The coffee industry operates on a deeply unequal value chain, where small coffee farmers in the Global South bear the highest risks and lack bargaining power, while corporations in the Global North reap the greatest profits and control the global coffee market. By raising awareness of this imbalance, rooted in colonial history, capitalist market structures, and small coffee farmers with limited access to financial and social mobility resources (public goods), we can begin to rethink our role as consumers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers in building a more equitable coffee trade with collective action and bridge the Global South and Global North in balanced coffee value chain. Antonio Castillo, Bard MBA ’24, is the founder of Ceiba Coffee Solutions, a company that focuses on creating YouTube content that tells the stories of small coffee farmers and their sustainable farming practices. As a passionate coffee enthusiast, Antonio's journey began with a dream to open a coffee shop but soon evolved into a mission to understand the stark inequalities that exist in the coffee industry. Over the past three years, he has delved into the coffee value chain, uncovering how profits disproportionately benefit businesses in the Global North while small farmers in the Global South struggle with poverty and limited bargaining power. Antonio's research has taken him to coffee-growing regions in Chiapas, Oaxaca, and El Salvador, where he has connected directly with small-scale farmers. His fieldwork has deepened his understanding of the importance of shade-grown coffee practices, the local coffee terroir, and the social and economic challenges faced by small producers. Through his storytelling, Antonio offers a comprehensive view of the persistent inequities within the coffee commodity value chain. In his TEDx Talk, Antonio aims to shed light on the structural issues in the global coffee economy and critically examine how collective action across the value chain that connects the Global South and Global North is required to drive meaningful change. He seeks to provide a clear perspective on why these power imbalances endure and how they can be addressed. Through his advocacy, Antonio hopes to build bridges that connect all of us to seek for effective reforms, empowering producers and ensuring a fairer distribution of value throughout the coffee supply chain. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

This talk challenges the belief that fairness should guide every decision. It makes the case that real progress—whether in life, leadership, or business—comes from choosing mission over balance, comfort, or consensus. Through vivid stories and clear principles, the talk explores how focusing on what matters most, auditing where time and energy go, and reallocating resources with intention leads to meaningful results. It’s a bold reminder that fairness isn’t the goal—progress is—and that leadership requires clarity, conviction, and the courage to make hard decisions. Bill Canady is a global business leader, author, and creator of the Profitable Growth Operating System (PGOS). As CEO of Arrowhead Engineered Products and Chairman of OTC Industrial Technologies, he has led complex transformations across multiple industries, creating over $3 billion in shareholder value. He is the founder of The 80/20 Institute, which provides tools, training, and certification to help leaders drive profitable growth through focus and simplicity. Over his career, he has trained hundreds of companies and more than 100,000 employees worldwide. Bill is the author of The 80/20 CEO and From Panic to Profit, which deliver actionable frameworks for eliminating complexity, aligning teams, and accelerating results. A U.S. Navy veteran and a summa cum laude graduate of Elmhurst University, he also holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Bill brings discipline, clarity, and executional rigor to every level of business leadership. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Revolving around a long taboo subject, Sarah Ahannach enlightens us about the Vaginal Microbiome. Ranging from her experiences to the extraordinary collective effort in the research, she shines light onto an overlooked subject. Sarah is a postdoctoral researcher at the Bioscience Engineering Department at the University of Antwerp, specializing in the intricate relationship between women and their microbiomes. Passionate about bridging gender data and health inequities, she believes a multidisciplinary approach fosters innovation in women's health research.Her work extends beyond academia, actively advocating for women in STEM and using technology to enhance women's health and safety. She plays a key role in Isala, the world's first citizen science project empowering women to explore their vaginal microbiome in a groundbreaking and taboo-breaking way. At the University of Antwerp, Isala maps the vaginal microbiome, examines lifestyle and environmental influences, and pioneers new diagnostics and microbiome-based therapeutics. Since its 2020 launch, the initiative has expanded to 20 countries, addressing diverse topics such as fertility, pregnancy, menstrual health, sexual violence, and nutrition.Committed to scientific outreach, Sarah engages in public discussions and communication on women's health and diversity in STEM. Through research, advocacy, and education, she strives to equip women with knowledge to take control of their health and contribute to lasting change in the field of women's health research. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

What if we could safeguard Earth’s incredible biodiversity, not just for today, but for the future? Thanks to advancements in cryogenics, we might be able to store life on the Moon, preserving plants, animals, and fungi as a backup—just in case, or even to help start life on other worlds. Jekan Thanga has a background in aerospace engineering from the University of Toronto. At MDA Space Missions, he worked on Canadarm, Canadarm 2, and the DARPA Orbital Express missions. Jekan obtained his Ph.D. in space robotics at the UTIAS and did his postdoc at MIT's Field and Space Robotics Laboratory (FSRL). Jekan Thanga is an Associate Professor and heads the Space and Terrestrial Robotic Exploration (SpaceTREx) Laboratory at the University of Arizona. Jekan and his students have co-authored more than 200 technical publications and were winners of the Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award in 2016 for proposing the SunCube FemtoSat. His team won a Best Paper Presentation Award at AMOS 2019 for the Early Warning Constellation to Detect Incoming Meteor Threats. In 2024, he co-authored a Best Paper on using inflatable rovers to explore lunar and Martian lava tubes at the Earth and Space Conference. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

In a world that glorifies grit and sticking it out, leaving is often mistaken for weakness. But what if walking away is actually a sign of wisdom, not failure? In this honest and empowering talk, Neha Naik shares how high-achievers can rewrite their stories by letting go of paths that no longer fit — and why choosing alignment over endurance might be the bravest thing you do. Neha Naik is the Founder and CEO of 3 successful businesses including a successful recruitment agency, sleep consultant company, and a data analytics company. She’s an official member of Forbes Business Council, an invitation-only organization for successful small and mid-sized business owners. Her training includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry and Psychology, Master’s in Medical Sciences and a Sleep Consultant Certification from the Institute of Pediatric Sleep. Neha has also completed a Diversity and Inclusion Certification program through Cornell University. In her free time, Neha is actively involved in her community, working with charities that support STEM in local schools. In addition, Neha believes in empowering women and investing in her community, a portion of her business profits are directed to her local Houston Area Women’s Center to help families escape abusive environments. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

A physician’s awakening to her own worth sparked a shift from overwork to intentional leadership as the CEO of “Me, Inc.” She learned that excellence alone isn’t enough—owning your story is essential. By reframing her narrative, sharing it boldly, and building a support system, she redefined success on her terms and now leads with purpose, compassion, and authenticity—inviting others to do the same. Dr. Nwando Anyaoku is a physician executive and consultant based in Seattle, Washington. A board-certified pediatrician, Dr Anyaoku serves as GVP and Chief Health Equity and Clinical Innovation Officer for Providence. Dr. Anyaoku also serves as adjunct faculty at Carnegie Mellon University Master of Medical Management program and on the advisory board of WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine Master’s in Healthcare Leadership program. As a strategic advisor and consultant, she not only specializes in health equity, but also provides leadership development and supports physicians and executives in every aspect of their leadership journeys. Dr. Anyaoku is a proud mother of two young men and an avid reader and traveler. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx