Theme: Blue Economy

We aim to engage individuals who are passionate about innovation, leadership, and addressing critical issues related to the coastal environment and the Blue Economy*. The intended audience for TEDxSouthern Miss includes a diverse mix of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members from across the Mississippi Gulf Coast and beyond. Our audience will also include local business leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals seeking to connect with forward-thinking ideas and transformative discussions.

*What is the Blue Economy?

The Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources to drive economic growth, create jobs, support workforce development, and enhance the well-being of coastal communities. Key sectors include aquaculture and fisheries, coastal tourism, shipping and port operations, national security, and coastal resilience. Along the Gulf Coast, the Blue Economy plays a critical role in enhancing regional quality of life and economic vitality. It fuels job creation and opens doors to expanding career pathways. Nationally, employment in coastal-related industries is expected to outpace the average job growth over the next decade, underscoring the Blue Economy’s significance for workforce development and long-term regional prosperity.

Fleming Education Center on the Gulf Park Campus at the University of Southern Mississippi
730 E Beach Blvd
Long Beach, Mississippi, 39560
United States

Ashley Edwards

Speaker

Ashley Edwards is a nationally recognized expert in coastal resilience, with deep experience at the intersections of disaster recovery, economic development, and public policy. After Hurricane Katrina, he led Mississippi’s Office of Recovery—designing state strategies, directing billions in federal funds, and guiding one of the largest rebuilding efforts in U.S. history. He later served as President and CEO of the Gulf Coast Business Council. Today, he leads a private consulting firm, helping coastal governments unlock resources to build resilient communities and economies. A graduate of Southern Miss, Tulane, and Harvard’s Public Leadership program, Ashley brings bold, future-focused stewardship to the Blue Economy.

Dr. Courtney Taylor

Speaker

Dr. Courtney Taylor leads Mississippi’s statewide workforce development strategy and delivery efforts. Known for her direct, results-driven approach, she has built a career creating bold, collaborative strategies to develop talent pipelines that meet the demands of a changing economy. A former community college and state system leader, she brings a deep understanding of industry, education, and policy to her work. Dr. Taylor is widely respected for cutting through bureaucracy, challenging the status quo, and pushing teams toward action. Her work is grounded in a belief that meaningful change happens when people are aligned, empowered, and held accountable.

Dr. Jennifer Lemacks

Speaker

Dr. Jennifer L. Lemacks is a licensed, registered dietitian by trade with a scholarly mission to address multi-faceted determinants of cardiometabolic health in the Gulf South. Her track record includes over 15 years of collaborating with diverse stakeholders to strive for solutions that create better health for all Mississippians and Gulf South communities.

Dr. Leila Hamdan

Speaker

Dr. Leila Hamdan is Associate VP for Research at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and Professor. She studies microbial ecology in the ocean. She received the NOPP Excellence in Partnering Award for a study of the Deepwater Horizon Spill. She is Past-President of the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation, principal investigator for the NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute and NSF Research Vessel Gilbert R. Mason, and served on the NASEM 2025-2035 Decadal Survey of Ocean Sciences committee. She previously worked at the Naval Research Laboratory, and holds a BS from Rowan University, and MS and PhD from George Mason University.

Geoff Douglass

Speaker

Geoff Douglass is the co-founder and CEO of Mythos AI, a company revolutionizing maritime operations through autonomous navigation. His work is redefining how vessels move, using AI and real-time data to make shipping safer, cleaner, and more scalable. By modernizing one of the world’s oldest industries, Geoff is helping to build a resilient, data-driven maritime future—where sustainable operations, digital infrastructure, and autonomy unlock new economic and environmental potential. At the forefront of this transformation, he is driving the next era of global trade and American maritime leadership.

Jenna Hope Harris

Speaker

Jenna Hope Harris is a dynamic keynote speaker and inner dialogue expert who bridges neuroscience, faith, and personal growth. Known for her Identify, Investigate, and Instill framework, she helps audiences break free from limiting beliefs and reclaim control of their minds. With powerful storytelling and evidence-based practices, Jenna delivers a bold message: change your thinking, and you change your life.

Jessica Rankin

Speaker

Jessica Rankin is a food safety and regulatory expert with over 15 years of experience in compliance inspections, HACCP planning, and seafood safety systems. As the founder of The Safe Food Culture LLC and a former FDA-certified inspector for the State of Mississippi, she has conducted hundreds of federal audits and developed training programs that have certified over 500 professionals. Jessica is a certified ServSafe Instructor, Preventive Controls expert, and HACCP trainer. Her work emphasizes practical food safety solutions, regulatory alignment, and empowering teams through education and compliance-driven culture.

Pappu Jha

Speaker

Pappu Jha is an Undergraduate Research Assistant at the University of Southern Mississippi with a major in Computer Science and a minor in Economic Data Analysis. He is pursuing research in Data Science, where he develops machine learning models to understand, interpret, and solve real-world challenges.

Sarah Myers

Speaker

Sarah is a pediatric speech-language pathologist with over 15 years of experience supporting families with young children with disabilities in South MS. She specializes in family-centered practices including parent/caregiver coaching and total communication supports for children with complex communication needs. Sarah practices servant leadership with her team of interdisciplinary providers as the director of The Children’s Center for Communication and Development at The University of Southern Mississippi. She speaks at national and regional conferences on interdisciplinary collaboration for ideal child and family outcomes.