By Allison Mikaniewicz

TEDx Berkshires began in 2010, thanks to the leadership of Ethan and Jamie Berg and Mark Liponis, who were committed to make the event a driver of inspiration, innovation, and education for our community. The event was held annually at different locations in the region and featured talks from prominent locals, including former Governor Deval Patrick. Last year, encouraged by the event founders and partners on the BIC’s Board of Directors, we brought the event to the BIC, with all parties convinced that the BIC was a natural fit to host and partner in producing.
We had seven impactful speakers last year, all focused on a message of hope and optimism and solutions to the world’s most existential challenges. We are thrilled to be hosting TEDx Berkshires at the BIC again this Fall. Join us on Thursday, October 10, 2024 as a dynamic group thought-leaders take the stage and share their stories to share with our community and beyond. Here is a taste of what you’ll see:
Sarah Eustis is Founder & CEO of Main Street Hospitality (MSH). Sarah’s career spans three decades, with leadership roles at renowned apparel companies. In 2012, she returned to the Berkshires to lead the third generation of her family’s hospitality business. Since her arrival, she has strengthened the family ethos of conscious operations and enabled a successful transfer of ownership and leadership to the third generation. In her TEDx talk, Old Wine in New Bottles: Generational Hospitality Stewardship and Reinvention, she will delve deeply into the history of her family in the Berkshires and in hospitality, to express how dedicated stewardship and reinvention enable historic properties to thrive and become forces for good in our communities.
Justin McKennon is a Principal Scientist II at Electro Magnetic Applications (EMA). Justin led the establishment of EMA’s Massachusetts location and their commercial Space Environment and Radiation Effects (SERE) laboratory, which is located in the Berkshire Innovation Center. In his TEDx talk, Establishing Your Roots, he will discuss how not to get lost in the noise of today’s fast-paced world of technology by sharing his experience and the importance of taking risks, forward thinking, leveraging resources, and finding the right people.
In addition to being a world- renowned musician, Brad Corrigan is the Founder & CEO of Love Light + Melody, an organization he started after his many visits to La Chureca in Managua, Nicaragua where he witnessed children and families living in unimaginable and toxic conditions. The goal of Love Light + Melody is to offer an opportunity for these children to grow and thrive through education, music, art, and sports. One child in particular that he met there inspired him to create the documentary Ileana’s Smile. His TEDx talk, Reimagining Poverty Through the Lens of Belonging to Each Other, will focus on his journey since that initial visit to Nicaragua.
Dr. Robert Gentleman, who lives in Lenox, is a Professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Harvard University.
His research interests are related to scientific computing, artificial intelligence, genomics, data visualization, and the application of statistical and computational methods to study human disease. In his TEDx talk, Use of Transformer Models in Teaching, he will talk about the opportunities and challenges of using these tools in classroom settings.
Dr. Elisabeth Reynolds is a Professor of the Practice at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Her focus is on systems of innovation, manufacturing and industrial competitiveness, and regional economic development. Liz was Special Assistant to President Biden for Manufacturing and Economic Development at the National Economic Council, leading the Administration’s work on national manufacturing strategy, supply chain resilience and industrial strategy. The focus of her TEDx talk will be a Call-to-Action in Support of Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturers.
Dr. Tammy Valicenti is a practicing Psychotherapist in the Berkshires with expertise in trauma recovery. She has achieved remarkable success in co-transforming various forms of trauma using a cutting-edge synthesis of EMDR therapy, IFS, and other evidence-based therapies, called Transformation Solution, that she developed. Through her TEDx talk, The Secret to Finding Happiness When Typical Therapy Doesn’t Work: Transforming Trauma with EMDR, she will offer hope and spread awareness about how the journey from pain to peace is more achievable than ever imagined.
Michelle Bang is the author of the soon-to-be-released book Sun & Ssukgat: The Korean Art of Self-Care, Wellness & Longevity. Michelle’s story involves launching a business at lightning speed and without consideration for her health, which eventually landed her in the hospital, forcing her to take a break. The wonderings that resulted from this medical crisis eventually led to the book. She set on a quest across Asia to learn how to live better by traveling and learning from remote areas where traditional practices remain alive. Michelle will talk about this journey in her TEDx talk, Self-Care, Wellness & Longevity.
Jeff Wetzler is an author and the Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Transcend Education, a nationally recognized education innovation organization. Jeff has been on a quarter-century quest to transform learning opportunities. Blending a unique set of leadership experiences in the fields of business and education, he has pursued this quest as a management consultant to the world’s top corporations, as learning facilitator for leaders around the world, and as Chief Learning Officer at Teach for America. Jeff’s TEDx talk, Why Curiosity is the Ultimate Act of Care - and How You Can Choose It, will focus on opening the door to greater care and connection through curiosity.
Melissa Lavinson, is the Executive Director of Massachusetts’ recently established — and first in the nation — Executive Office of Energy Transformation. In this role she is charged with executing a community-by-community decarbonization strategy. Prior to this appointment, she served as the Head of Corporate Affairs for National Grid, New England. Melissa will use her time on the TEDx stage to talk about the novel office she runs and the challenges and opportunities involved in the complex efforts related to Meeting the Commonwealth’s Decarbonization Goals.
These speakers, and all those who reached out interested in participating, have inspired us. We are thrilled to welcome these nine to the main stage at the BIC to share their stories with our community. We hope you will join us live at the BIC on October 10th and that you will help spread the videos once they are published.