TEDx Franklin “Finding Your Place” Announces Speakers
Franklin, TN – TEDx Franklin will showcase 12 speakers on Saturday, March 28, 2026. The event will be from 2:00-5:30 pm in the theater located in the Arts & Technology Building at the Columbia State Community College, Williamson Campus, located at 1228 Liberty Pike in Franklin, TN 37067.
Speakers will share topics relating to the theme Finding Your Place. The theme is related to The Third Place, a phrase for a social environment where people gather other than in the home or at work. The emphasis will be on discussing how to build community both locally and on a national/international level.
The selected speakers are:
- Chris Whitney, Founder and CEO of One Generation Away
Chris has shaped innovative, scalable food-access models that combine operational excellence with deep human connection, addressing food insecurity while restoring hope, honor, and dignity. - Craig Weber, Author, Speaker, Coach, Consultant
Craig helps people and teams improve their performance by treating dialogue as a discipline. - Craige Hoover, Mixed Use Development Champion
Craige’s work sits at the intersection of housing, land use, and human behavior—translating complex economic and regulatory systems into places that support daily life, connection, and long-term resilience. - Dave Delaney, Communication Expert
A published author, corporate trainer, executive coach, and the host of the ADHD Wise Squirrels podcast, Dave helps people and organizations improve how they communicate, connect, and lead. - Erin Krueger, Realtor/ CEO/ Coach/Author
Erin explores how intentional leadership and clear values can help individuals and organizations grow with purpose and resilience. - Holly Duckworth, Human-Centered Leadership Architect
Holly’s work sits at the intersection of leadership, wellbeing, and cultural change, inviting curiosity, integrity, and presence in how we show up for one another. - Jess Patz, Advocate + Speaker
Jess brings a systems-level perspective to conversations about identity, leadership, and collective responsibility, translating complex social dynamics into clear, accessible ideas. - Kalinda Fisher, Entrepreneur and Conversationalist
Trained as a sociologist (M.A., University at Buffalo), Kalinda has spent 25 years helping organizations understand the real people behind the data—by listening for what’s said, what’s unsaid, and why it matters. - Landon Funk, Educator and Education Consultant
Landon’s work and research centers student empowerment and engagement from elementary school to college students. In addition, she has a private education practice specializing in working with students who have learning differences. - Leslie Mathis, Architect of EmpowHERment
In this talk, she explores the idea of the “”Third Place”” – intentional spaces beyond home and work where women grow, lead, and rise together. Drawing on lessons from building EmpowHER, Leslie shows how these environments build leadership muscle, spark clarity, and fuel purpose. - Mridu Nagrath-Parikh, Productivity Expert
Known as “The Stress Squasher,” she helps high-achievers take control of their time, energy, and focus. Mridu’s mission is to redefine productivity as an emotional experience that fuels clarity, connection, and community. - Pam Lewis, President CEO- FRSA PLA MEDIA
Part of the original launch team for the MTV MUSIC TELEVISION which discovered and managed Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, she founded award-winning PLA Media, creating successful campaigns for entrepreneurs, authors, and entertainers.
The event will be limited to 100 attendees in keeping with TEDx standards and will consist of two sessions separated by an intermission. Visit TEDxFranklin | TED for more information.
This will be a great opportunity for community members to hear from a wide range of voices about how we develop and grow community here, and it will also be an opportunity for speakers to improve their skills and deliver their messages.
The Presentation Sponsor is Wilson Bank & Trust; the Gold Sponsor is Franklin Tomorrow, and the Bronze Sponsors include Dr. Shane Hall, Kathie Moore, Dan Ryan, Deborah Varallo, and the Franklin Rotary at Breakfast Club.
About TEDx Franklin
TEDxFranklin events spark engagement and discussion by sharing live speaker talks and TED videos with the local community. Our full day conferences are fully planned and coordinated independently for the Franklin community. The content and design of each TEDx event is unique and developed locally but all of them have common key features and align to TEDx branding.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event
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, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. 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.)
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.
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