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).

Carl Djerrassi Theater in ABF Student Center
12, Svoboda Bachvarova str.
Blagoevgrad, Blagoevgrad, 2700
Bulgaria

Arthur Pantelides

Arthur Pantelides is an associate professor in the business department at the American University in Bulgaria – AUBG with over 20 years of experience in manufacturing operations and strategic management consulting. Throughout his career, he has held senior-level positions in Strategic Planning and Control, Operations, International Project Management, Engineering, and R&D. His work has led him to carry assignments in many countries including the US, Japan, Vietnam, Italy, Brazil and Mexico and he is also an internationally published writer of many articles and papers.

Brian Shkodrani

Brian Shkodrani is an AUBG alumnus from Albania. He graduated AUBG in 2020 with a major in Business Administration and a minor in Psychology. Brian is currently working as a marketing strategist and business consultant, helping clients from all over the world transform their business ideas into successful start-ups. He is also the founder and CEO of Smartup, a full-stack digital marketing agency.

Deyan Mihaylov

Deyan Mihaylov is a Bulgarian astrophysicist, who graduated from the “Secondary School of Mathematics” in Ruse and was a lecturer in Cambridge when he was only 24. Now, Deyan works at the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics in Potsdam, Germany. Deyan has graduated from University of Oxford with a degree in physics and went on to pursue his Master’s and PhD in Cambridge. His PhD dissertation was focused on using gravitational waves in order to study the fundamental laws of physics. His other interests focus on using quantum algorithms to develop artificial intelligence. One of his most memorable achievements was the opportunity to talk to Stephen Hawking and discuss with him some of his theories.

Hristo Petkov

Hristo Petkov or “Risto” is one of the driving forces behind Bulgaria’s snowboard scene and founder of the cult brand Stinky Socks. He is a Bulgarian entrepreneur, advertiser, and producer, whose passion for snowboarding and active lifestyle inspired a multinational community of like-minded people and put Bulgaria on the map for the global snowboarding industry. Risto was a finalist at "Next Generation Leader 2017" and was part of the production team of Stinky Movie (2018), which got nominated for the “Best Editing” award at SnowVision’18 film festival.

Karina Khristich

Karina Khristich is an AUBG alumna from Kazakhstan. She’s currently based in Sofia and works as a Senior Business development Associate at Your Coach Health, an American startup that creates a platform for health coaches. She’s a passionate entrepreneur, a member of the Association of Bulgarian Leaders and Entrepreneurs and the director of the AUBG Alumni Association.

Kosta Karakashyan

Kosta Karakashyan is a director, choreographer, and dancer investigating how to nurture empathy and tenderness through dance, film, and education. A two-time Bulgarian National Ballroom Champion, Kosta has performed and choreographed on Dancing With the Stars Vietnam and across four continents. He graduated from Columbia University in New York, where he choreographed for the Columbia Ballet Collaborative.

Serena Leka

Serena Leka is the Engagement Partner of CELLUGY, a 3-year-old biotech startup “Creating sustainable materials to replace plastic through bio fabrication!”. Recently a Ph.D. candidate in AI Innovation, Serena works at Aarhus University, supporting academics to commercialize their research in sustainability and digital technologies. Apart from the background in entrepreneurship, Serena has a passion for social issues, where a lot of her energy goes to educating younger generations. She desires to make an impact as a global citizen while applying shared leadership.

Silvena Rowe

Silvena Rowe is an award-winning Bulgarian chef, food writer, restaurateur, and television personality. She is recognized as one of the few female global MasterChef judges and has previously been the Guardian Newspaper’s resident Food Writer. Recently named one of the “Top 25 Most Influential Women in the Middle East F&B” by Caterer Magazine, Silvena’s career spans more than 30 years and put her at the top level of the food industry across the UK, UAE, and Bulgaria.

Vanya Todorova

Vanya Todorova is a founder of the "Ahil" horseback riding center, which aims to help children with autism, impaired eyesight, and physical disabilities. Vanya founded the TogetherWeCan Foundation and turned her stable into a horse therapy centre for children with autism, sensory disorders, and physical disabilities. Although horse therapy is not popular in Bulgaria, Vanya has provided 245 therapeutic sessions to 54 children by 2019, which is by 95 sessions and 35 children more than in 2018.

Zina Patel

Zina Patel is a junior undergraduate majoring in Bioengineering: Bioinformatics at the University of California, San Diego. Throughout her college years, she has been pursuing extracurricular activities to help people in the community lead a healthy, sustainable lifestyle.