Chronic respiratory diseases are one of the leading causes of death in the United States and yet they are often under-tested and given less attention than other causes. It's imperative that we invest in lung health equity. Dr. Jean Wright shares why we need to start providing individuals with lung health metrics, including a lung health number, to better understand their own lung health.Jean Wright is a physician and CEO of the COPD Foundation (COPD - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). She became CEO after retiring as the Chief Innovation Officer at Atrium Health (now Advocate). She has brought the passion of innovation into an organization that advocates for 30 million people with COPD in the US, and 300 million worldwide. While once thought of as the smokers' disease, we now know COPD can be genetic, environmental, related to childhood asthma and a risk to first responders. In 2020, Dr. Wright gave a TedxCLT talk about the Invisible Epidemic of COPD. In that talk, the 'invisible epidemic' of COPD was brought to light.Dr. Wright has also served as Chief Medical Officer for several Atrium Hospitals, an Executive Director for a women's and children's hospital in Savannah, and a clinician, a clinical scientist and an academic leader at Emory University. Clinically, Jean is an anesthesiologist and critical physician.This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

What if everything you know about success is wrong? Bismah Ahmed reveals the life-changing truth and secrets to achieving authentic success, breaking the mold, and finding lasting fulfillment. As Vice President of Government Affairs for the Apartment and Office Building Association, Bismah Ahmed champions pro-business policies, shapes economic development, and amplifies the voices of entrepreneurs and industry leaders. In 2026, she will be the first woman of color to chair the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. Bismah began her career in politics, working for Virginia’s Governor and Attorney General, before diving into lobbying, where she established herself in legislative advocacy. In 2022, she became the first South Asian, Muslim, and Pakistani woman to be crowned Miss DC for America, using her platform to challenge stereotypes and encourage women to embrace their multifaceted identities. Additionally, she is a regular commentator on FOX5 and NBC12 and was a contestant on the reality TV show The Anonymous on USA Network & Peacock. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

As the General Manager and CEO of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Randy Clarke constantly experiences the unique complexities and challenges of being a leader. In his talk, Randy Clarke dissects what it means to demonstrate great leadership and how to prepare for the unexpected. Randy Clarke, General Manager & CEO of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro), is a visionary leader dedicated to transforming America’s Metro System. Clarke has been relentless in continuous improvements and delivering service excellence, which has led to two consecutive years in ridership growth and recovery. He is focused on being fiscally responsible while working with the WMATA Board to deliver a balanced budget and reduce management costs. The Strategic Transformation Plan, Metro’s guiding priorities, focuses on making Metro a world-class system. Prior to Metro, Clarke led Capital Metro in Austin, securing one of the largest transit referendums in U.S. history. He also held key roles at APTA and MBTA, shaping public transit nationwide. Originally from Nova Scotia, he earned degrees from Acadia University and the University of Southern Maine. Clarke and his wife, both transit enthusiasts, love exploring the region alongside their two dogs, Pepper and Jelly. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Looking beyond traditional aid approaches, Dr. Radha Rajkotia believes supply chain integration can unleash the potential of entrepreneurs and their communities, particularly those in conflict-affected regions. Dr. Radha Rajkotia is an entrepreneurial leader known for her unwavering commitment to driving innovation, impact, evidence, and positive change in international and economic development. As CEO of Building Markets, she champions market-based solutions for small businesses in economically vulnerable communities, facilitating their entry into sustainable and profitable supply chain opportunities. In her previous role as Chief Research and Policy Officer at Innovations for Poverty Action, she spearheaded the execution of IPA's strategy across 22 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, translating evidence into impactful practice and policy. Dr. Rajkotia spent eleven years as the Senior Director of Economic Recovery and Development at the International Rescue Committee, applying her creative thinking in delivering humanitarian aid and testing groundbreaking ideas on the ground, from cash-based relief to job creation in conflict settings. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Restaurateur and entrepreneur Dan Simons shares why mental health support at work drives performance and profit – and why it can’t be relegated to HR. From personal story to tactical playbook, he shows how addressing once-taboo topics strengthens culture, improves retention, and sharpens your competitive advantage. Dan Simons is regarded as a leading voice in mission-driven business practices, known for championing people-centric culture and responsible industry standards while developing systems that deliver profitability. He and his partner, Michael Vucurevich, are Co-Owners of Founding Farmers Restaurant Group in partnership with the North Dakota Farmers Union. Their goal is to generate profits for American family farmers, earn farmers a larger share of the food dollar, and influence the sourcing decisions of suppliers and others in the hospitality industry. They operate eight sustainably run restaurants, one DC-based distillery, and a full service catering and event design company. He teaches courses at The George Washington University, hosts a podcast (Founding DC), and sits on the advisory boards of the DC chapter of Conscious Capitalism, OpenTable, and the Health Action Alliance Women's Health at Work Program. He blogs at www.DanSimonsSays.com and is on most social media as @DanSimonsSays. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx