TEDxRWA Youth

Speakers

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

• Aaryan Sehgal

  Student

  Aaryan Sehgal is an 11-year-old with a zest for creativity and curiosity. A passionate singer, stage performer, and badminton enthusiast, he brings energy and confidence both on stage and in everyday life. Known for being a risk-taker with a principled and empathetic nature, Aaryan values kindness and caring in every interaction. Beyond the stage, he enjoys building with LEGO, exploring new sports for fun, watching television, and playing Xbox. With a witty sense of humor and a love for food, Aaryan connects easily with people and makes every moment engaging. Whether performing a speech, singing, or simply sharing a laugh, Aaryan embodies the joy of learning, exploring, and expressing his individuality.

• Akhil Koka

  CEO

  CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, MAGURE AKHIL KOKA IS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF MAGURE, A DUBAI-BASED FULL-STACK AI INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM HELPING ENTERPRISES RESPONSIBLY SCALE AND CAPTURE BUSINESS VALUE WITH GENERATIVE AI, MACHINE LEARNING, AND STRATEGIC CONSULTING. UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP, MAGURE IS RAPIDLY BECOMING A TRUSTED PARTNER FOR GLOBAL ENTERPRISES SEEKING TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN AI AMBITION AND ENTERPRISE-GRADE EXECUTION. WITH MORE THAN 15 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE SPANNING TECHNOLOGY, STARTUPS, SUSTAINABILITY, AND LARGE-SCALE EVENTS, AKHIL HAS BUILT A CAREER AT THE INTERSECTION OF INNOVATION, COMMERCIALIZATION, AND GLOBAL GROWTH. AN ENGINEERING GRADUATE (B.E. IN INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING & MANAGEMENT) WITH AN MBA FROM THE UK, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, MAGURE AKHIL KOKA IS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF MAGURE, A DUBAI-BASED FULL-STACK AI INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM HELPING ENTERPRISES RESPONSIBLY SCALE AND CAPTURE BUSINESS VALUE WITH GENERATIVE AI, MACHINE LEARNING, AND STRATEGIC CONSULTING.

• Atish Andrade

  Educator

  ATISH EVARISTO ANDRADE, HAILING FROM GOA, INDIA HOLDS A MASTER'S DEGREE IN APPLIED GEOLOGY AND BEGAN HIS CAREER IN THE OILFIELD INDUSTRY. GUIDED BY A DEEPER PURPOSE, HE SHIFTED HIS PATH TOWARD EDUCATION, WHERE HE NOW DEDICATES HIMSELF TO EMPOWERING STUDENTS AND NURTURING START-UPS IN FINANCIAL LITERACY, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS. WITH A HEART FOR IMPACT AND A PASSION FOR CREATING CHANGE. ATISH FINDS JOY IN HELPING OTHERS GROW, DREAM, AND THRIVE.MY TALK EXPLORES LOVE AS THE MOST POWERFUL FORM OF GRAVITY-WHAT GROUNDS US, PULLS US TOGETHER, AND HAS DRIVEN HUMAN EVOLUTION. FROM THE CHEMICAL REACTIONS OF OXYTOCIN AND DOPAMINE TO THE ROLE OF LOVE IN SURVIVAL AND GROWTH, I WILL TRACE HOW THIS FORCE CARRIED US FROM SINGLE-CELLED ORGANISMS TO HOMO SAPIENS SAPIENS. I WILL ALSO HIGHLIGHT HOW MODERN DISTRACTIONS, SUCH AS SHORT REELS AND QUICK DOPAMINE HITS, ARE PULLING US AWAY FROM AUTHENTIC CONNECTION, THREATENING THE VERY EVOLUTIONARY BOND THAT BROUGHT US HERE..

• Leah Ayoub

  Student

  Leah Ayoub — TEDx Introduction At the age of 16, Leah Ayoub has distinguished herself as a dynamic and intellectually engaged young scholar. A devoted reader, she founded a literary-focused social media platform that has attracted over 4,000 followers in just one year. Alongside her deep passion for music and the piano, which she has played for over eight years, Leah has a profound enthusiasm for mathematics, physics, and engineering. She finds beauty in logical precision and joy in solving complex problems. At this year’s TEDx event, Leah offers a unique interpretation of the theme of gravity. With over three years of competitive debating experience, she approaches every exchange as an opportunity for rigorous analysis, thoughtful discourse, and meaningful connection.

• Mahina Momin

  Student

  Mahina is a passionate and curious 11-year-old who loves exploring new ideas and connecting with the world around her. As a proud Grade 6 student, she believes that age should never be a barrier to expressing thoughts, sharing stories, or making a difference. Her creativity and confidence shine through whenever she has the opportunity to speak up and be heard. With a strong interest in debating, Mahina enjoys engaging in critical-thinking discussions, solving challenging problems, and pushing herself to grow both mentally and physically. She sees every challenge as an opportunity to learn, improve, and become a better version of herself. A bold risk-taker, Mahina steps onto the stage with confidence to deliver her TED Talk—not for fame or recognition, but to inspire and motivate others. Her goal is to spark new ideas and share a message that future generations can carry forward. She believes in the power of young voices and hopes her words can encourage reflection and positive change.

• Meher Poorswani

  Student

  Meher Poorswani is a visionary student on a mission to reshape our understanding of failure. Believing that setbacks are not steps backward but rather redirections toward success, Meher eloquently challenges the conventional definition of failure. With a passion for motivating others, she envisions failure as an underrated gift that guides us to new heights. Through her compelling words and fresh perspectives, Meher inspires fellow students to embrace failure as a catalyst for growth and an essential part of the journey to success.

• Raffaele Lauria

  Student

  Raffaele Lauria was born on January 16, 2014, in Dubai, to an Italian father and a Spanish mother, making him a true citizen of the world from the very beginning. From a young age, Raffaele has carried a spark that makes him stand out. Curious, fearless, and always eager to explore something new, he prefers creating his own experiences rather than simply following what others do. While many children enjoy playing video games, Raffaele would rather build his own games and invite his friends to play and test them. He is deeply passionate about astrophysics, chess, robotics, coding, and playing the piano, using his mind as a playground for imagination and innovation. He has even begun composing original songs, including “Transportation,” which he proudly performed at RWA in front of his teachers and fellow students. But Raffaele’s spirit isn’t shaped by ideas alone—it is also powered by movement and adventure in a journey into the unknown.

• Retal AbdulJawad

  Student

  Retal Abduljawad is a 16-year-old student at RWA who finds joy in creating art with meaning and purpose. For her, creativity is more than paint on a canvas—it’s a way to question, connect, and capture the unseen forces that shape our lives. She believes every piece of art can spark reflection, challenge perspectives, and encourage people to see the world differently. Away from the studio, Retal turns to reading for wisdom and inspiration, broadening her perspective and strengthening her creative voice. Through art and words she continues to explore what holds people together and what sets them free

• Reyaansh Iyer

  Student

  Reyaansh is an enthusiastic 10-year-old Grade 5 student at RWA. He loves racing, drawing, and playing with his friends, and he dreams of becoming a Formula 1 driver one day. He has even started his own YouTube channel, AcingF1Racing, where he shares his thoughts on different aspects of F1 racing. A passionate drummer, Reyaansh is also a member of the RWA school band. At school, his favorite subjects are science and art, especially sketching and painting. He loves school so much that he would happily attend even during the holidays! When he is not studying, Reyaansh enjoys reading adventure books and building LEGO cars, combining his love for creativity, imagination, and racing.

• Varenya Bawa

  Student

  Varenya is a passionate and creative 10-year-old Grade 5 student at RWA, Dubai, who loves connecting with others and exploring new perspectives. With a strong interest in art, music, and all things colorful, she enjoys expressing herself through creativity, imagination, and exploration. Varenya finds joy in making new friends, collaborating with others, and discovering inspiration in the world around her. At RWA, she enjoys participating in activities that allow her to be innovative, curious, and engaged with her peers. Through her TEDxYouth talk, Varenya reflects on the invisible forces that shape our lives—family, kindness, and courage—showing how what grounds us can also help us soar. She thinks that even challenges and fears can become sources of strength, much like the string that helps a kite fly. Varenya is excited to be part of TEDxYouth and hopes to inspire others to embrace their own “string,” celebrate their creativity, and find the courage to explore, connect, and grow.

• Vedansh Parashar

  Student

  At just 11 years old, this Grade 6 student at RWA is full of energy and as transparent as crystal. An extrovert to the core, he is naturally gregarious, loves spending time with his friends, and is always eager to make new ones—regardless of age or background. Beyond friendships, he brings rhythm to life as a member of his school band, where he plays the keyboard. Sports are another of his many passions. He happily participates in school trials and enjoys almost every outdoor game, but his true sporting commitment is tennis, where he competes professionally in the Under-12 UAE circuit. His compassion and kindness shine through in everything he does, shaping him into a polite, helpful, and thoughtful individual. Like any Gen Z enthusiast, he also has a fascination with technology, exploring coding and the world of AI while nurturing a strong interest in mathematics and finance. Combined with his solid academics, these interests make him a truly well-rounded individual.

• Zareen Yadollahi

  Student

  Zareen is a passionate and driven Grade 10 student at RWA who thrives on exploring new ideas and connecting with others. With a strong interest in debating, she enjoys engaging in thought-provoking discussions and challenging different perspectives. Her passion for helping others is reflected in her tutoring, where she supports her peers academically and encourages collaborative learning. An avid reader, Zareen finds inspiration and knowledge across a wide range of subjects, with a particular fascination for chemistry. She is constantly seeking to deepen her understanding of the sciences. Highly social and enthusiastic, Zareen enjoys meeting new people, sharing experiences, and making meaningful contributions to her community.