

TEDxApex Curator
Eraina Ferguson MAR, M.Ed
Eraina Ferguson is a special needs advocate, journalist, and TEDx curator. Along with her full time role as a Senior Product Marketing Manager, she enjoys building technology solutions for families of special needs children. Her recent monologue, Listen to Her, was read by actress Marla Gibbs and featured at the WACO Theatre’s 50in50 event. Her writing has been featured on NBC Universal, Red Tricycle, LA Parents Magazine, and the LA Times.
About
What is a TEDx Event?
Think of TEDx as hosting an awesome party, with great food, inspirational videos, brilliant speakers and mind-blowing conversation. By organizing a TEDx event, Eraina Ferguson, our curator, has an opportunity to create a truly unique event that will unleash new ideas, inspire and inform.
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A TEDx event is a local gathering where live TED-like talks and performances are shared with the community. TEDx events are fully planned and coordinated independently, on a community-by-community basis. The content and design of each TEDx event is unique and developed independently, but all of them have features in common.
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TED's Format
A suite of short, carefully prepared talks, demonstrations and performances that are idea-focused, and cover a wide range of subjects to foster learning, inspiration and wonder – and provoke conversations that matter.
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Diversity of Topics
All TEDx events present multiple issues and a diversity of voices from many disciplines. After all, what’s the fun without a little variety?
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Community-driven and bias-free content
A TEDx event is organized by volunteers from the local community, and just like TED events, it lacks any commercial, religious or political agenda. Its goal is to spark conversation, connection and community.
Our Gold Sponsor

Meet the 2025 Speakers
Check out our 2025 Speaker Lineup

Real Estate Regional Manager
Dayn Conrad
Dayn is a seasoned real estate professional, published author, and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience across sales, leadership, and business development. He is the author of Iris and Her Amazing Garden and the Co-Founder and former President of Amlavi Bath and Body, a wellness brand he led from 2000 to 2016.
As a Licensed Real Estate Agent in California and a Certified Land Investment Consultant—trained through an intensive two-year program at Velur Real Estate Services Inc—Dayn has consistently demonstrated excellence in both residential and land sales.
His career is decorated with numerous accolades, including:
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Top Achievement Award (2010)
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Silver Award (2011)
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Three-time Golden Globe Award for Real Estate Services and Sales Achievement
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Platinum Club Award (2014)
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Four-time Double Diamond Award recipient
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Eagle Award (2016), the highest honor in his company for outstanding performance
He also served as Regional Manager for 10 years, overseeing high-performing teams and driving consistent growth across multiple markets.
Dayn continues to bring his passion, strategic insight, and client-centered approach to every transaction and venture he leads.

Founder/ Tech Sales Exec
Dayvisson Da Silva
Dayvisson Da Silva is a first-generation immigrant to the U.S., the first in his family to graduate from college and earn a master’s degree. Once living paycheck to paycheck, he transformed his life into a seven figure success story within a decade through grit, clarity, and bold career moves. After rising through sales roles at IBM and Microsoft, Dayvisson now helps high-performing professionals transition into six figure tech sales careers through his company, Tech Sales Funnels. He is also the founder of Calango, a nonprofit that empowers first-gen college students to land life-changing opportunities. Fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, and a graduate of Thunderbird School of Global Management, Dayvisson brings both heart and strategy to every stage. Married for 18 years and a proud father of four, his TEDxApex talk “The Untrapped Journey: The Freedom Framework”— offers a roadmap to break free from limitations and design a life rooted in purpose. For more about Dayvisson see dayvissondasilva.com

Founder and Philospher
LD Chen
LD Chen is a former entrepreneur and CEO who founded the Oneness Institute after a near-death health crisis led him to discover and heal from chronic illness through the ancient Dacheng Quan (also known as Oneness) healing practice. Now a fourth-generation lineage holder and Head Coach of the Oneness Institute, he teaches this internal standing practice to promote healing, internal balance, and mental clarity.

Healing Teacher
Cooper Harrison
Cooper Harrison is a Healing Teacher, cancer survivor, childhood bullying survivor, and former college football player who has dedicated his life to helping others find healing and transformation. With certifications in Usui/Tibetan Reiki, Energy Psychology, and Hypnotherapy, along with a Master’s in Business Administration, Cooper blends holistic practices with practical tools to support personal growth.
In his book, Cooper speaks on topics like subconscious programming, the mind-body connection, and conscious leadership, drawing from his own experiences of resilience and renewal. Cooper’s mission is simply to help others turn challenges into opportunities for alchemy. He enjoys bringing love and high “vibes” to any environment or situation. Cooper is just a lover of life and wants to share that with as many people as possible.

AI Product Lead
Stephanie Shabazz
Stephanie Shabazz is a speaker, AI strategist, and founder known for inspiring and transforming individuals and organizations. Her life-changing messages have an intriguing, research-based emphasis in field of personal development, tech for social impact, and positive psychology – the study of what happens when things go right with us. With a proven track record of transforming mindsets and motivating action, she connects with audiences on a personal level to lead with joy, empathy, and resilience.
With extensive leadership experience at Fortune 500 companies, she has led global initiatives to drive change management, AI adoption and innovation. Stephanie empowers organizations and individuals to achieve exponential growth through strategic upskilling and bold leadership strategies. Her mission is to equip 1 million people across the globe to lead fulfilling powerful lives.

Technology Professional
Shashin Surkund
Shashin Surkund, a seasoned technology professional and passionate advocate for
mindset and culture transformation, is known as the “Chief Happiness Officer” by his colleagues. He’s dedicated to creating a positive culture of gratitude and trust.
A personal life event inspired him to raise awareness about mental health. He starts his day by sending a positivity email to thousands of people in his global organization.
Many forward it to their teams and loved ones, creating a significant impact.
As a dedicated member of his Regional Leadership team, Shashin has successfully
improved associate experiences by introducing innovative channels like sports, food, music, and art to engage hearts and equip individuals with positive mindsets for fulfilling
lives. Shashin eagerly anticipates sharing his insights on living a positive mindset and harnessing our latent potential, our inner ChatGPT.

AI Scientist
Raghav Gupta
Raghav is an AI Scientist and the founder of a ClimateTech venture focused on solving global sustainability challenges through artificial intelligence. He is recognized for advancing smarter, more efficient irrigation systems that help reduce freshwater consumption and improve crop health using simulation models, satellite imaging, and generative AI.
With a background in technology and a deep-rooted commitment to sustainability and innovation, Raghav transforms cutting-edge ideas into real-world solutions. He holds a Master’s in Business Analytics from California State University, East Bay, where he served as President of the Analytics Society and as a Business Advisor to entrepreneurs and small business owners across the East Bay region.
From the vibrant streets of the northern part of India to the fast-paced rhythm of Silicon Valley, Raghav’s journey has been shaped by curiosity, resilience, and purpose. He believes every breakthrough begins with a belief—and when rooted in empathy, it has the power to connect and change the world.

Sales Executive
Reginald Patterson
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Reginald Patterson has always been driven to make a meaningful impact. While his early aspirations pointed toward entertainment, life’s journey led him down a different path. After earning a B.S. in Public Health, he began his career as a health educator, where he developed a deep understanding of systems and their influence on people’s lives. This foundation made his pivot into tech surprisingly seamless.
Over the last seven years, Reginald has built a thriving career in tech sales, blending strategic thinking with empathy to drive results. In 2023, he launched a creative marketing agency, merging his analytical skill set with his love for culture and storytelling. Now based in Dallas, Texas, Reginald is a devoted husband to his wife Jessica and an active member of his church. He believes that a man led by faith—not sight—can evolve continuously, even when the path ahead isn’t clear.

Licensed Psychotherapist
Candice Thompson, MMFT, LMFT
Candice Thompson is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in Silicon Valley. She considers herself a well-rounded generalist, with twenty years of experience in the field of mental health; sixteen practicing psychotherapy. She works with high achieving individuals and couples. Candice is a keynote mental health speaker, board member, supervisor, adjunct faculty lecturer, and mental health consultant for health tech startups. Candice is vocal about adequate pay for therapists, preserving the heart of the industry, and career sustainability.

Director of Admissions
Hollan Steen
For over a decade, addiction shaped Hollan’s life, pulling him through cycles of rehab, incarceration, and despair. In 2018, exhausted and ready for change, he entered a residential treatment program at Asheville Recovery Center in North Carolina. With unwavering determination and the support of a compassionate recovery community, he began the hard work of rebuilding his life.
Today, Hollan serves as Director of Admissions at the very center where his journey to recovery began. Drawing from his personal experience, he works tirelessly to help individuals struggling with substance misuse find the hope and healing he once sought. His passion for advocacy also led him to co-found the Mayor’s Substance Misuse Task Force of Apex, NC, alongside Mayor Jacques Gilbert. Since launching in 2020, the task force has focused on reducing stigma, raising awareness, and connecting people to life-saving resources.

Conscious Leadership Coach | Facilitator | Author Creator of the Field of Living Intelligence Framework
Neerja Bhatia
Neerja Bhatia is a compassionate guide and visionary thinker with over 25 years of experience inspiring transformative growth in leaders from startups to Fortune 500 companies. She has worked with leaders and teams at organizations such as Red Hat, McKinsey, Meta, and Phillips. Neerja is the creator of the Field of Living Intelligence framework, a heartfelt methodology rooted in consciousness studies, Eastern wisdom, and authentic leadership that awakens the true self hidden beneath layers of noise and expectation.
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In a world filled with relentless pressure, Neerja reminds us that clarity isn't something to be hunted down, it's something we carry within, waiting to be remembered. Her work, detailed in her books, "Art of Resilience" and "Bliss is in Knowing the Self", invites leaders and changemakers to listen inward, trust their innate wisdom, and return to the stillness where authentic guidance resides. Through coaching, facilitation, and her writing, Neerja encourages a gentle shift: from striving and controlling to trusting and remembering the inner journey that leads to true clarity, wisdom, courage and love.
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Technology Veteran, Author, and Innovator
Eric Hamilton
Eric Hamilton is a technology veteran, author, and innovator with over 30 years of experience at leading firms including Google, Yahoo!, and Cisco Systems. He currently serves as the Strategic AI Board Advisor at the University of San Francisco, where he helps guide the ethical and transformative integration of artificial intelligence into education and society.
Eric is also the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at AI Moonbeam, a company focused on ethically integrating AI into education by combining artificial and human intelligence to enhance classroom experiences. He has been honored at the United Nations with an Excellence in Technology Award for his groundbreaking work in digital innovation, and he is the inventor of a U.S. Patent on the dynamic generation of custom web analytics data.
A lifelong advocate for technology as a force for empowerment, Eric has authored multiple books, launched pioneering digital platforms, and mentored diverse communities—from startups to students to incarcerated men seeking a second chance. He is passionate about shaping a future where innovation and humanity grow stronger together.

Rise Up: Fighting to Win the War from Within
Andy Riise
Andy Riise is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, keynote speaker, and trusted Mental Performance and Leadership Coach. A West Point graduate and former Army football player, Andy spent over 20 years leading in high-stakes environments, including multiple combat tours and five years with two elite Special Forces units. He later returned to West Point to teach Psychology and Leadership, helping pioneer performance programs for the military.
Today, Andy serves as the Chicago Bears’ Mental Performance and Leadership Coordinator and is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Sam Houston State University. His work blends cutting-edge science with real-world experience to help leaders and teams perform under pressure, build mental fitness, and lead purposefully.
A Presidential Leadership Scholar and co-author of the best-selling book Deliberate Discomfort, Andy brings energy, insight, and actionable tools to every stage and session. He’s worked with organizations across pro sports, business, education, emergency services, and healthcare—empowering everyday heroes to master their mindset and win the war within. Andy lives in Houston with his wife Katie and their four teenage kids.

Founder| Expert in Educational Neuroscience,
Dr. Rebecca Troy
Dr. Troy, a mother of two and expert in educational neuroscience, specializes in transforming how children with dyslexia learn to read. Holding a doctorate in education and National Board Certification in literacy, she blends cutting‑edge neuroscience research with practical, family‑centered interventions. Through her immersive 16‑week program, Dr. Troy helps children retrain the brain with multisensory strategies that strengthen phonological processing, working memory, and orthographic mapping—leading to powerful gains in reading, spelling, and confidence.

Speaker, Entrepreneur, Author
Erik Sorenson
Erik Sorenson is a Speaker, Entrepreneur, Author, Coach, and Podcaster whose guiding purpose is clear: inspiring, teaching, and moving others from the stage. With decades of entrepreneurial and leadership experience, Erik has built a reputation for igniting transformation in the lives of individuals and organizations alike.
At the heart of his work lies a singular passion—helping people uncover and act on their fullest potential. He believes that most people are living far below what they are capable of achieving, settling for mediocrity when greatness is within reach. Through his dynamic talks, actionable coaching, and real-world strategies, Erik empowers audiences to break through limitations, rediscover who they truly are, and take bold action toward building the life and business they envision.


Partner With Us
Join us as a partner and sponsor the event to empower small business owners in our community. Your support will make a significant impact on their growth and success. Together, we can create opportunities for entrepreneurs to thrive and achieve their dreams. Be a part of TEDxApex and make a difference today.


What is TEDxApex?

