TEDxWestminster 2026

Presentation

Pivot to Purpose: Turning Setbacks into Strength

This talk explores how life’s disruptions—whether health challenges, career transitions, or personal losses—can become catalysts for growth. Through powerful storytelling and practical insights, Dr. DaVida Anderson shares how clarity, courage, and faith transform setbacks into setups for purpose.

“Breathe. Pivot. Purpose.” Because the most powerful move you can make when life takes your breath away is to find a new way to breathe.

Bio

Dr. DaVida Anderson is redefining what it means to lead with purpose in a world that often measures success by titles alone. A college administrator, adjunct professor, nonprofit founder, and motivational speaker, she has mastered the art of weaving integrity, empowerment, and resilience into every facet of her work, proving that true impact begins from the inside out.

Her journey started on the track as a Division I athlete at a Big Ten university, where she faced an unexpected diagnosis: only fifty percent lung capacity and asthma. That moment forced her to rethink strength, not just physically but mentally, which sparked a lifelong commitment to helping others discover their own power. Later, when faced with a choice between a lucrative corporate career in pharmaceuticals and her passion for education and service, DaVida chose purpose. Every pivot since then has been guided by clarity, courage, and faith.

For over two decades, Dr. Anderson has inspired college women through Strong Sister, Silly Sister, Inc., the nonprofit she founded to help them embrace ethical choices and their fullest potential. Her insight and energy have made her a sought-after speaker, coach, and facilitator, captivating audiences with messages that uplift and transform.

Her influence extends beyond boardrooms, classrooms, and the stage. She serves on several boards and committees, including the University of Iowa’s Graduate College External Advisory Board, and was honored as one of Maryland’s Leading Women Under 40. With degrees from Purdue University, Loyola University Chicago, and the University of Iowa, plus a Mediation Certification from Northwestern University, she brings expertise in student affairs, leadership development, and crisis management.

Outside of her professional work, DaVida finds joy in writing poetry, hiking, laughing with her family, and speaking from the heart. Whether through a well-crafted verse or a powerful conversation, she is passionate about inspiring people to grow into their fullest potential.

Dr. Anderson’s story challenges the notion that adversity limits us. Instead, she shows us that every challenge can become a catalyst for transformation, and that speaking life into others begins with building strength within ourselves.

Presentation

Imagine Yourself Having a Prepared Mind

At Resiliency for Life, we believe that to rise above life’s BIG challenges starts with one powerful advantage: a prepared mind. That’s why it’s essential to learn how to build inner calm, sharpen focus, and strengthen the ability to stay safe, confident, and successful in an increasingly frantic world.

Bio

Michael H. Ballard is an accomplished resiliency educator, consultant, and keynote speaker based in Toronto, Canada. With over 27 years of experience, Michael has dedicated his career to empowering individuals, teams, and organizations to develop resilience in the face of adversity. As the founder of Resiliency for Life, he has become a trusted voice in helping people navigate challenges and achieve more positive experiences and outcomes.

Michael’s journey into the field of resiliency began with his own experiences overcoming life-changing health and personal setbacks. His personal triumphs inspired him to study and develop strategies and research proven techniques that enable others to thrive under pressure. He combines storytelling, science-based principles, and practical tools to create engaging workshops and resources that resonate across diverse audiences, including schools, corporations, and community organizations.

A passionate advocate for mental health and emotional well-being, Michael is widely recognized for his ability to break down complex concepts into relatable, actionable advice. His unique approach focuses on building self-awareness, fostering connections, and cultivating an optimistic yet realistic outlook.

Michael has worked with clients across Canada, the United States, and overseas, from Bermuda to Singapore, delivering solutions that encourage lasting change. His insights have been featured in media outlets, conferences, and publications, cementing his reputation as a thought leader in the field.

When he’s not coaching or speaking, Michael enjoys writing, mentoring, and exploring the great outdoors. His mission remains clear: to equip others with the tools and mindset to bounce back, grow, and thrive in life despite our most challenging moments.

Presentation

When Life Disrupts: Choosing Connection Over Fear

In this deeply human and hopeful talk, Kathy shares how surviving 9/11 and two cancer diagnoses revealed an unexpected truth: the hardest part of trauma isn’t the pain—it’s the silence that follows. Through personal stories of heartbreak, healing, and the surprising power of a simple card, she exposes why good, loving people often disappear when someone is suffering, and how that silence compounds trauma. Kathy offers a gentle, practical roadmap for showing up with courage, care, and connection, even when we’re afraid of saying the wrong thing. Her message is a call to reinvent how we support one another in life’s most difficult moments and a reminder that presence—not perfection—is what saves us.

Bio

For more than 20 years, Kathy has helped executives and organizations achieve lasting results through leadership development and personal transformation. As Founding Partner and CEO of The 262 Group, she coaches leaders internationally, drawing on her experience leading global teams on Wall Street and her certifications as an MCC coach and Certified Dare to Lead™ facilitator. She challenges leaders to expand their capacity, strengthen presence, and balance heart with strength. Outside of work, she has run 11 marathons, ridden the PanMass Challenge and raised over $150,000 for charity, survived 9/11, beaten cancer twice, and continues to embrace life fully as a rider, traveler, chef, and mother. 

Presentation

When Life Breaks the Rules: How Antifragility Turns Chaos into Clarity

Antifragility is the idea that we don’t just withstand disruption—we grow stronger because of it. When life breaks the rules, chaos can feel overwhelming, but what if we stopped fearing it and started preparing for it? Instead of waiting for the other shoe to drop, antifragility invites us to expect change, lean into uncertainty, and use chaos as fuel. I no longer aim only to be resilient; I aim to rise through the noise. When we choose antifragility, we gain the clarity and confidence to evolve, not in spite of disruption, but because of it.

Bio

Brittni Barcase made Carroll County her home five years ago. Since then, she’s built a life in a supportive community surrounded by scenic bike trails and exceptional coffee shops. Born resilient as a 31-week preemie, Brittni is no stranger to adversity. That resilience was further tested during her teenage years when she navigated her mother’s struggle with substance addiction, an experience that redefined what strength and survival meant to her. These defining experiences fuel her belief that life isn’t about simply bouncing back, but about anticipating change and growing stronger through it—the essence of antifragility. 

Presentation

Lights, Camera, Chaos: Staying Cool When Everything Changes

For more than 30 years, I worked in television production, an industry where stress isn’t the exception, it’s the air you breathe. From impossible deadlines to last-minute client demands, I had to learn how to not just manage pressure but harness it. In this talk, I share the practical tools and mindset shifts that allowed me to stay creative and resilient in the middle of chaos. Stress isn’t the enemy. It can be a performance enhancer, if you know how to reframe and redirect it.

Bio

Neil has spent 42 years in television and radio production and has owned his Carroll County-based production company for almost 30 years. He is an Emmy Award-winning television editor who has worked for production companies, network news, advertising agencies, professional sports teams in and around Baltimore, and major motion picture companies during his time in Hollywood, California. Neil also spent three years guest-hosting a WBAL radio show, where he won two Associated Press awards for comedy writing.

Presentation

The Connection Code: Understanding Why People Say YES

In times of disruption, we are all being asked to adapt, decide, and move faster than ever before. Yet when people feel pressure, they hesitate, and when they feel clarity, they move. Behind every important decision there is a pivot point that determines its direction: the way we listen, the way we respond, and the trust we build will influence that decision. When persuasion is traded for presence, YES becomes a confident choice rather than a pressured one. This talk explores how subtle shifts in communication can spark movement, deepen trust, and open the door to meaningful change.

Bio

Dr. Brian Harris has spent 20 years working with people during moments of uncertainty and change. Through thousands of conversations, he discovered a pattern. Progress does not come from persuasion; it comes from feeling seen and understood. His ability to see things differently has helped thousands of business owners and entrepreneurs transform their traditional sales process into a much more effective and rewarding buyers process. Today, he teaches how clarity and connection help people move forward with confidence in everyday business and life decisions.

Presentation

Life Gets Bigger When We Get Over Ourselves

Life gets bigger when we stop making it all about us. We’ve been sold a happiness formula based on comfort and achievement, but it keeps us trapped in fear, comparison, and constant performance. Alison offers a more expansive path, revealing how joy, meaning, and connection grow when we move beyond self-focus and step into purpose. 

Bio

Alison C. Jones is a leadership and wellness speaker, consultant, and coach, and the founder of GLOW, a women’s leadership community that helps women grow in courage, clarity, and confidence. Her work—shaped by profound personal loss, transformation, and more than 30 years in organizational development—blends research, lived experience, and her proprietary frameworks, including the Vessel Model of Leadership™. Alison helps individuals, teams, and organizations move beyond fear and self-focus so they can lead and live with greater authenticity, resilience, and impact. She is also the bestselling author of Character Leadership and a passionate advocate for elephant and rhino conservation. 

Presentation

You’re Not Too Intense, They’re Just Uncommitted

This TEDx talk explores how society often mislabels high-achievers as “too intense” when in reality their drive and focus reflect deep commitment and clarity of purpose. It challenges the cultural tendency to gaslight passionate individuals—especially entrepreneurs and creatives—by mistaking urgency for instability and emotional investment for excess. The talk reframes intensity as a leadership superpower, arguing that it’s not something to tone down, but something to understand, harness, and respect. Ultimately, it encourages audiences to rethink their assumptions about tenacity and to recognize that true progress often comes from those who are all-in. These same character traits and tenacity are required to pivot in modern society to overcome adversity in our ever–evolving world. 

Bio

Mike Little is the CEO of the nation’s #1 Iron Valley Real Estate firm and Vice President of Noble Title and Escrow Inc., leading more than 400 professionals and having assisted over 15,000 families in the purchase or sale of their homes. The enterprise has eclipsed $3B in sales in under five years. He is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and certified coach. Originating from extremely humble beginnings as an at-risk youth, having grown up without either of his biological parents raising him, he has survived abuse, neglect, poverty, foster care, homelessness, and much more. Turning adversity into achievements and assisting many others in doing the same, he’s recognized as the global authority on tenacity. Mike has redefined tenacity as the power of sustained superior resilience and invites all to BE TENACIOUS. Blending 14 years of U.S. Navy service with elite business strategy, he inspires resilience, vision, and high performance to all committed enough to do the work. A devoted husband and father of three living in Virginia Beach, VA, he balances his mission-driven leadership with weightlifting, basketball, guitar, writing, and reading, showing up with purpose in every area of life.

Presentation

Fear More, Not Less 

Fear has been misunderstood. We treat it as a threat, but research shows that fear, when used correctly, is a performance enhancer and a catalyst for reinvention. In this provocative talk, Marine Corps veteran and applied positive psychology expert Jill Schulman reveals why the most important pivot we can make in an age of disruption is to deliberately move toward fear instead of running away from it. She breaks down the neuroscience of controlled fear and shows how training with it builds confidence, resilience, and the adaptability modern life demands. Jill offers a new model for growth: stop avoiding fear and start using it as your advantage. 

Bio

Jill Schulman is a former U.S. Marine Corps Officer and leadership development expert who teaches the science of bravery. With a Master’s degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, she blends military experience and behavioral science to help people reinvent themselves in the face of challenge and uncertainty. Jill is the author of The Bravery Effect and works with organizations worldwide to build the courage, resilience, and adaptability needed in an age of disruption. 

Presentation

How to Stop Failing at Forming New Habits 

This talk exposes one of the biggest myths in personal development: that habit formation is about discipline, motivation, or time. We’ve all been told habits form in 21, 30, or 66 days, but that’s false. The truth is, habits don’t form on a timeline; they form through emotional connection. Most people fail to create lasting habits because they focus on guilt and shame when they fall short, instead of attaching positive meaning to their progress. 

Drawing from behavioral psychology and his personal experience as a coach and bodybuilder, Rob shows how reframing the emotional response to behavior makes it impossible to fail at forming new habits. Once people stop associating setbacks with failure and start reinforcing identity-based progress, change becomes not only achievable but inevitable. 

This talk offers a new way to think about habits, rooted in purpose, emotion, and lasting transformation. 

Bio

Rob Stein is a national speaker, published author, and performance coach who has spoken to over 30,000 people and coached more than 12,000 entrepreneurs and real estate professionals nationwide. As the founder of Earth to Orbit™—America’s #1 online training platform for real estate agents—and the author of Impossible to Fail, Rob helps people reach their God-given potential through disciplined action and proven systems for growth. A former professional bodybuilder with a Master’s degree in Education, Rob blends science, mindset, and leadership in his teaching to help people unlock lasting transformation. He lives in Leander, Texas, with his wife Katie, their daughter Lily, and their dog Louis.