TEDxAWC Executive Board prepares for April conference
February 28, 2025Ten AWC staff members collaborate to bring shared vision to life
Yuma, Ariz. (February 28, 2025) – Join Arizona Western College on April 25 for the TEDxAWC conference! This inspirational event will showcase the voices of Arizona Western College students, faculty and staff, as well as the larger community of Yuma and La Paz Counties, and beyond.
“At the heart of this event is connection—between people, ideas, and the technology that drives us forward,” shared Ashley Herrington, TEDxAWC Operations Manager. “I am excited to support, for the second time, TEDxAWC, a truly unique opportunity to bring our community together, sparking conversations and inspiring change through the powerful ideas only this event can offer.”
The community is invited to hear stories of transformation from the event’s ten speakers, which include an emergency room physician, a professional water polo player, a former US Marine, a Mexican immigrant, multiple published authors, and other accomplished local voices with backgrounds in mentorship, education, and more. With topics ranging from AI to athletics, entrepreneurship to mental health, and leadership to cultural identity, there is something for everyone!
Co-Director Lori Stofft added, “My favorite human characteristic is curiosity. I think TEDxAWC connects with thought leaders who demonstrate deep curiosity about topics they’re passionate about. Our city and our audience are in for a treat!”
TEDxAWC will take place on Friday, Apil 25 from 4:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the Historic Yuma Theatre on 245 S Main Street. General admission is $60 with tickets available for purchase at this link. View the complete list of TEDxAWC speakers and “Talks” here.
“As a second-time TEDx licensee, I’m so proud to see TEDxAWC coming back to Yuma even bigger!” commented TEDxAWC Licensee and Director Dr. Sara Amani. “Having lived and taught across three continents, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful stories can bridge cultures and spark change. It’s been amazing to help bring together such incredible speakers, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear the powerful ideas they’ll be sharing.”
In preparation for the conference, each speaker meets with TEDxAWC speech coach Abbie Weiss, who specializes in helping professionals refine their message, connect with their audience, and deliver impactful presentations. Weiss has been coaching public speaking since 2003, working with over 1,000 individuals to develop their communication skills.
“Every person has a story, an idea, or an insight that can spark transformation,” Weiss said. “My role as a coach is to help individuals bring that to life with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.”
Sherry Needham, the TEDxAWC Production Manager, will uphold high-quality design and production standards throughout the April conference. “I am honored to be part of the amazing group that brings this unique experience to our community,” Needham said.
On the financial side, AWC Business Professor Fabian Munoz is serving as Financial Manager. Munoz commented, “It’s very exciting to have TEDxAWC once again in our community. It is amazing to bring together inspiring speakers and innovative ideas to spark meaningful conversations.”
Reflecting on her role in the TEDxAWC Executive Board, Marketing Manager Sarah Herman said, “I am delighted to collaborate with such a dedicated team of leaders and change-makers, and I’m eager to see how our collective vision will continue to inspire and challenge our audience.”
Sponsorship Manager Laura Knaresboro added, “Serving alongside this amazing team to bring TEDxAWC to the Yuma community has been a wonderful experience. The speakers are bringing an array of inspiring stories that will resonate for years to come.”
“I am thrilled to be a part of the second TEDxAWC event being held in Yuma, AZ,” said Michelle Struck, Community Outreach Coordinator. “I look forward to sharing the amazing speakers that have been selected with our community and hearing their stories.”
Laura Rios serves as the TEDxAWC Student Club Advisor. “I’m so excited and I’m looking forward to our upcoming TEDxAWC event for a second time,” Rios said. “I know it will be a very motivational and inspirational experience.” The TEDxAWC Student Club provides students with opportunities to develop leadership skills, actively contribute to planning and promotion of the event, and take ownership of a dynamic initiative that fosters innovation and meaningful conversations.
Follow TEDxAWC on Facebook and Instagram to help celebrate the incredible innovations and important ideas that will be featured.
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About TEDxAWC:
TEDxAWC is an independently organized TEDx event at Arizona Western College, dedicated to fostering creativity and sharing "ideas worth spreading" with the local community. TEDxAWC provides a platform for students, faculty, staff, and community members to present their unique perspectives and transformative ideas to inspire action and innovation.
About TED:
TED is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to discovering, debating and spreading ideas that spark conversation, deepen understanding and drive meaningful change. Our organization is devoted to curiosity, reason, wonder and the pursuit of knowledge — without an agenda. We welcome people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world and connection with others, and we invite everyone to engage with ideas and activate them in your community.
TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, but today it spans a multitude of worldwide communities and initiatives exploring everything from science and business to education, arts and global issues. In addition to the TED Talks curated from our annual conferences and published on TED.com, we produce original podcasts, short video series, animated educational lessons (TED-Ed) and TV programs that are translated into more than 100 languages and distributed via partnerships around the world. Each year, thousands of independently run TEDx events bring people together to share ideas and bridge divides in communities on every continent. Through the Audacious Project, TED has helped catalyze more than $3 billion in funding for projects that seek to make the world more beautiful, sustainable and just. In 2020, TED launched Countdown, an initiative to accelerate solutions to the climate crisis and mobilize a movement for a net-zero future, and in 2023 TED launched TED Democracy to spark a new kind of conversation focused on realistic pathways towards a more vibrant and equitable future. View a full list of TED’s many programs and initiatives.
Follow TED on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
Contact:
Dr. Sara Amani
Professor of Multilingual Composition/Specialist
Arizona Western College
sara.amani@azwestern.edu
(928) 344-7503
Contact:
Lorraine Stofft
Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the AWC Foundation
Arizona Western College
lorraine.stofft@azwestern.edu
(928) 314-9595