TAFE Queensland’s inaugural TEDx event sparks ideas and connection

The theme “COMM-Unity: Connected Humans. Collective Potential.”, brought together a diverse group of speakers from Australia, the United States and beyond, who shared powerful ideas, lived experiences and fresh perspectives on health, leadership, communication, wellbeing, resilience, technology and human potential.

Hosted by Joyce Santiago Savage, a TAFE Queensland alumna, TEDx licensee and curator, the event ran for four hours.

Registered nurse, multicultural broadcaster and community advocate Camille Punzalan explored the power of communication in creating safety, dignity and quality care. Drawing on her experience in nursing, mental health and community leadership, she advocated for the importance of voice and clear communication, particularly in healthcare.

Dr Amy Gershkoff Bolles, an executive leader, investor and entrepreneur with a PhD in Quantitative Methods from Princeton University, shared a deeply personal account of overcoming a nearly fatal illness. She discussed how she drew on her analytical expertise to research her condition and reflected on how approaching treatment with discovery instead of despair allowed her to become an informed partner in her care. This ultimately led to a personalised treatment that saved her life.

Entrepreneur and business strategist Janet Lam challenged traditional ideas about success, ambition and wellbeing, encouraging the audience to reconsider how personal values can shape more sustainable and meaningful definitions of achievement.

Australian speaker Julie Cross brought the audience into her world through authentic storytelling. She shared her own journey of courage and vulnerability, and explored how genuine candour can leave a lasting impression. By engaging both the intellect and the heart, she encouraged the audience to take meaningful action and turn information into momentum.

Leadership coach and entrepreneur Laura Coyne shared insights into finding clarity and making intentional choices, focusing on the importance of building a life aligned with personal values and purpose.

Communication specialist Michael Ekert explored the gap that can sometimes exist between good intentions and meaningful outcomes. He examined the human behaviours that shape the way people connect with one another and invited the audience to rethink a simple assumption: that if we mean well, people will naturally understand us.

Community leader, recruitment professional and ultramarathon runner Sheryll Quimosing drew on her experiences of migration, personal reinvention, endurance sport and resilience to share a story of growth through challenge and change.

Summer Brown, founder of Impact Initiative Australia, shared her deeply personal story of escaping a violent marriage and rebuilding her life with her six young children. Her presentation highlighted the capacity of resilience and determination to create positive change, not only in individual lives but within communities.

The event extended beyond the stage, with attendees given opportunities to connect, exchange ideas and start conversations with people from different backgrounds and industries. Students spoke with professionals, educators connected with community members, and new relationships formed around a shared curiosity and openness to different perspectives.

As the event came to a close, the message behind “COMM-Unity” remained front of mind. Connection is not simply about bringing people into the same room. It is about creating space for different voices, experiences and ideas to be heard.