University of North Alabama Professor Keys-Mathews to Speak at TEDx Wilson Park

Sep. 6, 2018

Guy McClure
UNA College of Business

FLORENCE, Ala. – Dr. Lisa Keys Mathews, the executive director of Strategic Initiatives and Academic Support at the University of North Alabama, will be one of nine speakers to take the stage Saturday at the first ever TEDx event in the Shoals.

The Saturday event is titled Making Change, because organizers of the event noticed that the Shoals has been steadily changing.

“Our area has a unique combination of music, arts and culture that rivals cities like Austin and Nashville, and now the word is getting out,” said Bryan Rachal, chair for TEdx Wilson Park marketing and public relations.  “Making Change will focus on the catalyst for what is bringing this renaissance to the Renaissance City.”

Keys-Mathews is a Geographer, a title gained not merely through education, but also by virtue of her experience and passion. Keys-Mathews first travelled outside the United States when she was 8 years old, on a trip to Mexico that jump-started her love of all things geographic - travel, culture, environment, and people.

Since then, Keys-Mathews’ research on environmental disasters and hazards has led her to study an earthquake in Peru, a tsunami in Indonesia, a massive tornado in Hackleburg and Phil Campbell, and Hurricane Katrina on the U.S. Gulf Coast. 

“I am so excited to be a part of this inaugural TEDx event,” said Keys Mathews. “I believe that the theme of Making Change is an incredible topic for conversation in our area. Most change is good and it is important that people with ideas for change find avenues to share their ideas. TEDx Wilson Park is the perfect venue.”

For more information about the event and to join the waitlist for tickets, please visit www.tedxwilsonpark.com.