TEDxSanAntonio has enjoyed the dedicated efforts of several outstanding individuals since its founding in 2009. It’s time to thank some folks who are rolling off after years of hard work, and announce those who will be taking on additional responsibilities and new challenges.
Thanks for getting us this far!
These folks put in many years and thousands of hours of effort and creativity to make TEDxSanAntonio what it is today. We owe them all a tremendous debt of gratitude.
Ana Grace headed up our Programming Committee in 2012, and became an organizer in 2013. Ana relocated to Seattle in 2014, where she follows our community’s progress with interest and continues to cheer us on.
Brandon Pinzon chaired our Logistics and Volunteers Committee in 2013 and 2014; after seeing 2014’s Ideas in Action through, he relinquished the leadership role to Caitlin Hille.
Rebecca Helterbrand led our Programming Committee, and became an organizer and board member in 2014. She produced a wonderful Children’s Mental Health salon last year. She stepped down off the board after the Ideas in Action event.
Michele Koch has been instrumental to TEDxSanAntonio’s success since our first meetings in 2009. She served as a 2011 Programming co-chair, became an organizer, and was responsible for several events and much behind the scenes guidance. Michele helped us gain our official nonprofit status last year as Fiesta for the Mind, and served as our treasurer. Michele resigned from the board early in 2015, though she continues to advise us.
Kathy Babb has volunteered for six wonderful years, starting in our first year. She assumed a vital leadership role as organizer in charge of Event Experience, inventing the committee while raising our standards for interactive exhibits and quality and many, many other important initiatives. She served on the Fiesta for the Mind Board, and recently resigned to devote more time to her career, family and other pursuits. She is kindly helping with our transition, wishes TEDxSanAntonio all success and hopes to see us at future events.
Welcome Back and Welcome Aboard!
These folks have stepped up to assume increased or new responsibilities within the TEDxSanAntonio organization.
Chris Sandoval accepted the position of Chair of the Programming Committee in early 2014, under Rebecca Helterbrand’s guidance. The 2014 Ideas in Action event curation process was simply outstanding, and the Fiesta for the Mind Board unanimously voted to include Chris as a board member. I’m happy to say he has agreed to attend TEDActive and its TEDx Organizers Workshop next month on behalf of TEDxSanAntonio. Since TEDActive is held at the same time as TED 2015 Truth & Dare, Chris will miss the upcoming TED LIVE stream/kickoff event as a result, but will be forging connections with other TEDx organizers from around the world, sharing our successes and helping deepen their understanding of the TEDx program.
Early in 2014, we were very pleased to welcome back Deborah Martin, one of the original 6 founding organizers, as chair of the Communications Committee.
Brandon Pinzon passed the torch to Caitlin Hille, who agreed to become Chair of our Logistics and Volunteers Committee, with the help and support of Melanie Call. With Kathy Babb’s resignation, Caitlin and Melanie presented the Board with an offer to assume the leadership as interim co-chairs of a new, larger committee, Operations, comprising the tasks formerly under both Logistics and Volunteers and Event Experience. The Board united in accepting their proposal and thanking them for a timely, proactive solution.
After a successful stint on the 2014 Programming Committee, Kelly Strait has accepted the role of Chair of our Programming Committee, with guidance from board member Chris Sandoval.
Darrin Wylie has agreed to chair our Technology & Production Committee, with help from Board Members George Riley and Bob Hotard. Darrin is also heading up a business structure team tasked with creating a solid organizational foundation for our new nonprofit, Fiesta for the Mind, and effective, sustainable committee structures and document the business model using business model canvas and other tools.
Darrius Jones has agreed to chair our Sponsorships & Partnerships Committee, with guidance from board members Jenia Espe and myself, Susan Price.
Kerry Quinn has served on the Programming Committee for several years, and has agreed to take on the Treasurer role recently relinquished by Michele Koch. Thanks for taking on this important responsibility, Kerry. It’s great to put it in the hands of someone who knows our organization and supports our mission like you do.
Tony Bryden has volunteered to provide project management for the Committees and help ensure they fulfill their responsibilities and coordinate effectively. He led us through a Lessons Learned/2015 Debrief, and is also participating in the business strategy team.
Please join me in thanking these leaders for stepping up and giving so generously of their time and talents to build TEDxSanAntonio.
What’s Next?
As our business team works through the next phase of strategic planning, we’ll be exploring the possibilities opened up by our new nonprofit status and creating a solid foundation on which to build our programs of main events, livestream events, Youth, Women, Salons, and more. Part of the committee’s work is identifying clear roles and job descriptions, needed skillsets and realistic time commitments to make more volunteer opportunities available, and give our many volunteers a clear path to success.
If you’ve tried to engage with TEDxSanAntonio in the past and couldn’t quite get connected, please don’t give up on us. We’ll be announcing more specific volunteer opportunities in the coming weeks. We’ve got some very exciting possibilities for partnerships and programs that will get us together more often, and give more of you a chance to make a difference.
Thank you all for creating this vibrant, exciting community that is TEDxSanAntonio. I’m honored to work with you all.
Warmest regards,
Susan Price
2015 Licensee and Board Chair
Keep up the great work!