Playing it safe sounds good, right? Yeah… until you realize real breakthroughs come from breaking the rules. Gina’s story shows what happens when you trust your gut, take the risk, and think like a Maverick. If you wanna change the future, you can’t just follow the map — you have to draw a new one. Chasing Cold War spies, foiling terrorist attacks, and leading the FBI’s most significant cyber investigations were part of work , during her 28-year law enforcement career. A consummate storyteller and transformational keynote speaker, she now inspires audiences worldwide with lessons in leadership, resilience, and fearless decision-making. As the host of the Making Maverick Moves Podcast, Gina spotlights trailblazers who defy the odds and rewrite the rules to achieve success. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

You know, sometimes the kid who feels like the outsider ends up making history. Gary’s story is proof. From tough beginnings to becoming Manteca’s youngest Mayor, he’s showing a new generation how grit, ideas, and real leadership can change everything. Honestly, the leader you’re meant to be — it’s already in you. Gary Singh, Mayor of Manteca since November 2022, served on the City Council for six years and held two terms as Vice Mayor. A lifelong resident, he brings practical insights from decades as a small business owner and Broker/Realtor. He prioritizes public safety, job creation, and fiscal sustainability. In his TEDx talk, he’ll share strategies for building resilient, forward-thinking communities This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Most of us don’t even think about it, but the food we eat travels so far — and loses more than just its freshness. It kinda loses its soul. This talk is a wake-up call about how we grow, choose, and respect our food… and why it’s time to reconnect, not just for our health, but for the people growing it too. Veeksha Sudireddy, a junior at Sierra High School is the secretary of Med Life and a commissioner in leadership. She likes to learn her favorite songs in guitar and bake for the family. She represents the "Youth Dreams " category of our TEDxManteca Initiative and her talk will provide the peek into the GenZ thought process about future. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Under the Same Sky is straight from the heart of San Joaquin — and honestly, it’s a reminder we all need. Thanks to Shikha Kumar’s beautiful vision, we get to see that kindness, curiosity, and connection still matter. No matter where we come from… we’re all living under the same sky. She holds a Master in Social Work degree and has a long standing passion for Bolly-dance, as well as other folk dance too. Mrs. Kumar has 25+ years experience in teaching and performing competitively. This, together with her 16+ years expertise in human behavior, trauma-informed work, and solution-focused guidance, brings a learning experience where students feel inspired to express while honing their art skills/ overall confidence. The instruction style avoids punitive, punishing words. Attention will not be sought by begging nor demands. Shikha is trained in the nurtured-heart approach, and other positive parenting/leadership which translate into healthy facilitation of dance teaching, fostering openness and camaraderie.Mrs. Kumar has an art profile from High School and San Jose State University where she has been recognized for her creative skill and awarded a scholarship through an arts program. She also has a knack for costume design. Altogether, Shikha's goal is to bring her skillsets to Jhoom Studio. The hope is to provide a quality channel for art expression in a safe space and supportive environment; with focus on dance, self-discovery, and a touch of humanitarianism.A service providing art expression with clinical expertise is a unique quality experience to gain a more connected, expressive, happier, healthier US. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

What if the best investment you ever made wasn’t in stocks, but in the life you were meant to live? Sandeep Gandhi’s gonna challenge how we see success — and why building something meaningful might just be the real masterpiece you were born to create. Sandeep Gandhi , With 15+ years in institutional finance, blends investment expertise with mindfulness. A CFA charterholder trained in Kriya Yoga and Vedic Astrology, he champions Conscious Investing—aligning profit with purpose. At TEDx, he’ll reveal how ethical capital allocation and awareness can reshape finance for a more sustainable, impactful future. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

AI’s not just for the tech geniuses anymore. It’s here, and it’s for all of us. Arun Mohan’s here to flip the script — showing how AI can be a tool for teachers, artists, small businesses, and everyday people who want to actually make a difference. Arun Mohan is a senior executive with over 20 years of experience reimagining business through AI-driven technologies, cloud innovations, and SaaS platforms. At Oracle, he leads large-scale AI integrations within Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, delivering measurable value. His collaborative leadership fosters innovation and empowers teams. In his TEDx talk, Arun reveals how AI propels growth, revolutionizes experiences, and drives long-term success. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx