Madeline Dunn: Organizer

Madeline Dunn is a junior Psychology and Communication double major. Having been the Co-Director of Public Relations, Marketing, and Communication last year, Madeline is returning to the TEDx team this year as Organizer. Working avidly in a close-knit research lab on campus, Madeline explores how youth and emerging adults develop in contexts of intergroup contact and divide. It is Madeline’s dream to use her knowledge on the topic to improve the lives of others. In her free time, Madeline pursues her creative passions by writing poetry and creative nonfiction. This is her first year as Organizer and she is excited to help spread ideas which can cultivate academic thought and spark innovation.

Victoria Cooke: Head Curator

Victoria Cooke is a senior History major and Women’s and Gender Studies minor pursuing teaching certification in Adolescence Education. This is her fourth and final year as part of the team and her second year as the Head of Curation.  In addition to her role on the TEDx Executive Board, Victoria is also the co-president of Voices for Planned Parenthood, the founder of Her Campus at Geneseo, the first lady of the Pride Alliance, and a presidential scholar. Her passions include reading, advocating for social justice, and crafting. Next year, Victoria will achieve her aspiration to change lives through education and ‘ideas worth spreading’ by joining the Teach for America corps in Buffalo!

Grace McMahon: Curator

Grace McMahon is a junior Psychology major, Sociology minor, and an Accessibility Advocate here on campus. Aside from TEDx, Grace is also a Bob Ross enthusiast, a pug/beagle lover, and a chai latte drinker. She has been a member of FRIENDS: The National Association of Young People Who Stutter for over 10 years, where she has attended conventions all over the United States and ran workshops of her own. Being a person who stutters, Grace views TEDx as an extremely important platform where individuals from all walks of life can share their own unique voice.

Jess Kaplan: Curator

Jess Kaplan is a senior American Studies and Sociology double major with a minor in global conflict issues. As well as being a co-curator of TEDx, Jess is also a Peer Pathways advocate, business coordinator of the Women’s Leadership Institute, and assistant web editor of the Lamron. In her free time, Jess is likely to be found writing, drinking coffee, lecturing her friends about astrology, or watching Parks and Recreation. This is her second year on the curation team, and she is excited to continue to help spread ideas worth spreading!

Madeleine Metcalf: Curator

Madeleine Metcalf is a senior Business Administration major looking to open a business of her own. This is Madeleine’s second year on the TEDx curation team. After traveling abroad to poverty-stricken areas, she developed a passion for spreading ideas and perspectives to communities close to her who often overlook them. Aside from TEDx, Madeleine is involved with the Community Health Alliance, which promotes mental and physical health on campus. She strongly believes in the power of positivity and that you have to be the change you want to see in the world. Madeleine is very excited to be a part of TEDxSUNYGeneseo and cannot wait to see this year's event unfold.

Lillian Simons: Curator

Lillian Simons is a sophomore Creative Writing and Communication double major. Interested in human interest pieces, Lillian has joined the TEDx team this year as a curator. Being a writer from the East End of Long Island, she has managed her high school literary magazine Seascapes and has also been published in the Southampton Press (27East). Lillian has also been published numerous times in The American Library of Poetry’s yearly publications. She has worked with the Southampton edition of National Public Radio (WPPB NPR) and is also the poetry editor for Gandy Dancer, a SUNY wide Literary Magazine run out of Geneseo. She is interested in creative non-fiction and writing on people’s experiences to provide insight on the environment around her.

Adrienne Porter: Curator

Adrienne Porter is a sophomore majoring in International Relations and English. This is her second year with the TEDx team, she has enjoyed listening to and learning from TEDx talks for years.

Julia McGaugh: Co-Director of Production & Logistics

Julia McGaugh is a junior Communication major with a minor in the Edgar Fellows honors program. This is Julia’s third year as a part of TEDxSUNYGeneseo, and she is very excited to be leading the Production & Logistics team after being a curator for two years. Aside from TEDx, Julia is the Assistant Residence Director of Wayne Hall, serves on the e-board of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and is a student representative on the Edgar Fellows advisory committee. In her free time, Julia enjoys singing, traveling, photography, and bike rides around Geneseo. Julia is thrilled to be able to engage the campus community with ‘Ideas Worth Spreading!’

Lin Kai Ye: Co-Director of Production & Logistics

Lin kai Ye is a sophomore Biology major on the pre-medical track. This is Lin’s first year joining the TEDx team and will be part of the Production & Logistics team. Outside of TEDx, Lin works as an undergraduate chemistry lab assistant. Lin is also part of the Deans List, Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, and has done research ranging from G.M.O’s, to studies of a flavonoid known as Anthocyanin, and most recently, Lin has done research in the field of Hematology and its regard to Von Willebrand disease. Outside of school, Lin enjoys sketching and skateboarding. Lin looks forward to using the TEDx platform to spread ideas and inspire individuals throughout the college campus. 

Jess Rivera: Co-Director of Production & Logistics

Jess Rivera is a Geography major and Environmental Studies minor. With their first year on the Productions and Logistics team, they hope to contribute design skills and gain experience in planning events surrounding dialogue and inter-community exchange. Outside of TEDx, Jess is the Design Editor of the Lamron contributing any needed graphics. It is also their second semester as a Diversity and Inclusion Community Educator facilitator (DICE), and an active member of the Club Lacrosse team. Other pursuits include exploratory mini-projects spanning from a currently poor attempt at starting an indoor herb garden and converting the free 4ft x 4ft standing space in their room into an art studio. Notable skills include one-legged pistol squats and crafting at inappropriate times. In the next few years regardless of degree completion, Jess hopes to be able to travel and do fieldwork vital for disaster response and eventually join environmental engagement projects in urban areas.

Souza Hiramasa: Director of Sponsorship

Souza Hiramasa is a freshman majoring in Business Administration. Having a desire to work for the TED company, she came to the U.S all the way from Japan. She recently interned in a school in New York City to gain business experience before coming to Geneseo. Becoming a member of TEDx on the sponsorship team is a great start of her college life. Souza is a book lover, enjoys Latin dance (salsa/bachata), and has been practicing Traditional Tea Ceremony (making matcha) for years.

William Widarsono: Co-Director of Public Relations, Marketing, & Communication

William Widarsono is a first-year Neuroscience major on the pre-medical track. Passionate about the brain, he hopes to contribute towards the subject of Neurogenesis. Alongside TEDx, William is a part of the Geneseo First Response, which provides emergency medical services to the Geneseo campus community. In his free time, you can catch William reading research papers, watching anime, or playing a healthy competitive game of League of Legends.

Jiemin Chai: Co-Director of Public Relations, Marketing, & Communication

Jiemin Chai is a junior Childhood and Special Education major with a Theater concentration. This is Jiemin’s first year joining the TEDx team and she believes that it is important to create a stage for people in our community to share their ideas. Jiemin is very excited to be apart of the Public Relations, Marketing, and Communication team. Aside from TEDx Jiemin is apart of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship serving as a Small Group Leader, the On-Campus  Marketing Chair for Colleges Against Cancer, and a member of Alpha Phi Omega. She loves a great weekend exploring Western New York with her friends. A fun fact about Jiemin is that she tried being a YouTuber and vlogged for the whole month of December. 

Emma Trolley: Co-Director of Public Relations, Marketing, & Communication

Emma Trolley is a senior Communication major with double minors in psychology and conflict studies. Aside from TEDx, she is a Geneseo Opportunities for Leadership Development (GOLD) Mentor, Blood Drive Coordinator for the Geneseo Red Cross Club, and a member of the Geneseo Women’s Club Volleyball team. In her free time, she enjoys water skiing, boating, and growing succulents. Emma believes that TED offers a valuable opportunity for continuing education and the chance for personal growth.

Brenden Navarro: Co-Director of Technology

Brenden is a senior Communication major. He spends his free time cooking, lifting weights, and cleaning. Alongside TEDx, Brenden is an Assistant Resident Director (ARD) for the Department of Student Life at SUNY Geneseo. As an ARD, Brenden helps to manage a staff of Resident Assistants within a residence hall to build a positive community for Geneseo students residing on-campus. Brenden also acts as Media President for the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF). This marks Brenden's second year on TEDxSUNYGeneseo.