ideas worth spreading

Meet the some of the speakers, performers, and exhibitors who light up TEDxDetroit in 2025.

TEDxDetroit 2025 on Wednesday, November 12th will feature some of the best and brightest minds sharing their passion, insights, and ideas worth spreading.

Our speaker roster balances left brain and right brain – academics, artists, investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators.  Each speaker only has a short block of time to share their positive idea for the world.

The main stage isn’t the only place to experience big ideas at TEDxDetroit. TEDxLabs will showcase homegrown tech, art, and small businesses right outside the auditorium.

W.E. Da'Cruz

W.E. Da’Cruz

Cofounder & CEO,
The Mushroom Angel Company

W.E. Da’Cruz is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Mushroom Angel Company, a Detroit-based, tech-forward CPG manufacturer creating mushroom-first foods available in over 100 locations across the Midwest. Known globally as The Digital Diplomat™, she’s spent the last decade at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership. A proud Ghanaian-American, wife, and mother of three, W.E. lectures at UM–Dearborn and is a Doctoral Candidate at UM–Flint. Her talk explores how the biology of mushrooms reveals a theology for life, one that teaches how to grow in unlikely places.

Rasmus Bendvold

Rasmus Noraas Bendvold

Managing Director US,
wheel.me

As the Managing Director of wheel.me US, Rasmus leads the expansion into the American market. With a background in corporate finance and extensive experience in tech startups, he joined wheel.me in 2021 and relocated to Detroit to spearhead our commercial and technological growth across North America.

wheel.me is a Norwegian robotics and IoT company that offers a pioneering approach to indoor mobility. Specializing in autonomous wheels, we transform existing infrastructure into self-driving robots.

Lorrena Black

Lorrena Black

Founder & CEO,
She Served LLC

Lorrena Black is a storyteller, Army veteran, and resilience igniter who turns life’s “you can’t” moments into powerful “watch me” stories. After 25 years in uniform, she now blends emotional intelligence with real-life grit to help people lead boldly. Through her company, She Served LLC, Lorrena empowers veterans and professionals to rise, adapt, and create lasting impact.

Ned Staebler

Ned Staebler

President and CEO,
TechTown

Ned Staebler is VP for Economic Development at Wayne State University and President & CEO of TechTown, which has supported 6,000+ businesses raising $400M. He leads efforts to grow Detroit’s neighborhoods, businesses, and talent. Previously, he oversaw the $2B 21st Century Jobs Fund at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. He has private sector experience in the U.S. and London and has served on numerous advisory boards. He graduated with honors from Harvard College and the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Johnnie Turnage

Johnnie Turnage

Co-Founder,
Black Tech Saturdays

Johnnie Turnage is a visionary leader and co-founder of Black Tech Saturdays, a national movement transforming how communities engage with technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Under his leadership, it has grown from a Detroit meetup into a national model, engaging 25,000+ people, driving $40M+ in economic impact, and creating hundreds of jobs. Johnnie builds spaces where founders, creatives, and investors connect—empowering underrepresented voices, fueling inclusive innovation, and shaping the future of tech.

Tam White

Tam White

Comedian, Producer,
Improv Performer & Instructor

Tam White is a stand-up comic and improv actor, trained at The Second City and Go Comedy! She created and hosts the improv game show Hip-Prov, seen in clubs and theaters throughout Michigan and Ohio. Tam is the Talent Director for the Detroit Women of Comedy Festival and was mentioned in Hour Detroit as one of Mark Ridley’s favorite local comics. Her debut comedy special, It’s About Tam Time, is on YouTube. Tam has shared the stage with comedy greats such as SNL’s Tim Meadows, Jay Pharoah, and Chris Kattan. She enjoys leading corporate improv training and her Rhyming in Improv workshop.

TEDxLabs Exhibitors

  • Coming Soon

TEDxLabs Exhibitors

  • Coming Soon