Heather Blanchard is a social entrepreneur, who works on the front lines of the online crisis crowd by connecting people, tools and resources via the virtual technology network she helped develop, called Crisis Commons. 

Based on the idea that "everyone has something to give", whether it’s a skill, an idea or language, Blanchard will explore the growing role of the digital humanitarian community and how they connect to traditional response systems in preparing for, responding to and preventing crises and disasters. 

During her TEDxRC² talk, Blanchard will offer insight into how humanitarian relief organizations can become better prepared to compass and harness the power of digital volunteers.