Theme: Rethink Courage

Get ready to rethink your worldview! TEDxLogan Circle is thrilled to announce its powerful lineup of speakers for the 2025 event, themed “Rethink Courage.” This year’s selection follows an exceptionally competitive application process, with over 570 individuals from 44 U.S. states and 20 countries eager to share their stories of courage and resilience. After months of meticulous review, we’ve curated nine speakers whose stories truly embody the spirit of bravery and resilience, inviting us all to consider courage in new and unexpected ways.

Join us this August 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C., to hear their stories of courage live!

National Housing Center
1201 15th St NW
Washington, DC, District of Columbia, 20005
United States

Beth Barr

English Teacher, Chippewa Valley Schools

Beth Barr has nearly two decades of experience as a middle and high school English teacher, currently teaching AP Language and Composition, Writing and Communication, and Contemporary Literature. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with a Pre-law Concentration from Albion College and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Oakland University. Prior to her career in secondary education, Ms. Barr worked as a healthcare recruiter, corporate trainer, and with adult special education students. She also works in a coaching role with teachers, parents, and students.

Dr. Ivy Akid

Assistant Fellowship Director, Johns Hopkins Director

Dr. Ivy Akid is a physician at Johns Hopkins, where she focuses on palliative medicine, caring for elderly patients and those with advanced illnesses. Her unique insight into healthcare stems from her firsthand experience as a patient with a benign brain tumor and as a caregiver for her mother. This multifaceted perspective deeply enriches her practice and her role as an instructor for doctors specializing in palliative medicine. A native of New York City, Dr. Ivy's passion extends beyond medicine into the arts; she is a published poet and contributes to a creative film group in Baltimore, embodying a love for life and creativity.

Dr. Marakie Tesfaye

Medical Social Worker, Grady Health System

Dr. Marakie Tesfaye is an advocate for women's rights and dignity with a background in Creative Leadership for Innovation and Change. As the founder of Jegnit Ethiopia, she addresses systemic barriers in sanitation and menstrual equity. Her initiatives include Birqe, a dignity kit distributed to over 50,000 Ethiopian students and displaced women, and Kebelo, which modernizes water-fetching. She also developed Mechot, an app locating clean public toilets, and hosted Gwadegna, a national TV show on sanitation. A PhD candidate, Marakie's research examines how inadequate sanitation affects Ethiopian women's dignity and health. Her advocacy successfully pushed the Ethiopian government to remove taxes on sanitary pads. She is also recognized for Patriarchy 101, her viral TikTok Live series, and her upcoming book, 'Holding It In'.

Guru Madhavan

Norman R. Augustine Senior Scholar and Senior Director of Programs, National Academy of Engineering

Guru Madhavan is the Norman R. Augustine Senior Scholar and senior director of programs at the National Academy of Engineering, where he also founded the Forum on Complex Unifiable Systems (FOCUS). A systems engineer with a background in biomedical engineering and an MBA, he has advised the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the European Union Malaria Fund. His prior work in the medical device industry included contributing to the research and development of surgical catheters and neuromuscular stimulators. Dr. Madhavan is an elected fellow of multiple prestigious organizations, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. He is also the author of the popular non-fiction books “Applied Minds: How Engineers Think” and "Wicked Problems: How to Engineer a Better World."

Laura Singer

Associate, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

A product of the New Jersey foster care system, Laura Singer is a passionate advocate for children and systemic reform. She is a proud graduate of Syracuse University and Georgetown Law, and is currently a doctoral candidate at American University, where her dissertation focuses on policies and interventions to eradicate the foster care-to-prison pipeline. By day, Laura is a corporate attorney, but her dedication to children’s rights extends beyond the office. She works tirelessly as a volunteer attorney with DC Children's Law Center and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), ensuring vulnerable youth receive the support and advocacy they deserve.

Marc Coronel

Health Consultant

Marc Coronel is a kidney transplant recipient, patient advocate, and social media strategist focused on transforming how patients find living organ donors. Diagnosed with FSGS, Marc successfully found a living kidney donor by sharing their story on social media, an experience that ignited their passion for advocacy. For over a decade, Marc has guided patients in using digital storytelling to connect with potential donors and advocate for themselves. Their work extends to influencing healthcare policies and engaging with congressional leaders to improve organ donation and transplant accessibility. As a speaker, consultant, and storyteller, Marc shares a unique perspective on courage in medical adversity, aiming to challenge the stigma around asking for help and highlight the life-saving impact of sharing personal stories.

Melissa Hunt

Co-Founder, The Home at Baer Creek

Melissa Hunt is a co-founder of The Home at Baer Creek, established in 2021 with her husband, Tracy, to set a new standard for luxury personal care homes. Her innovative vision for senior living builds upon a diverse professional background that includes degrees in both Mathematics and Vocal Performance. Prior to her work in senior care, Ms. Hunt dedicated herself to teaching and fostering teens in San Antonio and successfully owned a cake and catering business. Through The Home at Baer Creek and their subsequent initiatives, Elder Care Solutions Group, and tramelda training, Ms. Hunt is a driving force in a movement to enhance the quality and excellence of family-based senior care.

Noah Fenstermacher

Director of Admissions, United States Naval Academy

Noah Fenstermacher is the Director of Admissions for the U.S. Naval Academy, the youngest to hold this position at 26 years old. In this role, he guides applicants and coordinates recruitment programs, contributing to the Academy's top rankings. Over the past five years, Fenstermacher achieved similar success in enrollment and student success roles at Harvard University, Dartmouth College, King's College School in China, and Moonshot Academy in Beijing. As the founder of 1st Gen Class, an educational consultancy, he assists high school students with college admissions. He is also the author of the Keystone State Literacy Award-winning book, College Admissions of Guilt, with 10% of proceeds supporting a new community college in his hometown. A first-generation college graduate, Fenstermacher is committed to supporting students' academic journeys and promoting career satisfaction.

Romeo Gardner

Founder & CEO, Nehlos

Romeo Gardner III is the President and CEO of Nehlos, a cybersecurity firm focused on enabling government agencies and contractors to achieve RMF and CMMC compliance. His foundational experience in national security began at the White House Communication Agency (WHCA), providing critical secure communication support to Presidents Bush and Obama. Transitioning to Microsoft, he made a substantial impact as an Engineer, Program Manager, and Learning and Education Manager, driving advancements in security and talent development. Gardner's leadership at Nehlos is fueled by a mission to equip the defense industrial base with the necessary expertise to navigate evolving cyber threats. Additionally, he serves as an Instructor at the University of Mary Washington, passionately contributing to cybersecurity education and workforce upskilling.