2023 Speakers

Dr. Michelle Black, Ed.D.

Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science 

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Dr. Black is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science for the University of Nebraska Omaha. The Co-Director for the Nebraska Deterrence Lab, Director for Security Innovations Academic Programing for the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology and Education (NCITE) which is a Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence. A Research Fellow for the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska, and Co-Editor-in-Chief for the Space and Defense Journal. In addition to her academic career, Dr. Black has over seventeen years of professional experience with the Department of Defense.

Prior to joining UNO, Dr. Black was a government civilian for the Department of Defense from 2009-2016. She specialized in Deterrence Analysis and Adversary Decision-making for United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Plans and Policy Directorate at Offutt Air Force Base. During her time at USSTRATCOM, she provided analysis and recommendations to senior leaders on decision-making strategy, deterring state and non-state actors, and regional expertise. Additionally, she initiated and directed the Deterrence and Assurance Academic Alliance, recruiting over 35 academic institutions to the program. This program provides a platform for defense and academic organizations to communicate and collaborate on research issues regarding Deterrence and Assurance. 

Prior to her government civilian work, Dr. Black worked in Psychological Operations from 2001-2009 as U.S. Army Special Operations NCO (Airborne) for the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) and later as a Defense contractor. She deployed to Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Dr. Black earned her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 2016. She also earned an M.S. in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution from Creighton University (2009), a Graduate Certificate in Intelligence Studies from Mercyhurst College (2007), an M.S. in International Relations from Troy University (2005), and B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Iowa (2001).

Focus area: When faced with complexity and complex problems what do we do, and how do we try and influence the trajectory and outcome? How many of us have tried to influence the outcomes or actions of others? Dr. Michelle Black explores EDGE at TEDx Omaha 2023 through the lens of influence and deterrence.

Dr. Michael Smith

Academic Hospitalist, Physician and Educator

You've probably heard this phrase before: laughter is the best medicine. And Dr. Michael Smith could probably attest to that. A practicing academic Hospitalist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center since 2014, Dr. Smith has been able to incorporate the skills of improv into his job as a physician and educator with extremely positive results.

Since 2018, Dr. Smith has led over 100 workshops and experiences using improv to educate other healthcare providers and professionals across the country in communication, wellness, and leadership skills. He still performs in monthly improv shows with his two regularly performing teams, Dad Jokes and Biscuits. He also has been a Top Teacher for both medical students and residents the past several years.

Focus area: Dr. Michael Smith explores EDGE at TEDxOmaha 2023 through the lens of improv theater and how it can be a way for high performing professionals to expand beyond the box of their professional title, grow their performance at their profession, and discover more joy in their life.

Dr. Jill Bruckner, Ed.D.

Educator, Scholar and Communicator

Jill Bruckner approaches every day with humor and heart. An educator and communicator, Jill penned Omaha's "Last Laugh," column in Today’s Omaha Woman magazine for nearly 20 years. She brings nonprofit, academic, corporate, media and economic development experience to projects, having held roles in schools, Fortune 500 organizations and nonprofits. Jill enjoys the gift of immeasurable grace offered by countless friends, family and colleagues, and, currently, uses the concept of “grace” to foster inclusion and belonging in work groups. Her research in empathy and leadership broke new ground when she paired a basic human empathy scale with the Federal Human Capital Survey to measure leadership attitudes and actions. Jill believes in everyday leaders, the power of collaboration and the value of celebrating and elevating the unique accomplishments of all. She is the cofounder of The Next 100 and author of “The Man Who Stitched the Sky.”

Jill studies leadership, empathy, belonging and grace. As a former columnist, she is infinitely curious about people’s stories and how their individual experiences mold even the smallest of next steps. What was the story of the people ahead of us? Why did they leave the drive-through with no-cost beverages? Should I have helped? How could I have helped? Did they even want help?

Focus area: Compassion. Kindness. Courtesy. Empathy. At the apex of the intersection, is grace. The grace of dignity. The grace of a parent, perhaps of little means, enjoying the experience of a coffee-shop treat. The grace of uninterrupted time in the drive-through line. Dr. Jill Bruckner explores EDGE at TEDxOmaha 2023 through the lens of grace and how human empathy and compassion can change lives.

Dr. Randall Bretz

Broadcaster, Communications Professional and Educator

Randy’s career has involved broadcasting, telecommunications, higher education, church leadership and public corporation leadership. He finished his formal education in 1982 but has never stopped learning. Most recently, Randy worked with Leadership Lincoln, serves on the Broadband Community Council for Nebraska, is an active member of Rotary 14, the Public Image Chair for Rotary District 5650, the original licensee of TEDxLincoln, founding partner of the Nebraska Storytelling Festival, teaches at Nebraska Wesleyan and is a member of the board of Junior Achievement of Lincoln. For an old guy, Randy is considered technologically advanced and connected. He’s active on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, Be Real, TicToc and a variety of other services. Some fun things about Randy are that he’s been in all 50 states, participated in a week-long rafting trip through the Grand Canyon and he regularly connects online with friends from the TEDx world.

Mentoring plays a crucial part in our lives at any stage, and both mentor and mentee benefit from the reciprocal relationship. However, for teens at the edge of a new phase in their lives, mentoring from a responsible adult can be pivotal.

Join us on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Creighton University Heider College of Business as Dr. Randall Bretz explores #Edge at TEDx Omaha 2023 through the lens of mentoring and how it can change young lives.

Tamsen Butler

Senior Marketing Copywriter, Carson Group

Born and raised in Southern California, Tamsen has lived in the Omaha area for two decades. An award-winning author and Air Force veteran, she’s the Senior Marketing Copywriter for Carson Group and a frequent contributor to Omaha Magazine. She also teaches yoga and indoor cycle classes at various gyms in the Metro area.

A major stroke in 2015 left Tamsen with a host of physical and cognitive deficits. Nowadays, she’s an active volunteer for the American Heart Association and is an advocate for stroke survivors. She co-founded “The Stromies”, a global network of stroke survivors that provides encouragement and education to one another.

Tamsen successfully reclaimed her life after her stroke by embracing adaptation, since full recovery wasn’t an option. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and nearly all forms of exercise (except running).

She consistently boasts to anyone who will listen about her two incredibly clever teenagers, Monet and Abram. 

What’s the big deal about authenticity anyhow? Is it really that important to always “show the world who you truly are,” or are there times when masking is beneficial?

Join us on Saturday, November 18 at Creighton University Heider College of Business as Tamsen Butler explores #Edge at TEDx Omaha 2023 by challenging the societal assertion that authenticity is vital to success. 

Dr. Bob Rauner, MD, MPH, FAAFP 

Chief Medical Officer of OneHealth Nebraska ACO and President of Partnership for a Healthy Nebraska

Bob Rauner splits his time between 2 jobs, Chief Medical Officer of OneHealth Nebraska ACO and President of Partnership for a Healthy Nebraska, as well as serving on the board of directors of Lincoln Public Schools and the National Association of Accountable Care Organizations. Bob received his undergraduate degree in philosophy at Creighton University, his medical degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and his master of public health degree at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. He started his medical career as a family physician serving rural and underserved communities for 15 years, and then transitioned into health leadership and policy roles after finishing his MPH in 2010. His wife Lisa is also a family physician and they have 3 daughters.

Focus area: Leaders are faced with making sense of complex issues and choosing the right decisions, often in the face of adversity and little information. This is when decision-making based on accurate data, interpretation by subject matter experts and knowing 'when' you have enough data to make the best informed decision 'at that time' is incredibly important, while also keeping the decision-making process open to adjust as needed.

Jewel Rodgers

Spoken word poet, performer, and visual artist 

Jewel is a spoken word poet, performer, and visual artist from North Omaha, Nebraska. She is a Union for Contemporary Art Fellow, Populus Fund Grantee, and a 2022 Omaha Entertainment & Arts Awards nominee for Best Performance Poet in Omaha. Alongside her artistic practice, she creates and maintains privately-held community amenities for public use while working professionally in commercial real estate.

Focus area: Jewell steps into the red circle in 2023 to investigate the art of exploration, revealing how intentional discovery can change a person's life. She explains that pursuing personal limits leads to growth, resilience, and togetherness.

Dr. John Kyndt

Professor of Microbiology and Sustainability

Bellevue University

Dr. John Kyndt is a Professor of Microbiology, Nutrition and Sustainability, at the College of Science and Technology at Bellevue University. His scientific specialization includes microbiology of extremophiles, photobiochemistry, renewable fuel research, and water purification, while his entrepreneurship focus is business plan development and financial projecting and project planning of new innovations. He holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Ghent in Belgium; as well as an Associate Certificate in Entrepreneurship from the University of Arizona. Dr. Kyndt’s recent research focuses on the genomics and biochemistry of bacteria and viruses from extreme environments to better understand life’s adaptations to extreme conditions.

Focus area: Dr. John Kyndt explores EDGE at TEDxOmaha 2023 through the lens of microbiology to show us how our world is shaped by the bacteria living within it and how we've only skimmed the surface of what's really out there in this microbial world.

Dr. Elsbeth Magilton

Director of Externships, Executive Director

Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law programs

University of Nebraska College of Law

Elsbeth Magilton is an attorney and educator serving as the Director of Externships and the Executive Director of the Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law programs at the University of Nebraska College of Law. She has appeared at SXSW in 2021 and has been quoted in The Atlantic, The Verge, and a host of other publications. In 2022 Elsbeth was named a “NExt Pioneer” with the Nebraska Tech Collaborative – a workforce initiative examining tech talent in the Midwest. She is also a current Scowcroft National Security Fellow at the Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense at the U.S. Air Force Academy. From 2021-2023 Elsbeth served as the board president for Girls Code Lincoln, a nonprofit igniting passion for technology in 4th-9th grade students, where she now leads fundraising efforts. She also is a member of the Advisory Board for the Branched Oak Observatory, a sky park supported by science educators and astronomy enthusiasts.

Focus area: Dr. Elsbeth Magilton explores EDGE at TEDxOmaha 2023 and will step into the Red Circle to talk about the power of stories and discussions that live on the edge of our comfort zone. Those difficult and scary conversations. But she doesn't use just any story, you know it’s science fiction. Elsbeth will take you on her journey using Star Trek and science fiction as a learning tool.