The Speakers
Discover the speakers of our upcoming TEDx event in Karlsruhe. Each one brings fresh perspectives from education, technology, science, art, and society.
2026 | TEDx Karlsruhe: Meet our speakers
At TEDxKarlsruhe 2026, innovation takes many forms. Our speakers come from research, healthcare, leadership, technology, creativity, and beyond, each bringing a different experience, a different question, and a perspective worth putting into the room.
Hana Brellah
The Hidden Power of Multicultural Intelligence
Hana is an international leader, keynote speaker, CEO & Founder of Find Your Voice by Hana Brellah, helping executives reinvent leadership and communication in the rooms where decisions happen.
PharmD by education, shaped by 20 years of corporate life and leadership across continents, Hana built a career at large multinational companies such as Novo Nordisk, Merck-MSD, AbbVie, and Merz Group, where cultures meet, perspectives collide, and leadership demands more than expertise, it demands Multicultural Intelligence.
Hana was drawn to the stage from childhood, expressing herself through singing, a feel-good space that became a heart-felt calling for speaking, connecting, and moving people.
Today, she brings that same presence to leadership forums and conferences, shaping conversations on how leaders communicate, decide, and drive cultures across continents.
In a world stretched between globalization and localization, she believes the leaders who develop Multicultural Intelligence are the ones who reinvent realities.
Chan Park
From NASA Engineering to Tango Meditation
Chan Park is the founder of Tango Zen, a movement-based meditation practice inspired by Argentine tango. A former NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration engineer, author, filmmaker, and meditation coach, he has spent more than two decades exploring how tango can become a path of presence, connection, and embodied awareness.
His journey began in science and engineering, but gradually led him toward meditation, music, movement, and the deeper human experience of connection.
He is the author of Tango Zen: Walking Dance Meditation, director of the documentary Tango Your Life, and the central figure in Tango Zen House: Returning to Tradition.
Chan has shared Tango Zen workshops in twenty-four countries and has lived and danced extensively in Buenos Aires. His work invites people to move beyond information and technique, and to rediscover presence through the body, the heart, and human connection.
Ayimire Dilimulati
“Healthy” Data
Ayimire Dilimulati is a biomedical engineer, published researcher, and founder of a bio-deep-tech startup, where her work connects medical technology with personal health data and prevention.
She has published peer-reviewed research on patient-specific polymer plates for reconstructive surgery, and her work spans biomaterials and DNA-based sensing. Today, she is exploring how individualized supplements, controlled-release delivery, and longitudinal blood biomarker data could make health guidance more personal and evidence-based.
For Ayimire, this work is more than research.
The question became personal when her father developed diabetes after years of high-stress work, with little practical guidance on how to respond. That experience reinforced her belief that healthcare should help people long before disease appears.
Selected for Germany's EXIST Women programme, Ayimire also volunteers as a fundraiser for an NGO in Madagascar that provides medical care to children, women, and families. Her work is driven by one conviction: the next breakthrough in medical AI will depend not only on better algorithms, but on better data about people while they are still healthy.
Ayimire will share her vision for a future where prevention is personalized, data empowers healthier decisions, and innovation helps people take ownership of their wellbeing.
Martin Maier
What Is the Purpose of Innovation?
Martin Maier is an innovation leader in healthcare at Philips Healthcare. For more than 25 years, he has worked at the intersection of patient impact, clinical needs, medical technology, and global strategy, from developing life-saving monitoring solutions to shaping enterprise innovation portfolios.
What drives Martin is a simple question: How can technology become truly meaningful for the people who need it most?
His perspective has been shaped by decades of work in healthcare technology, where he helped develop and launch patient safety solutions. It has also been deeply influenced by his long-standing engagement with Mobile Hilfe Madagaskar e.V., where he witnessed how access to healthcare can mean far more than treatment, it can bring dignity, hope, and a healthier future for entire communities.
Today, Martin is bringing that same vision into a new entrepreneurial journey: developing individualized supplements based on blood biomarkers to make personalized healthcare simpler, more accessible, and more meaningful.
Martin will invite us to look beyond what technology can do, and ask what it can awaken: responsibility, hope, and the courage to build a future where innovation truly serves humanity.
Philipp Keil
Der Mitmensch-Moment
Philipp Keil is Managing Director of the Foundation for Development Cooperation Baden-Württemberg (SEZ), working on global justice, sustainable development, and international partnerships.
With many years of experience in Sub-Saharan Africa and international partnerships, his work is grounded in mutual learning, trust, and the belief that global challenges can only be addressed when people genuinely learn from one another.
In his TEDx talk, “Der Mitmensch-Moment,” Philipp brings this perspective to a deeply human level. Through a personal encounter with a stranger, he explores trust, human connection, and what it means to see the person next to us not as “the other,” but as our Mitmensch.
Karen Cousins
Why Everyone Should Care About Creativity
Karen Counsins is a former journalist turned communications strategist and Founder of Cousins Agency. For fifteen years, she has helped leaders and brands find their voice, driven by a belief that everyone has a story worth telling.
During her communications career, Karen ghostwrote a book that became a #1 Amazon bestseller within 24 hours of release, and worked with global brands including the BBC, Montreux Comedy Festival, Comedy Central, and InnoEnergy. She was also Communications Director for Rosberg X Racing, Nico Rosberg's Extreme E team, leading international PR and strategy through two World Championship wins, during which the team joined the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework and won multiple awards for its Driven By Purpose sustainability campaign.
Having started her career chasing headlines in a newsroom, Karen is now on a mission to help people rediscover their creative spark and to use their voice in ways that truly matter.
Esther O. Ogbole
Can Pastoral Systems Help Us Rethink Climate Action?
Esther Ogbole is a Nigerian PhD researcher at the University of Hohenheim, Germany, where she studies the governance of rangeland carbon projects and pastoral systems across Africa. Inspired by her experiences growing up in Nigeria and by the often misunderstood realities of pastoral communities, her work explores how indigenous knowledge and traditional land-management practices can contribute to addressing climate change, sustainability, and natural resource governance.
Through field research with pastoral communities, Esther has become increasingly interested in the gap between academic research and public understanding. She is passionate about making complex research accessible and using storytelling to challenge assumptions about innovation, resilience, and the future of sustainable land use.
In her TEDx talk, Esther invites the audience to rethink where valuable knowledge comes from and to consider what pastoral communities can teach us about adapting to a changing world.
Lidya Gehrlein
Diesel or Electric?: Are We Asking the Wrong Questions?
Dr. Lydia Gehrlein is a research and development engineer at Daimler Truck AG, a chemist driven by a passion for sustainable mobility and the energy transition. Drawing on experience across both research and industry, she explores one of the defining challenges of our time: how to build a greener future in a world where technology, economics, policy, and society are deeply interconnected.
Rather than searching for simple answers, she is fascinated by the complexity of the decisions that shape the future of mobility and enjoys helping others make sense of the trade-offs behind them. Through public speaking, she translates complex ideas into engaging stories that inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and meaningful conversation.
She believes that the path to a more sustainable future begins not with certainty, but with a willingness to embrace complexity, challenge assumptions, and move forward together.
Serena Hatfield
Why Do Capable People Get Stuck?
Serena Hatfield spent over a decade working across innovation management, publishing, and education, and helped run some of the very systems she now questions.
She earned a Black Belt in Innovation Management, published ten books through the publishing house she cofounded, and was voted most trusted teacher by the kids of an alternative school in Berlin.
She now runs Studio Hatfield, a consultancy, and is setting up the Radical Hope Club, a school for adults who haven't given up. Both are based around the same question: why do capable people get stuck? Her career has been a game of Twister with a single red line: change.
Today, Serena is building the case for Evolutionary Intelligence, the capacity changemakers carry and institutions have never learned to measure.
Victoria Tokareva
Forget My Science Not
What if scientific knowledge could become easier to discover, understand, and build on?
Dr. Victoria Tokareva, postdoctoral researcher at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology ( KIT), works at the intersection of fundamental physics and computer science.
Her work focuses on something that is easy to overlook: how we share and preserve scientific knowledge.
From research data and software to methods and knowledge management, she works on building better connections between research communities and making complex scientific work more accessible.
As part of PUNCH4NFDI, she co-leads “Enabling Science Exploitation,” where new approaches to research data management are being developed for cutting-edge physics research.
But for Victoria, it goes beyond data.
It’s about building bridges between communities, between fundamental science and applied technology, and between the discoveries of the past and the researchers of the future.
Because preserving scientific knowledge means keeping the conversation between generations of scientists alive.
2025 | TEDx Karlsruhe: Meet our speakers
At TEDxKarlsruhe 2025, we bring together a powerful lineup of changemakers, thinkers, and visionaries. From ESG to architecture, law, play, and personal empowerment, each speaker offers an untold perspective that redefines how we see the world and our place in it.
Mara Gerstner
Creative Strategist | Climate Communicator | Founder of Die Feedbäckerei
Mara Gerstner is a climate activist, creative strategist, and mompreneur who believes in using creativity as a force for change. With over a decade of experience in the creative industry, she has explored a wide range of roles and topics—but everything shifted when she became a mother. During her parental leave, she made the bold decision to leave her corporate career behind and forge her own path.
Sebastian Vorberg
Legal Pioneer in Digital Health & Medical Innovation
Attorney-at-Law Sebastian Vorberg, LL.M. (Houston), is a certified specialist in medical law and the founder of the Hamburg-based law firm VORBERG.LAW. With a background in business and law from Hamburg, Heidelberg, Berlin, and the United States, he has dedicated his career to advancing the legal frameworks around medical innovation.
Tanja Reilly
Sustainability Strategist | Founder of Ability Hub | Supply Chain Expert
Tanja Reilly brings over a decade of experience in driving sustainability across global supply chains. As a key force behind the growth of the German-speaking market for EcoVadis—one of the world’s leading sustainability rating providers—she played a crucial role in embedding ESG criteria into procurement and corporate strategy.
Yevgen Nebesov
Systems Architect | Sociotechnical Engineer | Tech Community Builder
Yevgen Nebesov is a systems architect based in Bruchsal, Germany, who advises organizations across sectors such as defense, railways, logistics, and medical technology. His specialty lies in navigating complex software environments by managing the sociotechnical dynamics that influence every project.
Jeff Harry
Workplace Play Expert | HR Influencer | Positive Psychology Practitioner
Jeff Harry helps organizations rediscover the power of play to transform workplace culture. Blending positive psychology with a playful approach, Jeff supports teams in building psychological safety, unlocking creativity, and tackling tough challenges with curiosity and courage.
Marion Metternich
Magician | Storyteller | Author of “Die Magie der Rede”
Marion Metternich is a magician who has spent over 20 years crafting magical experiences that ignite wonder and foster human connection. Whether performing live, speaking to groups, or sharing stories, Marion’s work goes beyond tricks—it’s about inspiring belief in what’s possible.
Serhan Ili
Founder of ILI.DIGITAL | Entrepreneur Shaped by Resilience, Driven by Innovation
Serhan Ili is the Founder and CEO of ILI.DIGITAL, a fast-growing innovation consultancy that empowers organizations to embrace digital transformation, AI adoption, and business model reinvention. Born and raised in Karlsruhe to Turkish immigrant parents, Serhan’s journey is one of resilience—from early academic struggles and over 100 job rejections during the 2008 financial crisis to building a business from a €500 project into a thriving company with over 150 team members.
Ruth Roschatt
Marketer | TEDx Coach | Storytelling Advocate
Ruth Roschatt is a marketer, speaker, and TEDx coach dedicated to helping people find their voice and share their stories with confidence. Once held back by a deep fear of public speaking, she turned her biggest challenge into a strength—through storytelling, courage, and relentless practice.
Yehdega Tedros
Release Project Manager | Founder of Szurrna | Cultural Innovator
Yehdega is a Release Project Manager in tech and the founder of Szurrna, a creative platform blending African culture, philosophy, and design. With a background in political science and experience in Silicon Valley’s tech ecosystem, she bridges the gap between cutting-edge innovation and timeless indigenous wisdom.
Leonie Michaelis
Leadership Mentor | Social Worker | Somatic Practitioner
Leonie Michaelis started her career as a social worker in psychiatric and youth homes, supporting young people often labeled as “too much—too loud, too shy, too restless.” She discovered that what society calls “too much” can actually be a powerful resource.
2024 | TEDx Schlossplatz
TedxSchlossplatz is our second TEDx event that we organized together as a team. With more TEDx members by our side, we had the privilege of witnessing 10 speakers take the stage at Schloss Karlsruhe. Under the title 'The Untold,' they shared inspiring stories. Learn more about them.
Dr. Sara Claramunt
Dr.-Ing. Sara Claramunt is a chemical engineer shaping clean energy through battery and hydrogen research. With a Ph.D. from KIT and 10+ years experience, she drives real-world sustainable impact.
Diana
Waithanji
Diana Waithanji is a Cybersecurity Engineer at SAP and advocate for data as a human right. She empowers others through board work, standardization, and leadership in women’s security initiatives.
Kave
Bulambo
Kave Bulambo is a visionary DEI leader and founder of Black in TechBerlin. She connects Women and BIPOC talent to inclusive careers, reshaping tech through advocacy, community, and bold leadership.
Latifa Warrelmann
Latifa Warrelmann faced instability, homelessness, and addiction in her early years. In 2012, she turned her life around, becoming a proud mother, entrepreneur, and mentor, inspiring others with her journey.
Mariyah
Janjua
Mariyah Janjua is a seasoned product leader at Bosch, driving eMobility innovation. With Agile, SaFe & cross-functional expertise, she builds standout digital services across SaaS, IoT & cloud platforms.
Dr. Brando
Okolo
Dr. Brando Okolo is a materials science expert and founder of IMAPS Karlsruhe. His work spans 3D printing, hydrogen, and innovation, building bridges between Europe and Africa through science and startups.
Ramkumar Sethuramalingam
Ramkumar Sethuramalingam is a CRM and AI expert with 18+ years’ experience. Based in Walldorf near Heidelberg, he shares insights on marketing and sustainability at global stages like Google Next and SAP events.
Sina
Konz
Sina Konz empowers leaders and entrepreneurs to build joyful, high-performing workplaces. As a global speaker, she inspires with fresh insights and a passion for thriving, people-centered work cultures.
Philipp
Barz
Philipp Barz is an energy expert and risk strategist with C-level experience. He drives sustainable growth, leads teams, and advises businesses on energy transformation and impactful change across industries.
Zakaria
Jaiathe
Zakaria Jaiathe is a Moroccan-born entrepreneur, ex-VC investor, and AR/VR expert. He founded Xibit and Waanda, bridging African and European markets, and advises startups across both continents.
2023 | TEDxKarlshochschule International U
The journey began with TEDxKarlshochschule International U. We were grateful to welcome 10 speakers to the TEDx stage on October 7, 2023, with the theme "The Future." International speakers enriched the event with their words and insights. Learn more about them.
Christopher Stephen
Christopher Stephen, a musical prodigy, started his journey at 5, learning rhythm on piano. By 17, he was captivating audiences with romantic-style pieces, exploring multiple instruments and genres passionately.
Ben J
Munday
Ben is a passionate coach and trainer, inspiring change with his deep expertise in human-centered coaching. As President of Toastmasters and a certified meditation teacher, he fosters holistic growth and transformation.
Viktoriya Sokolova
Viktoriya Sokolova, Scientist, TEDx speaker, and author of To Rock Your LIFE, inspires through her transformative journey, combining science and personal growth to empower others toward success and fulfillment.
Svenja Dannewitz
Svenja, an engineer, cell biologist, and immunologist, is dedicated to a sustainable food system. With a remarkable academic background and groundbreaking research on immune and stem cell survival, she leads innovation.
Nikolaj K. Mandsberg
Nikolaj K. Mandsberg, a physicist and nanotechnologist, explores water behavior and preventive healthcare tech. His award-winning PhD and research earned him an invitation to the 2024 Lindau Nobel meeting.
Mithun A. Sridharan
Mithun A. Sridharan is a renowned entrepreneur, author, and speaker in Strategy, Management, and Digital Transformation. Founder of Think Insights, he brings over two decades of transformative leadership experience.
Hope
Williams
Hope, a United Airlines Flight Attendant with 15 years of international experience, transformed after a near-death emergency landing. Her journey now reflects confidence, hope, and lessons from 50+ countries.
Frank Widmayer
Frank Widmayer, an industrial engineering graduate from KIT, led HR and finance at CAS Software. Now an independent consultant, coach, and professor, he also manages triangility GmbH in Karlsruhe.
Daaniyal
Khan
Daaniyal, an expert in digital transformation, leads the digitalization department at a major insurance company. A published author and cryptocurrency authority, he shares insights through books, media, and podcasts.
Cyril Junior
Dim
Cyril, a Software Engineer from Zimbabwe, has spent 13 years mastering public speaking. A two-time national champion in two languages, he holds three international titles and is the 2022 World Champion of Public Speaking.