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).

VU Griffioen
Nieuwe Universiteitsgebouw, De Boelelaan 1111, 1081 HV Amsterdam
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, 1081 HV
Netherlands

Christiana Courtright

Digital & Brand Strategist

Christiana Courtright is an award-winning brand and digital strategist who is the Head of Digital for Edelman Netherlands. With a background in journalism, she pivoted to advertising nine years ago, bringing an editorial mindset to brand storytelling and digital strategy for clients like KLM, Gucci Run, bonprix and PepsiCo. She passionately advocates for change and is on the leadership team for SheSays Amsterdam - a global community for women and allies. Since 2019, she has been campaigning against ageism in advertising, challenging outdated narratives and pushing for more inclusive representation in her industry.

Ian van der Loo

Ian van der Loo is the winner of the Student Pitch Night 2025 for the TEDxVUAmsterdam. With a background in Fashion & Branding from AMFI and a Master’s in Entrepreneurship, Ian thrives on building things from scratch, whether it’s launching ventures, designing custom sneakers for his brand ILL, or exploring the edges of personal growth.

Karen Holtmaat

Karen Holtmaat, an assistant professor in clinical psychology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, specializes in the intersection of climate change and mental health. Her expertise, stemming from backgrounds in both psychology and religious studies, allows her to approach this topic from individual and societal perspectives. She is a co-author of the first Dutch book on climate psychology and has initiated a grassroots movement to encourage climate conversations and local greening efforts.

Manoj Pandey

Manoj grew up in India and ventured to Germany to build a career in the software industry, collaborating with independent clients, startups, and major corporations. A passionate advocate for open source and community building, he founded PyData Delhi—the first Python and data-centric community in India—which grew to 10,000 members. With a product mindset and deep technical expertise, Manoj now leads Gezellig, a platform dedicated to forging genuine, in-person connections. His work spans both the practical and theoretical realms, having collaborated with research labs on human-computer interaction, privacy & security in online social networks. An accomplished competitive programmer and hackathon winner, Manoj’s innovative spirit once took him to Harvard at just 19. As a dynamic entrepreneur and thought leader, he continues to inspire by bridging technology with human connection.

Marius Dorobantu

Assistant Professor of Theology & Artificial Intelligence

Marius Dorobantu is an Assistant Professor of Theology & Artificial Intelligence at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. His award-winning doctoral dissertation at the University of Strasbourg, France (2020) explored the potential implications of strong artificial intelligence for theological anthropology. Marius is the lead editor of the Routledge volume Perspectives on Spiritual Intelligence (2024). His first monograph, Artificial Intelligence and the Image of God: Are We More than Intelligent Machines?, is in press with Cambridge University Press.

Melanie van de Velde

Melanie van de Velde, PhD, MBA, MSc Melanie is a Global Goals expert, recognized for her groundbreaking research on overcoming global challenges. Her research was awarded the Adam Smith Prize for PhD Excellence, nominated by the Social Innovation Research Director at Cambridge University. Her book LEAD LIKE A GENIUS: How to Outgrow the Competition and Transform Our World was praised by FORBES Books as “a powerhouse for sustainable growth.” After empowering young women in a Nairobi slum and leading global markets for a tech giant, Melanie now supports those who want to create powerful change. She is the founder of the Global Goals Masters and the Global Goals Podcast Show, providing an exciting experience that addresses not only the climate crisis but the full spectrum of global issues—for lasting change and an authentic edge. Connect with Melanie or find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-van-de-velde/ https://www.instagram.com/melanie.vandevelde.btg/ https://www.bigtreeglobal.net/

Pablo van der Lugt

Architectural engineer dr. ir. Pablo van der Lugt obtained his PhD at Technical University Delft in 2008 for his research about the environmental impact (LCA) of engineered biobased materials. Since then he has been active in the mass timber industry as senior consultant on the themes sustainability, circularity and biobased building, ever maintaining a connection with the academia through Delft University of Technology as guest lecturer / researcher. Besides his consultancy and research roles, he also serves on the Board of Directors of the highly influential Built by Nature investment fund. He is a passionate advocate of high performance bio-based materials. In the vision of van der Lugt in the essential transition towards a more circular economy there are tremendous opportunities for smart bio-based materials made from fast-growing resources such as (modified) softwood and (engineered) giant bamboo, to substitute carbon intensive, high performance materials from the techno-cycle such as metals, minerals and plastics (PVC). Van der Lugt is the author of several popular books on biobased building, including the best-seller Tomorrow’s Timber (2020), also translated to Dutch and Spanish, and the fully revised version of Booming Bamboo (2024). He regularly publishes his research findings about timber construction and biobased materials in popular magazines and scientific journals and conference proceedings. He is a highly demanded speaker following several formats, ranging from TED and Pecha Kucha talks, to keynote presentations at high-level international conferences, including the International Climate Conferences in Paris (COP 21), Katowice (COP 24) and Glasgow (COP 26) and PEFC Tomorrow’s Timber Talks (since Autumn 2020). His speakers profile for the professional speakers agency Speakers Academy can be found online.

Raffaella Mulas

Raffaella Mulas is an Assistant Professor (Universitair Docent) of Mathematics at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Beyond research and teaching, she is passionate about public engagement and has created outreach videos, organized science communication events, and published articles and interviews to make mathematics more accessible. She is also the co-author of Bear Networks, a mathematics book for children, as well as an upcoming mathematics book for researchers. Outside academia, she particularly enjoys swimming, swing dancing, and storytelling. She has performed at storytelling events across Europe, including at Mezrab and Theater Bellevue in Amsterdam, and venues in Barcelona, Zurich, and Basel.