In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Janikies Theater
1150 Douglas Pike
Smithfield, Rhode Island, 02917
United States

Adam Cooper

Adam is an experienced professional in digital marketing and entrepreneurship. As the CEO and Founder of Raddl, he has been leveraging AI and honest consumer reviews to reshape how products are bought and sold, focusing on zero-party data collection and review seeding since 2020. He is also currently serving as an adjunct professor in the Department of Entrepreneurship at Bryant University, where he shares his wealth of knowledge with aspiring entrepreneurs. Adam has previously held leadership roles in digital marketing at CYBEX and Stone Temple Consulting, where he led content strategies and digital campaigns for large clients, including eBay and The Home Depot. His career has been marked by a strong strategic vision and a successful track record of managing large-scale projects and building relationships with key stakeholders. Before venturing into entrepreneurship, Adam worked with Hasbro as a Global Brand Marketing Producer, managing cross-functional teams and overseeing the execution of global marketing campaigns for iconic brands like Transformers, Marvel, and Star Wars. His expertise in project management, budgeting, and creative content development helped bring numerous projects to fruition. Adam's accomplishments also include leading the development of CYBEX's first e-commerce platform and managing consumer review platforms like Bazaarvoice and Amazon Vine. Throughout his career, Adam has demonstrated a commitment to driving innovation and growth, whether in the corporate world or through his entrepreneurial endeavors.

Atin Jindal

Dr. Atin Jindal is an accomplished physician and academic leader with expertise in internal medicine, clinical informatics, and medical education. He holds a Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics from Oregon Health & Science University and a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Limerick. Dr. Jindal serves as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Brown University's Warren Alpert Medical School and is the Director of Medical Informatics at Lifespan Corporate Services. His work integrates patient care, medical informatics, and innovative teaching, underscored by his contributions as a Physician Informatics Liaison and co-investigator on NIH-funded research. Dr. Jindal is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Clinical Informatics and actively participates in various hospital committees, including co-chairing the Readmissions Committee at Miriam Hospital. His accolades include the Sheridan Junior Faculty Teaching Fellowship and peer mentoring recognition at Brown. He is also an Associate Editor for the Brown Journal of Hospital Medicine and a member of multiple professional societies such as the American Medical Informatics Association and the American College of Physicians. With a passion for advancing healthcare through technology and education, Dr. Jindal continues to shape the future of medicine and informatics.

Bryan Knapp

Dr. Bryan V. Knapp is an accomplished historian with a distinctive academic and literary background. He holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in History from Brown University and a Master’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis. His research focuses on the intersection of political ecology, social theory, and global historical movements, with particular expertise in the Nestlé Boycott and its impact on nation-building. Currently, he serves as a lecturer at Bryant University, where he teaches courses on specialized aspects of global history, engaging students in thought-provoking discussions about historical narratives and their modern implications. Beyond academia, Dr. Knapp is a prolific writer, having authored three novels, two memoirs, and a screenplay. His literary works often reflect his deep historical knowledge and critical perspectives on societal developments. With an international upbringing in Belgium and Germany, he brings a global lens to both his scholarship and teaching, offering students and readers unique insights into historical events and their lasting effects. His ability to blend academic rigor with compelling storytelling has earned him recognition in both the scholarly and literary communities.

Cassandra Hierl

She is a current Junior at Bryant University student with a major in Project Management and minoring in Sociology and Communications. In her free time, she is very involved on campus, she is the President of Bryant Best Buddies, the coordinator for Project Playhouse, and a campus Resident Assistant. She plans to spend her life working with nonprofits as a project manager and help make the world a better place. As AI advances, its applications in the medical field become more expansive. Its implications for difficult-to-diagnose diseases like Alzheimer's Disease can help so many people and families. AI now has the power to diagnose AD up to 7 years prior to current AD diagnostic methods. With that technology individuals and families can spend more time together and cherish the little things.

Liam Rice

Liam is a dynamic professional with a unique blend of expertise in higher education, financial analysis, and student development. With a Master of Science in College Student Development & Counseling from Northeastern University and dual bachelor's degrees in Applied Economics and Literary & Cultural Studies from Bryant University, Mr Rice has been recognized for their academic excellence and leadership. Currently he serves as a Senior Research Finance Analyst at Mass General Brigham Innovation, where they develop financial strategies, dashboards, and stakeholder-focused reporting for the organization’s extensive commercialization portfolio. His work bridges operational data and innovation, fostering collaboration across inventors, administrators, and staff to advance data literacy and support impactful decision-making.

Onic Palandjian

Onic Palandjian is a Partner at Group RMC, a firm recognized for its four-decade track record of acquiring real estate at significant discounts. The Group's impressive portfolio encompasses 22 million square feet (2 million m²) of property, with an asset value reaching $2.5 billion. Prior to his tenure at RMC, Onic co-founded ihavemoved.com Ltd., which was later acquired by Royal Mail PLC. He also served as CEO of Europa Aluminum SA, where he was instrumental in driving substantial operational and strategic growth. In addition to his professional achievements, philanthropy holds a special place in Onic’s heart. In 2012, he co-founded ‘Up Greek Tourism,’ a campaign dedicated to enhancing Greece’s global image. This initiative provided him with the platform to share his insights at four TEDx events. Onic holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Bentley University and a Certification in Business Administration from Harvard University.

Sharmin Attaran

Professor of Marketing, co-author of The Little Black Book of Social Media and The Little Black Book of Social Selling. With extensive expertise in digital marketing, I help students and businesses create impactful strategies that drive results. My research focuses on digital marketing, consumer behavior, sustainability, and digital transformation to help businesses adapt, integrate new technologies, and stay ahead of trends. I teach Digital Marketing Strategy, Social Media Marketing, and Consumer Behavior in Hyfex, online, and hybrid formats.

Stefanie Boyer

Professor Boyer is an educator, researcher, and entrepreneur with extensive expertise in marketing, sales performance, and AI-driven innovation. With a Ph.D. in Business Administration and over two decades of experience, she has shaped the future of marketing education through leadership and research. As a co-founder and Chief Science Officer of RNMKRS, she leverages AI to provide free, cutting-edge sales training for college students worldwide. At Bryant University, Boyer teaches courses on Personal Selling, Sales Management, and Marketing Foundations, blending academic theory with real-world applications. She emphasizes adaptability, technology's role in sales, and sustainability in business practices.

Thomas Dougherty

Thomas Dougherty is a seasoned professional and academic with over 30 years of experience in data science, analytics, and statistical services. Since 2019, he has served as Executive in Residence at Bryant University, mentoring students and bridging academic theory with real-world application. Prior to this, he led the Data Science and Machine Learning practice at EMERITUS Institute of Management and served as an Adjunct Professor of Data Science at Bryant University. These roles reflect his dedication to advancing knowledge and expertise in analytics and technology. Mr. Dougherty has held leadership positions across diverse industries, including nearly 12 years as Vice President of Analytics at Fidelity Investments. He has also contributed his expertise to organizations such as Putnam Investments, Price Waterhouse Management Consultants, and A.T. Kearney. Early in his career, he focused on database and statistical services at companies like Citicorp POS Information Services and Reader's Digest Association. Throughout his career, Mr. Dougherty has consistently leveraged data-driven strategies to optimize business performance and deliver innovative solutions, making him a respected leader in both academic and professional circles.