BIC Announces 2025 TEDx Berkshires Speakers

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC) will host TEDx Berkshires on Oct. 9 at the BIC. 

TEDx Berkshires is a local, independently organized event that brings the TED experience to the Berkshires by presenting ideas from "thought leaders."  This year’s event will be held from 2:00 – 5:00 pm, with a reception to follow. 

Tickets are now available and seating is limited.

"Innovation usually starts with an idea, sparked in response to a need for change or a desire to improve," said TEDx Berkshires Executive Producer Stephen Boyd, CEO of Boyd Biomedical in Lee.  "The TEDx Berkshires stage offers the perfect showcase to share the success of diverse ideas and the vision of the Berkshire Innovation Center.  Collective wisdom always wins, and we are thrilled to promote this year’s event as a community focused on life-long learning and exploring technology together."

The 2025 lineup includes:

  • Dr. Maria SiroisConsulting Fellow and  Chief Wisdom Integrator at LeaderMom, will present on strengthening health and optimism and building a better world for others and the planet.
  • Dr. Natalie NixonAuthor & CEO of Figure 8 Thinking, will present on new ways to think about creativity – through the lenses of wonder and rigor.
  • Dr. David BarzilaiFounder & CEO, Longevity Physician, and Healthspan Best Practices Pioneer, will explore the importance of a prevention-first, personalized approach to health and wellness.
  • Dr. Jennifer Le Blond, Managing Director of Emerging Climatetech at MassCEC, will discuss actionable strategies for sustaining momentum and ensuring Massachusetts remains a global hub for ClimateTech innovation.
  • Dr. Damon DiehlDirector of Technology at Luminate Optics Accelerator will present his idea that time is the only currency and get us thinking - are we living a life we would pay for?
  • Dr. Manolis Kellis, Professor of Computer Science at MIT and member of the Broad Institute will present on unleashing human creativity in an AI world.

"We are thrilled to have an eclectic lineup of speakers with unique backgrounds and insights," said IP Attorney, TEDx Berkshires Executive Producer and BIC Board Vice-Chair, Giovanna Fessenden-Fairbank. "We invite everyone to come learn, and be inspired by a tapestry of thought-provoking discussions with fresh perspectives and contemporary relevance."

2025 marks the third year that the Berkshire Innovation Center will be the host of TEDx Berkshires.  The inaugural TEDx Berkshires was held in Lenox in 2010 and was produced by Ethan Berg, Jamie Berg, and Dr. Mark Liponis.

Tickets for TEDx Berkshires are $100 for seating in the main stage area, or $75 for seating in the auditorium, and will include a reception following the TEDx talks.

 Visit https://www.berkshireinnovationcenter.com/tedx-berkshires-2025 for more information.

 


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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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