TEDxTASIS England Youth

Speakers

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

• Andrei Vavilov

  Student (TASIS England)

  Andrei is a Grade 8 student with a strong interest in technology, economics, and the natural world. His commitment to environmental action includes helping to clear invasive plant species from a forest in Sintra-Cascais, an experience that deepened his understanding of ecological balance. He is particularly interested in the environmental cost of artificial intelligence and hopes to explore ways to advance AI while reducing its impact on nature. Curious about how AI might shape fields such as medicine, Andrei aspires to study technology and economics in depth and one day build a company that uses innovation to create meaningful progress.

• Arata Miyazaki

  Student (TASIS England)

  Arata is a Grade 5 student at TASIS England who recently moved from Japan to the United Kingdom and is continuing to develop his English language skills. He is deeply passionate about environmental issues and is already thinking critically about how individuals can help make the world a better place for future generations. Arata proudly presents his talk in both English and Japanese, reflecting his cultural identity and his journey as a multilingual learner. Outside the classroom, he enjoys exploring new experiences, including performing in a music concert on the clarinet for the first time and participating in soccer, rugby, and baseball at school. Through his curiosity, courage, and global outlook, Arata represents the power of young voices in shaping tomorrow.

• Ariyana Shah

  Student at TASIS England

  Ariyana Shah is a 6th grade student who wants to inspire everyone to travel and experience new cultures so they can learn about their traditions, foods, music and daily life to broaden their minds and perspectives. From a young age, she has travelled extensively with her family, exploring over 20 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe and North America. Some of her favourite expreriences include walking through glaciers in Iceland, visiting the World EXPO in Dubai, cycling through the backstreets of Bangkok, tea picking in the Ceylon Tea Trails in Sri Lanka, discovering wildlife on safaris in Kenya and Botswana, hiking and skiing in the Alps, trying different water sports in Cyprus, Greece, and Mexico and even learning about her own culture in her motherland, India! As St. Augustine once said, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel only read a page.” So, go explore!

• Charles Neuman

  TASIS England Student (Senior)

  Charlie is a senior student at TASIS England who moved from the United States to the United Kingdom four years ago to study at the school. Having lived in different countries and traveled widely, he has developed a strong interest in how humans interact with their environments and how community design shapes social connection. Charlie hopes to pursue a future career in architecture with a focus on environmental sustainability. Beyond his academic interests, he is a student leader and leads fundraising initiatives in support of charitable work in Peru. Motivated by a desire to make a meaningful difference at a young age, Charlie is particularly interested in addressing the growing loneliness epidemic through the design of better, more connected communities.

• Elodie Vinton

  TASIS England Student

  Elodie is a Grade 6 student who is passionate about protecting the planet and raising awareness about climate change. Inspired to take action, she adopted a snow leopard through the WWF to support wildlife conservation.

• Federico Berman

  Student

  Federico is a Grade 10 student and entrepreneur, he is passionate about building technology products that improve how people live and learn. Since the age of thirteen, he has created multiple projects, including a digital marketing service, a fashion reselling brand, and two education apps, Paisero and Tovi, gaining experience in teamwork, iteration, and turning ideas into real-world products. Motivated by the gap between how people are taught and how they actually learn, he hopes to use technology to create more interactive, self-driven, and meaningful learning experiences that help young people develop confidence, purpose, and the skills to shape a better future.

• Harrison Portchmouth

  TASIS England Student

  Harrison is a Grade 5 student at TASIS England and a member of the Student Leadership Council. He loves inventing and creating, and his talk is inspired by designing his own Halloween costume, which became a powerful way to think differently about creativity and problem-solving. Passionate about helping others, Harrison connects creativity with real-world issues such as homelessness and believes, as Maya Angelou said, that creativity grows the more it is used.

• Isaac Moore

  Student

  Isaac is a Grade 4 student with a curious mind and a love for animals, especially cats, squirrels, and ducks. He enjoys learning about technology and collects old mobile phones as a hobby, reflecting his interest in how things work and how they have changed over time. Isaac hopes to help make the world a more autism-friendly place and encourages others to be compassionate and open-minded when meeting people who may think or behave differently. In the future, he dreams of becoming a professional footballer.

• Jim Faherty

  College Counsellor

  Jim is a college counselor at TASIS England, and is passionate about mental health, living sustainably, and contributing to local community. In 2024 Jim was named 'Global Counsellor of the Year – Southeast Asia' by the Times Higher Education. In December 2025 Jim contributed a chapter to Handbook of Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education, with a chapter titled AI Technologies and University Admissions Systems' which explored the evolving role of technology in assessing and processing applications to university. Jim hopes to continue inspiring young people in 'finding their why' and making choices that align with their values.

• Jose Afonso

  Catering General Manager

  José Afonso is a General Manager with a deep belief that food is far more than nourishment. It is culture, identity, and connection. Having had the honour of serving Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on multiple occasions, he brings both experience and perspective to the table. Passionate about food education, José encourages a renewed appreciation for the abundance many enjoy and invites us to reflect on how food trends shape the way we live. He believes that the best ingredient in any kitchen, and in life, is gratitude.

• Lyla Bomar

  Student

  Lyla is a Grade 11 student who is passionate about positive mental health initiatives and sport. She volunteers through her school in a programme that supports children with special needs, an experience that has deepened her empathy and strengthened her commitment to inclusion. With a growing interest in research around women’s health, Lyla believes that being “new” can be the first step toward discovering something meaningful and transformative. Inspired by the words of Jane Harrison, she values qualities such as patience, courage, and humility as human strengths that transcend labels.

• Rafael Arwas

  Student

  Rafael is a Grade 5 student with a strong interest in geography, history, world flags, and sport. He is passionate about climate action and actively supports sustainable choices, including holidaying in car-free villages and using public transport. Concerned about global challenges such as conflict and climate change, Rafael hopes to inspire others to take action and become more aware of how quickly change is happening. In the future, he hopes to study geography so he can better understand and help protect vulnerable places around the world.

• Rayeez Hoque

  TASIS England Student

  Rayeez is a passionate 6th grader who loves politics and is a big Manchester United fan. He was proud to make it to the top 45 in the Children's Prime Minister of the UK competition. His dream is to help erase poverty for good and he encourages everyone to do what they can to make a difference

• Shannon Banks

  CEO & Founder of Be Leadership

  Shannon Banks is the Founder and CEO of Be Leadership, a global leadership development company focused on helping organizations bring social purpose to life through their people. She is passionate about human-centered leadership, fostering curiosity and connection, and equipping leaders to create meaningful social and business impact. Through purpose-driven programs, Shannon addresses the growing need for compassionate and responsible leadership in an increasingly complex world, particularly as technology and artificial intelligence reshape society. She hopes audiences leave her talk inspired to protect what makes us human and to help shape a future grounded in empathy, courage, and possibility.

• Sienna Bagley

  Student

  Sienna is a Grade 3 student who loves dance, singing, music, and spending time in nature. She is currently learning to play the ukulele and enjoys expressing herself through creativity and performance. Passionate about keeping the environment clean and encouraging kindness, Sienna hopes others will try her strategies for being a good friend and caring for the world around them. In the future, she dreams of becoming an astronaut.

• Sophia Berlanga Ruiz

  Student

  Sophia is a Sophia Berlanga is a Grade 3 student with a passion for creative arts, reading, and the ocean. Having lived across three continents, she has developed a global perspective and an early curiosity about how human actions affect the natural world. Despite her young age, she is already involved in environmental activism, public speaking, and her school’s student council. Sophia hopes to inspire others to create positive change and dreams of a future filled with healthy oceans and big ideas that make the world better.

• Tony Mehani

  Student (TASIS England)

  Tony Mehani is a Grade 11 student at TASIS England with a strong interest in storytelling, psychology, and leadership. He is drawn to exploring the complexities of human nature, particularly the moral gray areas where loyalty, survival, and power challenge simple ideas of right and wrong. Alongside his writing and speaking, Tony is deeply committed to social impact and has helped lead fundraising and water initiatives supporting rural communities along the Nile, experiences that have shaped his belief that the world is rarely as simple as it appears. He has also written a novel centered on moral ambiguity and human motivation and hopes to pursue a future as both an author and an engineer-turned-entrepreneur, creating ideas and projects that challenge how people think.

• Triana Moore

  Student

  Triana is a Grade 3 student who cares deeply about animals, especially dogs, horses, and cats, and wants to help make the world a better place. As a member of her school’s student council, she enjoys finding ways to make a positive difference and support others. She hopes to help people who have fewer resources and believes that when we are grateful for what we have, we can give more to others. When she grows up, Triana dreams of becoming a veterinarian who helps animals live healthy and happy lives.

• Wendy Gediman

  Teacher

  Wendy is a teacher and Roots & Shoots Coordinator who is passionate about helping children become positive changemakers for the planet. Her work focuses on understanding the interconnectedness of our world, with a particular commitment to protecting Antarctica, the last pristine continent on Earth. Having joined environmental expeditions to Antarctica and the Arctic five times, she brings real-world experience into her teaching to inspire students locally and globally. Wendy believes that young people are empowered when they see adults model meaningful action and is guided by the words of Robert Swan: “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”

• Zachary Greez

  Student

  As the 11th Grade Class President, Zachary is passionate about creating opportunities that empower others to succeed. With interests in finance, mortgages, equitable home buying, and addressing income inequality, he is committed to understanding and tackling the economic challenges that impact communities. Beyond leadership, he is currently involved in developing software for NMBNOW, combining technology and innovation to create meaningful solutions. Through this work and personal experiences, he has developed a strong belief in the power of action and execution.

• Ziva Wilson

  Student

  Ziva is a Grade 3 student who enjoys skating and art and is passionate about protecting the environment. As a member of the student council, she uses her voice to raise awareness about climate concerns and explore ways her school community can take action. Ziva believes that small actions can add up to make a big difference, and she hopes to inspire others to reduce the use of fossil fuels and help protect the planet for the future.