Linda Elkins: Elkins is an engineer, former professional athlete, corporate leader, entrepreneur and mentor whose career has often placed her at the intersection of people, ideas and opportunity. She is a mom of three, active athlete, board member and startup adviser working across universities, healthcare and private companies. Elkins’ TEDx talk will share how relationships built out of curiosity can create unexpected opportunities long before we know where they may lead.

Pete Kamman: Kamman is a recent MSU alum, associate head coach of the Bobcats hockey club and the founder of Elevated Hockey, which develops players, coaches and hockey programs. He also serves as a USA Hockey district director, the first from Montana to hold the role. At MSU, he studied why adult athletes stay engaged in sports. He brings more than two decades of coaching experience, from youth hockey to the college game, across six continents. Combining his research with a coach’s perspective, Kamman will share insights from communities built around the world through hockey, showing how connection shapes the way we lead, coach and grow.

Otto Pohl: Pohl is a communication strategist for deep tech startups, former New York Times photojournalist and entrepreneur. He has taught at University of Southern California Annenberg and is a mentor in residence at MSU. Pohl’s talk will explore the power of specificity to help people establish true connection with customers, colleagues and companions.

Mandi Swanson: Swanson is a neurology nurse practitioner, author, podcaster and speaker whose life was turned upside down in an instant when a car accident turned her from provider into patient. Her recovery required multiple therapies and specialists, all of which are now considerations for the treatment plans she prescribes to her patients. On the TEDx stage, Swanson will discuss the importance of these connections for herself, her patients and beyond.

Kaylee Wolfensberger: Wolfensberger is an MSU marketing student, former Miss Montana, and advocate for the power of music, creativity and meaningful connection. She has experience in leadership, public speaking, community service and event marketing, and she aspires to build a career in sports marketing and entertainment. Her TEDx presentation will explore how music can help people process trauma, express emotions when words fall short and create connection through shared experiences.

To learn more about the event and purchase tickets, visit the event website: https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/69463 or direct questions about the event to ASMSU Events Entertainment at [email protected].