The People Behind the Ideas

Uma Devireddy, founder and organizer of TEDxSouthlake, has combined her extensive experience in procurement, vendor management, and finance with a passion for coaching and mentorship to create a platform that empowers emerging voices. Since launching TEDxSouthlake in 2020, she has guided dozens of high school students to the TED stage, helping them share impactful ideas and personal stories. Over the past five years, the event has grown into a thriving community where youth and adults come together to learn, lead, and inspire one another across generations. Driven by her belief in the power of ideas, storytelling, and community, Uma has transformed TEDxSouthlake into a dynamic forum that celebrates diverse perspectives, fosters personal growth, and encourages individuals to discover and express their unique identities.

Veronica Dunford is a seasoned professional committed to championing and empowering women and men within the automotive industry. With a career spanning over 35 years, Veronica has demonstrated a highly organized, efficient, and self-motivated approach to various roles in business development, executive management services, and technical support. In her current role as the Owner of Women In Automotive, Veronica is dedicated to providing mentorship, education, training, conferences, and community support tailored to empower women and men in the automotive sector.

Shanvi Devireddy is an organizer of TEDxSouthlake. Shanvi is an incoming 11th grader in Carroll ISD. She was a TEDx speaker in 2022, speaking about how the environment shapes growth. She continued with TEDxSouthlake, volunteering in 2023 and 2024. She is passionate about continuing in TEDx because it gives others an opportunity to develop skills in public speaking.

As Program Manager for TEDxSouthlake, Cierra Graham works closely with speakers, organizers, and partners to curate an engaging event experience that inspires connection and innovation. Drawing on her background in nonprofit leadership and community organizing, she is passionate about amplifying diverse voices and creating spaces for sparking new ideas. Through her work with TEDxSouthlake, she helps foster opportunities for learning, collaboration, and positive social impact.

As Operations Department Chair for TEDxSouthlake, Jason Jewert leads the planning and execution efforts that help bring the event experience to life. With decades of leadership experience spanning technology, product development, and business operations, he is passionate about building high-performing teams and creating systems that drive meaningful results. Jason's collaborative approach and strategic mindset help ensure TEDxSouthlake delivers a seamless and impactful experience for speakers, attendees, and volunteers alike. Through his work, he supports the organization's mission of sharing ideas that inspire curiosity, innovation, and positive change.

Kaylee Jewert is an 11th grader at Eagle Ridge Academy and a board member for the Operations Department. She spoke in 2024 about Shifting Generational Dynamics and How it Impacts Teenage Mental Health. She is a board member today because she wanted to be part of the amazing team that helped bring one of her passions to light. She hopes to one day become a forensic psychologist, as well as continuing to support TEDxSouthlake for years to come.

Surya Kasibhatla is a recent graduate of Rock Hill High School and a determined individual who has faced significant challenges throughout his life due to Cerebral Palsy. Despite these obstacles, he has shown remarkable resilience and a commitment to personal growth. Surya's journey has been marked by his unwavering spirit and a desire to inspire others.

He is dedicated to sharing his experiences and insights to empower those facing their own struggles. In 2023, he took this commitment further by delivering a TEDxSouthlake talk, where he discussed overcoming physical limitations and embracing a philosophical shift in his approach to life. Following his talk, Surya felt inspired to contribute back to the TEDxSouthlake community, seeking to uplift and motivate others on their journey, thus leading social media marketing and curating posts for TEDxSouthlake.

As a brand experience expert, TED talk speaker, and #1 Best Selling Author of CustomHER Experience, Katie knows firsthand the challenges organizations encounter as they strive to design a sustainable and effective CX program tailored for the female consumer. Using her experiences as a Chief Inspiration Officer, building company infrastructure, and designing customer experience programs, she is now a leading voice for positive, actionable change in the organizations with which she partners. As a highly sought-after speaker, Katie has inspired audiences around the world to think differently about the female consumer, customer experience, and leadership. She has worked with globally recognized brands, including Honda, Celebrity Cruises, and Canada Post.

As Public Relations Department Chair for TEDxSouthlake, Sean Kannan helps elevate the event's mission by fostering meaningful connections with audiences, media, and community partners. An accomplished actor, producer, author, and motivational speaker, Sean has dedicated his career to the power of storytelling and its ability to inspire personal growth and positive change. Drawing on decades of experience in entertainment, communications, and public speaking, he brings a unique perspective on crafting messages that resonate and create impact. Through his leadership, Sean helps amplify the ideas and voices that make TEDxSouthlake a catalyst for curiosity, connection, and transformation.

As Partnerships Department Chair for TEDxSouthlake, Ariana Blanden leads efforts to cultivate meaningful relationships with sponsors, community organizations, and strategic partners who help bring the event's vision to life. With a passion for servant leadership and a proven track record of empowering people and building strong professional connections, she is dedicated to creating collaborations that generate lasting impact. Ariana believes that meaningful partnerships are built on trust, shared purpose, and a commitment to uplifting others. Through her leadership, she helps expand TEDxSouthlake's reach and strengthen the community of supporters who make the sharing of transformative ideas possible.

As Community Engagement Department Chair for TEDxSouthlake, Justin Wagner leads efforts to strengthen relationships between the organization and the broader North Texas community. With a background in systems thinking, operations, and mission-driven leadership, he brings a strategic and people-centered approach to building meaningful connections. Justin is passionate about creating opportunities for collaboration that amplify local voices and expand access to transformative ideas. Through his work, he helps ensure TEDxSouthlake remains deeply rooted in community impact while fostering a culture of inclusion and engagement.

As Curation Chair for TEDxSouthlake, Christine Krok leads the speaker selection and content development process, ensuring each talk aligns with the organization's mission of sharing ideas worth spreading. With over two decades of experience in leadership development, learning strategy, and organizational transformation, she brings a deep understanding of how to design experiences that inspire growth and impact. Christine is passionate about helping speakers uncover and refine their ideas so they can communicate with clarity, confidence, and authenticity. Through her work, she helps shape a TEDxSouthlake stage that reflects diverse perspectives, meaningful storytelling, and transformational ideas.

After 20+ years in IT, AI has quietly leveled the playing field, and there's something humbling and exciting about all of us learning again, together. At TEDxSouthlake, we've embraced it not for efficiency's sake but because this work is done purely out of love for the mission, and AI lets a small nonprofit team move with more creativity and speed than we ever could alone. If I could leave the next generation with one thought: “let AI sharpen your thinking, not replace it.” Curiosity is still the advantage.

Nikita Chawla is a technology and product transformation leader specializing in AI, cloud computing, cloud security, and digital transformation. She has led enterprise modernization initiatives for global organizations, delivering innovative, customer-centric solutions that drive business impact.

Beyond her professional work, Nikita actively contributes to the technology community through mentoring, judging innovation competitions, public speaking, and volunteering. As a passionate advocate for women in STEM and responsible AI, she is committed to empowering future technology leaders and fostering innovation with purpose. As TEDx Marketing Co-Chair, she is dedicated to amplifying transformative ideas, and creating a platform that inspires curiosity and collaboration.