In an increasingly shallow and transactional world, Brett advocates for networking "the right way". To illustrate, he revisits the toughest job hunt of his career—landing an engineering position in Taiwan. It begs the question: isn’t it more rewarding to meet people, instead of filling your inbox with rejection emails? Despite working as an engineer in Silicon Valley, Brett’s true passion lies in connecting with people from all walks of life (a skill he developed as a bartender). His greatest opportunities haven’t come from technical skills, but authentic relationships built on trust, respect and care. Outside the office, you can find Brett cheering on the Toronto Raptors, performing Interstellar on the piano, or maintaining his “absolute heater” of a Duolingo streak. 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

"The world needs you, show the world who you are." In his inspiring TEDx talk, Maxime Liefooghe explores the power of authenticity and the importance of embracing your unique style. He highlights how true success comes from staying true to yourself and rejecting the pressure to conform. Maxime’s message is a call to action: life is too short to live someone else’s version of it, be you. Maxime Liefooghe is a speaker and coach specializing in sales and leadership. While naturally social and able to connect easily with others, he learned that true sales success stems from building trust and credibility, rather than simply being a skilled communicator. Recognizing that many people fear or misunderstand sales, Maxime had to grow into the role himself, seeking knowledge through books, training, and coaching.He quickly grasped the essence of sales, achieved strong results, and transitioned into leadership—a journey that brought new challenges and opportunities for growth. Maxime believes that training is often too theoretical and generic. Instead, he emphasizes practical, engaging, and empowering learning experiences that ignite enthusiasm for applying new skills. 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

In her insightful TEDx talk, Isabel Verstraete introduces the 4 CARE Principles as a practical guide to gain and retain Generation Z in the workplace. She explains how these principles help organizations adapt to change, build trust, and connect with the younger generation. Her framework inspires leaders to create workplaces where the next generation can truly thrive. Isabel Verstraete is a recognized growth strategist and author with over two decades of experience in strategy. She developed the CARE Principles based on the belief that leadership in today’s complex and rapidly changing world requires more than just traditional management skills.With her extensive experience and fresh perspectives, she helps organizations enhance employee engagement and performance while enabling growth and sustainable transitions.Her clients range from multinationals to start-ups across various sectors in Europe, including Zeeman, Filliers Distillery, Lee Cooper, KitchenAid, and Rubenshuis.Renowned universities such as Nyenrode Business University and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam regularly welcome Verstraete as a guest lecturer, where she shares her transformative insights rooted in the CARE Principles, leaving a lasting impact on the leaders of tomorrow. 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

In his TEDx South Congress talk, Josh Busby, PhD, explores the critical connections between climate change and national security. He argues that the impacts of a changing climate are not just environmental issues, but significant threats that can destabilize nations, and overwhelm disaster response capabilities both domestically and internationally.Busby emphasizes the need for proactive and comprehensive strategies that integrate climate action into national security planning, highlighting the importance of building resilience and prevention-focused strategies. Joshua Busby is a Professor of Public Affairs and a Distinguished Scholar at the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law. From 2021-2023, he served as a Senior Advisor for Climate at the U.S. Department of Defense. Busby is the author of numerous studies on climate change, national security, and energy policy that have been published by peer-reviewed academic outlets and various think tanks. 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 your biggest breakthrough isn’t about working harder — but about unlocking someone else’s greatness? The CEO of America’s Favorite Airport, Tampa International Airport, explores how investing in others' potential can spark a chain reaction of opportunity and impact. This talk challenges traditional views of success by showing how mentorship acts as a catalyst for transformation — for the mentor, the mentee, and the world around them. Tampa International Airport CEO Michael Stephens is a dynamic leader with over 25 years of experience in legal affairs, technology, human capital management, and transportation. A U.S. Air Force and Army Veteran, his leadership has been instrumental in shaping TPA’s strategic growth, operational resilience, and advancements in aviation security and emerging technologies. As a young man facing hardship at home, Stephens found his purpose through the guidance of mentors. Today, he is a nationally recognized expert in cybersecurity, data privacy, and critical infrastructure protection, having testified twice before Congress on emerging threats. A lifelong learner and forward-thinking executive, Stephens holds certificates and degrees from Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program, Morehouse College, and American University. His passion is to inspire and empower others to achieve their highest potential. 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

Fashion is for everyone, and every body type can enjoy confidence and self-expression through style. Cameron Boyland, known affectionately as "Big Cam," is an internationally recognized Big & Tall Model and Influencer whose work has been featured by major brands including Savage X Fenty, SKIMS, Nike, and JCPenney. As founder of The Bigger Picture, a creative agency championing size diversity and inclusion in fashion, he leverages his platform of over 38 million social media views to reshape public perceptions of beauty, confidence, and masculinity. Cameron holds a Master of Science in Marketing from Webster University, bringing both academic understanding and lived experience to his advocacy work. His commitment to helping people embrace their authentic selves while encouraging the fashion industry to accommodate all body types has made him a powerful voice for inclusivity. 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