The Blue Economy is exploding, but the workforce needed to sustain it isn’t even close to keeping pace. Blending data, statewide insight, and a compelling call-to-action, Dr. Courtney Taylor argues for a bold new model that prepares students earlier, trains talent faster, and urges leaders to fund what "we want more of." Her talk shows how reimagining workforce development can shape the future of Mississippi and the nation. Dr. Courtney Taylor leads Mississippi’s statewide workforce development strategy and delivery efforts. Known for her direct, results-driven approach, she has built a career creating bold, collaborative strategies to develop talent pipelines that meet the demands of a changing economy. A former community college and state system leader, she brings a deep understanding of industry, education, and policy to her work. Dr. Taylor is widely respected for cutting through bureaucracy, challenging the status quo, and pushing teams toward action. Her work is grounded in a belief that meaningful change happens when people are aligned, empowered, and held accountable. 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

Illegal fishing, climate change, and harmful algal blooms threaten the world’s oceans because we often detect them too late. Pappu Jha discusses how artificial intelligence can reveal these dangers early by spotting illegal vessels, predicting algal blooms, and monitoring ocean health in real time. His talk highlights how data, innovation, and community collaboration can strengthen marine ecosystems and the Blue Economy. Pappu Jha is an Undergraduate Research Assistant at the University of Southern Mississippi with a major in Computer Science and a minor in Economic Data Analysis. He is pursuing research in Data Science, where he develops machine learning models to understand, interpret, and solve real-world challenges. 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

Seafood fuels Gulf Coast culture and economy, but trust in that seafood depends on what happens behind the scenes. Drawing from years as a food safety officer, Jessica Rankin explores how training, systems, and culture must be used together to ensure food systems remain safe. Her talk underscores why strong foundations in food safety are essential for protecting communities and sustaining the Blue Economy. Jessica Rankin is a food safety and regulatory expert with over 15 years of experience in compliance inspections, HACCP planning, and seafood safety systems. As the founder of The Safe Food Culture LLC and a former FDA-certified inspector for the State of Mississippi, she has conducted hundreds of federal audits and developed training programs that have certified over 500 professionals. Jessica is a certified ServSafe Instructor, Preventive Controls expert, and HACCP trainer. Her work emphasizes practical food safety solutions, regulatory alignment, and empowering teams through education and compliance-driven culture. 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

Blending science and poetry, Dr Leila Hamdan leads the audience through a vivid journey from the ocean’s deepest darkness to its sparkling surface. Her talk explores how curiosity, color, and wonder fuel scientific discovery and shape our relationship with the sea. She reminds us that the Blue Economy is a story of imagination, identity, and humanity. Dr. Leila Hamdan is Associate VP for Research at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and Professor. She studies microbial ecology in the ocean. She received the NOPP Excellence in Partnering Award for a study of the Deepwater Horizon Spill. She is Past-President of the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation, principal investigator for the NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute and NSF Research Vessel Gilbert R. Mason, and served on the NASEM 2025-2035 Decadal Survey of Ocean Sciences committee. She previously worked at the Naval Research Laboratory, and holds a BS from Rowan University, and MS and PhD from George Mason University. 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

Shattering Illusions About Strength, Disability, and Self-WorthAfter a life-altering accident left his brother paralyzed from the waist down, Pankaj Goplani watched every illusion of “a perfect life” crumble success, control, certainty. But what rose from the ruins was a story of unimaginable resilience.In this deeply personal talk, Pankaj reveals how his brother’s journey from a hospital bed to IIM Calcutta, corporate leadership, and wheelchair sports shattered society’s assumptions about disability. He also shares his own battle with the illusion of “not being good enough” and how he eventually found his voice as a communication coach.A moving reminder that real strength isn’t standing tall , it’s moving forward, in whatever way you can. Pankaj Gopalani is a Public Speaking and Communication Coach, and the founder of Speaking With Pankaj, where he has trained over 5,000 professionals, students, and entrepreneurs to speak with confidence and clarity. With 14 years of corporate experience and a journey from stage fear to stage presence, Pankaj now coaches aspiring entrepreneurs at MIDAS School of Entrepreneurship. His story and platform inspire thousands to find their voice and speak with purpose. 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

A child’s earliest years shape lifelong skills, resilience, and the capacity to contribute to the community. Sarah Myers explains how early intervention builds strong neural pathways, empowers families, and strengthens the region’s future workforce. Her talk shows why investing in early childhood development is a powerful strategy for long-term stability and Blue Economy success. Sarah is a pediatric speech-language pathologist with over 15 years of experience supporting families with young children with disabilities in South MS. She specializes in family-centered practices including parent/caregiver coaching and total communication supports for children with complex communication needs. Sarah practices servant leadership with her team of interdisciplinary providers as the director of The Children’s Center for Communication and Development at The University of Southern Mississippi. She speaks at national and regional conferences on interdisciplinary collaboration for ideal child and family outcomes. 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