Jump into summer, join the conversation at TEDxChapmanU June 4

Leaders and innovators from the gaming industry to the media world are among the speakers announced for the 2013 TEDxChapmanU, Chapman University’s second annual independently organized TED event, June 4. With a lineup that fits the theme — Icons, Geniuses & Mavericks — come ready to hear speakers whose stories will stir new thoughts and inspire deeper conversations.

Announced speakers include:

• Liz Fiacco, entrepreneur, digital media game designer, founder of Fallstreak Studio—and a Chapman alumna. She was recently recognized by OC Metro in its “Twenty Women to Watch” issue.
• Reggie Gilyard, dean of the Argyros School of Business and Economics, and former partner and managing director with The Boston Consulting Group.
• Michael Goldsby, co-founder and CTO of Jointly Health, an innovative software company providing an advanced analytics platform for the healthcare industry.
• Prince Gomolvilas, a Thai-American playwright whose thought-provoking plays have been produced in the U.K., Singapore and the U.S.
• Jennifer Sullivan, an award-winning brand strategist who has helped top film and entertainment companies successfully navigate the entertainment industry.
• Kristen Howerton, a marriage and family therapist and author of the popular blog Rage Against the Minivan, where she explores issues of identity, race, adoption, parenting, and motherhood.
• Ali Nayeri, Schmid College of Science and Technology faculty member and a member of the university’s Institute for Quantum Studies. Dr. Nayeri is also listed among the top 100 Iranian-American scientists.
• Mark Pampanin, a political science major from Massachusetts, and a top prize winner at the recent 2013 Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament in St. Louis. (PKD is the public speaking and debate honor society.)
• Allyn Rose, Miss District of Columbia 2012, who chose a double mastectomy as a preventive measure after breast cancer claimed the lives of three women in her family, including her mother and grandmother.
• Gwynne Shotwell, president/COO of SpaceX, the private space exploration company founded by Elon Musk. Shotwell is listed by Forbes among its “World’s Most Powerful Women/Women to Watch.”
• Lisa Sparks, a highly regarded teacher-scholar in health communications, and the author and editor of more than 10 books in the areas of communication, health and aging.
• Kathy Thomson, president/COO of the Los Angeles Times Media Group and recently named COO of Tribune Publishing. She is responsible for all editorial, advertising sales, business services, marketing and operational functions at the Times.

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. Choose to see it live in Memorial Hall or live-streamed in the informal TEDxChapmanU Lab in the George H.W. Bush Conference Center. Either way, there’s a summer swag bag for all.  Tickets are $45 to $60. For more information, visit the TEDxChapmanU website.