Rutherford's Upcoming TEDx Event
- This Is Rutherford
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
By Jennifer Ersalesi
TED talk speakers, from various fields and backgrounds, share ideas, life and career experiences, and so much more. On May 6th from 6 pm until 9 pm there will be a TEDx Rutherford event at the Williams Center of Rutherford. This event is open to the public and will feature presentations by Mildred Mihlon, President of Felician University, Doug Hoffman, Eternal Optimist & F.I.R.E. Obsessed, Jack Hurley, Superintendent of Rutherford Schools, Joe Praino, Tech Executive & Tour de France Competitor, and Evelyn Spath-Mercado, Chairperson of NJ Agricultural Board. This Is Rutherford spoke with Doug Hoffman to learn more about this event.
TIR: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Doug Hoffman: I’ve lived in Rutherford for 20 years and have truly come to appreciate what makes this community so special. Professionally, I’m a Technology People Leader at Cisco Systems, where I focus on leading teams and driving performance in a fast-paced, innovative problem solving environment. Locally, I’m actively involved as a member of the Rutherford Planning Board and the Library Foundation. Most importantly, I prioritize time with my two kids, Sammy (9) and Ryan (7), who are thriving in Rutherford’s school system and recreation programs.
TIR: Why did you decide to organize the upcoming TEDx event at the Williams Center?
DH: I was really excited to attend TEDxRutherford back in 2022, which was organized by a fantastic group of community members, and was disappointed when it was ultimately canceled due to COVID. Over the years, I’ve watched several TED Talks that have had a meaningful impact on my life and career. I’m drawn to the format—concise, engaging, and thought-provoking presentations that deliver real value in a short period of time. Bringing that experience to Rutherford felt like a great opportunity to inspire new ideas and conversations within our community, while having a fun night out at this amazing venue.
TIR: How were the speakers chosen?
DH: The speakers represent a diverse group of individuals, each bringing unique perspectives and passions to the stage. Purposely, the first person I approached to be a speaker is Jack Hurley, who I asked to speak about themes from The Anxious Generation, a topic I feel strongly about. I’m deeply concerned about the impact of technology—particularly social media (I hate it) —on our kids. I believe it’s critical for our community to come together and explore ways to foster real-world social skills, encourage in-person interaction, and help our children develop strong emotional intelligence. The Rutherford community has a unique opportunity to lead by example by coming up with ways to protect our kids from cyber bullying, ridiculous tik-tok videos, and the artificial world that gives our kids a warped view of reality.
One of the speakers, Evelyn Spath-Mercado, explained, "I am a former executive at Trans World Airline (TWA) and have lived in Rutherford for decades. Currently I am the President of H.K. International, a food distribution company that I own. As the Chairperson of Bergen County's Agricultural Development Board for 25 years I hope to put the idea into the audience's head of how important our County farms are and why. I am looking at the TedTalk as a wonderful fun time."
Superintendent Jack Hurley, who Is completing his 11th year as Superintendent and 48th year in the Rutherford School District, will also speak at this event. He told TIR, "It will be a great community event. The topic I was asked to speak about -- delaying the entry age for students on social media and managing their involvement with it. As well as "free play " and more independence for children which are two areas we stressed last year in our Parent Academy program. I hope people take away some tips and strategies and a better understanding of the issue."
TIR: What do you hope people take away from this event?
DH: Above all, I hope people enjoy themselves. We’ve selected speakers who are not only insightful but also engaging and entertaining. Ideally, this event becomes the first of many TEDx gatherings in Rutherford—creating a platform where members of our community can share their ideas, experiences, and perspectives in a meaningful way. Partly due to our adjacency to NYC, Rutherford is blessed with so many interesting people with stories to tell.
TIR: Why is this type of experience important for the community?
DH: Rutherford is a special place. We’re fortunate to have a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and ideas within such a close-knit community. While these five speakers will offer incredible insights, I have no doubt there are hundreds more people here with ideas worth sharing. Events like this help surface those voices and strengthen the connections that make our town unique.
TIR: What else would you like to share about this event?
DH: This is a free event designed simply to bring the community together for an engaging and thought-provoking evening. I was initially hesitant to include myself as a speaker, but after some encouragement from my friend Ciaran, I decided to participate. I genuinely enjoy presenting, and I’ll be sharing a talk focused on "purpose"—reminding us that we’re often more fortunate than we realize in our day-to-day lives but that our time on this blue marble is brief. I have given my presentation to a couple thousand colleagues at work and I'm looking forward to getting feedback from the Rutherford community.
We already have over 225 people registered, but the iconic Williams Center can hold up to 600. We’d love to fill the room—please REGISTER and join us!
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