TEDxAvilaUniversity took place on March 18, 2026.
This year’s theme was “Rooted in Values, Reaching the World.”
We are proud to have hosted the inaugural TEDxAvilaUniversity, bringing together thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers to share ideas that inspire and challenge us all.
This event is part of the global TEDx program, which empowers communities to share “ideas worth spreading” through independently organized experiences.
From personal stories to bold new perspectives, our speakers demonstrated the power of ideas to create positive change — in individuals, in communities, and in the world around us. We are grateful to everyone who joined us in person and online, and to every speaker who made this moment a proud first for Avila University.
Meet the Speakers
Jeff Johnson
Speaker, Educator & Leadership Practitioner
Jeff’s work centers on calling, values, and the alignment between who we are and how we live. His TEDx talk — Dispel Three Myths Blocking Your Calling — invites audiences to rethink purpose as a values-rooted commitment to meaningful contribution.
Jeff Randolph
Chief Marketing Officer, EAG Advertising & Marketing
A veteran marketer, educator at Avila University, and host of the Small Business Miracles podcast. Jeff reframes leadership through storytelling and failure-driven learning — the best leaders don’t just give orders; they roll for initiative.
Marielena Marroquin
Founder & CEO, Cultura Consultants KC
A cultural strategist and co-creator of KC Latina Book Club, Marielena blends storytelling, equity, and coalition-building to help organizations shape more just, joyful futures.
Janek Pfeifer
Entrepreneur, Leadership Developer & Builder of Ideas
For over two decades, Janek has worked at the intersection of entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal development. He has built and scaled businesses across logistics, technology, and e-commerce and more recently expanded into agentic AI. His guiding belief: freedom comes not from endless options but from choosing what is worth committing to.
Belinda Opoku
Pharmaceutical Science Graduate & Emerging Healthcare Administrator
Belinda leverages her dynamic cultural and academic background to seek answers to everyday questions. Through public speaking, she translates complex ideas into clear insights driven by a dream of a future where no one is left behind.
Daniel Delgado
Student, Avila University — Social Work & Psychology
A transfer student and inductee of the National Society of Leadership and Success, Daniel is passionate about advocacy, equity, and empowering others. Actively involved in Latino student organizations and the Writing Center, he is committed to advancing dignity and care for the dear neighbor without distinction.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
