Meet the Speakers
TEDxBuffalo 2026
Christie Cleaver
Christie is a self-described quirky, eccentric, middle-aged white lady from the suburbs with an uncommon ability to connect across differences. Her work is rooted in a simple belief: beneath our varied backgrounds and experiences is a shared longing to be seen and loved. She believes meaningful connection begins by recognizing that common humanity and choosing to meet people where they are, loving them as they are. Christie is passionate about leading by example, showing that love has the power to transform both individuals and communities.
Tim Delaney
Tim T. Delaney, host of the Business Buying for Financial Independence podcast, is an entrepreneur, investor, and Buffalo loyalist. After buying a small wine and liquor store with limited capital, he went on to build a portfolio of businesses and real estate while creating local jobs and supporting community-based organizations. He now spends much of his time educating people on small business acquisition as a path to financial independence, local economic prosperity, and keeping Main Street businesses alive. At TEDxBuffalo, Tim will share why buying a business is not just for the wealthy, but can be one of the most powerful ways anyone can create wealth for themselves while also strengthening their community.
Caressa Guerrero
Dr. Caressa Guerrero, an educator, researcher, and leader whose work is rooted in the belief that every person deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued. Drawing from more than two decades of experience and her research on grief in school communities, she explores the power of compassion, connection, and acknowledging the stories we often carry in silence. In her TEDxBuffalo talk, Dr. Guerrero invites us to rethink how we support one another through life’s most difficult moments.
I'Jaz Ja'ciel
I’Jaz Ja’ciel is an award-winning investigative and multimedia reporter with Buffalo Toronto Public Media and a Buffalo, New York, native. Her reporting focuses on government accountability, public policy and data-driven investigations, with an emphasis on how institutional decisions affect local communities. She began her career at WBFO in 2019 and later reported for Spectrum News 1 Buffalo and Investigative Post before returning to Buffalo Toronto Public Media in 2026. Ja’ciel served for three years as president of the Buffalo chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists and has received honors including a regional Edward R. Murrow Award and a Changemakers 30 Under 30 Award. She holds degrees in journalism and data science and analytics from Buffalo State University, where she was named graduate valedictorian. I’Jaz’s talk will redefine the term “breaking news,” exploring how the news media’s traditional role as a vital pillar of American society is under threat—and how both producers and consumers of news can help uphold accountability and integrity in journalism.
Lisa Johnson
Lisa Johnson is a non-profit professional grounded in a philosophy that meaningful human connection is foundational to both personal well-being and organizational success. As the Chief Strategy Officer for Compeer, she equips professionals with practical learning experiences that help organizations strengthen their cultures of care. She delivers vital training through evidence-based curricula, including Mental Health First Aid, and Compeer created Workplace Mental Wellness. Beyond her executive role, she is a dedicated community volunteer who actively supports the Breast Cancer Network of WNY and Hope Chest Buffalo. A firm believer that we achieve far more through collaboration than competition, Lisa is using her TEDxBuffalo talk to expose a vital, missing link in workplace wellness. She is inviting the Buffalo community to come together to spark a nationwide movement that redefines how we support colleagues returning from life’s hardest medical journeys.
Carolyn Quigley
Carolyn Quigley has dedicated the past 25 years to teaching history in public high schools. For the last two years, she served as the Restorative Justice Coordinator for her district-wide Alternative Learning Program, working with students in grades 5–12. In this role, she helps students reflect on their actions, take accountability, and develop practical plans for positive growth and future success.