TEDMED Team

Lisa leads the organization’s mission to identify and select presenters to dazzle our community. In addition to reviewing nearly a thousand nominations each year, she is the chief liaison between the curation team and TEDMED’s network of editors and scientific advisors. Like TEDMED, Lisa’s background is multi-disciplinary. She holds a degree in Music from Yale University, and played and taught professionally for 20 years. Prior to working at TEDMED and Walker Digital, she held a leadership role at Synapse Group, a marketing subsidiary of TimeWarner, where she helped build and launch several new businesses for several Fortune 100 partners. Lisa also holds a faculty position at the Feldenkrais Institute of New York, where she helps people improve their quality of life by learning to move with ease. She draws from all these disciplines to find speakers who will inform, amaze, surprise, entertain and, ultimately, inspire everyone who experiences the TEDMED stage program.

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Nicole Batiste

Director of Community Development

Nicole Batiste is TEDMED’s Director of Community Development, leading efforts to build and curate our diverse, multi-disciplinary community. To these tasks she brings extensive experience in project management, marketing, event planning, public relations and fundraising. At her most recent position at Synapse Group, a direct marketing subsidiary of Time Warner and the largest marketer of magazines in the U.S., she managed the strategic conception, development and execution of the agency’s in-store and drive-to-web retail marketing efforts. Her earlier posts include serving as an account manager and public relations manager at boutique marketing and PR firms in New York. Nicole’s passion for volunteering her time with local charities such as Gilda’s Club of Westchester and traveling to as many new destinations as possible keeps her busy and energized. A newlywed, Nicole resides in New York with her husband Mike and shelter-rescued dog, Betsy.

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Courtney Olean Paige

Director of Marketing Operations

Courtney Olean Paige joined TEDMED in March, 2012 as Director of Marketing Operations, managing event marketing, email communication strategy, social media planning, and PR/press support. She also supports the CMO with overall content and branding strategy for the organization.

Prior to joining TEDMED, Courtney was responsible for digital branding, marketing and advertising efforts for Stamford Hospital. Courtney is known to spill things often, lives to run long and far, loves a good warrior pose and handstand, and regularly country hops with her 2 partners in crime - her husband and five year old daughter.

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John Benditt’s career as a science journalist at Scientific American and at Science culminated in his serving as Editor in Chief of Technology Review, MIT's Magazine of Innovation. He left MIT in 2002 to found a consulting company, DrivingWheel, which has led the re-launch of three major science magazines: The Scientist, Science News and Scientific American. He was until recently Editor in Chief of Nomad Editions, a New York-based startup that created magazines from scratch for mobile devices.

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A 30-year veteran of the graphic arts industry, Michael started out as a typesetter in the early ‘80s in New York. Prior to TEDMED, Michael was a Senior Systems Analyst at MFS Investment Management in Boston. Michael coordinates outside and internal printing, lends his eye to proofreading and copy editing, and makes sure most everything we print and post looks good. In addition, he provides technical support for other TEDMED employees, and makes sure everyone’s computer keeps working. He also handles badging for the event.

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Stacy Lu has worked as a staff and freelance writer and editor for a variety of publications and clients. Former managing editor for Time Inc. Interactive, features editor for ABCNEWS.com, and a senior editor at Forbes.com, she has been a regular contributor to The New York Times, NBCNEWS.com, Prevention, and UNICEF.com, among many others. Stacy has also developed and directed health-related website content for the agencies LBi and Icon Nicholson. She received an M.S. from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

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Shirley Bergin is a Partner & Chief Operating Officer of TEDMED, LLC. and is an active member of the TED community. She is an accomplished business leader with experience working with leading digital enterprises such as AOL, InterActiveCorp, Cendant Corporation and Priceline.com, and with global brands including Pfizer, Mars, Unilever and Nestle. Shirley has developed and executed innovative business and marketing strategies across a variety of verticals for start-ups and established firms alike, successfully reinventing and introducing brands and building large online communities. As COO of TEDMED, Shirley is responsible for leading the day- to- day operations – including all Marketing responsibilities and the Great Challenges Program.

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Grace McElroy

Director of Partnership Development

Grace McElroy heads up Partnership Development at TEDMED. For over 20 years, Grace has balanced a mix of creative and business pursuits in a wide range of industries. Formerly a script writer for a Grammy Award winning producer, a publisher for regional magazines and an executive of a national health system, Grace has the kind of multi-disciplinary experience that is fitting for a TEDMED team member. At TEDMED, her main responsibilities include developing sales strategies, enhancing existing partner relationships and building new ones. Some of Grace's non-work passions: her daughter Kate; music; cooking; and running.

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Jing's-picture.jpg — Jing Xie

Staff Accountant

Jing Xie is Staff Accountant of TEDMED, LLC. Her major responsibilities include preparing, maintaining and examining account books and monthly financial statements; tracking actual costs to ensure conformance with budgets; monitoring risk and fraud; and reporting to the CEO. Jing earned her MBA degree with a specialization in Accounting and Finance and a second master’s degree in Technology Management from the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Additionally, she received a Bachelor of Food Science & Engineering from Jinan University, China.

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Nicole Bumpus Finn founded c to c events at the request of a longtime client in 2008. Nicole’s creativity, eye on the budget and personal attention to detail are the keys to her success. She has produced hundreds of events for over 15 years and in over 35 cities worldwide from small dinners for 50 guests to large-scale productions for over 50,000 attendees. Nicole’s clients have included Hogan Lovells, Johnson & Johnson, IBM, and many other international law firms, Fortune 500 entities and local companies. In addition, she has planned events in conjunction with the International Trademark Association, the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property, the Biotechnology Industry Organization, the American & International Bar Association, the Licensing Executives Society International, and the Democratic & Republican National Conventions.

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Jay'sPic.jpg — Jay Walker

Curator and Chairman

One of America's best-known business inventors and entrepreneurs, Jay Walker has founded multiple successful startup companies that today serve more than 75 million customers; he holds more than 200 U.S. patents. He is Chairman of Walker Digital, a privately held R&D lab founded in 1994 and based in Stamford, Connecticut. The company specializes in creating innovative applications that work with large-scale digital networks such as the Internet. Jay is best known as the founder of Priceline.com, the "name your own price" service that has brought a new level of value to the travel industry.

See Jay's Full Bio

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Marcus Webb is Chief Storytelling Officer for TEDMED, LLC and Walker Digital, LLC. Marcus works closely with TEDMED chairman Jay Walker on his speeches and other presentations. He also assists TEDMED speakers to develop and refine their talks, and serves as liaison between presenters and the TEDMED Speakers Coaching Network. His responsibilities range from speechwriting to creation of marketing collateral including brochures, booklets, decks, video scripts, website copy, press releases, research documents, white papers, correspondence, etc. As an integral member of the TEDMED and Walker Digital management teams, Marcus participates in business management and invention sessions, contributing ideas and tactics for strategy and execution of a wide variety of projects and ventures.

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Melanie Howley

Manager of Delegate Relations

Melanie Howley is the Manager of Delegate Relations and is committed to making TEDMED a positive and rewarding experience for all. She is responsible for Marketing Outreach, Delegate Support and the Application Review process. In addition, she is a member of the Front-Line Scholarship team, which reviews and awards all TEDMED Front-Line Scholarships and a member of the Community Relations team, which supports the TEDMEDLive community. Melanie was originally part of Jay Walker’s startup NewSub Services, which went on to become Synapse Group, Inc., a direct marketing subsidiary of Time Warner. She is a dedicated runner with a passion for a healthful lifestyle.

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Pritpal S Tamber

Consultant Clinical Editor

Pritpal S Tamber is a key member of the TEDMED editorial team, assisting the Managing Editor and Producer to qualify and select speakers and shape the strategy for the stage program. A physician with over 12 years of experience in creating compelling content in health and medicine, Pritpal is the founder of Optimising Clinical Knowledge, a UK-based consultancy that helps organizations devise and deliver clinically credible strategies that have a measurable impact on care. His prior experience includes serving as the Medical Director of Map of Medicine Ltd, a company that creates clinical pathways that help local health communities design services. Earlier posts include serving as Editorial Director for Medicine for BioMed Central, Managing Director of 'Faculty of 1000 Medicine', Editor/Publisher of the BMJ Group's international editions, and a Council Member of the Committee on Publication Ethics.

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Daria oversees operations related to TEDMED Delegate services including pre-conference and on-site customer support, on-site registration processing and assorted logistical programs. In addition, she manages all Community Relations and provides ongoing support services for a variety of programs, such as TEDMEDLive and Great Challenges. To these roles she brings five years’ experience in marketing research and project management in a variety of industries at Walker Digital, LLC. Separately, she has also performed market research and project management in the medical device industry. Daria received her degree in Business Administration and Management from Boston University.

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Jose Suarez is a partner and CEO of TEDMED. A long-time partner with Jay Walker in several ventures, Jose served as President and COO of Walker Digital for eight years, where he managed the creation of more than 1,000 innovations. During his tenure at Walker Digital, Jose brought many of these innovations to market through licenses and strategic partnerships. Jose is CEO & founder of Suarez & Associates, LLC, a business advisory and investment firm, and yappr.com, a free, online learning site. Jose is an avid ultrarunner, who earned a Silver Buckle in 2010 finishing the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run in 23 hours.

He graduated valedictorian from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering & Operations Research and has an MBA from The Wharton School.

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Zac Smith is part of TEDMED’s marketing team, managing many of TEDMED’s digital projects including website development, mobile app development and marketing email delivery. Prior to joining TEDMED a year ago, Zac spent the previous five years working with many on the TEDMED team for Walker Digital Management and a variety of WDM’s start-up companies. As such, he is a named inventor on numerous existing and pending patents for ideas that have come out of the Walker Digital lab. In May of 2006, Zac received a BA degree from the University of Mary Washington. When not working, Zac may be found playing a variety of sports. He is president of the Newtown Sandy Hooks Vintage Base Ball Team and an avid snowboarder.

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Evan Walker has been part of the TEDMED marketing team since 2011. He is also a key member of the Walker Digital invention team, where he has worked on a variety of startups ranging industries from health to English as a second language (ESL) to text-based cellphone services. Currently he is busy launching a startup that will help millions of people better manage their weight without going on a diet or giving up their everyday foods by using a simple mobile app or website. Prior to joining Walker Digital, Evan served on the marketing team that helped launch the first annual World Science Festival in 2008. He is an avid reader of non-fiction, studied history at Cornell University, and enjoys playing around with formulas and numbers on Microsoft Excel.

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Jon Ellenthal

President

Jon Ellenthal is also Chief Executive Officer of Walker Digital, and is responsible for the P&L of all business operations, research and development, and IP portfolio licensing. Jon has 25 years' experience building and leading early stage companies with transformational business concepts to positions of industry leadership and large-scale customer bases. Prior to joining Walker Digital, Jon was the CEO of Synapse Group, Inc., a direct marketing subsidiary of Time Warner responsible for more than 30 million customers.

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Lindsay joined the TEDMED team in February 2012. As Speaker Relations Manager, Lindsay works closely with the Managing Editor and Producer Lisa Shufro to ensure that our speakers are welcomed into the TEDMED community. Passionate about bringing people together, Lindsay believes that the relationships that we build are supportive, connected, and last well beyond the conference experience. Lindsay comes to us after 3 years in management with the Canadian company lululemon athletica. Starting with the company in their stateside infancy, Lindsay was one of the ground level leaders in the effort to build grassroots community for the global retailer. Prior to that, Lindsay work in television production for the sports network Versus, now owned and rebranded as NBC Sports. An avid athlete, yoga instructor and music lover, Lindsay is committed to living a healthy, happy life. She and her husband Seth live in Greenwich with their two young children, neither of whom is named Harry!

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Wayne Bryant

Creative Director

Wayne Bryant is the Creative Director of TEDMED, LLC and an enthusiastic member of the TEDMED community. A graduate of Syracuse University, Wayne has over 25 years of design expertise in building, supporting and developing new business enterprises. Wayne's former incarnations include creative and strategic roles at Educational Dimensions Corporation, Xerox Learning Systems, Catalog Media, NewSub Services, Synapse Group/TimeWarner and Walker Digital.

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Alyssa Picchini Schaffer

Editorial Research Assistant

Alyssa Picchini Schaffer is a marathon-running, novel-reading, coffee-drinking, afternoon-nap-loving scientist. She is passionate about addressing significant problems in health and medicine by combining broad perspectives and attention to detailed scientific inquiry. She is also a Columbia University Alumna, earning her PhD from the Pharmacology Department. Her research passion lies in understanding the biological basis of psychiatric disease. While at Columbia, Alyssa investigated the cell biology, fate specification, and environmental regulation of neural stem cells in the adult brain. Following a post-doctoral fellowship, Alyssa completed a AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowship at the US Department of Health and Human Services focusing on federal health policy. When not dabbling in Italian, she loves to focus her energy on empowering underprivileged teens, salsa dancing, and yoga.

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