Kristine Sargsyan

Business adviser, Business mentor, Change Agent, Consultant, Educator/Teacher, Writer/Editor

The long-waited awakening began when Ms. Sargsyan co-funded TEDxYerevan with Alexis Ohanian. Before that she had a successful career in change management and OD consulting, working for TACIS, World Learning, USDA, USAID, Unicef, UNDP, EPF, Caritas and RMF. But it was the TED talk of the brain researcher Jill Bolte Taylor that turned Ms. Sargsyan’s life around. She was always fond of the human brain and hungry for big ideas, and TED only proved to feast on that! That’s precisely why she translated 100 TED talks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxEgJIMwbfc), before bringing TEDx platform to Armenia. 50 TEDx events were organized in Armenia. After the founding TEDxYerevan (https://www.tedxyerevan.com ) in 2010, Ms. Sargsyan discovered that the traditional approach to public speaking wasn’t helping her speakers’ craft ideas that would impact local and international audiences. Ordinary approaches never result in extraordinary outcomes. There was an apparent need to create a new school of public speaking - a need at the heart of Sargsyan’s idea of establishing ThinkStudio (https://think-studio.org), a public speaking and leadership consulting initiative to take speakers into a whole new level of consciousness and impact by tapping into their ideation and influential storytelling potential. Kristine used the methods created in ThinkStudio to coach high ranked officials and Silicon Valley enterprisers to tell their stories from TEDx stage. ThinkStudio changed the texture of thought leadership by finding the best minds and exposing their ideas through TEDx platforms. She also worked with TED-Ed. Her TED-Ed journey started with her being selected one of the 28 TED-Ed Innovative Educators from 250000 educators worldwide in 2015 (https://blog.ed.ted.com/2015/09/01/meet-the-first-cohort-of-ted-ed-innovative-educators/). In 2016 she was invited to teach at the American University of Armenia as a Professor of Business Communication.(https://people.aua.am/team_member/kristine-sargsyan/) In 2017 She was recognized as one of the 21 remarkable women, changing the Eastern Europe (http://ostpol.de/beitrag/4828-21-remarkable-women-who-are-changing-eastern-europe ). In 2018 TED nominated her for Skoll World Forum Fellowship valuing her investment in TEDx platform (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K5e51gV2jh6OGlpc1Rql8iZAaisVM7cvdpM4aSluETQ/edit). In 2018 Ms. Sargsyan joined PicsArt as Leadership Advisor and Executive Coach for mid-level and C-Level management. In 2021 my book "Pilgrimage to the Brain" was published which targets teachers, youth and leaders.

Education, Thought Leadership, Neuroeducation, Leadership Building, Coaching, Storytelling, Mentoring

I am passionate about spreading UBUNTU philosophy and attitude. A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed.(Archbishop Desmond Tutu).Archbishop Desmond Tutu "One of the sayings in our country is Ubuntu - the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can't exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can't be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality - Ubuntu - you are known for your generosity. We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity

It's a basic human right to know how your own brain is working, but unfortunately only few privileged ones have access to such information through their sophisticated education or access to books in local languages.  TED inspired me to write a book called "Pilgrimage to your Brain" for the local communities  of our teachers and parents and students.  Have you embarked on a transformative journey through the pages of "Pilgrimage to the Brain," book: a captivating exploration that challenges our understanding of the human brain and mind. In this thought-provoking book, the author confronts the enduring myth of the "10%" brain utilization and discusses the intricate dynamics between our conscious control and the subconscious autopilots empowered by our brain and mind. Delving into the depths of philosophical inquiry, The author of "Pilgrimage to the brain book" Kristine Sargsyan unravel the enigmatic concept of freedom of thought and cognitive liberty questioning whether we truly wield mastery over our cognitive faculties or if we are mere passengers in the vessel of our own minds. Through engaging prose, she illuminates the myriad processes that unfold within our brains from the tender stages of childhood to the wisdom-filled years of old age, exploring the intricacies that shape our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Moreover, "Pilgrimage to the Brain" equips you with invaluable insights on preserving the youthfulness of your brain and shielding yourself from its cunning pitfalls. Dispelling common misconceptions, this indispensable resource reveals the untold secrets that lie hidden within the chambers of our brains, shedding light on the boundless potential that awaits our exploration. Whether you are a parent seeking to understand the inner workings of your high school kids' mind, an educator craving deeper insights into cognitive development, a leader navigating the complexities of human behavior, or simply a curious reader intrigued by the profound complexities of our most vital organ, this book is an indispensable companion. With its accessible approach and practical tips on brain care, "Pilgrimage to the Brain" will empower you to unlock the mysteries of your mind and embark on a profound journey of self-discovery.

Conflict mediation and cooking )))