Producers - TEDxDetroit

Behind the X

Meet the production team that brings TEDxDetroit to life each year

A city made strong by the people who love it. It’s easy to see that passion in every speaker, performer, and exhibitor you’ll meet at TEDxDetroit. What you may not notice are the faces working tirelessly behind the scenes to produce the event.

The large team of volunteers working on the day of the event are led by our board of directors who plan the event each year. Each member of the board volunteers months of their time and expertise to make this annual event spring to life.

Our production team personifies the exact idea that TEDxDetroit represents: a group of people coming together to cultivate creativity, inspiration, and innovation for the benefit of the community.

Next time you see them around town or online, give them a high-five, fist bump, or gold star.

Charlie Wollborg

Executive Producer
Curator

Chief troublemaker. Keynote Speaker on Creativity, Marketing, & Innovation. Creative Director at Curve Detroit Design + Marketing.

Stand-up comedian. Bacon lover. Pickle hater. Husband. Dad. Entrepreneur. Challenger of the status quo. Force for good. On a mission to rekindle the fire in your belly.

Nick DeNardis

Executive Producer
Technical Director

Minimalist. UX crafter. Library Scientist. Speaker. Educator. Realist. Director of Digital Communications at Wayne State University. Detroit Laravel and Refresh Detroit organizer.

Terry Bean

Executive Producer
Community Director

Terry Bean is honored to be in his 16th year with the event. His role on the TxD board is similar to the work he does with Trybean: leveraging his knowledge and network to move things forward.

Terry Bean is a sought-after presenter, business growth coach, and a great guy to have on your team.

Shawn Lee

Executive Producer
Photography Director

Photographer. Influencer. Speaker. Founder of Shawn Lee Studios, Rock That Photography Conference, and the Multicultural Association of Professional Photographers. Shawn is also a photography instructor at Schoolcraft College and the diversity lead for the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).

Anu Gopalakrishnan

Executive Producer
TEDxLabs Curator

Anu Gopalakrishnan is an entrepreneur and nonprofit leader passionate about driving meaningful impact. Her career includes contributions to digital transformation and innovation at Ford Motor Co., Sirius XM, AAA, and the Developers Alliance.

Through MintDfuel, her business advisory firm, Anu helps small businesses scale and diversify into new markets. As Executive Director of the Indo American Chamber of Commerce, she mentors youth in innovation and entrepreneurship while driving economic development in the state.

Anu serves as President and Board Member of Mai Family Services, providing culturally sensitive, trauma-informed care to survivors of abuse and domestic violence. As Commissioner of the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission, she advocates for grassroots issues affecting minority communities.

Stephanie Styron-Bean

Program & Planning
Director

Stephanie is a seasoned Corporate Program Manager who keeps complex projects on track and teams moving in the same direction, even when it feels like herding cats. With deep experience in project management, PMO leadership, and automotive training, she brings clarity and momentum to every initiative.

Off the clock, you’ll find her on the lake with her family and three dogs, enjoying a calmer kind of chaos.

Ciondra Brown

Social Media Director

Ciondra Brown is an accomplished UX/UI designer and social media manager based in Detroit, MI. With a strong background in graphic design, she founded Ciondra Danae Designs in 2019, providing innovative and client-focused design solutions.

Ciondra holds a Bachelor of Fine Art in Graphic Design from Wayne State University and has presented her research at the International Conference on Typography & Visual Communication. She is also certified by the Apple Developer Academy and holds professional certifications in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

Yara Shadda

Outreach Director

Yara Shadda is a first-generation American and pre-law student from Wayne State University with a mission to build bridges among societal structures and agents, advocate for those in need, push boundaries, and keep the light in others bright.

Currently, Yara serves as Secretary at the Michigan Immigrant and Refugee Council and Executive Board Member at United Community Family Services/Chaldean American Ladies of Charity. In her professional life, Yara is employed at Butzel in Detroit, MI. Her diverse roles reflect her commitment to making a positive impact across various spheres of society.

Julie Barnes Maurer

Volunteer Director

Julie Barnes Maurer is a Project Coordinator and Researcher for the Karmanos CAPABLE program, working to improve outcomes for cancer survivors after treatment through CrossFit training.

A former gymnastics coach turned community powerhouse, she brings the same energy to fundraising, long distance racing, and volunteering across Detroit. When she is not coordinating, coaching, or caring for her family, she is likely running with local groups or lifting up the causes she loves from the Detroit Free Press Marathon to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Shannon Tucker

Stage Manager

Multimedia Developer at Wayne State University.

Christopher Johnson

Program Manager

Born and raised in Detroit. Virtual Event Producer for Meetings, Trainings, and Conferences at Calm Clear Communications, Fill-in Public Radio Host at Michigan Radio, and Audiobook Narrator.

Curiosity and tenacity are my defining characteristics. I enjoy swimming, biking, and running when not behind the mic or producing virtual events.

Tramaine Seay

Photography Manager

Public school educator gone rouge turned photographer. Mom to 4 amazing rascals. Frequently vacations in extra-large chai tea lattes. Founder of Photography by Tramaine Seay.