TEDxBuffalo volunteers donate their time weekly to planning an inspired TEDxBuffalo conference with well-thought out plans on how to bring TEDx to Buffalo. The following people are involved in planning TEDxBuffalo for the October 11, 2011 date.
2011 Volunteers:
Kevin Purdy is a freelance writer and former editor at Lifehacker.com. He lives in Buffalo, where it’s almost unfair how good life can be.
Leah MacVie is a blogger (www.leahmacvie.com), instructional designer, photographer, and former graphic and Web designer. In her spare time, she is focusing on finding out more about DIY and informal learning through here blog. She loves everything DESIGN: instructional, identity, graphic, Web, and educational technologies. You can find her on Twitter @leahmacvie.
Angela Stefano was living in Connecticut until she was almost six, but that’s close enough for her to consider herself a born-and-bred Buffalonian — even if she technically grew up in East Amherst. She “escaped” Buffalo after graduating from Nardin Academy but came back after earning a degree in print journalism from Boston University’s College of Communication because she (surprise!) really missed Western New York. Angela spends her time outside of her day job freelancing for numerous magazines, papers and websites, helping out with PR for Brush Up Buffalo and serving as a communications director and board member for B-Team Buffalo. She enjoys Monday nights at Cecelia’s, vegan cookies from Merge and exploring Buffalo’s music scene. Find her online via her website.
Carl Skompinski is a life-long WNYer and TED supporter. From 1998 – 2008, he served as a mentor for students at risk at North Park Middle Academy (PS 66) and mentor for National Engineering Week’s Future Cities national competition. Carl was selected as Buffalo Alliance for Education’s 2002 Pathfinders Award for his contributions to education in WNY. He is also the University of Buffalo MBA Program Facilitator and Student Mentor for the school’s eCommerce curriculum (2001-present). Carl is a supporter of open eGovernment and hassle reduction; focused regional planning efforts for light-rail transportation, neighborhood development, and leveraging the historical aspects of the Niagara region for economic development. In his spare time he’s a Senior Consultant for Hewlett-Packard’s Enterprise Solutions Group (EDS), where he has worked for the past 25 years.
Anthony Billoni is a life-long resident of Western New York and has spent most of his adult life promoting the region’s vibrant art community. He was a curator of performance art at Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center, founded the iconic Artist & Models Affair that endures today as Hallwalls largest annual fundraiser. He founded and managed two downtown Buffalo night clubs long before the “Chippewa Renaissance.” He also holds his master’s degree in Creativity and Change Leadership from Buffalo State College. He is a member of the faculty of the Creative Problem Solving Institute, the longest running gathering of its kind in the world. Currently he is the director of the Erie-Niagara Tobaco-Free Coalition at Roswell Park Cancer Institute where he uses his community building skills to marginalize tobacco use. He lives in North Buffalo with his wife and two daughters.
Tricia Mekarski has lived in Western NY her whole life, she is currently enrolled as a Fashion Merchandising Student at Genesee Community College and has experience in sales and marketing at CertaPro Painters. She enjoys cookies and candy, and likes on her facebook page.
Tricia Marcolini has been a Lewiston native her whole life. She graduated from Canisius College with a B.S. in Information Systems and is currently seeking her M.B.A. She is truly inspired by the TED talks she hears and is looking forward to bringing that to the Buffalo community to provoke some real change. She enjoys photography and cooking along with technology and design. Connect with her on LinkedIn or Facebook.
Paddy Foran is a student at Canisius College, where he studies English. He works writing software, both for Canisius and independently. A Google fanboy and tech enthusiast, Paddy tries to stay connected to the tech heartbeat in Buffalo.
Dan Magnuszewskiis a software/internet entrepreneur from Buffalo, NY, who’s focused on building companies, while pushing to consolidate and grow the WNY tech and startup scene. He is currently a tech mentor for UNYstartups.com, the Student Sandbox at the Syracuse Technology Garden, and recently joined the WNY Computer Science Teachers Association, which promotes computer science education in grades K-12. He co-founded the WNY OpenData Working Group to make public data more accessible, promote open data, and push for government transparency. When away from the computer, Dan fills his time speedskating, running, and brewing beer. Find him on Twitter at: @magnachef
Pete Herris a life long Western New Yorker who wouldn’t trade his rust belt roots for anything. A teacher, a designer, and a big mouth, Pete spends his days looking for “ideas worth sharing” to pass on to his students and social media pals. Currently the Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair and Leadership Studies Teacher at St. Mary’s High School in Lancaster, Pete also is the President of the Lancaster Youth Foundation. He has also sat n the Board of Directors for UpstageNY. You can find Pete on Twitter at @peteherr
Levi Neulandis a web developer and designer from Western New York. He is a fan of learning about new technology and apply it practically to make people’s daily lives easier. He currently serves the Digital Director for a local Buffalo ad firm and in his spare time runs a personal website focused on the movie and television industry. Follow him on Twitter: @hellolevi
Stephanie Leidolphhas been a Buffalo resident her whole life and loves absolutely everything about this city. She has a Bachelors in Business from Medaille College. She works in admissions at a local college and has a side a photography business. She is currently in pursuit of another degree in Art Education and hopes to expand her business (website: www.stephieleiphotography.com). You can also follow her business on ( Facebook ).
Chaz Adams grew up in and around Western New York before attending Clarkson University, where he majored in Information Systems. He returned to the Queen City and, beyond the Queen City, follows the tech, auto, and winter sports cultures.
Michael Richard Murphy is a Rochester, New York based web developer and designer. In addition to creating websites and applications for small businesses, Michael is also a design and user experience mentor for entrepreneurs in Syracuse University’s Student Sandbox at the Syracuse Technology Garden. Connect with him on Twitter @michaelmurphy or LinkedIn
Natalie Sydoriak has lived in Western New York all her life. She graduated with a B.S. degree in Computer Science from the University at Buffalo. She enjoys kayaking and photography along with technology and new books and films. You can follow her on Twitter @natnatNatalie
Daniel Green is is now living in Buffalo after a stint in NYC and an even shorter stint in Rochester, NY. His knack for fixing things and solving problems found him working with Apple for a few years and now for Weill Cornell Medical College. Dan is really excited about all the great things going on in Buffalo right now and wants to be a part of it. You can usually find him at a local coffee shop or at one of the many amazing Buffalo restaurants in search of vegetarian friendly food. You can also find him on Twitter @whentheponydies or Linked In.