2023 LINEUP — TEDxSouthLakeTahoe

Joshua “Atlas” Aultman

TEDxSLT 2023 Topic:
Start with WHO - How Elite Leaders Win

Atlas helps proven leaders focus on who they are, who their teams are, and who their mission serves by providing master-courses, books, and speeches designed to produce faster successes, retain talent, and attract high-value teammates.

After almost 3 decades of serving in the United States military’s most elite teams, Atlas outwardly states that he joined the profession of arms to study leaders. He now shares lessons - from his notes and time in Special Operations, Conflict zones, and White House communities – using stories. He’s helped thousands of leaders, held responsibility for billions of dollars, and has recorded hundreds of successes, innovation improvements, and team wins while leading people in over 30 countries.

His books have been featured on FOX, NBC, ABC and other major news outlets. He has contributed stories with lessons for multiple podcast hosts around the world. Atlas has five international best-selling books, holding bestseller status in US, Canada, UK, and Australia. His most recent book became #1 in personal transformation, memoirs, and motivation categories.

Atlas resides with his family in Phoenix and is always ready to share responsibly.

Social Media Channels:
Instagram @atlas_aultman
YouTube @atlas_aultman
TikTok @atlas_aultman
Facebook @Atlas Aultman
LinkedIn @Atlas (Josh) Aultman

Bridey Heidel

**TEDxSLT 2023 Topic:**
***ROB the Trauma: Steal Back Your Life***
Bridey Thelen-Heidel is an award-winning English teacher, writer, and youth advocate. Her memoir, *Bright Eyes*, will be published by SheWrites Press in August 2024, and her work with LGBT+ youth has been celebrated in Read This, Save Lives and California Educator. She recently performed in *Listen to Your Mother NYC* and is a frequent podcast guest, speaking about the resilience, optimism, and bravery she developed surviving her abusive upbringing that she now uses to live the life of her dreams.
**Learn more** at bridey-thelenheidel.com
**Social Media Channels:**
Facebook @bridey.heidel
Instagram @brighteyesauthor
Twitter @BrideyHeidel

Devin Middlebrook

**TEDxSLT 2023 Topic:**
***Rethinking Our Outdoors: How South Lake is Creating a More Sustainable Outdoors for All***
Devin Middlebrook was born and raised in South Lake Tahoe. He is the government affairs manager for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. In his role at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Devin leads initiatives to create a more resilient Lake Tahoe. Devin earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and sustainability from California State University, Chico and went on to receive his MBA from California State University, Sacramento.
Devin is the former mayor and city council member of the City of South Lake Tahoe. As Mayor, Devin advocated for the environment, economic diversity, climate, housing, recreation, equality, and transportation.
Finally, Devin sits on the board of directors for Chile Lagos Limpios, a NGO based in Santiago, Chile. As a founding board member, Devin has shared his expertise in climate, transportation, and governance to help create a more sustainable future for the lakes of Northern Patagonia.
Growing up in Tahoe gave Devin an appreciation for the environment and getting outdoors, and the passion to ensure future generations have the same experience.
**Social Media Channel**
LinkedIn @ Devin Middlebrook

Gabriel Najera

**TEDxSLT 2023 Topic:**
***Do You Need a Hand or Two?***
Gabriel Najera is a world-class motivational speaker without arms who inspires others to achieve their dreams despite obstacles. A professional, bilingual, public keynote speaker in English and Spanish, Najera is an inspiring, motivating and humorous professional speaker who has an instinctive ability to capture and lift the spirits of people, empowering them for a renewed reach toward any goals, dreams and purpose they once thought were impossible to accomplish.
Gabriel was born on July 13, 1966 in Mexico City with a disability where he has no arms and very short legs. The doctor's diagnosis at birth was that he was born without life. However, God had other plans for Gabriel by giving him a second chance to live a successful life, despite his little hope of survival. He has set himself up in the midst of all adversity as a unique example for all. Najera has lived a full life inspiring millions around the world. And after all, he is a happy man full of life, ideas, and dreams.
Since birth, he has managed to succeed in both his professional and personal life. He is a professional systems engineer, fully bilingual in English and Spanish. A successful entrepreneur having created six successful companies in just a little over 25 years, a self published author of 2 books and a happy man after having formed an indescribable family.
**Learn more at** ifican-youcan.com
**Social Media Channels:**
YouTube @GabrielNajera
Instagram @ificanyoucan2
Facebook @gabriel.najera.376

Santor Nishizaki

**TEDxSLT 2023 Topic:**
***The 3Ps of Post-Pandemic Leadership***
Dr. Santor Nishizaki is the founder and CEO of Mulholland Consulting Group and co-author of the #1 bestselling book, Working with Gen Z: A Handbook to Recruit, Retain, and Reimagine the Future Workforce after COVID-19. His work on leadership and Generation Z in the workplace has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Psychology Today, BBC, CBC, Fast Company, and more. In addition to speaking and training, Santor is a Ph.D. professor of Global Leadership and Change at Pepperdine University and a former acting city manager.
**Social Media Channels:**
Instagram @santorspeaks
LinkedIn @santorspeaks
TikTok @santorspeaks
YouTube @santorspeaks
Podcast @santorspeaks

Larry Sidney

**TEDxSLT 2023 Topic:**
***The Power of Pursuing Audacious Dreams***
A dual-sport National Team athlete for Israel, Larry competed in Skeleton from 2014-2018 and Curling from 2018 to present. When not competing on ice, Larry is a Holistic Financial Adviser, helping businesses and families create their optimal retirement plan. Larry earned his MBA from UC Berkeley and undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut. At home, he is the father of 2 boys, Lucas (6) and Marcus (4), and husband to his amazing wife Kerstin.
**Social Media Channels:**
Facebook @elsid1
LinkedIn @larrysidney
Instagram @doubleicedchai

Meena Srinivasan

TEDxSLT 2023 Topic:
Unlocking the Secret Powers of Tenderness

Meena Srinivasan is a seasoned educational leader, celebrated speaker, accomplished author, and visionary entrepreneur. With over two decades of dedicated service, she’s always been an educator-activist at heart consistently championing the fusion of Mindfulness and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). In 2022, she was featured as one of Mindful Magazine's "Ten Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement," while also gaining recognition in Educational Leadership Magazine for her insights into Mindful Leadership and Wellbeing.

As a prominent voice in the field, Meena focuses her speaking and writing on Emotional Intelligence and Belonging. She is the creative force behind the SEL Every Day online courses and the author of two influential books: Teach, Breathe, Learn: Mindfulness In and Out of the Classroom and SEL Every Day: Integrating SEL with Instruction in Secondary Classrooms. The latter was honored as one of 2019's Favorite Books for Educators by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley. Meena is also an instructor of graduate level SEL courses in UC Berkeley’s School of Social Welfare.

Learn more at meenasrinivasan.com

Social Media Channels:
Instagram @heartofmeena
Twitter @HeartOfMeena
LinkedIn @meenasrinivasan
Facebook @meena.srinivasan.9