Kevandre “Dre” Thompson is a dynamic talent acquisition leader, professional speaker, and community builder with a proven track record of connecting people, ideas, and opportunities. With over a decade of experience in workforce development, recruitment, and leadership strategy across Fortune 500 companies, Dre brings both corporate expertise and a passion for community impact to his role as Licensed Curator of TEDxPontiac.

As curator, Dre sets the event’s vision, selects diverse and compelling speakers, and forges partnerships that reflect the innovation and resilience of Pontiac and Oakland County. His professional background includes leading talent pipelines in manufacturing, engineering, and technology, while also designing workforce solutions for nonprofits, municipalities, and educational institutions. This unique blend of corporate insight and grassroots engagement positions him to align TEDxPontiac with both global TED standards and local community needs.

Beyond his corporate career, Dre is deeply involved in mentorship and service. He serves as Ambassador Chair for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan, works closely with youth programs like the Boys and Girls Club, and frequently delivers workshops on personal branding, career readiness, and leadership. His speaking style emphasizes storytelling, authenticity, and building “community as the new currency,” themes that resonate strongly with TEDx’s mission of spreading ideas worth sharing.

Through TEDxPontiac, Dre’s vision is to create a platform that not only elevates voices and ideas but also contributes to Pontiac’s ongoing revitalization. His long-term goal is to scale the event from a 300–500 person gathering in its first year into a 1,000+ attendee regional hub within three years, positioning Oakland County as a destination for innovation, creativity, and collaboration.