TEDxArendal

Speakers

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

• Anna Turvoll

  What if the key to transforming a centuries-old industry isn’t abandoning tradition, but reimagining it? With a distinguished background spanning high finance at Goldman Sachs, Clean Energy, and Agri-Tech, Anna is recognized as one of Norway’s influential leaders in Kapital’s 40 under 40 list. She brings rare insight to one of humanity’s most urgent challenges: feeding billions more sustainably. As CEO and Chair of Völur, she is dedicated to revolutionizing the global meat industry. Her approach? It's about harnessing the analytical power of AI to optimize the entire value chain. Anna's experience extends from scaling one of Australia's fastest growing start-ups, to investing in Natural Capital assets to for significant productivity gains. Anna's not interested in quick fixes or lecturing consumers; instead, she demonstrates that sustainability thrives not on idealism alone, but on data, dialogue, and daring ideas, all grounded in integrity.

• Babang Deshommes

  Babang Deshommes is a content creator, cinematographer and certified UAS operator (EASA Specific Category), specializing in FPV drone flight and cinematic storytelling. Born in Haiti and now based in Northern Norway, Babang developed his drone practice after moving to Tromsø and discovering the stark beauty of arctic landscapes. He brings together adrenaline, precision, and artistry. His FPV work, free from camera stabilization gizmos, pushes boundaries, capturing raw motion and emotional depth at speeds and angles most cameras can’t. His award-winning videos have transformed how we see mountains, fjords and skies, and his mission is to let audiences experience flight like a bird, not just observe landscapes, but feel them from within.

• Berit Lie

  Berit's deep commitment to addressing grief and stigma is rooted in a profound personal tragedy. Berit found her younger brother, Rune, dead from an overdose. The two shared an inseparable bond. Rune fought addiction for many years, carrying a heavy burden of systemic and interpersonal stigma from society in his struggle to become free from substance use disorders. After his death, Berit found that this stigma, is passed on to the bereaved, leading to social and systemic isolation. She other bereaved individuals are now working to establish EVR, Norway’s first association dedicated exclusively to those bereaved by substance-related death. Through this work, she aims to give the bereaved a voice in society, influence necessary changes in the help they receive, and work to replace shame with solidarity. Her expertise is derived from living through the crisis and observing the deep systemic failures in the encounter with bereaved families

• Complete Drums

  Complete Drums is a Norwegian drumline and performance group from Oslo, founded in 2007. Known for their powerful mix of rhythm, theatre and visual storytelling, they bring percussion to life with light, motion and dramatic intensity. With 8–19 performers on stage, they merge precision drumming with stagecraft to create immersive shows that move far beyond traditional marching rhythms. Complete Drums has collaborated with renowned artists and dancers, and performed at major cultural events and festivals across Norway. Their performances fuse energy, artistry and storytelling — reminding us that rhythm is a universal language

• Dominic Brunfors-Gorham

  Dominic Gorham is Guest Relations Manager at Sommerro House in Oslo. Born in London and educated at Wimbledon College and Kingsway Princeton, he brings 45 years of hospitality experience from London, Paris, and Oslo. After an early football adventure and a creative detour in music, Dominic found his true calling in hospitality — with Paris as his foundation. Now part of the Strawberry family under Petter Stordalen, he brings warmth and flair to every guest experience. Off duty, you’ll find him knee-deep in a river, fly fishing for trout — his “sound of silence.” A passionate sportsman, Dominic plays nearly every ball sport, but his greatest loyalty is to Chelsea FC.

• Einar Duenger Bøhn

  Einar Duenger Bøhn is professor of philosophy and multi artist. He has published several articles, books, podcast-series and music, as well as exhibited drawings and paintings. He is also a regular guest on both national radio and TV in Norway.

• Elisabeth Austad Asser

  With over 20 years of experience in digital transformation in major Norwegian companies, Elisabeth Austad Asser brings a rare combination of technological insight and ethical depth. She holds a PhD in AI and Ethics and is the author of The Power of Technology: How AI Tempts, Seduces and Holds Power — and What We Can Do About It (2025). She has served as Director of Sustainability in one of Norway’s largest banks, working at the intersection of technology, ethics, and societal responsibility. A sought-after speaker and prominent public voice, she contributes actively to national debates on artificial intelligence and its impact on society. Her work explores how technology shapes human behaviour, redistributes power, and transforms the choices available to us — and what it will take to ensure a future aligned with human values.

• Geir Karlsen

  Geir Karlsen is the founder of Antisink, a Norwegian company developing technology that prevents vessels from sinking – whether due to sudden flooding, technical failure, or critical damage. His work began after witnessing fatal maritime accidents along the Norwegian coast and his many years at sea, driving him to create solutions that give people more time to survive. With years of hands-on engineering experience, he has led the development of systems now used by the Norwegian Armed Forces, rescue services, and professional operators. Geir combines practical field insight with a deep understanding of how quickly emergencies at sea can escalate. His mission is simple: to protect lives and the ocean by making maritime incidents more survivable.

• Hedvig Montgomery

  Hedvig Montgomery is one of Norways most renowned psychologists and a specialist in family and couples therapy. Montgomery is a co-owner of the private practice Montgomery AS and is the author og the internationally bestselling book series “Foreldremagi” (“Parental Magic”), which has been translated into 23 different languages. In collaboration with Aftenposten, she hosts the weekly podcast and magazine column “Foreldrekoden” (“The Parenting Code”).

• Idd Aziz

  Idd Aziz is a Kenyan-born singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose music is rooted in African tradition and shaped by a global journey. He began performing at the age of 13 and was touring internationally by 15. Over the years, Idd has developed a unique sound that blends voice, percussion, flute and guitar into powerful, genre-defying performances. His work bridges cultures and connects audiences through rhythm, energy and emotional presence. Whether on large festival stages or in intimate settings, Idd’s goal remains the same: to use music as a tool for connection, awareness and joy.

• Marianne Natvik

  Marianne Natvik is a dedicated general practitioner, researcher and author with a profound commitment to women's health, particularly focusing on the menopause transition. She has worked for several years in hospitals with women's health and as a general practitioner in Oslo. Her mission is to enhance care for women in midlife by fostering open conversations about this significant life stage. With a balanced approach that respects the challenges while promoting a sense of optimism, she emphasizes that this is a time where women can influence their lives, and encourages seeking help when needed.

• René Konings

  René Konings is a Norwegian contemporary artist who focuses on transforming overlooked and discarded materials from urban environments into meaningful works of art. By exploring the unnoticed details in our cities, he reveals the hidden stories and beauty that often go unnoticed. His works are like time capsules, reflecting the past while prompting us to engage with the present and future potential of our surroundings. René’s work invites viewers to reconsider their perceptions of value and abundance, emphasizing the potential of what is typically deemed waste. Through beauty, he explores this topic with a commitment to sustainability, encouraging reflection on the relationship between art and the environment. His artistic practice challenges us to see the extraordinary within our everyday lives.

• Steven Feraru

  Steven is a communicator, creative strategist, and lifelong observer of how language shapes human behavior. He has produced hundreds of videos, coached leaders on how to present themselves online, and worked internationally — from Spain to the United States — where he discovered firsthand how accents transform the way we’re perceived. His work sits at the intersection of identity, culture, and communication, and he brings humor to every stage he steps on. Steven’s accessible style, honest storytelling, and cross-cultural experience make him a trusted guide to understanding the voices we all carry.

• Victoria Bakka

  Victoria Bakka is a Norwegian artist and writer/composer. She releases her music through her own label, VSB-Music. She has previously performed on stage with artists such as Sissel Kyrkjebø and Alexander Rybak.

• Yngvar Ugland

  Yngvar Ugland is a bold innovator who blends analytical depth with creative flair. As head of DNB’s NewTechLab and Innovation & Science Fellow, he pushes boundaries through tech, curiosity, and collaboration. With a background in mathematics and global leadership — and a twist as a stand-up comedian — he turns complex ideas into inspiring stories. He’s currently pursuing an Industry PhD in Artificial Intelligence and has served as Industry Professor II at NHH. In 2023, he was nominated “Nordic AI Influencer of the Year,” and in 2024, named “Nordic AI Professional of the Year” and featured on the cover of the Top 100 Nordics in AI magazine. Yngvar is also the author of several books, most recently The Moonshots Method — a guide to daring thinking and doing.