In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

USI Performance Center
University of Southern Indiana
8600 University Blvd
Evansville, Indiana, 47712
United States

Hamdi Altowaireb

University student and volunteer

Hamdi Altowaireb is a Muslim-American pursuing a Biochemistry and Biophysics degree at USI. He immigrated from Saudi Arabia at an early age. His TEDx talk will discuss how giving changes perception. Along with his studies, Hamdi has extensive experience at MASIHA food pantry helping our community be hunger free.

Jeff Jones

Educator and Storyteller

Jeff Jones has nearly 30 years experience as a teacher, administrator and storyteller. His goal in life is to share knowledge, empathy and support to help others. He does this with humor, affection and stories. Jeff is a proud native Hoosier and USI grad who resides in Sorgho,Kentucky.

Kay Corpus

Integrative & Functional Medicine Physician

Dr. Kay Corpus brings a rare combination of medical expertise and deeply personal experience to her work. It was her own transformative journey through menopause that revolutionized her approach to women's health. A family physician turned integrative and functional medicine pioneer, she discovered that healing isn't just about hormones and hot flashes—it's about reclaiming the soul of womanhood. Through Soul of Medicine, her nationwide practice, she guides women to transform menopause from a medical condition to be managed into a sacred passage to be embraced. Part doctor, part storyteller, and full-time champion of women's wisdom, Dr. Corpus weaves cutting-edge science with ancient healing traditions. When she's not helping women rewrite their menopause stories, she's living her own—as mother to Bella and Luka, life partner to Rob and dog mom to Obi and Pilar who all remind her daily that joy is the best medicine.

Kristie Frederick Daugherty

Poet and Editor

Kristie Frederick Daugherty is a poet and editor. She holds an MFA in Poetry from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and she is also a PhD candidate in Literature/Criticism at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is the editor of Invisible Strings: 113 Poets Respond to the Songs of Taylor Swift which was published in December 2024 from Random House. She has poems and interviews in Ponder Review, North American Review, American Poetry Review. and many other literary journals. She is a contributing editor at The Blue Mountain Review. She has a chapbook of poetry forthcoming in late 2025 with poet Stephanie Burt, and she has a collection of poems, Ordinary Pietá, forthcoming in 2026. Find her on Facebook and Instagram at kristie.daugherty.1 and on her website www.kristiefrederickdaugherty.com

Molly Evans

Interdisciplinary fiber artist and former educator

Molly Evans is an interdisciplinary fiber artist and former educator based in Evansville, Indiana. She is currently studying Occupational Therapy Assistance at University of Southern Indiana and creating a manuscript about her experience of utilizing creativity within the Health Sciences.

Zachary Pilot

Assistant Professor of Psychology

Dr. Zachary Pilot is a cognitive developmental psychologist from the Laurel Highlands of southwestern Pennsylvania. He is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Southern Indiana, where he is dedicated to mentoring students and advancing undergraduate research. Beyond academia, Dr. Pilot is committed to supporting his community through local initiatives focused on improving youth mental health