How losing my hair revealed my real power | Kat Marenzi | TEDxPacific Avenue
Kat Marenzi wore masks for 20 years ~ the perfectionist mask, the “I’m fine” mask, the social media mask, and when alopecia arrived, the physical one too. She spent those years abandoning herself to avoid being abandoned by others.What if the thing you’ve been most ashamed of is actually the key to your freedom?Then came the moment everything changed. One terrifying night revealed a truth so profound it transformed her life: being unmasked wasn’t her greatest vulnerability ~ it was her greatest superpower.You’ll discover:• How your deepest shame might become your strength• Why authenticity is your most magnetic quality• The moment Kat realized her difference was her gift• The freedom that flows when you stop performing your lifeBecause when you stop performing, what’s left is eternal ~ untouched by shame and fear.So I’ll ask you: what mask are you wearing ~ and what might freedom look like without it?Let this be your permission slip to unmask, magnetize your truth & reclaim your joy. Kat is a Soul Realignment Guide who helps leaders unmask their authentic power. With 2 decades of automotive leadership, from Foreman at General Motors to dealership executive, she bridges worlds others keep apart. Her journey from dealerships to healership wasn’t theoretical ~ she walked away from a lucrative career to follow her authentic calling, later stepping onto the TEDx stage to share her story of unmasking through alopecia. A Purdue graduate with a B.S. in the School of Technology and minors in Mechanical Engineering Technology and Industrial Engineering, she taught welding labs ~ an anomaly in a male-dominated field ~ earning the Leadership and Achievement Award for bringing more women into engineering. (Friends compared her to “Flashdance,” welding by day while being a runner-up for Grand Prix Queen)Through www.TheSpace.Love, she continues her role as a bridge ~ translating between the corporate and the spiritual, guiding leaders toward alignment, authenticity & freedom. 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
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- 17:50From Noble Rot to Liquid Gold | Philippe de Lur Saluces | TEDxÉcolePolytechniqueHow Sauternes wine was not the result of a single discovery but of a centuries-long evolution driven by market demand and innovation. The region embraced its challenging climate and the "noble rot" fungus, turning difficult production, low yields, and unpredictability into hallmarks of craftsmanship, rarity, and value. Philippe de Lur Saluces holds a degree from KEDGE Business School and has extensive international experience in wine importation and distribution, having worked notably in London, Beijing, and Shanghai. As leader of Château de Fargues, a prestigious vineyard, he focuses on strategic partnerships with acclaimed chefs and maintains selective, quality-driven distribution. Philippe also develops rural tourism and gastronomy projects in the Landes region, emphasising innovation and sustainability. 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
- 17:28Autopsy of a Formula 1 Team | Alexis Gatignol | TEDxÉcolePolytechniqueAn investigation of past risk management failures and explore the tension between different development strategies in F1, such as continuous improvement versus breakthrough innovation. Alexis Gatignol, an École Polytechnique alumnus and former student researcher at UC Berkeley, brings a wealth of experience in F1 engineering and innovation. Having worked in Vehicle Performance & Race Strategy at Red Bull Racing, he now plays a key role at Alpine F1 Team, leading upstream development and power unit innovation. His expertise extends to advanced simulation tools, hybrid energy optimisation, and structural trade-offs for the 2026 F1 Power Unit. He offers a unique perspective on the challenges and breakthroughs shaping the future of F1 technology. 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
- 18:24How AI can bring back our stories | Zunaira Imran | TEDxUnity Grammar YouthThis talk explores how reading has shaped generations and why it’s disappearing in today’s fast-paced, digital world. While technology has shortened our attention spans, it also holds the key to rekindling a love of reading. It is argued that AI should not replace human authors but instead make reading more interactive, immersive, and personal. Imagine books that let you shape the story, explore “what if” scenarios, or co-create endings with the help of AI, turning reading into an active, game-like experience. The vision is clear: use technology to reignite curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking while preserving the human heart of storytelling. Reading, at its core, is how we connect, reflect, and truly live. AI can help bring us back to what makes stories irresistible once again. Zunaira Imran is a Year 12 Prefect at Unity Grammar College with a strong interest in public speaking, education, and community involvement. She has been an active member of the school’s debating team, mock trial, Model Global Parliament, Model UN and leadership initiatives, where she serves as an Interfaith Representative. She is a Youth Ambassador for the Sabeel e Mustafa Charity Foundation, supports language education as a teacher assistant at Sydney Urdu School, and helps organise community fundraisers, including events for breast cancer awareness with the National Breast Cancer Foundation. She was also awarded the Certificate of Commendation for Youth Community Service: NSW Committee of the Order of Australia Association in 2024. Through these experiences, she hopes to keep contributing to spaces that encourage dialogue, learning, and positive change. 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
- 17:56Pioneering Equitable Solutions at a Grassroots level | Soumaya Najjarin | TEDxUnity Grammar YouthThis talk explores how personal struggle can spark powerful social change. It highlights the importance of recognising injustice, questioning cultural norms, and daring to create new paths when existing systems fail to support people.Through lessons of resilience, resourcefulness, and fortitude, the message is clear: change begins with awareness, action, and purpose. Building initiatives rooted in lived experience, evidence, and community voices ensures impact that truly matters.Social justice isn’t just about speaking truth, it’s about the courage to challenge stigma, disrupt silence, and build spaces that include and uplift everyone. Soumaya Najjarin is a policy and project management professional with over 8 years of experience in government and a decade of community service. Currently pursuing postgraduate studies in law, she brings a unique blend of governance expertise and grassroots advocacy to her work.As the Founding Director of New Beginnings Aus, Australia’s first Islamic divorce recovery organisation, she has pioneered transformative programs that support women, men, and families in navigating the emotional and social challenges of divorce. Her TEDx talk explores the often overlooked discrimination faced by individuals and families due to their divorce status, highlighting the urgent need for more compassionate, inclusive community. Her work is rooted in impact, innovation, and a dedication to meaningful change.Driven by her commitment to systemic change, Soumaya combines policy knowledge with lived experience to advocate for dignity, belonging, and fairness for all regardless of marital status. 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
- 9:04When Dialogue Harms | Zahir Janmohamed | TEDxBowdoinCollegeDialogue is often presented as a way to bridge our divisions and bring us together. But when does dialogue harm us? Who benefits (and loses) when everyone gets a chance to speak. And whom does it serve? Assistant Professor of English at Bowdoin College. 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
- 17:49Empowering the Youth | Uzairuddin Mir | TEDxUnity Grammar YouthImagine the if the next person to change the world isn’t a billionaire or a world leader, but a teenager sitting in a classroom, probably not expecting the world to change because of them? By empowering Youth they will become the changemakers of the future. So the system needs to be challenged whereby the voice of youth isn't heard as they are either too young or too inexperienced or whatever other excuse is given to hold them down. Youth need to be given a platform to share their creativity and imagination and be allowed to inistigate change. Uzairuddin Mir is a Year 12 student at Unity Grammar, proudly serving as the Community Service Prefect and a key member of the school’s leadership team. As a passionate public speaker, Uzair has participated in the annual Model Global Parliament, taking on the role of Speaker four times and counting. He’s also been an active voice in Unity Grammar’s Interfaith program for two consecutive years, fostering understanding and connection across diverse communities. Uzair’s commitment to service extends beyond the school gates. He has taken part in numerous homeless runs, offering hands-on support to those in need, and reflecting his deep-rooted compassion and sense of social responsibility. A keen innovator, he’s also been a core member of the school’s FLL Robotics Team, helping lead the team to the national stage across two seasons combining creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving to tackle real-world challenges. 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
