About TEDxTemecula
A community-driven platform dedicated to spreading ideas worth sharing in the Temecula Valley
Our Mission
TEDxTemecula is an independently organized TED event that brings together thought leaders, innovators, and creative minds to share ideas that matter. Our goal is to spark dialogue, inspire action, and build a stronger, more connected community through the power of ideas.
"In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDxTemecula strives to create experiences that inspire our community to think differently, challenge assumptions, and take action on the issues that matter most."
Our Values
The principles that guide everything we do
Community First
We believe in the power of bringing people together to share ideas and inspire change in our local community.
Ideas Worth Spreading
We curate speakers who challenge conventional thinking and offer fresh perspectives on important topics.
Innovation & Creativity
We celebrate innovative thinking and creative solutions to the challenges we face today.
Inclusive & Diverse
We strive to create an inclusive platform that represents diverse voices and experiences.
Meet Our Team
Passionate volunteers dedicated to bringing TEDx to Temecula
Barbie Ray
Design Director
Barbie Ray is the Creative Director for TEDxTemecula, bringing bold ideas to life through thoughtful design and cohesive branding. By day, she serves as Marketing Manager for Southwest Healthcare, supporting Rancho Springs and Inland Valley Hospitals, where she blends strategy, storytelling, and heart. With over 15 years in design, branding, and marketing, Barbie has a passion for creating experiences that connect people and purpose. Deeply rooted in the Temecula Valley, she’s an active community champion, event organizer, and philanthropy supporter. Off the clock, she’s a proud wife, boy mom, music lover, and creative at heart.
Paul Rangel
Marketing Director
We are a husband and wife team, Paul and Lisa, owners of Sofa Spectrum Furniture. We would like to welcome you to our showroom. Having over 25 years of experience in furniture retail and design consulting, we’ve decided to set ourselves apart from others by offering personalized service in custom quality furniture at low prices. Our testimony of faith, our family, and our friends have made it possible to provide a solid foundation in building our business with principles and values. In addition, we recognize our frontliners, military, police, firefighters, teachers, and senior citizens offering them extra discount for serving us in our community and beyond. Our friendly family-owned business is a perfect way to receive a special touch of service and attention to detail. We make sure that your buying experience with us will result in repeat business as your needs are continuously met. Whether it’s a custom comfort sectional sofa in fabric or leather OR a luxurious mattress with an adjustable base for an amazing sleep OR a whole body massage chair for ultimate rejuvenation and relaxation, we are here to assist you and help fulfill your furniture and wellness needs. Come visit us and see what people are talking about on Yelp and Google reviews.
Sebastian Sidi
Audio/Visuals Director
Sebastian Sidi is a Southern California-based entrepreneur, producer, and performing artist, best known as the founder of Sebaz Video Productions, a high-end video production company specializing in premium content for businesses, organizations, and major community events. With a sharp eye for storytelling and a passion for helping brands grow, Sebastian has built Sebaz into a trusted name for producing professional promotional videos, interviews, testimonials, corporate content, social media reels, and full event recap films that help clients elevate their image and stand out in a crowded market. Sebastian takes a hands-on approach to every project, focusing on clean visuals, strong audio, confident branding, and content that feels both polished and authentic. Whether he’s capturing an executive-style interview, producing content for a local business, or filming a major public event, his goal is always the same: to create media that builds trust, grabs attention, and drives real results. Sebaz Video Productions has become known for delivering a cinematic look, professional workflow, and a consistent level of quality that helps businesses present themselves at a higher standard. Beyond video production, Sebastian is also recognized as a community leader who brings local professionals together through impactful networking events. He is the creator and co-host of the Neighbors Quarterly Business Mixer, one of the region’s most successful business networking experiences, designed to build real relationships and connect business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members in a fun and professional setting. He is also the co-host of the Temecula Valley Business EXPO, a large-scale annual event that showcases hundreds of local businesses and sponsors while creating powerful opportunities for exposure, partnerships, and growth across the region. Through these events, Sebastian has helped strengthen the local business community by creating spaces where people can connect, collaborate, and support each other. While business and community events are a major part of Sebastian’s impact today, his foundation has always been music. As an accomplished pianist and composer, he has aired multiple PBS specials and has performed across Southern California at major destinations including Downtown Disney and Universal CityWalk. He has also been featured as a headliner and guest entertainer for cruise lines such as Seabourn, Celebrity, and Holland America, sharing his live performances with audiences around the world. His music is often compared to artists like Yanni, John Tesh, and Raul Di Blasio, with a unique, upbeat flair that blends cinematic emotion with modern energy. In addition to his live show, Sebastian is also a prolific composer with over 75 original compositions, many driven by piano and electric guitar, reflecting his signature sound. Whether he’s producing high-level video content through Sebaz Video Productions, hosting major networking events, or performing live on stage, Sebastian Sidi continues to build experiences that connect people and leave a lasting impression—through media, community, and music.
Alex Kowalkoski
Marketing Director
Alex Kowalkoski is a serial entrepreneur, community advocate, and marketing strategist dedicated to helping small businesses grow, scale, and thrive. As the Chief Revenue Officer and driving force behind Prime Media Consulting LLC, Alex has built a multi-market digital marketing agency serving businesses across Southern California, Chicagoland, and Florida. His firm specializes in SEO, website development, lead generation, paid media, CRM automation, and brand strategy for small- and mid-sized businesses. Over the last decade, Alex has helped hundreds of companies improve their visibility, increase revenue, and build sustainable marketing systems. His work is rooted in one belief: small businesses are the backbone of every community—and they deserve enterprise-level strategy without enterprise-level cost. Beyond his agency, Alex is known for launching bold, community-driven ventures that bring people together while creating real economic impact. He is the founder or co-founder of several initiatives, including: Prime Power Partners – a referral-driven, relationship-first networking organization for business owners Riverside County Carnival – a large-scale family entertainment event serving tens of thousands of attendees My Small Business Conference – a regional education event focused on practical, real-world business growth Octopus Games – a competition-based live experience designed to blend entertainment, community, and sponsorship Temecula Valley Community Events – a nonprofit organization supporting arts, culture, and family programming Alex is also a sought-after speaker and event host, known for his raw, honest, and motivating style. His work often explores the emotional side of entrepreneurship—resilience, disruption, leadership, and legacy. As a TEDx speaker, Alex’s talk “The Cost of Disruption” challenges business owners to examine not only what they build, but what it costs them personally. At his core, Alex is a builder—of businesses, platforms, communities, and ideas. He believes that when entrepreneurs are equipped with the right tools, mindset, and support, they don’t just grow companies—they change cities.
What is TEDx?
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, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection.
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.
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