The Board I TEDxNatick
ORGANIZERS
The TEDxNatick Leadership Team is a group of current and former Natick residents volunteering their time to bring 'ideas worth spreading' to Natick.
Steve Gullans
Steve is an author, scientist, entrepreneur, and biotech investor. He loves innovation and has spoken widely, including at TED and TEDx. He and Juan Enriquez co-authored Evolving Ourselves, a book that provides a sweeping tour of how humans are changing the course of evolution. He is Managing Director at Excel Venture Management where he works with young life science companies with transformative technologies. Previously he was a professor at Harvard Medical School and was elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Steve has been a resident of Natick for 35 years and spent many hours coaching youth soccer and basketball.
Rosemary Driscoll
With 25 years of experience conducting focus groups, Rosemary is a versatile, responsive and effective moderator. Prior to beginning her own business in 1995, Rosemary was Senior Vice President and Director of Strategic Services at Ingalls Quinn & Johnson, an advertising and marketing communications firm. Prior professional experience includes Study Director at Market Facts (now IPSOS), a full-time faculty member at The American University Kogod College of Business in Washington, DC and an independent research consultant. Rosemary is currently the Co-Chair of the New England Chapter of QRCA (Qualitative Research Consultants Association) and President Emerita of the Natick Education Foundation.
Ken Lehrhoff
Ken has been leading teams of technical, creative and event professionals for more than 35 years. As owner of Lehrhoff Productions, he’s produced events, both here and abroad, for a wide range of corporate, association and non-profit clients. He's led diverse groups of volunteers, as a board member and chapter president of the event industry’s pre-eminent association, Meeting Professionals International. Natick has been home for Ken, his wife Gail, and their three children for 40 years.
Jill Kovatsis
A CPA and financial advisor in her former life, Jill is currently the head of Natick Neighbor Brigade. She founded the Natick chapter in 2010 to provide her community with a vital resource for those in need of support. Jill has lived in Natick for 20 years and worked in numerous school based and other nonprofit organizations in leadership roles. Her four children, husband, and dog keep her otherwise occupied.
Karen Leese
Karen's fascination with history led to working in museums and archives in Washington, D.C., the U.K. and Maine. Her volunteer efforts have focused on Arts integration and enrichment, both within the Natick community and public schools, where she serves on the Natick Education Foundation and Bacon Free Library boards and Natick Outdoor Art Committee. Working on TEDxNatick has given Karen a new outlet for her history skills, as well as an appreciation for her habit of saving interesting media articles.
Stenie Gullans
Stenie brings many years of experience in marketing and sales to Team TEDxNatick. She is the Metrowest Chairperson for The Fresh Air Fund, coordinating week-long summer visits for over 50 inner city children with host families in Natick and Metrowest. Since its founding in 1877, The Fresh Air Fund has provided life-changing summer experiences for thousands of children and host families. Stenie and her husband Steve have been proud residents of Natick for 35 years.
Gail Lehrhoff
Gail is a special educator who taught in private and public schools in the Boston Metro West area for over 25 years. In her years at the Chickering School in Dover, MA, Gail worked collaboratively with classroom teachers, other special education providers, parents and administrators to provide children with the tools they needed to be successful learners. Gail privately tutors elementary aged children who have a variety of learning challenges and benefit from additional support in the core curriculum areas. Gail and her husband Ken have lived in Natick for over 35 years where they raised their 3 children. Gail loves being part of the TEDxNatick team.
Tod Dimmick
Tod is a freelance writer and photographer who writes about food, wine, organic gardening, travel, and family. He has authored five books: 20-Minute Meals, 5-Minute Appetizers, 30-Minute Meals, Quick & Easy Low Carb Meals, and his favorite, Cooking for Guys. Tod’s writing and photography have appeared in Cape Cod Life, Ambassador Magazine, Martha’s Vineyard Magazine, and The Boston Globe, among others. In 1991, he founded Tasting Times (tastingtimes.com), a food and wine publication for busy people on a budget. He blogs for The Trustees of Reservations and other groups passionate about local food.
Aileen Zogby
Aileen is an event planner with over 25 years of experience in the realms of the arts, education and science innovation. She has coordinated logistics and marketing for the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair and The Regeneron Science Talent Search, and orchestrated hundreds of events at The Museum of Fine Arts and Brandeis University. Settling in Natick in 1993, she has worked for the Natick Public Schools, The Center for Arts, Natick, The Bacon Free Library and The Eliot Service Committee. Aileen sings with a semi-professional choral ensemble, In Choro Novo; sharing her love of music with local assisted-living communities and performing the national anthem at Red Sox and Celtics games. She and her husband Matt have two teenage sons and several four-legged companions.
Archana Menon
Archana works as the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Natick Center Cultural District. A dancer, choreographer trained in Indian classical and folk styles, she is also the Artistic Director for The Samvaad Project - a multicultural performing arts initiative. She has been a long time volunteer with TEDxNatick and loves being part of the team.