On October 18, 2025, TEDx Oconomowoc is set to host an incredible summit featuring a lineup of world class keynote speakers.
The TEDx program was started as a way to bring the globally acclaimed TED talks into communities. The grassroots events are independently organized to feature live speakers sharing their ideas, research, and valuable experiences.
Currently, more than 3000 TEDx events are held throughout the world each year.
This year, the TEDx Oconomowoc event hopes to bring that same creative spirit right into the Lake Country community.
The theme of this event is “Freedom”- Speakers are meant to tackle the question of “What is freedom?” using their unique perspective and experiences to help guide them to an answer.
The one day event will host 13 different speakers, including:
- Craig Schiefelbein: Entrepreneur
- Known for founding Paragon Development Systems from his basement in Oconomowoc before turning it into a $200 million company.Has served as the company’s CEO for 26 years and been recognized by countless institutions for his diligence.
- Mark Small: President and Founder of MMC Ventures
- Has worked in the startup ecosystem for years, assisting startups and investors achieve high growth, global sales records.
- Rob Gerbitz: President/CEO of Hendricks Commercial Property:
- Directs and oversees the business behind Hendricks Commercial Properties, while also overseeing Geronimo Hospitality Group, a creative, boutique collection of food, drink, and entertainment businesses.
- Jamie Counsell: MLS- Healthcare Law
- Has spent 24 years in healthcare, with 13 years working in Forensics and seeking to help victims of crimes. She currently runs two forensics programs in both Wisconsin and Illinois.
- Daniel Meinholz: Founder and President of A3 Performance
- Built two companies, including a global swimwear brand that has been used in every Olympic Games since London in 2012.
- Tim Schneider: CEO and President of Bank Five Nine
- Leads Bank Five Nine, a 14 branch bank headquartered in Oconomowoc. He has spent nearly 40 years in the industry and works hard to help serve his community.
- Dominika Staniewicz M.S.: Global Authority on Brain Based Leadership and Organizational Performance
- An expert in neuroscience and executive training with over 20 years of experience. She is also the author of a best-selling book and a trusted advisor to numerous high profile leaders.
- Iain De Jong: CEO and President of OrgCode Consulting Inc.
- Founder of The Leadership Academy on Ending Homelessness and an author, he has spent years fighting to make homelessness rare, brief, and eventually non-occurring.
- Annie Meng and John Meng: Co Founder and Owner of LoveJaam
- This couple runs LoveJaam, a company that helps couples build their relationship, alongside several other businesses that the pair have created as a dynamic duo
- Ellie Bassick-Trovato: Founder and CEO of The Brave New Company
- Best-selling author, speaker, and life coach who focuses on “The Red Zone Invitation”, a method that helps promote calm through emotional hijacking.
- Doug Allen: CEO of The Destiny Partnership
- Works as an entrepreneur and an architect who has authored books and transformed companies.
- Rimantas Jurevicius: Mentor, Speaker, and Author
- A retired VP from Ultracoat who now assists as the Operations and Development Advisor at Kettle Moraine Coatings in Jackson, Wisconsin. He is an immigrant from Lithuania whose unique experiences have given him the skills to overcome challenges.
