About the Summit
The 2026 Grand Challenges Summit is more than a conference, it’s a dynamic gathering of educators, leaders, innovators, and changemakers from across Tennessee who are passionate about creating a brighter future for our state.
From advancing K-12 education, to addressing the devastating impact of addiction, to building stronger rural communities, this Summit is where collaboration meets action.
Together, we’ll seize opportunities to:
- connect with colleagues,
- forge new partnerships,
- and exchange ideas that spark real solutions.
Join us as we learn from one another, inspire bold thinking, and take meaningful steps toward solving some of Tennessee’s most pressing challenges.
2026 Summit Schedule
Day 1 – Tuesday, February 10
10am – 5:00pm CST
- Opening General Session featuring the State of the University Address with UT President Randy Boyd
- Grand Challenges Leadership Panels
- Breakout Sessions
- Roundtable Discussions and Networking
- Keynote Presentation featuring Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera
- Dinner Groups
Day 2 – Wednesday, February 11
9am – 11:15am CST
- Roundtable Discussions and Networking
- Closing Keynote with Dr. Jessi Gold
Speakers:
Dr. Derek Cabrera (PhD, Cornell) is an internationally recognized systems scientist, faculty member at Cornell University, and Senior Scientist at Cabrera Research Lab. He is credited with discovering universal rules of systems (DSRP and VMCL theories) and has authored ten books, including Systems Thinking Made Simple (winner of the 2017 AECT Outstanding Book Award). Derek has given TED Talks, created online courses with LinkedIn Learning and eCornell, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Systems Thinking. His work has influenced NSF, NIH, USDA programs, K–12 schools, higher education, corporations, NGOs, and the U.S. military. He has also developed patented systems thinking tools and previously worked globally as a mountain guide and experiential educator.
Dr. Laura Cabrera (BS, MPA, PhD, Cornell) is CEO and Co-Founder of Cabrera Research Lab, Board Chair and Professor at the Systems Thinking Standards Institute (STSI™), and a faculty member at Cornell University’s Brooks School of Public Policy. She co-directs Cornell’s Graduate Certificate in Systems Thinking, Modeling, and Leadership (STML) and co-edits the forthcoming Routledge Handbook of Systems Thinking. Laura has over 25 years of teaching and research experience, including work at Cornell’s Bronfenbrenner Center, the National Academy of Sciences, HHS, and DOJ. She specializes in translational research to make systems science accessible to schools, corporations, nonprofits, and government. Her work was featured in the documentary RE:Thinking.
Registration
Sign up today and receive early bird pricing. Only $25!
To register for the Grand Challenges Summit, you will need to create a CE Now Profile on the UTHSC CE Now webpage following a short five step process.
Step 1: Go to CE Now: https://cenow.uthsc.edu
Step 2: Select “Create an Account” in the upper right corner of the navigation bar (top green bar)
Step 3: Select “Create New Visitor Account”
Step 4: Fill out User Account information and click “Create New Account”
** Please make sure to save username and password**
Step 5: After logging in using your username and password, click or paste the registration link below in your browser: https://cenow.uthsc.edu/grand-challenge-summit
