Theme: Starting a Chain Reaction

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).

Seattle Marriot Redmond
7401 164th Ave NE
Redmond, Washington, 98052
United States

Adarsh Kumarappan

Youth AI Specialist and Altruist

Adarsh Kumarappan is a Senior at Skyline High School in Sammamish, Washington, and is passionate about AI. He is a Research Intern at a university research lab focusing on developing the future of AI systems. Adarsh is also a Software Engineering Intern at a health tech company, using tech to influence healthcare positively. A 2022 Technology Student Association (TSA) Top 5 State Finalist and National Qualifier in Software Development, he focuses on using computer science to improve lives. An avid altruist, Adarsh coaches members in app development as the Mobile App Club founder and president and serves as the TSA chapter president at Skyline. He also enjoys indoor rock climbing and hiking. Adarsh will be speaking about whether AI is a savior or a Terminator.

Aleenah Ansari

Freelance Writer and Speaker, Marketer, and Journalist at Heart

Aleenah Ansari (she/her) is equal parts storyteller, creative problem solver, and journalist at heart who's rooted in the stories of people behind products, companies, and initiatives. She’s written about travel, entrepreneurship, and representation in media for Insider, The Seattle Times, Time Out, Kulfi, and more. Career highlights include co-hosting a pride global livestream, trekking Mt. Everest, and helping professionals land roles in tech, media, and business. Outside of her day job as a product marketing manager, you can find her searching for murals in Seattle, reading a book by a BIPOC author, and planning her next trip to New York.

Chelsea Hu

Artist and Dedicated Student STEM-Researcher

Chelsea Hu is a Buteo Scholar and junior at BASIS Independent McLean in Virginia. A fine artist and dedicated student STEM-researcher at Georgetown University, Chelsea is also the debate captain for Metro D.C. Speech and Debate and a competitive épée fencer. Chelsea has studied painting and sketching for over eight years and finds that artistic expression transcends cultural and political arguments, allowing more intuitive and open communication. To that end, she founded the international non-profit Teen Mobile Arts (TMA) (www.teenmobilearts.org) to bring together talented young artists worldwide to exhibit their artwork in museums and online galleries, making art spaces more diverse, inclusive, and vibrant.

David Ball

Student

David Ball is a rising senior at Interlake High School in Bellevue, Washington. His interests include camping with his Boy Scout troop, backpacking, and playing the trumpet. He will be talking about the use of social media in Gen Z and how it transforms the means in which the world communicates. David has studied communications extensively in the past, having earned the Communications merit badge and having served as Senior Patrol Leader of his troop, and is excited to share more about a concept that envelops his social life. Did you know that a Gen Z’er averages over 7 hours of screen time every day?

Easton Lemos

Cofounder & CEO of LifeNLight

A visionary leader, Easton has been instrumental in growing Life N Light from a two-man operation into a thriving business that employs young creative leaders in the Seattle-area. Easton manages the day to day business while continuing to plan and implement next level strategies to streamline operations and elevate the overall client experience. Passionate about his craft, he offers opportunities to develop the next generation of photographers and videographers through networking events and LNL’s internship program, which he developed and implemented in 2018. The encouraging and supportive environment that he helped establish has connected like-minded creatives and fostered the confidence and developing skills of young artists.

Harjaisal Brar

Youth Scientific Inventor

Harjaisal Brar is a Junior at Stockdale High School in Bakersfield, California and a dedicated scientific inventor. A two-time International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Grand Award Winner and a Gold Medalist at the Genius Olympiad, Harjaisal developed an invention that will help solve ventilator shortages and increase access to these essential medical devices. A dedicated student of computer science, he noticed a dearth of programming instruction in Bakersfield and started teaching free coding classes for underserved elementary and middle school students over the past three years, creating the most accessible coding education for underprivileged youth in the region. An Eagle Scout, Harjaisal is also vice-president of his school’s Forensics team, where he competes in Lincoln-Douglas Debate and Extemporaneous Speech.

Karolina Dubiel

Student Pilot, STEM Activist

Karolina Dubiel is a passionate activist for women in STEM and the laureate of Facebook's top recognitions for Gen Z changemakers. As a Civil Air Patrol cadet, student pilot, and aviation enthusiast, she founded and personally manages the Girls in Aerospace Foundation, a global non-profit organization focused on enabling aerospace opportunities through webinars and mentorship programs, which has since reached over 15,000 girls worldwide yearly. She is a dedicated coder, enjoying web development, Linux cybersecurity, and iOS app development in her free time. Her nonprofit work has been highlighted by Meta, Onet, Nowy Marketing, Women's Republic, and InternQueen, among others.

Rishi Hazra

Sustainability Proponent, Philosopher

What is the purpose of life? The pursuit of knowledge, believes Rishi Hazra, a senior at Skyline High School who enjoys singing, researching, and philosophizing. As an avid proponent of sustainability, he serves as ASB President at school, where he regularly encourages his peers to adopt sustainable mindsets and maximize their potential through their voices and personal actions. In the context of environmental stewardship, Rishi will speak on the benefits of a purposeful life and how purpose is innate to functional and worthy human civilizations no matter how our values and beliefs differ.