Theme: Lift as You Climb

The story of your success is written by those you’ve lifted.

In the pursuit of greatness, we’re often taught to focus on the summit, to push forward at any cost. But what if the true measure of success isn’t how high we’ve climbed, but how many we’ve lifted along the way?

Imagine a world where lifting others becomes second nature - a world where innovation thrives, connections deepen, and progress is collective. At TEDxTampa, this theme will come to life through diverse voices and ideas. From athletes to entrepreneurs, artists to scientists, each speaker will bring their unique lens to the stage.

Together, we’ll reimagine what it means to rise, challenging ourselves to think differently about success, community, and the world. We’ll ask ourselves, can the act of lifting others not only strengthen them but transform us? Could the path we climb together take us all further than if we raced ahead alone? We’ll ask ourselves:

What would our world look like if we all chose to lift as we climb?

Straz Center
1010 N Macinnes Pl
Tampa, Florida, 33602
United States

Bawa Jain

Secretary-General of the World Council of Religious Leaders

Bawa Jain is a trailblazer in global leadership and religious diplomacy, bringing together thought leaders to tackle today’s most urgent challenges—beyond politics, beyond ego. He led the historic Millennium World Peace Summit at the UN and co-founded the Religious Initiative at the World Economic Forum, Davos, redefining how faith and leadership intersect on the world stage. His mission is to ignite a new standard of moral leadership—rooted in integrity, empathy and purpose. Through global campaigns honoring icons like Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., Jain continues to champion peace, non-violence, and responsible leadership for a better, more united world.

Dan Toomey

Host of Good Work at Morning Brew

Dan Toomey is a comedian and host of the YouTube channel, Good Work. With over one million subscribers, Good Work is one determined attempt to understand the world of business, finance and tech that’s come to dominate modern life. Covering private equity, investment banking, business school, Palantir, Cybertrucks and more, Dan and his team of crackerjack researchers (Jack Stebbins, Henry Stockwell) are always sure to get to the bottom of the big story. And if they don’t, they tried their best.

John Couris

CEO of Tampa General Hospital

John D. Couris is the President and CEO of the Florida Health Sciences Center (FHSC), which comprises a portfolio of organizations including Tampa General Hospital—one of the nation’s leading not-for-profit academic health systems in partnership with the University of South Florida. Under his leadership, Tampa General’s reach expanded from 17 facilities to six hospitals and more than 150 care locations statewide, employing approximately 14,000 team members and physicians. Recognized for his innovative vision, operational excellence, and people-first approach, John has transformed FHSC into a hub of world-class care. Known nationally for his authentic leadership style and transformational impact, he brings deep insights into fostering thriving organizations, forging strategic partnerships, and shaping the future of healthcare.

Laurel Lee

US Representative Florida District 15

Laurel M. Lee serves in the U.S. House of Representatives and previously served as a judge in Tampa, Florida. A former federal prosecutor and Florida Secretary of State, she brings a deep understanding of the law and a strong commitment to principled leadership. Her work in Congress focuses on national security, public safety, and defending constitutional freedoms. Drawing from her experience on the bench, she believes that disagreement is not a weakness in democracy—but a necessary strength when it’s grounded in respect.

Michael Stephens

CEO of Tampa International Airport

Tampa International Airport CEO Michael Stephens is a dynamic leader with over 25 years of experience in legal affairs, technology, human capital management, and transportation. A U.S. Air Force and Army Veteran, his leadership has been instrumental in shaping TPA’s strategic growth, operational resilience, and advancements in aviation security and emerging technologies. As a young man facing hardship at home, Stephens found his purpose through the guidance of mentors. Today, he is a nationally recognized expert in cybersecurity, data privacy, and critical infrastructure protection, having testified twice before Congress on emerging threats. A lifelong learner and forward-thinking executive, Stephens holds certificates and degrees from Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program, Morehouse College, and American University. His passion is to inspire and empower others to achieve their highest potential.

Randall Kaplan

Co-founder of Akamai Technologies

Randall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, podcast host, and philanthropist. He is the Co-Founder of Akamai Technologies, Founder & CEO of JUMP Investors, and the creator of Sandee, the world’s largest beach database. Through JUMP, he has invested in 90+ companies, including Google, Seagate, and Lyft, while also leading ventures in real estate, tech, and consumer products. A passionate mentor, he has guided over 500 students and spoken at top universities like Northwestern and USC. His philanthropic efforts have raised over $13M for charity. Whether building businesses, mentoring future leaders, or chasing the perfect wave, Randall embodies the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Rhea Law

President of the University of South Florida

Rhea Law is the eighth president of the University of South Florida. The first USF graduate to serve as president, Law has deep ties within the Tampa Bay community and across the state of Florida. A proud fifth-generation Floridian who is passionate about the success of the state, Law is actively involved in corporate, public policy, civic, and charitable work. Throughout her career, she has held top leadership roles with many Florida-based organizations. She previously served as CEO and Chair of the Board of Fowler White Boggs, a Florida law firm. Her areas of practice included higher education, environment and land use, government, and economic development.

Swami Brahmaviharidas

Head of BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi

Swami Brahmaviharidas is redefining what it means to lead in the modern world. Spiritually gifted, he is globally revered for spearheading the creation of the historic and iconic BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi—humanity’s first traditional stone Hindu temple in the Middle East. Respected by global leaders as a thought-provoking thinker, speaker and changemaker, he is valued for his work, vision and wisdom. As a core leader for BAPS, he has helped create generational projects, from London’s Neasden Temple to the Swaminarayan Akshardham complexes in India and the USA. A senior monk and head of international relations, Swami Brahmaviharidas serves under the guidance of HH Mahant Swami Maharaj, head of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. His visionary leadership and compassionate service, continue to inspire universal harmony in the hearts and minds of everyone he meets.

Tim DeKay

Actor, Director & Producer

With a career spanning film, television, and theater, Tim DeKay’s commitment to excellence has propelled him from starring roles on Broadway to producing and directing acclaimed projects in Hollywood. Best known for his portrayal of Peter Burke in the hit series White Collar, Tim leads by fostering collaboration both in front of and behind the camera. His creative vision and inclusive approach have helped cultivate dynamic teams and compelling storytelling across multiple mediums. A dedicated mentor, Tim also shares his expertise as a guest lecturer at universities nationwide, inspiring the next generation of artists and leaders.

Wardah Inam

Co-founder and CEO of Overjet AI

Dr. Wardah Inam is the Co-Founder and CEO of Overjet, the leading provider of AI solutions in dentistry. Before founding Overjet, she led product development at Q Bio and conducted pioneering research in biomedical sensing at MIT’s Computer Science and AI Lab. She has also held roles at GE and Apple, bringing deep technical expertise and industry experience to every challenge she takes on. Named one of Inc. Magazine’s Top 100 Female Founders and one of the 32 most influential people in dentistry, Wardah is shaping the future of healthcare through technology.