TEDxInternationalCollegeBeirut

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Ahmad El Sayed

  Ahmad Sayed is an Elementary School student who likes sports, especially basketball. For him, communication is essential for understanding each other.

• Alexia Maria Dermosessian

  Alexia is passionate about reading, traveling, and exploring new experiences, always cherishing the memories she creates along the way. Her curiosity has always been drawn to biology and chemistry, especially their impact on everyday life. A tennis player with a drive for academic excellence, she has a deep passion for both medicine and psychology.

• Aly Bazzi

  Aly maintains an active lifestyle that is reflected in his dedication to Muay Thai, volleyball, and his involvement in the school’s track and field team. He is currently studying Chinese and is also in the process of launching his own clothing brand. Ali envisions a future in either finance or medicine, with particular interest in orthopedics and neuroscience.

• Cyrine El Khatib

  Cyrine is deeply passionate about sports, particularly football and track and field. She thrives on social interaction and has a keen interest in understanding the motivations behind people’s actions. This curiosity, coupled with her experiences as an athlete, has sparked a fascination with how various factors—such as motivation and behavior—impact performance and interactions in competitive environments.

• David Lanza

  David Lanza has been a teacher at the International College since 2021. In the Secondary School, he teaches IBDP History and Global Politics and also serves as the Theory of Knowledge subject coordinator. David comes from a multicultural background—with an Indian mother, an Italian father, while he himself was raised in the midwestern suburbs of the US. This blend of cultures shaped his worldview and fueled his passion for learning about the world.

• Ezel Mahmud

  Ezel is an Elementary School student who enjoys school life . He loves sports and he is a Lebanese swimming champion.

• Haya El Sayed

  Music has always been the heartbeat of Haya’s everyday life; whether she’s composing something new or simply letting her fingers dance across the keys, Haya believes that piano is more than an instrument. It’s her way of telling stories in a way that words could never capture. Through music, she has found comfort, creativity, and connection.

• Jad Al Fakhani

  Jad Fakhani, known as @wolfofbey, is the founder of Whiteberry Media and an 8-figure entrepreneur. After his family went bankrupt, he dropped out of college to support them — facing debt, uncertainty, and failure. But through relentless determination and continuous learning, he built multiple successful brands and developed systems that have helped over 4,500 students and launched more than 3,200 businesses. He was also recognized on Forbes 30 Under 30.

• Jad El Sayed

  Jad is a grade five student. He loves basketball, and enjoys playing the guitar.

• Julia Toramanian

  Julia is interested in pursuing a career in engineering. She loves reading, her favorite author is a Japanese writer named Haruki Murakami. She likes sci-fi movies and series.

• Karim Azhari

  Karim is an Elementary School student who likes to sing, play, study and dive into conversations with his friends.

• Layan Abughazaleh

  Layan Abughazaleh, is in grade five. She likes rock climbing, ice skating, contortion, and making art.

• Marina Semaan

  Marina is a Middle School student who is passionate about music, basketball, and movies—just a few of the many things that shape who she is.

• Mikaela Chalhoub

  Mikaela loves music, especially composing. She also dances ballet and writes books . She is an art-oriented person which is why most of her hobbies are art-influenced.

• Mohammad Abbas

  Mohammad is a grade five student. His favorite hobbies are football and karting.

• Myriame Karam

  Myriame is a dedicated athlete, competing internationally in alpine skiing for Lebanon and representing her school’s national team in swimming. Beyond sports, she finds solace in playing the piano, using music as a way to quiet her mind. A natural extrovert, she thrives on meeting new people and expanding her social circle. With unwavering determination, she pursues her academic goals, striving for admission to her dream university.

• Nay Moukalled

  Nay is an elementary School student. She likes dancing a lot and treasures human relations.

• Noor Shehade

  she loves all sports but swimming is her passion. She has been swimming since the age of three, and it has taught her the importance of hard work and perseverance. With support, she learned to never give up on her dreams.

• Nour Al Huda Shehadeh

  Nour El Houda has a strong interest in all aspects of disaster management, including first aid, rappelling, and firefighting. Currently, she is an active member of both the first response and firefighting team. Driven by a deep respect for human life, she firmly believes that every individual is worth the effort it takes to save them. In addition to her passion for emergency response, she has a love for mathematics and is aspiring to pursue a career in medicine.

• Rami Tabbara

  Rami is a naturally outgoing individual who thrives on meeting new people and forming connections. His deep passion for travel has fueled a fascination with aviation and airplanes, shaping his aspirations for the future. Whether pursuing a career as a pilot or exploring opportunities in finance, he is eager to chart his own path.

• Rhea Alameddine

  Rhea is an adventurous and inquisitive individual who thrives on traveling and discovering new places, cultures, and experiences. The excitement of exploring the unknown, whether it's a new destination or a fresh idea, drives her curiosity. Always eager to learn, grow, and embrace new opportunities, she welcomes every adventure that comes her way.

• Riwa Alameh

  Riwa has always balanced a deep appreciation for independence with a strong sense of community. While she enjoys working autonomously—whether sketching, constructing models, or bringing her designs to life—she also finds fulfillment in collaborative environments. Her passion for problem-solving and creative decision-making thrives both in personal projects and group settings, such as her involvement in the architecture club, Ali Ghandour Center (AGC), or moments spent with friends.

• Sami Zeidan

  Sami is passionate about a variety of sports, including football, boxing, and chess. He deeply values honesty and prioritizes relationships that are grounded in trust and integrity. With a curious and open mindset, he enjoys exploring new hobbies and continuously developing his skills. Looking ahead, Sami aspires to pursue a career that enables him to make a meaningful and positive impact on others.

• Sarah El Bardan

  Sarah is an Elementary School student. One of her favorite hobbies is skiing as it gives her a sense of freedom.

• Shalimar Sinno

  Shalimar's professional journey began with a BS in Landscape Design and Ecosystem Management, followed by a diploma in Agricultural Engineering. She then ventured into the NGO sector, where she discovered her passion for community work, leading her to pursue a Master’s in Rural Community Development. She has spent the last five years as the Assistant Head of the Ali Ghandour Center for Leadership, Diversity, and Civic Engagement at IC.

• Tala Flayhan

  Tala Flayhan is currently pursuing architecture in AUB. Tala is playing a chess match with life. With every move, she finds a piece of the puzzle that reveals what her life is trying to teach her. From working at a hair salon at the age of 14, to receiving a scholarship to IC Ali Ghandour Center (AGC) and bravely leading a project about harassment, then receiving a full scholarship to AUB, she learned a lesson from every minor and major event that happened in those years.

• Walid Shourbaji

  Walid is a Secondary School student . He assumes the role of class representative which is a role that has allowed him to explore various systems of decision-making. When he came across the concept of Lottocracy, he saw its potential and adapted it into a more effective model.

• Ward Moukalled

  Ward is interested in topics such as economics, politics and psychology. He finds these passions as a gateway for him to understand his actions and those around him.

• Ward Nasr

  Ward enjoys connecting with others and finds joy in making people smile. She values meaningful interactions, spending quality time with those around her, and being in environments that foster personal growth and inner peace.

• Yasmina Bou Alia

  Yasmina consistently challenges herself to push her limits, striving for personal growth and improvement both in her passions and academics. She finds joy in spending quality time with family and friends.

• Ziad Jreijiri

  Ziad is the cofounder and CEO of Oreyeon, building A.I. for airports to optimize safety and operations. He has a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Balamand and a Master's degree in Aerospace Vehicule Design from Cranfield University.