INNOVATION
Highlights new technologies, strategies, and collaborations that are transforming
how we live, work, and thrive along our coasts
About TEDx½ûÂþÌìÌà Miss
We aim to engage individuals who are passionate about innovation, leadership, and addressing critical issues related to the coastal environment and the blue economy. The intended audience for TEDx½ûÂþÌìÌà Miss includes a diverse mix of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members from across the Mississippi Gulf Coast and beyond. Our audience will also include local business leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals seeking to discuss forward-thinking and transformative ideas.
What is the Blue Economy?
The blue economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources to drive economic growth, create jobs, support workforce development, and enhance the well-being of coastal communities. Key sectors include aquaculture and fisheries, coastal tourism, shipping and port operations, national security, and coastal resilience. Along the Gulf Coast, the blue economy plays a critical role in enhancing regional quality of life and economic vitality. It fuels job creation and opens doors to expanding career pathways. Nationally, employment in coastal-related industries is expected to outpace the average job growth over the next decade, underscoring the blue economy’s significance for workforce development and long-term regional prosperity.
Event Details
This event will be a space to explore innovative ideas and transformative solutions focused on leadership, sustainability, and the economic and environmental opportunities of the coastal blue economy.
Theme:
Blue Economy
Date:
Thursday, October 30, 2025, 1-5 p.m.
Location:
Long Beach, Miss.
The University of ½ûÂþÌìÌà Mississippi
Gulf Park Campus
Fleming Education Center
The theme "blue economy" aims to explore these ideas...
SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
Emphasizes balancing economic development with long-term environmental stewardship to ensure healthy ecosystems and communities
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Focuses on preparing current and future generations with the skills and training needed for emerging careers in blue economy sectors
COASTAL RESILIENCE
Addresses the ability of coastal communities to adapt to change, recover from disruptions, and build stable, future-ready partnerships
OCEAN STEWARDSHIP
Promotes responsible management and protection of marine and coastal resources for the benefit of both people and the planet
Meet The Speakers
Geoff Douglass
Geoff Douglass is the co-founder and CEO of Mythos AI, a company revolutionizing maritime operations through autonomous navigation. His work is redefining how vessels move, using AI and real-time data to make shipping safer, cleaner, and more scalable. By modernizing one of the world’s oldest industries, Geoff is helping to build a resilient, data-driven maritime future—where sustainable operations, digital infrastructure, and autonomy unlock new economic and environmental potential. At the forefront of this transformation, he is driving the next era of global trade and American maritime leadership.
Ashley Edwards
Ashley Edwards is a nationally recognized expert in coastal resilience, with deep experience at the intersections of disaster recovery, economic development, and public policy. After Hurricane Katrina, he led Mississippi’s Office of Recovery—designing state strategies, directing billions in federal funds, and guiding one of the largest rebuilding efforts in U.S. history. He later served as president and CEO of the Gulf Coast Business Council. Today, he leads a private consulting firm, helping coastal governments unlock resources to build resilient communities and economies. A graduate of ½ûÂþÌìÌà Miss, Tulane, and Harvard’s Public Leadership Program, Ashley brings bold, future-focused stewardship to the blue economy.
Dr. Leila Hamdan
Dr. Leila Hamdan is associate VP for research at The University of ½ûÂþÌìÌà Mississippi 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.
Jenna Hope Harris
Jenna Hope Harris is a dynamic keynote speaker and inner dialogue expert who bridges neuroscience, faith, and personal growth. Known for her Identify, Investigate, and Instill framework, she helps audiences break free from limiting beliefs and reclaim control of their minds. With powerful storytelling and evidence-based practices, Jenna delivers a bold message: change your thinking, and you change your life.
Pappu Jha
Pappu Jha is an undergraduate research assistant at The University of ½ûÂþÌìÌà 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.
Dr. Jennifer Lemacks
Dr. Jennifer L. Lemacks is a licensed, registered dietitian by trade with a scholarly mission to address multi-faceted determinants of cardiometabolic health in the Gulf South. Her track record includes over 15 years of collaborating with diverse stakeholders to strive for solutions that create better health for all Mississippians and Gulf South communities.
Sarah Myers
Sarah Myers is a pediatric speech-language pathologist with over 15 years of experience supporting families with young children with disabilities in South Mississippi. 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 ½ûÂþÌìÌà Mississippi. She speaks at national and regional conferences on interdisciplinary collaboration for ideal child and family outcomes.
Jessica Rankin
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, 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.
Dr. Courtney Taylor
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.