborating with local health care providers, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is creating innovative solutions to reduce rising health care costs and improve the quality of health care in our community. Here’s how we’re doing that:

Reducing the rate of hospital-acquired infections helps patients avoid additional suffering, save lives and slow the growth in health care costs. Last year, 53 upstate New York hospitals and health centers earned $26 million in quality improvement incentive payments as part of our Hospital Performance Incentive Program (HPIP). In the past nine years quality performance incentives from Excellus BCBS have exceeded $145 million. Collaborating with hospitals in our network, we link payments to improvements in health outcomes and patient safety. As a result, our members get the best quality of care and the most value for their health insurance premiums.

Surgical site infections generate an average of $27,631 in extra costs per case and comprise 38 percent of all deaths. Whether a rural facility or a large academic medical center, hospitals are responsible for absorbing those extra costs. Since launching our Hospital Quality Improvement Program (HQIP), participating hospitals have reduced surgical complications by more than 37 percent. Patients have avoided more than 253 surgical complications and hospitals have saved nearly $2 million. Local participating hospitals include Bassett Medical Center, Rome Memorial Hospital, Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Across the country, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies award Blue Distinction® to medical facilities that demonstrate expertise in delivering quality health care in bariatric surgery, cardiac care, complex and rare cancers, knee and hip replacements, spine surgery, and transplants. Blue Distinction facilities in our community include Bassett Medical Center, Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

“Bordering on Zero” is our partnership with one of Canada’s leading experts on infection control to drastically decrease infections and other adverse events in select hospitals in our network, including Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare, Rome Memorial Hospital and St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

In collaboration with select local health care systems, we’re promoting a new vision for health care with an emphasis on the needs of the patient, improved value, and local control. Our Accountable Cost and Quality Agreement (ACQA), provides financial incentives, actionable information and material support

for health care systems forming accountable care organizations (ACOs). With its focus on the triple aim of enhanced patient experience, improved quality and reduced costs, ACQA changes the dynamic toward providing better value in healthcare.

Health care may be changing, but our commitment to our community remains the same: keeping health care local, affordable and of the highest quality. We consider that not just a big idea, but the right idea.

National Strength. Local Focus. Individual Care

9 10

Big Ideas

Human Technologies Corporation

Our world is experiencing an entrepreneurial transformation. We’re moving from an information economy to a purpose economy. What’s a purpose economy? A purpose economy is one in which people—all people—matter. It’s an economy of purpose, one that engages and empowers those who have previously been marginalized. It’s an economy founded on purpose, embracing the belief that all people should have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution, and it’s one created specifically to fulfill that ideal. The purpose economy will transform the world in much the way the industrial revolution transformed the world more than a century ago. Industrialization made mechanization and regimentation the basis of economic growth. The developing purpose economy marks a return to the preeminence of individual talent and creativity.

People with disabilities are the largest minority in the United States. More than 70% of people with disabilities are unemployed. The value of people with disabilities is exponentially increased in a purpose economy.

Human Technologies Corporation is proud to be a leader in the new purpose economy. We’re a social enterprise dedicated to three key principles: people, planet, and profit. We hold the view that work is inherently dignified and fulfilling, and that people with barriers to employment deserve the opportunity to work and to achieve their fullest potential. We are committed to providing training, work and supportive services for those with obstacles to employment, and to providing counseling and clinical services for those seeking to improve the overall quality of their lives. Human Technologies Corporation is a collection of six diverse businesses that offer quality solutions for the unique needs of companies and organizations worldwide. From manufacturing military helmet covers to sewing and shipping corporate apparel to providing building maintenance and groundskeeping services, vital responsibilities are entrusted to our trained professionals every day. We’re making a difference, globally and locally. We’re building a purpose economy right here in Utica.

How can we work together transform our community? What’s it going to take? It’s going to take each of us dedicating ourselves to collaborating with others who are disenfranchised in our community, and to make them relevant.

That’s what we’re doing. At Human Technologies Corporation, we’re about purpose. What’s your purpose? Our purpose is the employment of people with disabilities. Our purpose collectively can be the transformation of Utica.

The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc.

If you had $1 million dollars, would you know where in the community to invest that money? Probably not. The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc. sought to remedy that.

Two years ago, The Community Foundation funded an indicators study to show exactly where our community needed the most investing. How can we best invest our philanthropic communities’ dollars – today and into the future? That thought process moved us down a path from a reactive grantmaker to a transformational investor.

As a transformational investor, The Community Foundation is researching, studying and implementing programming in response to the priority needs of this community. We are funding based on what our research shows our community needs.

Our first major initiative as community investor targets an alarming statistic in our two-county region – only 20 percent of our adults have bachelor’s degrees compared to the national average of 28 percent. Our goal is that by 2025, 25 percent of adults in Herkimer and Oneida counties will have bachelor’s degrees. The programs we implement and invest in will help our community to reach that goal. As we head toward that goal, studies show our community will reap the benefits:

• More job opportunities• Increased lifetime earning potential• Less chance of unemployment during recessions• Better health for graduates and their families• Reduced reliance on social services • Decline in poverty level

Prepared to join us? Call 735-8212, visit foundationhoc.org, email info@foundationhoc.org, follow us @foundationhoc or find us on Facebook as The Community Foundation.

11 12

Big Ideas

Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce

Founded in 1898, the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization comprised of business and business-oriented members dedicated to the development of a prosperous economic climate that will enhance commercial growth and the quality of life for all those who reside in the Mohawk Valley. The Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce recognizes it is the voice of a unified-business community, and that by becoming active in several varied arenas it can achieve these goals and objectives:

To Play a significant role in the expansion of existing businesses and the attraction of new enterprises that will create jobs and result in economic growth for the area.

To Campaign for quality regional government, advocating the positive results that can be obtained through consolidation of elected offices and public services.

To Promote the area enthusiastically with innovation to the residents, as well as nonresidents, championing those assets that many locally take for granted and outsiders may not realize exist.

To Provide benefits that will assist member businesses in becoming successful economic entities.

To Foster partnerships and relationships with other organizations or individuals who wish to meet these opportunities and challenges within the Mohawk Valley.

With the forgoing Mission in mind, the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce in March, 2013, Dreamed of, is Developing and Delivering a young professional group named Catalyst. The Mohawk Valley Chamber Catalyst group was organized to provide awareness of opportunities available in the Mohawk Valley by engaging young professionals through the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce events, services and benefits. Tonight many Catalyst volunteers are helping to facilitate the Viewing Parties for the TEDxUtica event at the Hotel Utica and MVCC locations. The Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce wishes to foster these young professionals by assisting them to dream, develop and deliver for our community!

Pamela G. Matt, Esq.Executive DirectorMohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce

Northland Communications

We live in a world where technology is often described as a “great enabler” that will change the communities we live in. However, technology isn’t the answer in itself—the critical element is the ability of each and every one of us to not only adopt technology, but to understand how we, as individuals and communities, can leverage technology to best maximize personal and regional strengths.

For the better or worse, at the end of the day it is still individuals who will change our communities. Implementing or investing in technology simply for the sake of doing so won’t make our communities more competitive than neighboring communities, regions, or states. The key to the future of our community is working collaboratively to best understand why people live and work in Central NY, and maximizing what resources our region has to offer—or the potential to offer. The communities that do it the best are the ones that will reap the rewards that the Information Age has to offer.

At Northland Communications we feel we are playing a vital role in enabling our communities to leverage communication technology. Building out our fiber optic footprint and providing robust voice, and data connectivity ensures that the communities we serve are well positioned to compete in the new global information economy. Without such connectivity, great ideas will be leveraged elsewhere. Each and every one of us needs to challenge ourselves to determine what we are capable of in order to best maximize this network. How can information technologies improve our education system, our health system, our economic viability, and our political system?

So, just as it has always been, people and their ability to recognize strengths and opportunities will continue to be the “great enablers.” Today’s technology gives us a new set of powerful tools to make our ideas real in a way and scale never seen before. The fact that TEDxUtica is happening is a perfect example of what we can do today that was probably unheard of yesterday. A handful of people, not businesses or political institutions are giving our community a voice on a world wide scale. Simply because they saw an opportunity, believed it would benefit our region – and most importantly – believed they could do it.

13 14

Big Ideas

New York Sash

New York Sash’s ‘Big Idea’ is about businesses co-existing for the greater good of the Mohawk Valley. We are celebrating our 25th year and also our best year in business. If we can succeed in the Mohawk Valley, why not help others to succeedas well?

There are layers in how we implement this idea day-to-day. First and most simple is by shopping local. Whether it’s buying building materials, company vehicles or office supplies we turn to other local businesses for our needs. When we regularly thank our customers we’ll send them cookies from the local cookie shop or gift certificates to the restaurants we love. When we need a product or service we’ll turn to local agencies.

New York Sash is grateful to be able to own and run a local television show, CNY’s Open House, that helps us co-exist. Through CNY’s Open House we’re able to work with organizations to give exposure where otherwise little might be available. In the past few months we’ve supported the House of the Good Shepherd, the UNSPOKEN Human Rights Festival, the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Leatherstocking Ballet. We’ve put in time, effort and energy to make a difference to the success of our featured groups and events while also educating the community.

Through our TV show and participation in networking groups New York Sash has developed trust with other local businesses. We take the time to get to know local companies and business owners so we know whom to turn to when in need. Customers depend on our network of connections and call us for help even when they need a service we can’t provide. We take pride in having a large directory of companies we can refer them to without doubt.

Last, we have a customer program in place called New York Sash GIVES. With this program we donate $50 to a charity organization for all referrals that comes our way. We let our customers dictate 100% where the money goes. In the past year we have donated over $1,000 to a variety of CNY charities ranging from animal protection services to veteran rehabilitation to homeless shelters. It’s a great way to get our customers involved and invested in the community while also doing our part.

This is our ‘Big Idea’ – that if other local businesses make the effort to positively co- exist with each other, our area will benefit as a whole. We urge business leaders to think outside of the box. Can you alter what you already do to make a difference to the community? How could you use your resources to promote local companies and organizations? In what ways will you make your customers, neighbors and friends want to Shop Local, Live Local, Support Local? We look forward to seeing how a future of co-existing can make the Mohawk Valley thrive.

New York Sash is a family owned and operated home improvement company in Whitesboro. For more information, visit www.newyorksash.com

Mohawk Valley Edge

Marcy Nanocenter at SUNYIT is a 420+ acre greenfield site adjacent to the campus of SUNYIT. It is among the largest shovel-ready sites in New York State’s Tech Valley. With the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering leading the site development and Mohawk Valley EDGE spearheading the marketing effort, Marcy Nanocenter competes on a global scale to recruit the semiconductor industry. Development at Marcy Nanocenter at SUNYIT will be transformational to the region! The benefits to the community will include:

New Employment Opportunities - Directly at the Fabs, indirectly in the supply chain companies and indirectly with growth throughout the region.

Median Income Increase - The average salary for industry is nearly two times the regional average.

Larger Tax Base - Should bring the per capita tax burden down.

Population Growth and Diversity - National and international employees will relocate to the region.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Focus for Regional K-12 Education and Funding Stream for Curriculum Development- increased funding for education.

Community Resource: www.cmvh.orgMarcy Nanocenter information: www.mvedge.org

15 16

Organizer Bios

Ryan Miller Miller is obsessed with building things: Ideas, stories, projects, networks and relationships-both online and offline. He is the cofounder of the Utica Firefly Storytelling Project, an avid blogger and has been part of the local music scene for over a decade. By day, Miller is the Interactive Director for Romanelli Communications, an advertising firm in Clinton, NY. Connect online at www.ryancmiller.com or via Twitter @ryancmiller

Geoff Storm Geoff is a believer in the power of audio and video storytelling to inform, inspire, and affect change. An avid student of the art, he is cofounder of the Utica Firefly Storytelling Project, which is dedicated to showcasing Central New York’s distinctive personality through live performance and documentary video. A former broadcaster, his radio documentaries have aired on NPR and many local stations in the Northeast. Geoff is a lifelong resident of Central New York, a Utica College graduate, and is currently Creative Director at MPW Marketing, an advertising firm located in Clinton, NY.

Sara Boulanger Sara has a passion for making connections; whether it’s the international and American college students she works with by day, or the TEDxUtica speakers, attendees and partners she’s worked with throughout the last year, she makes it high priority to help facilitate and maintain meaningful connections. Originally from Rome, NY, Sara moved to other parts of New York State and Indiana for college, graduate school and her first few job experiences, but was thrilled to move back to the area and become involved in the community as a young professional. Now a resident of the greater Utica area, Sara has felt exceptionally fortunate to be a TEDxUtica team member and looks forward to all positive outcomes and connections made as result.

When Sara is not working or planning, she enjoys hiking, snowboarding, yoga, live music, good food, and travel.

Megan Postiglione Megan was born and raised in Floyd, NY but left for a bit to study at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. It was her time in NYC that made Megan appreciate all that this area has to offer, and it wasn’t long before her deep roots and love for the area called her home. Upon her return she was committed to making a difference through the arts and was the Director of Community Arts and Events at The Stanley for several years. Megan received the Mohawk Valley’s 40 Under 40 award in 2005 and is currently a Consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton. Megan is very passionate about the clean food movement, which her multiple food allergies drove her to learn more about. Fortunately she has always loved to cook and uses it as a creative outlet which makes having to come up with delicious foods that are allergen free an enjoyable creative challenge.

Jan Murray Janice is a mover and a shaker. Originally from Ilion, she is a graduate of Utica College and Syracuse University. She has recently returned to the area and is now a Library Media Specialist at Perry Jr. High School in New Hartford. She has also worked as a Family Support Worker with the PINS Diversion Program working one on one with troubled youth in Herkimer County. She has spent time volunteering at the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees and loves working with and helping other people. Outside of work Janice spends her time doing just about anything outdoors, training in martial arts, and reading young-adult literature.

John Matthews John is a Strategic Relationship Manager at Northland Communications in Utica, NY. He serves as a board member for Leadership Mohawk Valley and is a past Area Governor for Toastmasters International. John is also a freelance photographer who has covered events such as SXSW, the Sundance Film Festival, and the St. Croix Food & Wine Experience for various publications. His photography has been exhibited at The Stanley Center for the Arts in Utica, NY and the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, NY. John can be followed on Instagram and Twitter @johnmatthews.

17 18

Organizer Bios

Ryan Miller Miller is obsessed with building things: Ideas, stories, projects, networks and relationships-both online and offline. He is the cofounder of the Utica Firefly Storytelling Project, an avid blogger and has been part of the local music scene for over a decade. By day, Miller is the Interactive Director for Romanelli Communications, an advertising firm in Clinton, NY. Connect online at www.ryancmiller.com or via Twitter @ryancmiller

Geoff Storm Geoff is a believer in the power of audio and video storytelling to inform, inspire, and affect change. An avid student of the art, he is cofounder of the Utica Firefly Storytelling Project, which is dedicated to showcasing Central New York’s distinctive personality through live performance and documentary video. A former broadcaster, his radio documentaries have aired on NPR and many local stations in the Northeast. Geoff is a lifelong resident of Central New York, a Utica College graduate, and is currently Creative Director at MPW Marketing, an advertising firm located in Clinton, NY.

19 20

November SalonResources

We’ve been collecting YOUR big ideas for our area and have posted many of them on our website at http://www.tedxutica.com/resources

We hope you’ll take some time to read about some of the amazing ideas and efforts already happening locally and connect with each other to make an even greater impact on our community. Thanks to everyone who has shared their passions and idea with us.

Other Resources:

www.ted.com - TED’s main site full of Ideas Worth Spreading

www.youtube.com/user/TEDxTalks - watch talks from other TEDx events from around the world

Connect with our Speakers:

Kelli CorasantiWebsite: http://www.studio8fitness.com/Twitter: @kellicorasanti

Renee HeitmannWebsite: http://singlegirlcookies.com/Twitter: @astoriabaker

Cindy Buckley-KorenWebsite: http://meetinghouse.co/

Susan OsbornWebsite: https://sites.google.com/site/lafayettebigpicture/home

John ZogbyWebsite: http://www.zogbyanalytics.com/Twitter: @TheJohnZogby

Martin ButtsWebsite: http://www.iamsmallpotatoes.com/Twitter: @SmallPotatoes42

Martin BabinecWebsite: http://uvc.org/Twitter: @MartinBabinec

Omar BaddarWebsite: http://www.omarbaddar.net/Twitter: @OmarBaddar

Alex SheenWebsite: http://becauseisaidiwould.com/Twitter: @bcisaidiwould

Connect with TEDxUtica

Website: http://www.tedxutica.comTwitter: @tedxuticaEmail: info@tedxutica.com

21 22

Notes

23 24

25 26

Notes