TED Community Organization Presents:

CONNECTED 2025

TED AWARENESS WEEK 2025

Join us on the Journey from TED to NED
We Are Rewriting Our Story. Reclaiming Our Lives.

CONNECTED 2025 is the first global virtual conference created by and for people impacted by Thyroid Eye Disease (TED). Hosted by the TED Community Organization—the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit solely focused on TED—this immersive, weeklong event brings together patients, caregivers, medical experts, advocacy leaders, and industry partners for six days of education, empowerment, and connection.

Each evening presented two one-hour sessions, November 10–15, 2025, CONNECTED 2025 is designed to support patients in finding their way from diagnosis to “NED” (No Evidence of Disease) through science, story, and solidarity.

Why It Matters

TED is a disfiguring, painful, and life-disrupting autoimmune condition. But too often, the patient journey is defined by fear, isolation, and uncertainty. CONNECTED 2025 is changing that.

This event reclaims the TED narrative—shifting it from one of helplessness to one of agency, education, and healing. With a rich lineup of expert-led sessions, lived experience panels, and community-building spaces, CONNECTED 2025 helps patients take their lives back and support others along the way.

Missed the CONNECTED 2025 Event?

No problem! We have the videos of each session. Use the buttons below or the CONNECTED drop down menu on each page to access the videos from each evening, Monday through Thursday.

SCIENCE & MEDICINES

CONVERSATION & STORY

TED & QUALITY OF LIFE

TED TOOLS & PATIENT ADVOCACY

Meet the CONNECTED 2025 Executive Team

Christine Gustafson
Christine Gustafson is the Founder, CEO, and Executive Director of the TED Community Organization, a global nonprofit dedicated to supporting those living with thyroid eye disease (TED). An “accidental leader,” Christine stepped into advocacy by simply trying to help fellow patients navigate the isolating and often overwhelming TED journey. Today, she leads an organization that is uniting patients, physicians, advocacy groups, and industry partners worldwide to foster education, support, and connection.

Bette Nee, EdD
Dr. Nee serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Secretary for the TED Community Board of Directors. Now retired, she served in an advising role during most of her career in education (elementary thru higher education); but found her passion advising students with disabilities at the college level. She also served as a college professor and researcher, helping future educators support differently abled students. She learned about TED through her other non-profit work as the Executive Director of MS Monterey. She enjoys helping wherever she can.

Leslie Williams, EdD
Dr. Williams serves as the Chair of the Board for the TED Community Organization. As a retired higher education administrator, she is passionate about helping people find their voice so they are able to advocate for themselves and their situations. Being in community with like-minded individuals is also critically important so people can get emotional support, share trusted information, and provide resources and connections with each other.