TEDxFarmingdale

An Independently Organized TED Event

DalerTEDx Team

The Curation Team

George Andriopoulos

Executive Producer

George Andriopoulos is the award-winning founder and CEO of Launchpad Five One Six, a New York based management consulting firm providing organizations and individuals with the tools and resources to succed and thrive. As both a creative disruptor and a corporate turnaround artist, George created the unique Consulting+ model by combining the strengths of his consulting firm, his digital marketing agency Media Convergence, his company’s leadership coaching division The Leadership Experience and his podcast production company Launchpad 516 Studios, which produces his hit leadership podcast “The Launchcast” along with a few dozen other shows. He’s taken his unique experience to the stage as a keynote, motivational, and three-time TEDx speaker delivering talks that spark inspiration and change. George is also the four-time executive producer of TEDxFarmingdale, 2 -time co-producer of a TEDxWomen event and more recently the founder and architect of one of the most innovative and impactful public speaking platforms in the world, SPEAK. A co-founder of the non-profit Shannon’s Fight that provides financial aid to families in medical crisis, George also volunteers with the speaker’s bureau and as an ambassador for Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Fred P. Banny III

Curation Team

Fred P. Banny III is a husband, social entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, leadership coach, and mentor whose passion is to activate people to purpose.

He dedicated his life to traveling teaching leaders in business, education, and faith. Fred often addresses the critical issues that affect every aspect of development – professional, personal, leadership, social, and spiritual development.

To that end, Fred founded Conversations with Kings (CWK) – an initiative dedicated to developing boys into men and men into leaders of impact and influence. With an unwavering belief that in the right environment, anyone can activate the leader within, Fred creates safe spaces and supportive environments where men can be vulnerable and equipped with proven life principles, perspectives, and resources.

Fred is an ordained minister and lives on Long Island, NY with his wife and purpose partner, Cordelia.

Dr. Noelle Cutter

Curation Team

Dr. Noelle Cutter is by training a scientist in the field of molecular biology,  currently studying medulloblastoma, a rare type of pediatric brain cancer, and the role that methylation plays in gene regulation allowing tumors to grow and divide.  By doing so, she hopes to be able to better diagnose patients so they can be treated more efficiently.  She is a mother to four beautiful children, Lily, Lucy, Jack and Isabel. She is a tri-athlete, and recently ran the NYC marathon in support of the Katie McBride Foundation to help support pediatric cancer where we raised over $37,000 in support of this cause. She became a TEDx speaker in 2019 with the inaugural TEDxFarmingdale event.

Dylan Gararian

Curation Team

Dylan Gafarian is one of the Academic Counselors for the extremely prestigious Research Aligned Mentorship (RAM) Program at Farmingdale State College. This elite program is dedicated to provide extra benefits and rewards that enhance the learning experience not readily available to other Farmingdale students. Prior to Farmingdale, Dylan worked in the Office of Admissions at Stony Brook University as a New York State Admissions Counselor. There, Dylan sought to make the college application process exciting, fun, and attainable for all. During his time as an Admissions Counselor, he traveled throughout New York State bringing the next wave of young, bright leaders to Long Island. While pursuing his first graduate degree, Dylan dove deep into the research of the lasting effects of student success in relation to a students involvement, leadership, and creativity. Leadership and creativity are among many of Dylan’s favorite topics to discuss with students. In the last 5 years, Dylan has traveled to colleges and high schools and local businesses throughout the Long Island area sharing the benefits of creative thinking, creative problem-solving, and leadership development. Now, holding a second graduate degree from the Buffalo State College’s International Center for Studies in Creativity, Dylan is dedicated to enhancing the world with creative thinking and enhanced problem-solving techniques.  Dylan was recently named one of Long Island’s 30 Under 30 by the Young Professionals of Long Island and made his TEDx debut in 2019’s inaugural TEDxFarmingdale event.

Estela Lugo

Curation Team

Estela Lugo was born and raised on Long Island, NY by “the world’s most amazing Puerto Rican parents,” Miguel & Eneida. They believe salsa dancing and gardening are the key to never growing old. Her younger sister, Melissa is usually mistaken as a twin because of their shared laugh and wardrobe. They also share the same progressive disease, Charcot-Marie-Tooth; a condition that atrophies the muscles in the feet, legs, and hands. Growing up, Estela was surrounded by community service and could be found most times with crayons and notebooks in hand. After four happy and art-filled years at Farmingdale High School, followed by another four at F.I.T., Estela pursued a career in design and is now combining her creative energy with a passion for the non-profit world. Her children Bella and Devin, along with her partner Jason, keep her laughing and make sure she doesn’t take herself or life too seriously. Estela became a TEDx speaker with the inaugural TEDxFarmingdale event in 2019.

Jason Martin

Curation Team

Jason Martin started a small apartment-based business making, packing, and shipping CDs created from seminars. Today, he and his partner operate a large-scale fulfillment center and warehouse based in Cincinnati, OH. Product Fulfillment Solutions offers kitting, packing, and shipping services. They have shipped millions of orders across the globe. Jason is also the owner of PFSMedia.com which has been serving small business independent representatives since March of 2004. During that time they have sought out the top producers, trainers and income earners and have recorded their trainings, messages, and secrets on building a successful business.

Dana Lopez

Curation Team - Public Relations

Dana Lopez is the Director of Marketing & Communications for The INN, a local non-profit in Long Island dedicated to helping the hungry and homeless population in the community. A graduate of Hofstra University, Dana is also a trained public speaker who loves to talk to anyone who will listen. As a speaker, Dana has visited High Schools and colleges around the country to talk to students about preparing for a successful future, as well as schools, corporate and community groups about the mission of The INN and the importance of giving back. She is a wife and mother of two young daughters and hopes to give her girls a strong sense of confidence and self-worth as they navigate through life. Although her career started in the corporate world having worked for the Walt Disney Company for over a decade, Danafeels honored to be able to now work for a nonprofit organization, helping people in the community where she also lives and raises her family.

The Host

George Andriopoulos

TEDxFarmingdale 2022 Host/Emcee

One last time…

That’s the the tagline for this year’s event and since we’re doing this one last time, it’s only fitting that our executive producer take the reins as this year’s emcee!

The xTRAS

Mariano Schwartz

TEDxFarmingdale 2022 Musical Performer

Mariano Schwartz (Mariano on the Piano) has been playing piano since he was 4 years old.  At 10 years old, he realized he could use his gift to help others and has been playing for charity ever since, raising nearly $14,000 for the following organizations.

$3000 for Uvalde Strong Survivors Fund: https://www.communityfoundation.net/uvaldestrong/
$1500 for Puerto Rico Hurricane Maria 2017
Mariano currently plays every Saturday night at 317 Main in Farmingdale from 6:30 to 9pm.

William Herbert

TEDxFarmingdale 2022 Musical Performer

William Herbert is a freshman at Farmingdale High School, as of the 2022-23 school year.  William enjoys playing sports, especially baseball, and also loves playing various instruments including piano, trombone, guitar, bagpipes and voice.  William is actively involved in musical theater and is excited to be a part of the Farmingdale Playcrafters.