TEDxGoodShepherdIntlSchool

Speakers

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

• Anand Jeyasingh

  Career Counsellor

  Anand is a career and guidance counsellor at Good Shepherd International School, Ooty, with extensive experience supporting students through academic pathways and college applications in India and abroad. A STEM enthusiast and keen observer, he brings a thoughtful, analytical approach to student guidance. His work goes beyond admissions, focusing on helping learners identify their strengths, interests, and values to make informed, confident choices. With a multidisciplinary background, he contributes to building structured, student-centred guidance frameworks within schools.

• Grace Gauravi

  Teacher of Biology

  Curious, thoughtful, and quietly bold, Grace is an educator at heart who believes learning should shape lives, not just careers. With more than two decades of experience mentoring young minds, leading curriculum design, and championing integrity, she blends science, empathy, and humor to create spaces where growth, questions, and individuality thrive.She is drawn to clarity and clever ideas, and loves to balance practicality with imagination. With a disarming sense of humor, she loves to explore growth, nuance, and the moments that make us pause—and rethink what we assume to be true.

• Ishan Varshnei

  Co-Founder and CEO of Latambercem Brewers

  Ishan is the co-founder and CEO of Latambarcem Brewers, known for its innovative approach to beer and kombucha. A former New York hedge fund analyst, he made a bold shift from Wall Street to Goa to build a purpose-driven beverage company. With a background in engineering and finance, he approaches creation through research, intent, and experimentation. His journey reflects how a single, courageous decision can set off a ripple—reshaping paths, purpose, and possibility far beyond its starting point.

• Kirti Chalam

  AI Strategist and Sportsperson

  Kirti is an AI Strategy Lead at British Telecom and a mother to an eight-year-old, seamlessly balancing leadership with elite endurance sport. An accomplished endurance athlete and mountaineer, she has completed three Super Randonneur series—200, 300, 400, and 600 km rides—and is the only woman in India to complete an SR on a fixed-gear bicycle. Her longest ride is a 1200 km brevet completed in 94 hours. She is also a passionate open-water swimmer, having swum across the English Channel and the Catalina Channel, and has attempted the iconic Alcatraz to Golden Gate Bridge crossing. In addition, she is an aspiring triathlete who has completed 5150 distance and 70.3 Ironman events. Her story challenges conventions and redefines what endurance, focus, and determination can achieve, creating extraordinary ripples.

• Madhivathani B

  Student at Model School, Coonoor

  Madhivathani is a student from Government Model School, The Nilgiris, originally from Gudalur, pursuing Bio-Computer Science. A confident speaker with multiple state-level accolades, she is also a state-level chess player and practices the traditional martial art silambam. Beyond academics, she enjoys mono-act dramatics, storytelling, and writing. Known for her warmth and helpful nature, she is an active student leader who brings creativity, discipline, and enthusiasm to her school community.

• Nikhil Isaac

  Real Estate Development Expert, Turnaround Specialist and visionary Author

  Nikhil J Isaac works in the business of shaping skylines, but his deeper fascination is shaping freedom. A real estate development specialist with over a decade of experience across luxury projects, investment strategy, and sustainable design, he brings both rigor and imagination to the future of cities. Educated at IMD Lausanne, Switzerland, one of the world’s most exclusive business schools, Nikhil brings a global perspective to the future of property and investing. He is also the author of recently published “Fabulously Financially Free”, a book that reframes wealth not as accumulation of money, but as architecture: something intentional, human, and designed.

• Nithin Jayaraj

  Fitness Influencer and Trainer

  Nithin is a traditional fitness trainer and a pioneer in bringing Indian strength tools to the mainstream. He founded Shredded Farmer in 2017 to revive traditional training and reshape India’s fitness culture. Having trained over 10,000 clients and built a 110k+ community, he specialises in tools like the Gada, Persian meels, and Sumtola, focusing on functional strength, joint resilience, and sustainable fitness that creates a lasting ripple of impact.

• Raghunandan Saraf

  Founder and Owner of Saraf Furniture

  Raghunandan Saraf is the Founder and Owner of Saraf Furniture, one of India’s leading direct-to-consumer solid wood furniture brands. Hailing from Sardarshahar, Rajasthan, he represents a family legacy deeply rooted in furniture manufacturing and exports. In 2009, he founded Insaraf.com with a clear vision: to bring handcrafted Sheesham wood furniture directly to Indian consumers by eliminating intermediaries. Under his leadership, the brand has evolved into a nationally recognised name, offering thousands of products through experience centres in major cities and a robust digital platform. Mr. Raghunandan is widely regarded for seamlessly blending traditional craftsmanship with modern, technology-driven retail.

• Riddi Viswanathan

  Founder of Generation Purple and Educationist

  She is an educationist and entrepreneur, and the founder of Generation Purple, an edtech platform that empowers students with career clarity and character education through trusted digital tools. She is an alumna of the University of Manchester and the University of Oxford. Riddi became the first Indian international student elected Executive Officer and Trustee at the University of Manchester Students’ Union, advocating for reforms to enhance student representation and access. She also led 400,000 students in the UK as an Overseas Representative. She has spoken at esteemed forums, including the British and European Parliaments, the Times Higher Education Summit, and leading universities, and her work has been featured by BBC, The New York Times, Forbes India, The Hindu, and The Guardian.

• Santhosh M

  Student at Nanjandu School, Ootacamund

  Santhosh M’s journey begins at Nanjanadu Government School, Madurai, where curiosity and resilience shaped his path. An avid sports enthusiast—passionate about volleyball, kabaddi, and kho-kho—he balances athletic energy with a love for reading and exploration. Drawn to physics, analytics, and financial markets, he thrives on problem-solving and continuous learning. Grounded by helping his parents on their farm, Santhosh carries strength from nature and community — values that quietly echo in his reflections on the ripples created by kindness.

• Sreyansh Auddy

  Student at Good Shepherd International School

  Sreyansh is a computer science and mathematics student with a strong interest in artificial intelligence and software development. Drawn to understanding how systems think and adapt, he hopes to build AI tools that support clearer decision-making. Shaped by periods of change and uncertainty, he has developed a thoughtful, analytical approach to problems—one that values reflection, pattern recognition, and intent. What began as overthinking has become a strength, guiding how he learns, observes, and builds.

• Vadivelan S

  Entrepreneur

  Vadivelan is a self-made visionary entrepreneur and social contributor from Tamil Nadu. Despite not completing his college education, he has developed an advanced ERP software under his leadership and gone on to build impactful enterprises. He is a Director of Anantham Silks, now a leading retail brand in Tamil Nadu with seven branches, supporting nearly 3,000 families. Beyond business, his notable establishments include Meera Maternity, a hospital in Kumbakonam, and the Third Eye Foundation, an organisation that conducts cleanliness drives in villages, promoting national development and public awareness. At TEDx, he shares lessons from a self-made journey that highlights how individual choices and perseverance can create a ripple of impact.