Heather Hinojosa is head of marketing and communications at a communication firm that helps professionals show up as their most authentic selves. Her role at TEDxAtlanta focuses on long-form content (aka this awesome blog!), although she also dabbled in event planning for the 2025 Great Southeast Pollinator Count TEDxAtlanta adventure.
An Air Force brat, she lived in several states and countries before moving to Atlanta just in time for the ’96 Olympics. Read on to learn about her TEDxAtlanta experience on the Marketing & Storytelling Team.
What first sparked your interest in TEDx?
I’m a very curious person who loves hearing ideas and perspectives from others; I collect these like a magpie, writing down what I learn in Evernote, my notes app or my trusty purple Moleskine. TED podcasts have always been one of my go-tos, and I wanted to attend a local in-person event.
A coworker (shout-out to fellow TEDxAtlanta teammate Meggie) posted photos from the last TEDxAtlanta event, and when I commented that she should let me know the next time there was a conference, she told me I should volunteer. So here I am!
What’s your favorite TED Talk or TEDx Talk?
My favorite talk is How Changing Your Story Can Change Your Life by Lori Gottlieb (everyone, go read her book, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, right now). Stories help us make sense of our lives, but when they’re incomplete or misleading, they can keep us stuck. Lori Gottlieb’s talk struck me because it’s about becoming your own editor and rewriting your narrative from a new point of view.
If you could describe your volunteer experience with TEDxAtlanta in three words, what would they be?
Fun, connections, learning
What is something that may surprise people about TEDxAtlanta?
It’s truly an all-volunteer organization. The team behind TEDxAtlanta is committed to spreading important ideas, and a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to bring the events to our awesome community.
How has TEDxAtlanta helped you grow professionally and/or personally?
On the professional front, I now know how to put together a very detailed run of show for any future events I work on! Personally, I have met really lovely people who motivate me to reinvest in my community.
Why should others volunteer with TEDxAtlanta?
I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of being behind screens all of the time. Volunteering with TEDxAtlanta allows me to connect with a team working toward the same goals, and you get to go to cool events and learn new things—no Internet required.
To connect with Heather, you can reach out to her on LinkedIn.
