This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. As CEO of CauseLabs, T.J. Cook and his team have kickstarted over 100 tools to address problems in under-served communities in the U.S., India, Vietnam, and beyond. T.J. shares the story of how one-day hackathon-style events have led to new products, new partnerships, and a new level of team energy.
T.J. Cook guides CauseLabs' strategy and vision as it strives to build tools that impact people. T.J. has assembled an expert of team of 18 strategists, designers, and engineers who partner with clients around the world to prototype and build breakthroughs. T.J. has more than 15 years of experience on the forefront of emerging technologies and entrepreneurial strategies that have put mobile, social applications within reach of nonprofits, international development groups and mission-driven for-profit organizations. During this time, T.J. has emerged as a thought leader in the field of delivering the life-changing benefits of technology to some of the world’s most under-served communities. Drawing from personal experience as a former Albuquerque Public Schools teacher, avid reader, runner, father, and musician, T.J. takes an interdisciplinary approach that brings skilled individuals together in fast-paced collaborations that kick start solutions. He loves to laugh, do push-ups with clients during workshops, and make serious progress toward a better world.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)