Michelle Barnes explains how diagnosing her unsolved illness created new opportunities in the global health research response to the current Ebola and Marburg outbreak centered in West Africa.

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, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. 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.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Michelle Barnes is a principal at Interim Leadership Solutions, which she founded to lead non-profit organizations through complex transitions. She also worked at several national nonprofits after relocating to CO after more than a decade high tech marketing in Silicon Valley. Michelle can often be found planning her next professional challenge or her next adventure vacation. She lives in the foothills outside of Golden CO, spending as much time as possible in the mountains.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx