TEDx Silver Lake – Crossing the Divide

Welcome to TEDxSilver Lake – Crossing the Divide! Get ready for an immersive experience that will ignite your curiosity and inspire new ideas.

Tedx Silver Lake is an exciting new event happening on Friday, February 23, 2024 at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center, Virginia, MN. Join us for a day filled with captivating talks, thought-provoking discussions, and innovative ideas worth spreading. Doors open at 4:00 pm, with the event starting at 5:00 pm.

Our theme for 2024 is “Crossing the Divide”. It is a broad theme meant to include many ideas and it is open to each individual’s interpretation. The common thread is that these ideas presented at this event should bring us together. That doesn’t mean that all audience members will agree, it only means that we seek inspiration, passion, and curiosity in these talks instead of judgement.

Our diverse lineup of speakers will cover a wide range of topics. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, expand your horizons, and be part of a global movement. Come and be inspired at Tedx Silver Lake!

What is TEDx?

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called Tedx Silver Lake, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDx Tedx Silver Lake event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.

Tedx Silver Lake will include 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.

Click here for more information about the TEDx program

What to Expect at the TEDxSilver Lake Event?

Local speakers presenting innovative and compelling ideas
Local performances
An inspiring evening

How long is each talk?
TEDx talks should be less than 18 minutes long and are typically delivered by a single presenter.

Speakers

Julie Lucas View Bio

Julie Lucas

“Climate Change Solutions from the Ground Up”

As the Executive Director of MiningMinnesota, Julie Lucas advocates for responsible mining of mineral resources in Minnesota that will “keep the lights on” as our nation undergoes a clean energy transformation. She earned her mining experience serving as the Director of Water Resources for Twin Metals Minnesota, a proposed copper-nickel mine near Ely, Minnesota and as the Environmental Manager of Hibbing Taconite Company, a Cleveland-Cliffs iron ore mine in Hibbing, Minnesota. Through education and collaboration opportunities, Julie engages with a broad audience of interested stakeholders. She attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth and has a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a master’s degree in Water Resources Science.

Ellie Norvitch View Bio

Ellie Norvitch

“How Supporting the Arts Can Keep Our Communities Thriving”

Ellie is a senior at Rock Ridge High School, and an avid member of the music, theater, and speech programs. She plans on attending the College of Saint Scholastica next year to pursue an undergraduate in Political Science with the eventual hope of obtaining a law degree.

Lisa Beck View Bio

Lisa Beck

“How to Bridge the Generational Gap through Community”

Lisa Beck was born and raised in Virginia, Minnesota, graduated from the University of North Dakota with her bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training and went on to obtain her master’s degree in Sports and Recreation Management from Springfield College in Massachusetts. She is a Corrective Exercise and Behavior Change Specialist. In 2020, she authored the internationally selling book “An Infinite Love: Your Journey Toward Happiness, Connection, and Loving Yourself the Most.” In 2024, Lisa founded and launched Ignite, a company helping retired professional athletes find purpose and community in their transition beyond the game.

Shannon Watson View Bio

Shannon Watson

“Why We’re Divided and What You Can Do About It”

Shannon Watson is the Founder and Executive Director of Majority in the Middle. She has also served in policy and public affairs roles for Casper Corcoran, the Medical Alley Association, St. Paul Area Chamber, the Minnesota Senate, and the National Conference of State Legislatures. Shannon has over 20 years of experience in electoral politics, advising candidates and working on campaigns on both sides of the aisle. Shannon holds a bachelor’s degree in English, Theatre, and Psychology from Wichita State University and a master’s degree in Advocacy and Political Leadership from the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Aaron Kelson View Bio

Aaron Kelson

“How Teaching Creativity Frees Great Goodness”

A natural resources economist and policy analyst, Aaron Kelson is devoted to education and grassroots community development to enhance the quality of life in rural, resource-dependent areas. His efforts to advance personal, organizational, community and other social network progress are informed by the foundational principles of ecological health and connectivity.

Leah Lemm View Bio

Leah Lemm

“Echoes of Empowerment: Amplifying Native Voices, While Finding my Own”

Leah Lemm is a citizen of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and spends her time sharing stories from Native communities around Minnesota. She’s worked in public media for over 15 years and lives in Grand Rapids, MN.

Marlise Riffel and Maria Jensen: View Bio

Marlise Riffel and Maria Jensen:

“Taking the Lead in E-Mining”

Marlise Riffel has a master’s degree in Sociology and taught sociology in the Minnesota State College system for several decades. She retired in 2015 and currently manages the Virginia Farmers Market, works with Youth Empowerment Support & Safety, the Iron Range Original Music Association, and writes grants for a variety of community causes. She is president of the Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability and has spent the past two years researching e-waste recycling.

Maria Jensen began her career in Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) in the electronic waste recycling industry. Currently, she is Co-Director of Recycling Electronics for Climate Action where she engages in research, education, and advocacy work around e-waste management in Minnesota. Maria has a master’s degree in Global Health with research related to mercury contamination from electronic waste.

Jeffrey Hanson View Bio

Jeffrey Hanson

“Native Bacteria and Minnesota Iron Eliminate Sulfate”

Mining brought Jeff Hanson and his family to Babbitt in 1959. Living on the shores of Birch Lake, Jeff developed a deep passion for the woods and the lakes. At the University of Minnesota, Jeff studied mechanical and environmental engineering. He has an International MBA from Switzerland. In his professional life, Jeff has managed two different subsidiaries of Minnesota companies in Brazil, and he owned a manufacturing company for 18 years before returning to Minnesota. Jeff has moved back to his childhood home on the shores of Birch Lake and has dedicated the past 15 years to the development of a cost-effective system to remove sulfate from mining impacted waters.