TEDxOakPark is an entirely volunteer-run movement, and we invite you to join us! Whether your passion is design, communications, partnerships or events, we’re looking for people of diverse backgrounds who are interested in making an impact in our community.

THANK YOU to our volunteers! We are grateful that you raised your hand to help TEDxOakPark share ideas worth spreading.

TEDxOakPark Executive Committee

Janna Fiester: Lead Organizer + License Holder

Janna is a designer, storyteller, and community builder who believes that great ideas thrive when people feel seen and included. As Vice President of UX & Creative at Sandstorm®, she helps nonprofits, associations, and universities create accessible, human-centered digital experiences that foster trust and connection. Janna has an extensive speaking history, including sessions for ASAE, SHSMD, Discover, the National Center for State Courts, and AMA Chicago, where she demystifies design and empowers teams to think more creatively. As Lead Curator and License Holder for TEDxOakPark, she collaborates with speakers to refine their ideas for the TEDx stage, and has curated numerous events and Salons focused on community, creativity, conflict, and belonging. A former design educator at UIC with an MFA in Graphic Design, Janna’s work has appeared at the Art Institute of Chicago and received multiple design awards. If Janna, a long-time resident of Oak Park, has any free time after work and family (a hubby, two kids, two dogs), you can find her listening to the latest TED Talk or on the stage performing Flamenco.

Meridian Herman: Co-Organizer

Meridian is thrilled to serve alongside Janna as Co-Organizer, Speaker coach and a leader of the dynamic TEDxOakPark volunteer committee! She joined our volunteer team in 2016 in time to support our second TEDxOakParkWomen event as Marketing Lead. With unquenchable thirst for knowledge and experience, she has since served as a leader for nearly every volunteer subcommittee, spanning from the intricacies of our integrated marketing to partnership recruitment to volunteer management. Meridian is revitalized by the talent and commitment of TEDx volunteers, who continually exceed expectations and create memorable and meaningful events for our community. When not focusing on all things TED, she spends most of her waking hours crafting content in JLL’s Brand Center of Excellence. There, as a savvy wordsmith with an eye for design, she translates strategic direction into compelling content that engages audiences across a variety formats and channels for a corporate real estate audience. She’s an active volunteer at work, too: serving as leader for the Marketing Culture & Employee Experience Working Group and Building Pride Business Resource Group, and championing AI adoption. Outside of the workplace and TEDxOakPark, she is devoted to her diva cat (Sir Harry Rum Tum Tugger McFluffington), fixing up her beloved Berwyn bungalow, and spending time with family and friends. As a longtime — now former — Oak Parker, Meridian is proud + grateful to empower sharing ideas in and beyond our community.

Janien Hammonds: Operations Director & Board Member

Tania Haigh: TEDxOakParkWomen Founder