TEDxNapaValley Conference Announces 2015 Speakers

TEDxNapaValley has announced its speaker lineup for the 2015 live conference scheduled for Sunday, April 12, at the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater in Yountville.

Each speaker will speak to this year’s theme — “Redefining Success,” designed to explore new perspectives on what it means to be—and feel—successful, organizers said.

“We believe our attendees will be entertained, educated, enthralled, moved, challenged, humbled and, most of all, inspired by our speaker lineup,” says Speaker Director Geni Whitehouse. “We hope they will all give us something that we can walk away with, learn from and possibly apply in our own lives.”

Organizers provided the following list of speakers and their bios:

Heather Anderson

Heather, known as Anish on trails, completed her “Triple Crown” of backpacking in 2006 at the age of 25. She hiked the 2,100-mile long Appalachian Trail in 2003, the 2,600-mile long Pacific Crest Trail in 2005, and the 2,600-mile long Continental Divide Trail in 2006. She subsequently took up ultra-marathon running and has completed six 100-mile races since August 2011, as well as dozens of 50k and 50-mile events.

Simone Bruni

After losing her Louisiana home in the Katrina floods, Simone Bruni took on the daunting task of rebuilding. She quickly recognized that demolition was the first step to helping her neighbors start over in the devastated region and founded the Demo Diva Demolition Company.

Eileen Gordon Chiarello

Eileen Gordon Chiarello is the founder of Barnraiser, a community that powers the good food movement one project at a time. She and her husband, Chef and TV host Michael Chiarello, are proprietors of the sustainably-farmed Chiarello Vineyards in Napa Valley, the acclaimed Bottega& Coqueta restaurants, Emmy-winning Food Network shows and the NapaStyle brand. Each venture celebrates everyday rituals around the table, a legacy Eileen believes we must leave to future generations. Her passion for young people, story, and sustainability led her to create Dirt-to-Dine Adventure Camps for kids at Connolly Ranch before launching Barnraiser in 2014.

Katherine Haber

Katherine Haber turned a long career in film and television production into a platform for community outreach. She has spearheaded the BAFTA LA Innercity Screening Programme, a gang-prevention effort that brings films and filmmakers to LA’s most underprivileged areas; served as executive director of the Dome Village Transitional Housing Community for the homeless; and co-founded the Compton Cricket Club, the only all American-born exhibition cricket team for homeless and inner city youth.

Devin C. Hughes

The son of a black father and white mother, author Devin C. Hughes grew up in a mixed—and mixed up—world. His memoir, Contrast: A Biracial Man’s Journey to Desegregate His Past, is his gift back to those who are looking for some inspiration and passion to move forward.

Ginger Johnson

Ginger Johnson is a serial entrepreneur. She started her first company in 2002, the little pillow company, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She’s gone on to found Women Enjoying Beer and Ginger Johnson LLC, a marketing strategy and tactics service that helps companies and organizations properly and successfully market to women and all consumers through lively and engaging education.

Danny Kennedy

Danny is a globally recognized sustainability activist, businessperson, and opinion leader. In 2011, PBS named him “Innovator of the Year” for moving the planet forward, and in 2013 he was described as a “Solar Maverick” by Rolling Stone. He is the author of the book Rooftop Revolution: How Solar Power Can Save Our Economy—and Our Planet—from Dirty Energy; the co-founder of The SfunCube—the only Incubator and Accelerator with a mission of supporting the success of solar entrepreneurs; and the founder of Sungevity, the largest privately held solar service company in the USA.

Dave Madden

Dave Madden is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who plays with confidence, versatility and musicality. Dave was voted Best Arranger at the 2013 AMP Austin Music Industry Awards and in 2010 he won Best Austin Record for his pop-rock release, Open-Eyed & Broken Wide.

Dan O’Connor

Actor, director and consultant Dan O’Connor is the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of the Los Angeles based Impro Theatre, which has performed to sold-out crowds at the Broad Stage, Pasadena Playhouse, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, South Coast Rep, North Coast Rep, Z Space in San Francisco and the Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley. His acting credits included appearances on shows like Seinfeld, Malcolm in the Middle, and Raising Hope, and more than 75 commercials.

Steve Potter

Born and raised in Napa, California, Steve has more than three decades of law enforcement experience in Napa County. A proud public servant described by the mayor as a good communicator, problem solver and widely involved and respected in the community, Steve was appointed Police Chief in Napa in 2014. He is a current member of the Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and sits on the board of directors for Leadership Napa Valley. Steve is also an associate member of IACP (the International Association of Chiefs of Police), an associate member of CPCA (the California Police Chiefs Association), and a member of the California Peace Officers Association.

Garen K. Staglin

Garen K. Staglin is a private equity investor and philanthropist dedicated to accelerating cures for brain diseases and removing the stigma surrounding them. He has co-founded and chaired One Mind, the International Mental Health Research Organization and Bring Change 2 Mind. Garen and his family are founders of the STAGLIN FAMILY VINEYARD, a 64-acre estate in Rutherford, California. Their motto is “Great Wine for Great Causes,” and they have generated more than $825 million for charity.

TICKETS

Tickets sales for the live conference event are on sale now at www.tedxnapavalley.org