Theme: The Puzzle of Purpose

TEDxNIU presents The Puzzle of Purpose: Finding Meaning in Life's Pieces.
Join us as we uncover what makes the larger picture of life! Featuring 5 speakers, a mid-day performance, lunch, and networking sessions, TEDxNIU is hosting NIU's first TEDx conference in nearly a decade. This full-day event aims to celebrate the voices and passions that make Northern Illinois unique and to encourage community between NIU students and the larger Dekalb area. With topics ranging from black holes to discussing your Zone of Genius, all attendees will walk away with fresh perspectives and ideas about Life's Pieces.

Holmes Student Center
340 Carroll Avenue
DeKalb, Illinois, 60115
United States

Bryan Flower

Assistant Director of Food Systems Innovation at NIU

Born in England and raised in South Africa, Chef Bryan has spent 30 years in the hospitality industry, working across South Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. His passion for quality ingredients led him and his wife to establish The Red Home Farm, where they raise grass-fed beef and operate a food trailer. Now the Assistant Director of Food Systems Innovation at Northern Illinois University, he oversees programs like the Edible Campus and the Sustainable Food Systems Innovation Challenge.

Carol J. Sharp

President and CEO at The Night Ministry

Dreaming wasn’t always a priority - survival was. But through life’s challenges, Carol J. Sharp has learned that character, courage, and giving yourself permission to dream beyond your circumstances are what truly shape the future. A Chicago native, Executive nonprofit leader, and fearless advocate for social change, Carol serves as President & CEO of The Night Ministry, where she leads efforts to provide housing, healthcare, and human connection to individuals experiencing homelessness. With nearly 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, her work has focused on breaking cycles of inequity, expanding opportunities, and ensuring marginalized communities have the resources to thrive.

Margaret Brower

CEO & Founder of Rainmaker Sales & Marketing Group

Margaret Brower is a Rainmaker in every sense of the word—an innovative strategist, dynamic leader, and powerhouse in the world of sales, marketing, and human connection. As the CEO & Founder of Rainmaker Sales & Marketing Group, Margaret partners with top catering and event venue teams across the country, guiding them to build stronger sales strategies, deepen client relationships, and grow their businesses beyond what they thought possible. She doesn’t just advise from the sidelines—she’s in the trenches, driving impact alongside her clients. A true people collector, Margaret thrives on meaningful connections, bringing infectious energy and an innovative mindset to every challenge she tackles. Whether she’s coaching sales teams, leading high-level strategy sessions, or speaking on national stages, her passion for growth, authenticity, and success is unmatched.

Michael Zevin

Astrophysicist at the Adler Planetarium

Dr. Zevin is an astrophysicist at the Adler Planetarium and a visiting scholar at Northwestern University. His research revolves around gravitational waves, ripples in the fabric of spacetime that have allowed us to observe intense gravitational events across the universe, such as the collisions of black holes and neutron stars.