2024 Presenters

TEDxMacatawa 2024 Emcee

A familiar face for TEDxMacatawa, Robyn showed us in her 2023 talk how to leverage fun to bring teams together and improve productivity in the workplace. She has returned to be our emcee for 2024!

Robyn Schopp has developed a reputation in her career as someone who can find the fun in just about any task. As a young professional, she earned the nickname of Chief Happiness Officer among her colleagues. Now as a consultant and training facilitator, she helps people and organizations leverage the power of fun toward their success.

Talk: When AI Dreams, Who’s Responsible for the Nightmares?

Andy Bass is a serial entrepreneur, creative thinker, and futurist. He has spent his career creating and growing companies using cutting edge technologies, and today provides consulting services through his company, NetNerd Ventures. When he’s not traveling the world, he’s in the studio recording sick beats, and curating a growing bourbon collection.

Harle Battjes is a Holland native and a first generation college student, she worked her way through college running a cleaning business. Since graduating, she has dedicated her life and career to building a stronger community that prioritizes people and the planet having served at Kids’ Food Basket, Community Action House and now the Holland Board of Public Works.

With Harle’s lived experience, education and contagious passion about sustainable and equitable community design, Harle’s talk will not only challenge the stereotypes surrounding trailer park communities, but also paint a picture of the limitless, untapped potential that is waiting to be unlocked.

Talk: You Get What You Pay For: Transforming the US Healthcare System

Dr. Kurt Lindberg has been a Family Physician in Holland for over twenty-five years. In 2012 he added the role of President and Medical Director of the Holland PHO – a collaboration between Holland Hospital and its 190 affiliated physicians. As a physician-leader Dr. Lindberg partners with other medical networks, insurance companies, and state and national legislators to fundamentally transform our healthcare system.

Talk: A Community-based Approach to Refugee Resettlement

Leah Cooper is leading the development of an innovative community-based refugee resettlement program in West Michigan, aimed at serving displaced populations overlooked by traditional federal programs. Drawing inspiration from her hometown’s response to refugees, Leah is dedicated to addressing gaps in existing resettlement frameworks and fostering widespread community involvement in welcoming our new neighbors.

Talk: The Hidden Power of Humbler Leadership

Dr. Josh Wymore has a passion for helping leaders Become More of who they were made to be. As an author, executive coach, keynote speaker, and trainer, Josh has helped Fortune 500 and nonprofit leaders around the world live and lead with greater purpose and clarity. His book, Humbler Leadership, explores the ten mindsets and skill sets leaders can practice to become humbler. 

Talk: The Unifying Power of Fiction

Talk: The Power of Puppetry

Chris Knobloch is an entertainer who has used the mediums of music and variable forms of puppetry for over 20 years to encourage, inform and challenge his audiences with biblical truths. Working primarily in the United States, he has also found eager audiences in Great Britain and South America. Among other facets of his career, he is the writer and producer of the children’s podcast “Off Hand with Stephen and Lydia” an audio podcast with over 600 episodes hosted by puppet personalities.

Talk: Getting Old Isn’t Funny, But We Are

Yes, she is a natural redhead (everyone always wants to know). Laurie Ayers began her standup comedy adventure in the 1980s, so she knows a thing or two about laughter and longevity. As a celebrity impersonator, she is an expert on all things Phyllis Diller, including the icon’s philosophy on living a long, happy life. Laurie hails from Jenison, Michigan and considers herself a coffee snob.

Talk: Solutions Won’t Solve Our Creativity Crisis—Problems Will

Talk: Designing Our Future Without Forgetting Our Past 

Talk: The Evolution of Instruments Through Technology, and Its Effect on Western Music

Mason Viilo is a multi-instrumentalist born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Hailing from a musical family, Viilo has played all over the Midwest for over a decade with a multitude of bands including Nathan Walton and The Remedy, Y-Not, Caitlin Cusack, The Elijah Russ Collective, Trilogy, and Blue Water Kings, as well as The Legal Immigrants, Melophobix, and The Rupple Brothers. On Mason’s days off from music, you can find him crafting lattes at “The Stray Music and Arts Cafe” in Grand Rapids.

Talk: The Power of Media

An award-winning poet, filmmaker, and author, Alexis began her framework at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she earned a BAS in Broadcast Journalism. After gaining experience as a television reporter, Alexis’ second regarded venture, Brave Space, was a non-profit created as a response to the mental health crisis of Michigan students. This creative has spearheaded film projects that earned recognition from Munich New Wave Short Film Festival in Germany, LA Independent Women Film Awards, Chicago Women Film Festival, Capitol City Film Festival, Paris Lift-Off Film Festival and a Silver Telly Award.

Talk: Mac and Cheese, and Jesus Please

Charlie is an 8th grader and Lake House Leader at Holland Christian Middle School. As Founder of Mac And Cheese (MAC) Ministries, he aims to spread the love of Christ through mac and cheese. He enjoys soccer, basketball, boating and music, including his roles as drummer in the middle school jazz band and Rose Park Reformed Church worship team.