TEDxUttara

Speakers

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

• Amitabh Reza Chowdhury

  Amitabh Reza Chowdhury is one of Bangladesh’s most visionary directors and storytellers. With nearly 1,500 TV commercials to his name, he redefined the visual language of advertising in the country. His early television films like Hawa Ghar and series such as Bondhon showcased a rare ability to narrate everyday life with cinematic depth and honesty. As the founder of Half Stop Down, he built not just a production house but a creative ecosystem that nurtures talent and pushes boundaries. His theatrical debut, Aynabaj, became a cultural phenomenon – reshaping modern Bangladeshi cinema and proving that rooted, local stories can thunder onto the global stage. At TEDxUttara, Amitabh steps away from polish to speak from the heart in Bengali – about fear, chronic illness, and the Krishnachura tree outside a hospital window that taught him the art of seeing. His talk is a quiet, raw meditation on why we keep searching for truth, even when we may never find it.

• Badal Syed

  Badal Syed is the President of the Taxes Appellate Tribunal in Bangladesh – but his work reaches far beyond the courtroom. A celebrated writer and dedicated social activist, he has spent his career bridging the gap between justice and community. Through his legal leadership, Badal Syed has strengthened transparency, accountability, and fairness within one of the nation's most critical sectors. Yet his impact does not stop at the bench. As a writer, he uses the power of words to spark thought, question norms, and give voice to social issues often left unspoken. His writings reflect depth, empathy, and a fierce dedication to truth. Badal Syed is also a driving force behind "Paid Forward Bangladesh," a mentorship and support network that has transformed impossible lives from a girl once sold for $2 now pursuing a PhD, to a street boy who became a mechanical engineer accepted to Stanford.

• Dr. Scott Leckman

  Dr. Scott Leckman is a distinguished general surgeon from Salt Lake City, Utah, whose four-decade career stretches far beyond the operating room. As a long‑time leader of RESULTS and the RESULTS Educational Fund, he has helped build political will to end poverty – championing maternal and child health, fighting HIV, TB and malaria, and expanding access to microfinance opportunities. His commitment to action led him to launch the Health Access Project, securing over $26 million in donated healthcare for underserved communities. He has volunteered countless hours as a surgeon with global missions, including Project HOPE and Hernia International. Dr. Leckman’s service has earned him Utah’s Doctor of the Year, the presidency of the Utah Medical Association, a Rotary District Governorship, and Rotary’s Regional Award for a Polio‑Free World. At TEDxUttara, he shares a powerful lesson: when service becomes a lifelong mission, possibility becomes global impact.

• Faathia Aayat

  Faathia Aayat is a 14‑year‑old Bangladeshi climate campaigner and one of the world’s youngest voices to address the United Nations. At just seven years old, she spoke at the UN ECOSOC Chamber. She later addressed the 74th UN General Assembly on child abuse, gender inequality, and domestic violence – defending the vulnerable with a courage far beyond her years. Her advocacy continued at Harvard University’s UNICEF Club Conference, where she championed climate mitigation and sustainable adaptation. She also contributed as a stakeholder in shaping the Glasgow Agreement at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Scotland, directly influencing global climate policy. At TEDxUttara, Faathia shares a simple yet profound lesson: your potential is not defined by what you achieve – but by the confidence you carry while striving. Her talk is an invitation to believe in the power of possibility, no matter your age.

• 𝗔𝗶𝗔 𝗟𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗸𝘆

  From confinement to cosmic creativity, his art rose where freedom could not reach. AiA Lemonsky, widely known as Asif Iqbal, is a musician, composer, architect, and the powerful voice behind Kaaktaal. His journey began in one of the most unexpected places, a five-year imprisonment where music became his refuge and creativity his form of liberation. Within those walls, he wrote, sketched, and composed, transforming adversity into art and silence into soulful expression. After his release, he returned not defined by his past, but refined by it, an artist reborn. His core philosophy is to connect with the audience while performing live. Some of the popular tracks by Asif Iqbal and his band include 'Abar Dekha Hole', 'Dhulo', 'Kichu Nei', 'Odbhut', 'Chorki', 'Jhoruk Nirjhar', 'Bhoy' and 'Shiuli'.Today, his work continues to inspire young creators to embrace authenticity, turn pain into purpose, and reclaim their own narratives.

• 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗶 𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹

  From village looms to international runways, Bibi Russell has carried Bangladesh to the global stage with pride and purpose. A pioneering fashion designer, she has redefined fashion as a platform for culture, dignity, and national identity. Her first European fashion show in Paris in 1996, supported by UNESCO, marked a historic milestone for South Asian women. Through global showcases, award-winning costume design, and international recognition, including the Cross of Officer of the Order of Queen Isabella, she has consistently championed Bangladeshi heritage. Her journey reflects creativity, resilience and an enduring commitment to empowering artisans and preserving tradition.

• 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘇𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻

  A voice that sparked dialogue and a legal mind committed to justice. Manzur Al Matin, Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, has built his journey on courage, conviction, and a deep belief in youth-led change. From the courtroom to civic spaces, he has actively shaped conversations around rights, representation, and accountability. His contribution during the July Movement stands as a testament to his leadership, where his legal guidance and steady support empowered students to raise their voices with clarity and confidence. For him, justice is not merely a profession, but a responsibility, one that inspires young minds to embrace civic courage and informed action.

• 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗵𝘂

  When creativity refuses to remain silent, it transforms into impact. Morshed Mishu has powerfully merged art and activism, turning imagination into meaningful community change. From his globally recognized cartoon-to-reality transformations to initiatives like “Felna Khelna Telna Deyal,” he has used creativity to rebuild spaces, restore hope, and reconnect communities. His contribution to Dr. Muhammad Yunus’ photo book The Art of Triumph further highlights his role in documenting moments of resistance and resilience. His journey proves that art is more than expression, it is influence, empowerment, and the catalyst for new possibilities.

• 𝗞𝗶𝘀𝗵𝘄𝗮𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗱𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘆

  𝗔 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲, 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲. From captivating the world as the first South Asian female finalist on MasterChef Australia to elevating Bengali flavors into the realm of fine dining, 𝗞𝗶𝘀𝗵𝘄𝗮𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗱𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘆 has carved her own place in the international culinary landscape. Her craft goes far beyond food, she uses cuisine as a powerful language of heritage, memory and belonging. Trained under Michelin-starred Chef Masahiko Yomoda, she blends refined technique with the soul of South Asian traditions, creating experiences that celebrate both native ingredients and contemporary artistry. Her advocacy work spans globally, representing multicultural voices for Cricket Australia and serving as a goodwill ambassador for the UN World Food Program etc.