TEDxDubai College

Speakers

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

• Adam Ahmad

  Student at Dubai College, UAE

• Ali-Mansur Valiyev

  Student at Dubai College, UAE

• Annika Baberwal

  Student at Dubai College, UAE

• Armaan Ahmad

  Student at Dubai College, UAE

• Aryav Odhrani

  Student at Dubai College, UAE

• Avyan Arya

  Student at Dubai College, UAE

• Cheryl Nankoo

  In this heartfelt and eye-opening talk, I'll share my personal journey of adopting two children from Sierra Leone and how the experience redefined my understanding of family, identity, and resilience. Through real stories and powerful moments, I’ll explore the challenges of navigating trauma, transitioning cultures, and parenting in the face of misunderstanding. The talk also shines a light on the hidden power of language—how well-meaning but misplaced phrases like “real mum” or “gave them up” can unintentionally harm, and what we can say instead to support adoptive families with empathy and respect. As an NLP coach and mother, I’ll reveal how the mindset of growth, flexibility, and compassion was not just something I taught — but something I had to live, every day. This isn’t just a talk about adoption. It’s a talk about love, courage, and rewriting the stories that shape us.

• Ekansh Garg

  Student at Dubai College, UAE

• Elias Soens

  Student at Dubai College, UAE

• Isabella Swan

  Student at Dubai College, UAE

• Isha Nair

  Student at Dubai College, UAE

• Kai DeBenedictis

  Student at Dubai College, UAE

• Kripa Gokal Dewani

  Passionate about simplifying health, empowering families, and building meaningful ventures. With a dynamic background in entrepreneurship and event coordination, I’ve launched and led multiple businesses—from interior design consultancy and children’s event planning to my latest venture: making healthy eating accessible through plant-based recipe development and digital content. As the creator behind @15min_mom across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, I share science-backed nutrition insights and create 15-minute recipes designed for busy lives. My content is rooted in my academic background as a scientist and certified Nutrition Science professional (Stanford Center for Health Education), and inspired by the real-life challenges of raising a family. Beyond digital, I am a motivational speaker and wellness educator, focusing on healthy eating for families, positive parenting, and habit-building.

• Kriyena Dewani

  Student at Dubai College, UAE

• Layla Ali

  Student at Dubai College, UAE

• Nicholas Paillart

  As the Managing Partner of Liberte Capital, his leadership is rooted in ethical practices and strategic growth, with a strong focus on fostering social responsibility. The team is dedicated to creating fair value for a diverse clientele, including institutions and high net worth individuals. His competencies in new business development and strategic thinking have been instrumental in guiding Liberte through stages of accelerated growth and market development. In collaboration with a skilled team, he has successfully embraced the challenges of entering new markets and driving consolidation through acquisitions. These experiences have not only refined his strategic acumen but also reinforced his commitment to sustainable, stakeholder-focused business models.

• Prisha Odhrani

  Student at Dubai College, UAE

• Riya Mehra

  Student at Dubai College, UAE

• Samer Zaghlowl

  Teacher at Dubai College

• Sanaaya Patel

  Student at Dubai College, UAE

• Shahinda Baig

  She helps organizations thrive by turning complexity into clarity. With a rich blend of psychology, change management, and learning design, she creates strategies that empower people, transform cultures, and elevate performance. Over the past 20+ years, she has worked across Operations, Academia, Learning & Development, Quality Assurance, and Customer Experience—each role sharpening her ability to lead transformation from the inside out. Whether guiding a crew at 40,000 feet or shaping future leaders in the boardroom or the classroom, she brings insight, empathy, and energy to every interaction. Her approach is always human-centered, outcomes-focused, and rooted in the belief that growth should feel as good as it looks on paper. She has recently applied to pursue a PhD in Occupational Mental Health & Resilience to deepen this work further.

• Simran Mehra

  Student at Dubai College, UAE

• Syed Ahmad Azim

  Student at Dubai College, UAE

• Yosr Hamza

  She is the Head of Legal and Director of Legal and Compliance at Gartner, overseeing legal, compliance, and ombuds functions across the Middle East. With over 14 years in the role, she provides strategic counsel to senior leaders, leads high-value transactions, and ensures alignment with local and global regulations. She is deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), co-founding the Legal and Compliance Inclusion Council at Gartner and serving on several advisory boards and employee networks. Recognised for her thought leadership and impact in DEIB and disability advocacy, she is a frequent speaker, author, and mentor. Beyond her legal work, she is a proud caregiver and fierce advocate for her son, who lives with Lissencephaly. Together, they champion disability rights and gender equity, striving to build a world where differences are celebrated—a world that is inclusive, accessible, and equitable for all.

• Zohaib Gahfoor

  Student at Dubai College, UAE