Look Who it Was Random video

Modern Masculinity | Matthew Theodores & Oronde Cruger | TEDxDirigo

3,698 views · Published 17 December 2018 · 14:43 · Indexed 9 October 2026

Channel: TEDx Talks · 2018 · Nonprofits & Activism

Watch on YouTube

Despite growing up in different generations and across the country from one another, Matt Theodores and Oronde Cruger both learned the same constraining expectations of being male. In this collaborative talk, they envision a way out of the dark - a version of masculinity that isn’t disenfranchising or damaging, but one which instead holds space for boys and men to express the full range of human emotion and interests. Matt Theodores is the Executive Director of Maine Boys to Men, an organization that engages communities to shift attitudes and actions to end male violence against women and girls.

Matt transitioned to the nonprofit sector in 2014 following 30 years of senior leadership experience with companies ranging from start-ups to some of the world’s largest businesses, including Microsoft and IBM.

Prior to joining Maine Boys to Men, Matt served on its Board of Directors and was a Partner at Practical Decisions, a local consulting firm serving businesses and nonprofit organizations. Matt is a bereavement group facilitator at the Center for Grieving Children where he has volunteered since 2013.

Matt holds a degree from University of Massachusetts Isenberg School of Business and completed an executive education program at Harvard Business School. He resides in Cumberland with his wife Ellen, his three children, Peter, Christopher, and Nicholas.

Oronde Cruger is Program Coordinator at Speak About It. He has had been involved with Speak About It since its creation at Bowdoin College. He worked as a Speak About It educator for two years, and travelled around the country, eagerly spreading the gospel of sexy consent. Oronde graduated with a degree in neuroscience from Bowdoin, and brings deep love and expert facilitation skills from his work with ResLife while in school. He has worked as an Admissions Officer at Bowdoin, at Mercy Hospital in Portland, and is the proud co-founder of Heart of Hospitality. Oronde is from Ft. Lauderdale, FL but tries desperately to fit in as a native Mainer; he even owns flannel now. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

More from this channel