2012 Leadership and Production Teams

Alwyn Mothershed grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and is currently a drama major at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. She has trained in improvisational theatre and general acting for the last seven years. She has worked with Nashville companies such as Act 1 Productions, Street Theatre Company, and Lakewood Theatre, as well as film work for Lifeway Christian.

Amber grew up on a farm in Kansas, spent eight years in bustling Seattle launching tech companies and promoting global technology leadership campaigns, and is now happily “at home” in Asheville. She strives to surround herself with energetic, inspired people, which led her to the TEDxAsheville team.
Amber founded Engineuity Marketing in 2008 after serving as vice president and account director at Owen Media where she worked with global technology leaders on initiatives and business-to-business promotions. This included leading efforts for the Itanium Solutions Alliance, the Transaction Processing Performance Council and a variety of programs with the world’s largest microprocessor brand.
Amber now spends her days consulting, writing, training and program managing. When she’s not doing that, Amber is finding inspiration from her energetic five-year-old Max. Her guiding life principle is to awake every morning with the goal of sharing her best self with the world each and every day.

Amie is the Lead Designer at Ponderwell, an Asheville-based web programming company which she operates with her husband, Michael Tracey, and their good friend Martin Haywood. Over the years Ponderwell has taken on a dazzling array of programming challenges, but its largest in-house project centers on developing innovations in community journalism. Amie spoke at TEDxAsheville 2011 about her vision for the future of community journalism, and is continuing work to bring that vision into reality.

Andi Espenshade is a graduate of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, currently a sophomore at UNC Asheville, and is the secretary of the organization Just Us For All here in Asheville. He has stage managed and been the props master for different UNCA productions, and is extremely excited to be able to help in any way with TEDxAsheville.

Angie Flynn-McIver is the founder and President of Executive Repertory, LLC. She comes to this work from a lifetime spent in theatre: acting, directing, and producing. In her career, Angie has directed more than 1,000 actors, from those just starting out to veterans of stage and screen. She has coached these actors in the nuance and craft of impact and intention, and now she brings this experience and skill to the business world.Angie has designed and facilitated leadership training workshops, coached executives, and taught workshops on presence all over the country. Angie is one of the lead designers of Authentic Executive Presence, a two-day program that has trained more than 1800 Deloitte managers since 2007. For Deloitte, she has also designed and delivered components of Forward Track, for senior managers; Leadership Acceleration, for partners and directors; and Leading to WIN, also for partners and directors. Angie has been honored to do individual coaching for Deloitte partners for the last five years as part of these programs. Angie is the lead designer for all of the company’s training programs, and she recruits and trains all of Executive Repertory’s facilitators.Angie is also a veteran theatre director, educator, and producer. She began her career as an intern at Playwrights Horizons, an award-winning off-Broadway theatre company, and within a year, she was assistant directing on Broadway. The play, Sacrilege, starred Ellen Burstyn and Giancarlo Esposito. Since then she has directed more than forty productions, including Shakespeare, Stoppard, Kushner, Shepard, and many others.In 1996, Angie was recruited to design the education programs for the National Shakespeare Company, serving more than 15,000 students annually in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.In 2001, Angie founded North Carolina Stage Company, based in Asheville, North Carolina. Since its inception, NC Stage has quadrupled in size, won numerous regional, statewide, and national awards for excellence, and has become known as one of North Carolina’s premiere professional theatre companies. As a producer, Angie has been responsible for more than eighty productions, including the national tours of WVL Presents: It’s a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play and Almost Heaven: The Music of John Denver.Angie has taught on the faculties of both the University of North Carolina at Asheville and Warren Wilson College. She holds an Honors degree in Theatre from Smith College and studied acting at the British American Drama Academy.

Anna Reidenbach is a student at UNC Asheville, and is thrilled to be a part of TEDxAsheville. She is a production theatre major, and hopes to do more work like this in the future. She would like to thank everyone involved for making the process an enjoyable one, and her parents for their constant support.

Anne Manner-McLarty attended the first TEDxAsheville event in 2009 and was hooked.  She has been volunteering for TEDxAsheville ever since, and now serves as our Administrative Coordinator, the behind-the-scenes position that keeps us organized.  On the side, Anne is president and lead consultant for Heurista, a multi-disciplinary firm that draws upon her experience and reputation as a thought leader in donor recognition and stewardship program planning.  And then there’s the homestead in Barnardsville, the chickens, the sculpting, her husband and kids… you know, she likes to keep busy!

Brett is a story fanatic. He enjoys all shapes and sizes of storytelling (tall, short, skinny, and all colors of the rainbow). Recently publishing his first documentary film: il mondo in una spiaggia, he is working on several new projects. These projects range from his first narrative film to experiential transmedia events such as TEDxAsheville. Additionally, Brett teaches game design that addresses real world change.Innovation and collaboration are natural for Brett when solving the large scale opportunities in the community. He works at the intersection between youth and elders, actors and audience, boards and consumers… right in the middle, where he has always been!

Coraline is a freshman at UNC-A who intends to major in French language. She graduated from The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics this past June. This is her first direct involvement with a TEDx event and she’s so pumped to be on the set design team! Her previous technical theater experience includes stage management, set design, production management, and light/sound board operation. Coraline is a fabulous individual who loves neuroscience, long naps on comfy couches, and learning about ways to conserve the environment

This is Dena Snyder’s first year volunteering with TEDxAsheville. She is a design fanatic and loves sharing her skill set with area non-profits. During the day, she can be found at Market Connections where she is the Art Director. Creativity and design are her strengths and looks forward to bringing her skills to the table while working with the amazing team at TedXAsheville.Watch out this girl has mad design skills and she’s not afraid to use them; especially when it’s for a good cause. She is frequently spotted in West Asheville, but has a paper trail in places as far as China and Berlin. When she’s not clicking the mouse, she can be found tearing up the tennis court, digging through vinyl bins, or practicing her dance moves. During the day you can find her at Market Connections where she is the Art Director. This is Dena’s first year designing for TEDxAsheville. She is constantly thinking outside of the box and should be approached with caution.

Jeff Sammarco is a 21-year-old who was born in Charlotte and has lived in North Carolina his whole life. Jeff has been in school for theatrical design for the last three and a half years, and has done several lighting designs both at Carol Belk Theatre at UNCA and at Diana Wrotham Theatre. He will be getting his degree next fall and will be looking to pursue graduate school and a career in the arts.

Native Ashevillean Jennifer Saylor directed the first TEDxAsheville in 2009 and now serves as the co-leader of the content team, selecting the presenters and performers that grace the TEDxAsheville stage. A social media marketer, online journalism nerd and community blogger, she contributes to BlogAsheville and Ashvegas.

Justin Belleme has been providing web design and online marketing to clients in this area and elsewhere for over 10 years. His specializations are search engine optimization, social media strategy, and online marketing, but he also have significant experience in online publicity, website design, and online video production and promotion. He has worked with some top-level companies in the Asheville area including the City of Asheville, the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Grove Park Inn, and Tupelo Honey Restaurant.

I make my living as a massage therapist, then spend allot of my free time volunteering for the causes I believe in.  Those causes have a common mission:  seeds of awareness are planted, minds are expanded, communities are nurtured.   TEDxAsheville and TEDxKatuah are fun and effective ways for me to have a positive impact in my community and meet and work with some of the amazing folks who call WNC home.  My role in TEDxAsheville is as the money manager.  I also love to be outside, and am happiest when most of my day is spent there. Gotta go…..the sun is shining!

A UNC-A student, Kate was born in High Point, NC where she graduated from Westchester Country Day School. She had her first experiences in theater running light and sound for the high school productions. Kate is a creative writing major with a focus in poetry and nonfiction, however she loves writing the occasional play and having the opportunity to work with her peers in the drama department. Kate is very excited to have this chance to create something for TEDxAsheville and learn more about the process of theater.

Kathy Ferrell and I am a transfer student majoring in drama and Spanish at UNC Asheville. She has acted in a few shows and was assistant director for her high school’s production of South Pacific. Kathy is looking forward to learning more about theatre, and is excited to be a part of this project!

Kayla Russell is a quirky, 20 year old woman with a passion for entertainment. She started taking tech classes her freshman year of high school and tech-ed her first production junior year with Kiss Me Kate and continued into her senior year with See How They Run and Fame. Entering UNC-Asheville, she helped with the construction of Tartuffe and earlier this year earned a job as Scene Shop Assistant with the UNC-Asheville Drama Department. Her area of expertise is building and run crew and is honored to be helping TedxAsheville this year.

Kyle was born in Dallas, Texas and raised in Issaquah, Washington. He graduated from Wellington Christian School in 2012 and is currently a drama major at University of North Carolina at Asheville. He’s been doing theatre for nine years and he’s been a freelance filmmaker for four years.

Linda is Certified Credit and Housing Counselor for a local non-profit agency. Her interests include hiking, biking and exploring the waterfalls in the Western North Carolina area with her two boys. She is also committed to supporting the entrepreneurial community and contributing to the economic growth of this region.

Mandy is a marketing architect, speaker, blogger and event coordinator having over 12 years experience in a variety of industries. TEDxBountiful Organizer, wife and mom to a GoldenDoodle!Founder of Cafe Grace, a positive, uplifting environment on Facebook that makes a positive impact and creates influence in the lives of others.I always keep a positive attitude, a passion for life, and a smile!

Michele Swicegood is a native of Asheville, NC and is an enthusiastic doer who makes positive things happen. Her background is in journalism and marketing (BA in journalism UNC Chapel Hill). Twenty-five years of moving and travel have blessed her with exposure to a variety of cultures and experiences, during which time she logged thousands of hours of volunteer work at various levels, and served on numerous boards. Michele is a serial entrepreneur, and is constantly on the lookout for new opportunities and ideas. She is certified in diamond grading and identification by the prestigious HRD in Antwerp, Belgium, and has lectured and taught classes on diamonds in Europe and throughout the United States. Michele’s inimitable connection with, and her mentorship of young people, has afforded her front row seats as they celebrate their dreams and ideas brilliantly coming to life.

Pam Lewis is a relentless champion for entrepreneurs and evangelist for innovative ecosystems in which they are supported and thrive.

Pam’s background in economic development began in 94’ as part of the start-up team at AdvantageWest, a regional marketing organization covering the 23 western counties of NC. Initially cutting her teeth in film development and overseeing the organizations financial operations she moved on to take a leadership role in the travel and tourism industry. Before being recruited back to AdvantageWest, she held the toughest job of her career as caregiver to her mom with Alzheimers.

Pam finally found her passion in working with the scrappy and creative sector of our economy known as entrepreneurs. As Senior Vice President of Entrepreneurial Development – her accomplishments included: The development and implementation of; The Certified Entrepreneurial Community Program, Juicy Ideas National Collegiate Competition, The Advantage Opportunity Loan Fund, Carolina Connect and the recruitment of The Hunger Games to Asheville.

Pam left AdvantageWest in June of 2011 to join the Asheville Buncombe Economic Development Coalition and currently serves as the Director of Entrepreneurship. She is founder of Venture Asheville, the umbrella brand for the entrepreneurship scene in Asheville and worked with local and national partners to launch Asheville’s entrepreneurial community at SXSW in 2011.

Pam serves on several boards and advisory groups in the area including: Chairman of HandMade In America, The WNC Biotech Advisory Board, AB-Tech Entrepreneurial Foundation, ibiliti/MICA Advisory Board, TEDxAsheville, and The Blue Ridge Sustainability Institute

Originally from Powhatan, Virginia, Raymond recently relocated to Asheville, North Carolina with his wife Kelly to pursue a new career and a change of pace. Over the past 8 years, he’s worked in the Information Technology industry for public and private sector organizations, currently concentrating on healthcare network administration.
Currently, Raymond co-manages Curl Safari LLP, a stationery and handcrafted jewelry business with his wife, works full-time as a Network Administrator with Geriatric Practice Management, and serves as a volunteer host for weekly TEDxAsheville Salons. Additionally, Raymond consults with entrepreneurs and small businesses providing technology and business operations support.
In his leisure, Raymond participates in distance and destination runs throughout the United States.

In 2008 Richard moved to NC from NYC where he was a professional actor, model and dancer. While in NYC he advised non-profits, designed and directed Outdoor Bound, an international adventure company and directed the old U.S. Open Junior Development Tennis Program. He currently directs the New York Studio for Stage and Screen in Asheville (NYS3) professional acting program, co-manages the Asheville Casting Call Website and is the founder and co-director of The Race of Awesome (ROA). Known as “The most fun you’ll ever have giving back,” ROA is a race series that is comprised of unique events that give back to non-profits and incorporate community service. Events include the The Idiotarod shopping cart race, The Black Mountain Monster 5k and 12/24hr Relay and Extreme Golf. Richard directed the TEDxAsheville event last year (2011).

Coming Soon

Instructor of the Visual Text class, Rob has worked as a professional designer of theatre sets, lights, and sound for over 30 years. His work has been seen at Asheville Community Theatre, North Carolina Stage Company, Oklahoma Shakespeare Festival, Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre, Greenville Little Theatre, ESPN television, NBC television, and of course the University of North Carolina at Asheville.

Robert Klein started volunteering for TEDxAsheville in 2009 producing the promo video for the inaugural event. Robert’s company Kleindigital specializes in technical animation and data visualization. He’s produced award winning content for both national and international clients including Böwe Bell + Howell, SC Johnson, United, Whole Foods, Thule, Climate Interactive, and the North Hollywood Arts Festival .Robert has also taught at the University of North Carolina Asheville as an adjunct instructor in Multimedia Arts and Science.

Rosemary Fischer graduated from high school in June of 2012 and is currently a freshman at UNC Asheville. She is interested in creative writing as a major, but subject-wise, is interested in everything. She enjoys reading, eating, listening to music, and laughing. Sometimes she enjoys multitasking and does that all at once, but typically limits herself to two or three. She is 18 and is wrapping herself slowly up in a cocoon of what she hopes is knowledge (so she can emerge a glorious butterfly). If not, hopefully the cocoon will be cozy.

Sara participated in play productions while attending West Henderson High School. In 2007, she graduated from high school and attended Blue Ridge Community College. While there Sara took many theatre classes and participated in the production of An Evening of Tennessee Williams. In
2010, she graduated with an associate of arts degree. Currently, Sara enjoys attending theatrical works and will be graduating from the University of North Carolina Asheville in December 2012.

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Stephany Nezo first learned of tedx when her  professor, Scott Walters, was invited to give a lecture for TedX michigan on “Bringing the Arts Back Home”. It seemed like it was after that she kept hearing  more and more of  Tedx, until finally an internship opened up and she had to take it. Wanting to learn more about non-profits not only because her professor’s influence in fighting for the non-profits art scene, but also because it turned out she was already naturally drawn to various local nonprofits.
After learning of Anne Manner-Mclarty’s extensive background in helping non-profits Stephany was excited to be apart of her internship; Being the Perpetual Student, Stephany is currently a student of visual, performing, and even the art of lingiuistics.
-Learn more to help more, n’est pas?-

I was born an entrepreneur. Literally, I cannot stop the ideas from coming. To satisfy my need to constantly start something new, I volunteer my time to cool events like Ignite Asheville or TedxAsheville. This allows me to surround myself with original ideas by inspiring people. I lend my organizational skills to the team while fulfilling my desire to start something new.My day job is as publisher of Good Life Publications, a series of publications on the good things in life. We produce Western North Carolina’s Guide to Craft Breweries and Pubs as well as the Mountain Sports Guide. My day/night job is as single mom to twin nine year olds…the loves of my life. I’m passionate about: My twins, travel, photography, art, fitness, exploring, creativity and communication.

Tiffany Narron is a 27-year-old Social Media Manager at JB Media Group, an Internet marketing firm located in the heart of downtown Asheville. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from UNC Asheville, strategizing and implementing innovative guerilla marketing campaigns for local companies along the way. After utilizing the power of social media at a young age, she became more involved in social media marketing and campaign management, overseeing local Internet marketing campaigns for the likes of the Grove Park Inn, Tupelo Honey Café, Sylvan Sport, Just Ducky Originals and more. As the importance of social media in a company’s online marketing tool kit becomes ever more prominent, she continues to innovate her online strategies, combining creative content management and cutting edge social media tactics to create successful strategies for local and national businesses.

Tom is the president and founder of the International Association of Teamwork Facilitators. Tom is passionate about developing team and leadership skills among youth. He is a veteran of the team and leadership development field and has trained leaders and Teamwork Facilitators from North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, Central & South America, and Australia. The tools he’s developed (books, multimedia training CDs, teambuilding activities, audio programs, etc.) are used by facilitators, trainers and coaches to transform teams around the world. Through the IATF, Tom leads a team of subject matter experts (Visiting Faculty Members) who provide cutting edge strategies, tactics and tools for Teamwork Facilitators around the world. Tom Lives in Asheville, North Carolina with his wife and two children. Banjo player, inventor, author, disc golf enthusiast, cyclist, sailor, Maker.

Coming Soon!