Olympic Gymnasts, 'Survivor' Winner to Speak at University of Michigan TEDx Event

The annual TEDxUofM conference will feature a diverse lineup of speakers across fields and industries.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 7:35pm

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The University of Michigan's student-led TEDxUofM program is hosting its annual event on March 14 at the Power Center for the Performing Arts in Ann Arbor. The speaker lineup includes Olympic gymnasts, a 'Survivor' winner, a former UM softball coach, and other leaders from various industries.

Why it matters

The TEDxUofM event provides a platform for the university community and the broader Ann Arbor area to hear from inspiring individuals across diverse fields. The event's 'Radiance' theme aims to highlight the 'beautiful moments when we find or create the lights in our lives'.

The details

The TEDxUofM speaker lineup includes nine leaders: Kyle Fraser, an entertainment attorney and 'Survivor' winner; Carol Hutchins, the winningest coach in any sport at UM; Frederick Richard, an Olympic bronze medalist and UM senior; Paul Juda, a retired Olympic gymnast; Lisa Bee, co-founder of Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea; John Pasquale, UM's Director of Michigan Marching and Athletic Bands; Baktygul Chynybaeva, a Knight-Wallace Fellow and award-winning journalist; Catherine Badgley, a UM professor of ecology and evolutionary biology; and Klementina Sula, a philanthropic advisor and UM lecturer.

  • The TEDxUofM event will take place on March 14, 2026.
  • The event has been held annually for over 15 years, producing 16 conferences with 176 talks that have garnered more than 5 million video views.

The players

TEDxUofM

A student-led program at the University of Michigan that hosts an annual TEDx event.

Power Center for the Performing Arts

The venue where the TEDxUofM event will be held, located at 121 Fletcher St. in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Kyle Fraser

An entertainment attorney for Warner Music Group and the winner of season 48 of CBS' 'Survivor'.

Carol Hutchins

The former head softball coach at the University of Michigan, who holds the record as the winningest coach in any sport at the university.

Frederick Richard

An Olympic bronze medalist and a senior at the University of Michigan, with over 830,000 followers on Instagram.

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What’s next

Tickets for the TEDxUofM event are available for purchase, starting at $12 per person.

The takeaway

The TEDxUofM event provides a platform for the University of Michigan community and the broader Ann Arbor area to hear from a diverse lineup of inspiring speakers, ranging from Olympic athletes to a 'Survivor' winner, highlighting the university's commitment to fostering intellectual discourse and personal growth.