TEDxCIS Dubai

Speakers

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

• Anaaya Anil

  Student

  I’m Anaaya Anil, a 14-year-old student at a Cambridge International School. I’m from India. I enjoy reading, listening to music, and playing volleyball, which helps me stay disciplined and balanced. I’m hardworking, I manage my time effectively, and I am confident in communicating my ideas in both academic and group settings. I like observing people and understanding how they think, which sparked my interest in psychology and mental health. This interest has led me to aspire to become a psychiatrist in the future. As a student, I focus on learning consistently and improving myself through both academics and extracurricular activities.

• Dhiya Somaia

  Student

  Hi! I’m Dhiya Somaia, a 14-year old student studying in year 9 at Cambridge International School, Dubai. I’m from Mumbai, India. I’m a passionate dancer, a pilates enthusiast, and most importantly a huge book lover, as they ignite my imagination and submerge me into a sublime world full of fantasies. I’m super friendly, outgoing, and skilled at interacting with others. The principal reason for my academic success is my organisational skills. I believe the key to great success and time management comes from categorising and prioritising your workload. Additionally, I’m fond of business and public speaking, which has led me to aspire to become an entrepreneur. My love for books has made me want to publish my own book in the future, and whatever more I do hereafter will be done with hard work, consistency, and effectiveness. Being a student, my aim is to make the most of all opportunities I receive, give my best at whatever I do, learn from my mistakes, and make progress.

• Hridik Misra

  Student

  Hi, I’m Hridik. I’m 15-years-old and a student at Cambridge International School, Dubai. Despite my eccentric Indian name, I’m officially from Australia. What’s there to say about me? I’m a zealous musician who finds solace in learning, listening, and performing as a pianist/keyboard player, augmented by my interests in filmography and cinematic scores, as a form of escapism and storytelling. Outside of music, I enjoy reading comic books in my spare time and engaging in interactive entertainment, which is just a flamboyant way of saying video games. More recently, I have been intrigued by philosophy, psychology, and sociology, which can all be attributed to my interest in debate, not so much public speaking. In the future, I’m not sure what I aspire to, but I am committed to fulfilling my academic duties and making it to the end of the week. I look forward to the opportunity to present myself and share my ideas at TEDxCIS.

• Kartika Nair

  Teacher

  I am a passionate teacher and a middle leader who truly enjoys spending time with students and bringing energy into the classroom through engaging and meaningful activities. I love being part of everyday moment learning, laughing, and growing alongside my students. Kindness sits at the heart of everything I do, and I believe kindness and positivity always come back to us tenfold. Beyond the classroom, I am a passionate dancer who loves expressing emotions and stories through movement. Dance is my creative outlet and a reflection of my joyful spirit. When I’m not teaching or dancing, I am a proud dog mum to my one-year-old Maltese puppy, Bruno, who fills my days with love, laughter, and endless cuddles. I strive to lead and live with warmth, positivity, and purpose, always aiming to make a meaningful difference wherever I am.

• Lina Ismail Abdelsalam Alsaid Maged

  Islamic Education Specialist

  Hello! I am Dr. Lina Ismail Abdelsalam, an educational leader, Islamic education specialist, and visionary learning designer who believes education should move hearts before it moves minds. With over a decade of experience in schools and leadership, I currently serve as Head of Islamic Studies, where I bridge modern pedagogy with timeless values. I hold a PhD in Educational Leadership and Business Administration and a Master's in Professional Training and Development, which makes me passionate about transforming learning into a life experience. I am the creator of the L6X Strategy™ Learn Deep Link Wide Lead Bold. A framework designed to empower educators and students to think critically, act purposefully, and lead with meaning. Beyond titles, I am a storyteller, coach, and changemaker who challenges conventional education and invites audiences to reimagine learning as a journey of intention and real impact. I believe that true education does not end in the classroom; it begins there.

• Mahdi Insaf

  Student

  Hi! I am Mahdi Insaf, a 12-year-old studying in year 8 at Cambridge International School Dubai. I’m from Colombo, Sri Lanka. I am a passionate football player, a public speaking enthusiast, and have a huge interest in economics and law studies. My interest in economics and law equips me with analytical and ethical skills. It helps me be a better and clearer thinker, so that I am more careful when it comes to real-life decisions. I love public speaking because it helps me share ideas with the world with full confidence, as it also makes me comfortable with inspiring people while also increasing my communication and embracing every chance to be better. I also really love cars, especially BMWs, because of their outstanding performance, which helped me discover my goal of becoming CEO of a successful car brand and having my own showroom. I love sports, and football for me stands out. It teaches me the art of control and focus, team-building skills and motivation for winning more matches.

• Paresh Vamshi Bharadwaj

  Student

  My name is Paresh Vamshi Bharadwaj, an 11-year-old student studying in year 6 at Cambridge International School. I’m from Mysore, Karnataka, India. I enjoy reading, cycling, learning, debating, and I love listening to music, as it helps me focus and vibe. I have a knack for debates and MUNS, and am hardworking, determined, and give my best in whatever I do. I am a clear and concise communicator, and I love to share ideas, as well as listen to other people. I strive to maintain a balance between extracurricular and curricular activities. Most of all, I am passionate about cars, planes, and anything related, which sparked my interest in the Air Force Defense sector. I aspire to be an exceptional squadron leader for the IAF. My life as a student involves listening to feedback and adapting effectively. I also enjoy giving speeches and engaging in public speaking. Thank you.

• Poorvikaa Vickraman

  Student

  Hello Everyone! Born in the beautiful state of Tamil Nadu, I am Poorvikaa Vickraman, a year 11 student from CIS Dubai. My personality is built upon values of honesty, straightforwardness, and care for everyone. I love learning new things a lot and always get excited to discover different aspects of life. My main interests revolve around public speaking, debating, dancing, reading, martial arts, and basketball. I have done multiple MUNs, where I have won several of them as well. I find joy in sports since I believe that learning a sport teaches many values like teamwork, resilience, hard work, and respect. So any sport you might want to try, count me in! I enjoy studying as well, since it makes me feel like I can accomplish a lot of things with less struggle, and I yearn for the power of knowledge. I’ve always wondered how planes and birds fly; therefore, I aspire to be an Aeronautical Engineer so that one day I can contribute to people discovering this world from a different altitude.

• Raunak Ramesh

  Student

  Hi, I’m Raunak Ramesh, a student at Cambridge International School in Dubai. I come from India and have been actively participating in Model United Nations, both as a delegate and a chairperson, where I have won several awards at different conferences. I am a massive fan of debating, which has really helped me to build up my public speaking and critical thinking skills. Apart from studying, I love music and working out. My goal is to get a job at the United Nations one day since I am really into international relations, global affairs and diplomacy. I also like to volunteer a lot and I am convinced that it is very important to support the community and have a positive impact through meaningful actions.

• Sagar Tejwani

  Investment Banking Compliance Professional

  Hello, I am a senior professional with over 11 years of experience in regulatory compliance, investment banking, and risk management. I currently serve as Deputy MLRO and Compliance Monitoring Manager at a reputed capital firm in the UAE, where I oversee compliance strategy, regulatory adherence, and financial crime prevention frameworks. I have previously held leadership roles at First Abu Dhabi Bank and KPMG, demonstrating strong expertise in internal audit, anti-money laundering, and corporate governance. I am a recipient of multiple leadership awards and an active contributor to industry discussions and regulatory advancements. My strategic mindset and deep regulatory acumen position me as a key driver of compliance excellence within the financial services sector.

• Sanjeev Pradhan Roy

  Senior Talent Strategist

  Hello! I am a senior talent strategist in the MENA region with over 18 years of experience, advising boards and C-suite leaders on people strategy and organizational growth. In addition to this, I am a podcaster and a regular columnist with Khaleej Times, where I share insights on leadership, careers, and the future of work. I also speak at universities and conferences across the region and actively mentor young people through youth forums, supporting the next generation of leaders.

• Souparnika Praveen Menon

  Student

  Hi, my name is Souparnika, and I am an 18-year-old A Level student at Cambridge International School Dubai. I am naturally shy and introverted; however, the stage has always been a space where quietness fades, and confidence takes over, a contrast I discovered through years of public speaking after my parents introduced me to Toastmasters, where I later served as President of my club for two years. Alongside that, I am drawn to performance, whether it's dancing, singing, or acting in productions; these creative spaces allow me to express myself fully. Swimming is where I find calm and clarity; it's a sport I have used as my escape world for years. Anyone who knows me knows my fascination with cinema. I have always been drawn to how talented directors create their own worlds on a screen and immerse audiences for a span of two hours. nothing can compare to the magic of filmmaking, inspiring my dream of becoming a filmmaker and creating worlds of my own one day.