Theme: Momentum

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Auditorium Chamber of Commerce Aruba
J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 10
Oranjestad, Aruba
Aruba

Nathalie Maduro

Nathalie Maduro started her career in the United States as Sales Promotor for the Aruba Tourism Authority and worked her way up in the tourism industry in the US and Aruba. Nathalie always had a passion for agriculture and in her free time she is an active farmer. In 2010 on her own initiative, Nathalie presented an action plan to restructure the agriculture department of the government of Aruba and was appointed thereafter as member of the management team of the department by the minister in charge. In 2012 she became the first female director of the Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries of Aruba. Nathalie has a fresh and innovative view on agriculture for Aruba and believes that with little investment Aruba could be a leading example in the Caribbean in the agriculture sector.

Varelie Croes

Varelie is an Aruban born and raised entrepreneur, founder and CEO of New York based venture firm, The Liv Group. The Liv Group is built upon a global community of forward-thinking founders and mentors who are changing the way we think, live and do business. In 2015, The Liv Group launched Funding Loft, a startup studio in New York that accelerates and invests in early-stage technology-enabled startups and has a growing portfolio of global startups in the collaborative economy, education tech, and innovative finance industries. She received her Masters in Law from Leiden University, The Netherlands. Varelie Co-Founded ATECH* (Aruba Technology) Startup Conference and Accelerator program, an initiative to create a startup and technology ecosystem in Aruba. Varelie has been featured in Forbes magazine and other international publications. She was named a global change maker by the World Bank Youth Steering Committee and is active in the collaborative economy space.

Wendy Maduro Johnson

Aruba's most radical feminist Wendy shares her experience of growing up in a religious household, being a fervent feminist and her decision to become an atheist.

Yakari Gabriel

Originally born in the Dominican Republic, Yakari Gabriel moved to Aruba with her mother at the age of 4. As daughter of an immigrant mother her journey to integrate in the Aruban community was extremely hard as she was confronted with discrimination and stereotyping. Being alone so much growing up, Yakari found peace in books which later on developed a passion to write her own stories. She is a very fearless and opinionated young woman who is determined to change the world through the power of words. Yakari explores writing in all the 4 languages she speaks. Her writing revolves mostly around life, social problems, finding self-love, femininity and sadness. Her own life experiences are often the inspiration behind her poetry. As she tries to heal herself through writing she hopes her poems find who ever may need them, sink into their skin and heal them as well.