TEDxBellevueWomen

Speakers

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

• Annette Diggs

  Scientist, Humanitarian, Mountaineer, Founder of EDGE Outdoors

  Annette Diggs is a scientist, certified ski instructor, mountaineer, and humanitarian whose work lives at the intersection of equity, adventure, and transformation. She is the founder of EDGE Outdoors, a Black woman-led organization redefining who belongs in mountain spaces by creating pathways for Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color to access snow sports, outdoor leadership, and wellness. Annette’s early life was shaped by invisible boundaries and systemic barriers—and rare moments of access that shattered them. These experiences seeded her unwavering belief that exposure is a catalyst for change. Annette is a 2024–2025 WISE Seattle Woman of Inspiration and serves on Ski California DEI Task Force, Snowsports Industries America’s Inclusion Committee, and USHPA Women’s Committee. With over a decade of experience uplifting marginalized communities and leading humanitarian work in Cuba and Tanzania, she is reshaping the narrative of who leads, who belongs, and who thrives in the wild.

• Dr. Megan Shen

  Social Psychologist, Associate Professor, Death, Dying and Grief Expert

  Dr. Shen is a social psychologist and Associate Professor at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and Society of Behavioral Medicine and a leading expert on death, dying, and grief. Her life’s work focuses on how to support patients living with serious illness and their loved ones. She has seen how we can not only accept losses in our lives, but these losses can catapult us into more joyful and meaningful versions of our lives. Dr. Shen’s research is funded through the National Institutes of Health, and her work has been featured in Science, USA Today, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, and Forbes. She has appeared on NPR and CBS News LA and is a regular contributor to Psychology Today. You can read her writing on her Substack newsletter, Light in the Wound, which blends narrative and science to teach micro lessons about how we can grow from the hard spots in life and ultimately find joy, hope, and resilience.

• Kat Lieu

  Award Winning Cookbook Author, Advocate, Founder of Subtle Asian Baking

  Kat Lieu is an award-winning cookbook author and founder of Subtle Asian Baking, a global online community celebrating Asian-inspired baking. Her debut book, Modern Asian Baking at Home, became an Amazon and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller. Her upcoming cookbook, 108 Asian Cookies (Voracious, October 2025), showcases nostalgic and innovative recipes inspired by Asian flavors and stories. A former Doctor of Physical Therapy, Kat transitioned into food writing and content creation full time. She’s a contributing writer for Parade, Simply Recipes, and Tasting Table, and was recognized as a 2024 Toni Tipton-Martin IACP Award winner and a 425 Magazine “40 Under 40” honoree. Kat serves on the board of The Very Asian Foundation, where she launched the Creators Grant to support second-career creatives. Kat is passionate about promoting cultural representation in food media, challenging stereotypes, amplifying AAPI voices, and hosting fundraisers to support meaningful causes.

• Kathy Green

  Chemist, Tech Founder, CEO of CargoCheck

  A chemist turned tech founder, Kathy Green acknowledges that while human institutions are inherently imperfect, imperfection is an opportunity to keep leveling up, not a reason to give up. With decades of experience across chemical operations, logistics, and commercial roles, she has led international product lines, rebuilt relationships after business disputes, and contributed marketing strategies to startups in China. These experiences deepened her belief in the power of learning by doing. Kathy carries that belief into her work preventing chemical delivery mistakes and into grassroots volunteering in schools, Scout troops, and water safety advocacy. Her efforts have helped protect workers and communities, build cross-sector partnerships, and mentor young people to lead with care and courage. Kathy believes the best institutions are grounded in dignity, accountability, and curiosity. That foundation allows us to move forward with thoughtful progress over elusive perfection.

• Lakshmi Nidamarthi

  Technologist, Visionary Leader, Advocate, Founder of Waymakers

  Lakshmi Nidamarthi is a technologist and visionary leader with over two decades of experience building technology, product, and business strategies at some of the world’s most influential companies. She believes technology—especially AI—should serve as a bridge between profit and purpose, driving innovation and solving real-world challenges. As the founder of Waymakers, Lakshmi helps purpose-driven startups thrive by connecting them with investors, operators, and advisors, empowering entrepreneurs to deliver meaningful impact at scale. Lakshmi is a passionate advocate for education and neurodiversity and Chairs the Governance Committee at the Washington Autism Alliance and volunteers with Amrita Seattle and the Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project. She has a bachelor's degree in Computer Science Engineering and a master's degree in Artificial Intelligence. Lakshmi is deeply committed to using technology – especially AI – to advance human potential and serve communities everywhere.