TEDxShibocun Road

Speakers

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

• Daniel Burton

  Born and raised in New Zealand, Daniel Burton has spent the last decade calling Asia home — from Vietnam to his current nine years in Shanghai. A product manager by day and an explorer by spirit, he is passionate about travel, sport, photography, and most of all, the stories that unfold when we look beyond the surface.

• Eric Zeng

  An upcoming Year 7 student, Eric isn’t a businessman or an economist—he’s a young thinker who believes that love isn’t just a feeling, it’s a lifestyle built on action, kindness, and cooperation.

• Estefania Casas

  A Mexican immigrant who has called China home since 2010, Estefania Casas grew up in Jalisco surrounded by family, food, and tradition. From studying pastry in France to opening her own restaurant-CHIHUAHUA in Shanghai, she has built a life at the crossroads of cultures.

• Jojo Si

  Born and raised in Shanghai, Jojo Si’s path has been anything but linear — from teaching English and coaching fitness to exploring poetry, Taiji, and even training for her first Muay Thai fight. A curious spirit, she is learning how to embrace life’s messiness with courage, imperfection, and heart.

• Lucas van den Bogaerde

  Lucas van den Bogaerde is an eleven-year-old boy born and raised in Shanghai, who joined YK Pao Middle School last September. Lucas has many interests’ including science and technology, drawing, reading and drama. He plays the trumpet and was a member of his previous school’s award-winning Combined School Orchestra. He is also an active foil fencer and works hard to fit his training classes into his weekly schedule.

• Phoebe Maina

  Originally from Kenya and now an aerospace engineer based in China, Phoebe Maina has spent the last decade building a life that blends science, storytelling, and self-expression. From leading over 1,200 students in global education programs to hosting her podcast and contributing to cultural conversations, she has worn many hats with courage.

• Vaibhav Gupta

  From the vibrant food streets of Indore to the bustling cityscape of Shanghai, Vaibhav Gupta’s journey is one of courage, adaptation, and unexpected love. A team leader in gaming R&D and an avid explorer who has scaled 6,000m peaks, he carries with him not just professional skill but a spirit of adventure and connection.

• Vanessa Herdade

  A digital solutions leader with a decade of global experience across Paris, Lisbon, New York, and Shanghai, Vanessa Herdade works at the intersection of AI, ethics, and women’s leadership. Her guiding belief: technology must serve humanity, not replace it.

• Victoria Matveeva

  Victoria Matveeva is a cross-cultural marketing strategist and storyteller. She has led national campaigns in Russia and now works with a leading marketplace in Shanghai. Bridging business and human insight, Victoria is passionate about the ways culture shapes communication, identity, and connection. On stage, she combines strategic thinking with humor and personal narrative, exploring how we relate to one another in an increasingly complex world.

• Violetta Arzumanian

  Violetta embodies the spirit of long-termism — a community visionary who sees beyond events and moments, dedicating herself to cultures that endure. For us at TEDxShibocun Road, she is also a familiar friend — someone who has walked with our village of ideas and continues to shape it with love. Over the years, Violetta has worn many hats: coach, mentor, and cultural organizer. From empowering women’s networks to strengthening creative collectives, she has nurtured spaces where belonging is not a privilege, but a shared foundation.