Nisaini Rexach reveals why sending 150 resumes gets you nowhere—and what actually works. As Microsoft's Community Engagement Lead, she shares her radical approach to career advancement through "social wealth": intentional relationship-building that compounds over time. From Chicago's government housing to rooms with Fortune 500 CEOs, Rexach never submitted a resume for any role. She introduces powerful frameworks including the "shareholder" concept, demonstrates how every encounter is an interview, and explains why your network underwrites your next opportunity. Through compelling personal stories and her mentee Paige's transformation, Rexach provides actionable strategies for building connections that create career opportunities traditional networking never could. Nisaini Rexach, known in the professional community as The Empowerment Enabler, is a visionary leader whose career is marked by a series of strategic initiatives that have catalyzed digital transformation, community engagement, connectivity, and strategic foresight. As a Digital Transformation Dynamo, Nisaini has been at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge technologies into business processes.In Rexach’s current role as a Community Engagement Lead at Microsoft she has fostered robust communication channels and built strong networks, while serving as a Connectivity Conductor who forges meaningful conversations and connections between key stakeholders. 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

How swapping traditional lawns for native plants supports pollinators and boosts biodiversity. Justin Grubb is an award-winning filmmaker, photographer, published writer, naturalist, and co-founder of Running Wild Media. Justin earned his B.Sc. in Biology at Bowling Green State University and his Master of Biology at Miami University. With years of international wildlife field research and formal/informal teaching experience, Justin combines these two fields with media to enhance science communication. Justin’s love for nature and passion for the outdoors has brought him to some of the most extreme habitats on earth to study and film critically endangered wildlife.He is a 2017 Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leader, a Nat Geo Wild "Wild to Inspire" award-winning filmmaker, a member of the Explorers Club, and an Emerging League member of the International League of Conservation Photographers. 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