TEDxSIUC always draws a crowd for engaging speaker presentations. Photo provided.
March 23, 2026
Hear intriguing speakers at TEDxSIUC on March 28
CARBONDALE, Ill. — TEDxSIUC returns to Southern Illinois University Carbondale on March 28!
Buy tickets online now for the 1-5 p.m. independent, self-organized session featuring an eclectic, informative panel of guest speakers. It will take place in the ballrooms of the SIU Student Center, 1255 Lincoln Drive.
“TEDxSIUC is all about putting a spotlight on people in our community who have meaningful ideas and experiences to share,” said Joey Volpe, the event organizer and president who is a senior hospitality, tourism and event management major from Zionsville, Indiana. “There are so many great ideas here, and we get to help share them on a stage that reaches an international audience. The fact that it’s fully student run makes it even more special because it’s something we have built for our campus and for SIU.”
Illuminating, diverse speakers
A group of engaging speakers will make short presentations during the 2026 talks sharing perspectives, knowledge and insights on a wide array of topics. The panel includes:
- Bryan Tucker – An SIU alumnus with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s in counseling and rehabilitation education, he has untold experience helping individuals with serious mental illness across the region. He is an advocate for mental health, trauma recovery and rebuilding lives -- and his commitment is evidenced by his work in community outreach programs. His goal is to become an attorney and help transform lives by empowering others to overcome their challenges and foster resilience.
- GeVonna Fassett – The founder of Olivia’s Prayer, an outreach organization that serves caregivers and increases Alzheimer’s Disease awareness in the Black community, she is dedicated to help make the last days of those who have the disease the best possible while supporting their loved ones. With a master’s degree in sports administration and a graduate certificate in gerontology, she brings to the conversation a diverse background that includes work in broadcasting and several other industries along with a lived experience with aging and caregiving.
- Goldie Robinson – A portfolio entrepreneur in Southern Illinois, Robinson specializes in safety consultation, training and insurance. His focus is on teaching people to protect themselves and what is important to them. He has led numerous dynamic symposiums for a variety of organizations across the country to provide meaningful ideas.
- Jaime Konzelman – A “growth catalyst and value-creation architect,” Konzelman has more than 20 years of experience helping organizations worldwide turn their ambitions into results despite moments involving complexity, disruption and reinvention. She has served as a senior revenue executive and a chief revenue officer, and has led commercial transformations in the fields of technology, hospitality, private equity and enterprise information technology services. Currently the field chief revenue officer for RapidScale, a Cox Business Services business, as well as an executive coach, speaker and retreat leader, she is convinced the most important facet of sustainable growth is human, not operational. She is also the author of the bestselling “Dealmaker” and more.
- Pamela Buchanan – A physician with more than two decades of private practice and emergency medicine experience, she suffered burnout during the pandemic and transformed her career and life around the belief that “purpose is the prescription.” Currently a stress management expert and speaker, she uses storytelling, practical neuroscience and clinical insight to help people change stress into strategy, burnout into boundaries and purpose into profit -- reducing burnout by reconnecting to purpose as healthy people build healthy organizations.
Get tickets now
Tickets are available online now for $15 plus a nominal handling fee. SIU students receive a special rate of $10 plus handling fees by entering the code Student 26. Seating is limited, so get tickets soon.
For more information, contact the Office of Student Engagement at 618-453-5714 or email TEDx@siu.edu.
Students help create change
A committee including about 10 students and staff who are dedicated to bringing about positive change on campus, in the region and beyond, are the TEDxSIUC organizers. Learn more about them on the TEDxSIUC website.
Jeff McGoy, a double alumnus of SIU with communication studies degrees and more than two decades of experience as a motivational speaker, is the event emcee. He’s an exciting and energizing presenter who inspires his audiences, encouraging them to improve their self-awareness while empowering them.
Sponsors include SIU’s WSIU, Office of Student Engagement, and Undergraduate Student Government. Watch presentations from previous TEDxSIUC events online.