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).

Burnavon Arts Centre
Burn Road
Cookstown, Cookstown, BT80 8DN
United Kingdom

Claire Hackett

Maternal Right Advocate & Doula

As a trained solicitor, Claire walked away from a career in the courts to follow her passion for all thigs pregnancy, birth and parenthood. She is a strong advocate for evidence based information for expectant and new mothers, is an award winning breastfeeding volunteer and helped to create the charity Birthwise… all on top of her work in community development and establishing her Doula business.

Claire Hughes

Founder Soiree Society

A former bank manager, Claire was the first banker in Northern Ireland to achieve Chartered Manager Status during her 35 year career! Since taking early retirement, Claire has supported the SME sector as a mentor, as an independent board member with both Dungannon Enterprise Centre & the Department for Economy NI and as Chairperson of Up For Business! Claire has become one of NI's most respected female entrepreneurs herself as founder of NI's exclusive matchmaking agency, Soiree Society! Under Claire's leadership, Soiree Society has been named one of the UK's top 4 matchmaking agencies, has won Best Upcoming Matchmaking Agency 2016 at the UK Dating Awards and has been named Match Making Agency of the Year in the 2020/21 Corporate Livewire Prestige Awards!

Deiric McCann

Head of International, Genos International

Deiric is Head of International Development at Genos International, and is the author of 4 book titles including Leadership Charisma, Winning Business Proposals (3 editions), The Customer Continuum & Business Bathroom Bible and has had over 1,000 articles published worldwide. A passionate speaker, he helps to create Emotionally Intelligent leaders and workplaces across the globe!

Dr Shane McKee

Consultant in Genetic Medicine at Belfast Trust

Dr McKee is a Consultant in Genetic and Genomic Medicine at the Northern Ireland Regional Genetics Service. He specialises in the clinical diagnosis and management of children and adults with ultra-rare genetic disorders. He is the Chief Clinical Information Officer for Belfast Health & Social Care Trust, working on the use of data and technology to improve patient care, linking in to Northern Ireland’s Electronic Care Record and the new Encompass programme that will deliver a unified electronic health record across the NI health ecosystem. Shane is the Principal Investigator for NI’s contribution to the UK 100,000 Genomes Project, which is delivering diagnoses to patients who have often waited many years for answers.

Gary Doherty

Founder THINK Network

Gary is CEO and founder of the empowerment platform, THINK Network and is taking his brand stateside in 2021. He is also the curator of TEDxDerryLondonderry and host of TED CIRCLES. Gary is passionate about personal development and has brought together some of Northern Ireland's best known names to share the THINK Network stage. Gary is an impassioned advocate for change and on creating open conversation around mental health.

Jill Robb

Marketing Director, Origin Digital

Jill is a digital strategist and CMO & Company Director of Origin Digital. Jill is also an Associate Lecturer at Ulster University and has worked with Rutgers University Fortune 500 Management Program providing digital expertise to directors and managers of Fortune 500 Companies. Jill is a regular E-Commerce and Digital Commentator on Smart Insights and on local and national radio. A former retail manager, ex tourism and banking sector staff, Non Executive Director, charity Chair and Company Director, Jill's background is as varied as it is wide!

Johann Muldoon MBE

Multi award winning Architect

Johann is Managing Director of Manor Architects and is an RIBA Specialist Conservation Architect and is the youngest and first female recipient of an MBE for services to Business & Architecture in Northern Ireland. Johann is also a lecturer, tutor, keynote speaker and winner of numerous awards including but not limited to: Director of the Year in the Inspiring Women UK Business Awards, 3 separate categories in the internationally renowned Stevie Awards, Queens University Belfast Graduate of the Year, Best Woman in Architecture in Europe, STEM Rising Star Regional Winner and a Civic Award for Contribution to Business.

Leeann Monk-Ozgul

Co-CEO Elemental Software

Leeann is Co-CEO & Co-Founder of digital social prescribing company, Elemental Software! Leeann is a leader in her industry having been awarded a spot on the Top 5 of Female Start-Up Companies in the United Arab Emirates in 2015 and has been winner of Invent 2016, a Social Innovation Cambridge Award in 2020 and Best Small Digital Company of the Year at Digital DNA 2020. Not to mention that she has also been voted Most Influential Woman in Tech for 4 years in a row!

Michaela Hollywood

Disability Advocate

Michaela is a well known disability campaigner who not only has a Points of Light Award under her belt but is also a Spirit of Northern Ireland Award winner and has a place on the BBCs top 100 women list. Having started the Trailblazers young disabled activists group at just 17, Michaela has had an amazing career as a disability campaigner and is currently working with Disability Action on the ONSIDE project.

Philip Bain

Founder of Shred Bank

Philip is the co-owner of multi award winning company, ShredBank ! He was awarded the Business Leader of Tomorrow Award by Lord Sainsbury in 2002 and has since gone on to win Entrepreneur of the Year 2010, Young Businessperson 2011 and also won the Nectar Business Award in 2012. ShredBank recently won the coveted Best Established Small/Medium Sized Business Award 2018 at the Belfast Telegraph Awards. Philip is currently a Council Member of The Prince’s Trust in Northern Ireland, a visiting Professor of the Ulster University, and a regular speaker on the subjects of business growth and entrepreneurship. He is also author of “Start to Grow”, an Amazon Best Seller on how to start and grow a successful business and a second book on leadership called “Start to Lead.”

Professor David Gibson OBE

Entrepreneurship Education

David is a Professor of Entrepreneurship Practice at the University of Cumbria. After a decade long career as an entrepreneur, David has dedicated the last 20 years to developing highly successful entrepreneurial eco-systems both in NI and globally. He developed the UK’s first Certificate in Entrepreneurship and is the author of the best selling book, The E-Factor. David developed the first entrepreneurial competency model which has been used by all Further Education colleges and secondary schools in Northern Ireland. Not to mention his role in leading Queen’s University Belfast to win the Times Higher Education UK Entrepreneurial University of the Year Award before being awarded an OBE for the impact of his work.

Stephen Brown

Master Firewalk Instructor

Stephen is an International Firewalk Instructor, Empowerment Coach Trainer and Compassionate Inquiry Facilitator. Stephen's approach to working with people is as 'out of the box' as it gets. He is passionate about helping people to learn about their true selves and he has over 20 years' experience guiding individuals and teams around the world to understand that what they can achieve is limited only by their own thinking, previous life experiences and society. Stephen's work in recent years has been in the area of Development Trauma and Social Justice!