In this inspiring talk, the speaker reflects on their transition from corporate leadership to mentoring within the startup world, exploring how real innovation begins with people, not processes. Drawing from personal experience, they reveal what holds organizations back — from the “it can’t be done” mindset to fear of failure — and show why young talents and open collaboration are the true engines of change. This is a story about courage, curiosity, and the power of sharing knowledge to build the future together. Co-founder and former president of SI-eCommerce, former vice president of Lukardi S.A., and former CTO of Modivo/Eobuwie, he is a manager with over 20 years of experience in the IT industry. He has worked for major clients in Poland and abroad, combining his knowledge of modern technologies with strategic thinking skills. For several years, he has been involved in the development of startups in Poland and supports young talents, including as a juror and mentor for the Econverse Cup competition and a collaborator with the Empiria i Wiedza Foundation. He has completed prestigious educational programs at Stanford University, Université du Littoral, Wrocław University of Technology, and Franklin University. At TEDxUEW 2025, he will answer questions such as: • What is the path from an IT corporation to supporting startups? • Why is investing in young talent an investment in the future? • How does business experience translate into social innovation? 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 this insightful and relatable talk, the speaker explores what truly defines a “good place to work” — beyond salary, KPIs, and corporate slogans. Combining personal experience as a leader with powerful research from MIT, Gallup, and Deloitte, she reveals four key pillars of a healthy workplace: purpose, work-life integration, psychological safety, and growth through recognition. With humor and authenticity, she invites us to rethink leadership — not as control, but as creating an environment where people feel seen, valued, and motivated to stay. A leader who thrives at the intersection of strategy and empathy, turning the daily whirlwind of challenges into opportunities for growth.Her life is a constant balancing act - managing pressing deadlines and unexpected fires, both at work and at home, where she leads a team of fifteen professionals at Fresenius Kabi and embraces the joyful chaos of raising three spirited daughters.Monika believes that real leadership starts when control gives way to trust. It’s about creating a space where people feel safe to speak up and say, ‘This isn’t working, let’s find a better way.’ For her, leadership is never a solo journey; it’s defined by the team that stands behind you.Monika will explore how to build workplaces that value every voice, master the art of balancing life’s demands, and nurture environments where collaboration sparks innovation. 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

Alicja Jeromin, an eight-time Paralympic medalist and one of Poland’s most decorated para-athletes, shares how sport became not just her passion, but a way of life. In this inspiring talk, she reveals what it means to overcome limits — both physical and mental — and how perseverance and self-belief can redefine what’s possible. Today, as an athlete and a mother, Alicja shows that determination truly knows no boundaries. Imagine the start. The gun goes off. The crowd holds its breath. She sets off. She's not just running for a medal, but for something more: freedom, strength, and the belief that limits only exist in our minds.Meet Alicja Jeromin - a woman who has spent her entire life proving that determination can overcome anything, Former Polish representative in para athletics, eight-time Paralympic medalist and World & European champion in the 100, 200, and 400 metersSport not only changed her life, it became her life. It was on the track that she learned to push boundaries: physical, mental, and social. Her motto? “Never give up.”And it is this principle that guides her through every stage of her life, including the latest one, in which she is fulfilling her role as a mother. Her story is a tribute to strength of spirit, perseverance, and the courage to keep going even when the finish line is not in sight. 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 this personal and deeply motivating talk, the speaker challenges the common belief that talent alone leads to achievement. Through a mix of scientific insights and personal stories — from failing an exam and writing a discarded first book, to running a marathon unprepared and overcoming toxic relationships — he reveals that true success lies in persistence, strategy, and the right environment. Combining humor, honesty, and psychology, this talk explores how discipline, mindset, and the people around us shape the path to lasting fulfillment. Once, Piotr was the guy who couldn’t bring himself to pick up the phone and order a pizza. Now, he’s a business trainer, certified hypnotherapist, and the author of three books, speaking on some of the biggest stages in the country. His work blends sharp business insight with deep personal transformation, helping sales teams, entrepreneurs, and individuals break through their own walls.But Piotr’s impact reaches far beyond the boardroom. He works with people battling addictions, guiding them toward lasting recovery and the motivation to rebuild their lives. Through a mix of coaching and hypnotherapy, he’s helped countless people quit harmful habits, embrace healthier lifestyles, and step into their own power.Piotr will explore what really decides success, how to push forward when everything says you can’t, and why talent is never the whole story. 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 this thought-provoking talk, Anna Wysocka, artist manager and A&R expert, breaks down the myths of the music industry and reveals what truly defines success in today’s creative landscape. Drawing on real case studies – including her long-term collaboration with rising star Jann – she explores how authenticity, persistence, and smart strategy shape an artist’s career far more than luck or viral fame. This is a candid look behind the scenes of the modern music business, where talent meets structure, and passion meets reality. Anna’s career is built on finding voices that can cut through the noise - and guiding them to the moment they finally get heard. As an Artist Manager and A&R at FONOBO Label, she works with artists like Jann, KIWI, Pola Chobot, and Alicja Szemplińska, helping them navigate the unpredictable tides of the music industry. She’s also the founder of the Polish edition of Sofar Sounds, creating intimate concerts that connect artists and audiences in unforgettable ways. For Anna, music isn’t just sound - it’s a strategy, a feeling, and a story waiting to be told. Behind every song we love is a series of bold choices, risks taken, and moments when someone believed in it before anyone else did. Anna will share what it really takes to build an artist in an age of algorithms, why good music sometimes doesn’t speak for itself, and what happens behind the curtain before the spotlight ever turns on. 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

Step into the monochrome world of Szymon Brodziak, an internationally acclaimed master of black-and-white photography whose lens captures emotion, femininity, and cinematic beauty. In this talk, Szymon shares how his artistic journey – from passion to global recognition – became a lifelong pursuit of truth, creativity, and authenticity. Through his philosophy “What you see is who you are,” he invites the audience to reflect on how perception shapes identity, art, and the way we see ourselves. Szymon Brodziak – a master of black-and-white photography whose works resemble frames from films that were never made. His art, full of emotion, beauty, and reflection on femininity, has gained worldwide recognition. He was the first Pole and the youngest artist to exhibit his work at the legendary Helmut Newton Foundation in Berlin. He has won dozens of awards in London, Paris, Tokyo, New York, and Cannes. In 2019, he took first place in the World's Top 10 Black&White Photographers, and in 2024, his photographs earned him as many as nine medals in the international reFocus Black&White Awards competition. He is the author of the award-winning albums “ONE” and “You Are What You See.” He is the founder of Brodziak Gallery, a space buzzing with artistic life, and Brodziak Academy, an educational platform for photographers. Together with his life partner and muse, Ana Brodziak, he also runs the “Moc w Relacji” project, inspiring couples to live in freedom, unity, and love. 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 this inspiring talk, Karol “Friz” Wiśniewski – one of Poland’s most recognizable creators and entrepreneurs – shares his journey of transforming a teenage hobby into a lifelong profession. He reveals how persistence, risk-taking, and an unshakable belief in one’s passion can become the driving force behind real success. Through his own story, Friz shows that you don’t need perfect conditions to start – you just need the courage to act, the patience to learn from mistakes, and the consistency to keep going. Karol “Friz” Wiśniewski, entrepreneur, producer, internet creator, founder and originator of the Ekipa project. Chief Executive Officer of Ekipa Management and key shareholder of Ekipa Holding S.A., a company listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, which operates through several subsidiaries: Ekipatonosi, Laniakea Pictures, GGBay, Ekipa Music, and Ekipa Investments. Author and producer of the largest entertainment projects on Polish YouTube.Karol's speech is a story in which history becomes the backdrop for conveying important information about changing mindsets and building a better quality of life in the future. Karol will share his experiences, showing why it is worth to have your own hobby, something that not only brings joy, but also becomes a source of energy and motivation in everyday life. He will talk about what passion means to him and how it has helped him to be fully commit to his work and achieve further success. 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

Todas las personas tenemos en nuestro interior un GPS, Guía de Propósito Superior, que nos orienta hacia nuestra versión más auténtica. Esa brújula nos invita a escuchar las señales, recalcular la ruta una y otra vez y avanzar con coraje, curiosidad y compasión. Cuando aprendemos a escuchar y confiar en nuestra guía, podemos vivir con mayor sentido, plenitud y realización personal mientras dejamos nuestra huella única en el mundo. Carolina es Mentora, conferencista y maestra de propósito, inteligencia emocional, mindfulness y liderazgo consciente.Carolina es la fundadora de la academia de desarrollo personal, PlénariEs la autora de los libros, “Plenitud”,y es coautora de “The Purpose Reset” y creadora del podcast PlenaMente.Su pasión es crear experiencias profundas y herramientas prácticas para ayudar a que más personas puedan alinearse con su propósito y vivir en plenitud, combinando su experiencia en el mundo corporativo y su conocimiento en crecimiento personal.Estudió negocios internacionales en la Universidad de Maryland, tiene un MBA de la Universidad de Nueva York y trabajó como líder en Google, American Express y Telemundo/ZGS en Estados Unidos.Se considera una estudiante eterna del florecimiento humano y disfruta viajar por su natal Colombia. 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

Una charla sobre cómo la neurocirugía puede ir más allá de los bisturís y los electrodos: reparar cerebros para devolver armonía, música y sentido. Desde historias de pacientes con Parkinson, depresión o mielomeningocele, hasta cirugías fetales y animales, el mensaje es uno solo: cada conexión recuperada es una vida que vuelve a volar.Porque entre el cero y el uno no hay un número, hay un abismo… y cruzarlo es un acto de amor, ciencia y esperanza. William, internacionalmente conocido como Doctor WO, es neurocirujano funcional, científico, humanista y baterista colombiano.Es investigador experimental y clínico. Pionero en múltiples procedimientos neuroquirúrgicos; en machine learning y en realidad virtual y aumentada aplicada a la Neurocirugia. Dirige el servicio de Neurocirugía del Centro Internacional de Neuromodulación NEMOD.Profesor titular de la UNAB, fue el primer latinoamericano en recibir el Premio Joven Neurocirujano de la Federación Mundial de Neurocirugía, en Roma Italia.Es uno de los miembros más jóvenes de la Academia Nacional de Medicina.Es doctor “Summa Cum Laude” de la Universidad de Friburgo en Alemania y postdoctorado en Neuromodulación de la Universidad de Sao Paulo y la Harvard Medical School.Recibió la Orden de la Democracia Simón Bolívar en grado de Cruz Oficial, la máxima condecoración del Congreso de Colombia a personalidades destacadas por su invaluable contribución al país.Ha sido galardonado con 3 premios Clio en Nueva York y 2 Leones de Oro en Cannes, máximos reconocimientos mundiales a la creatividad y la innovación.Con ustedes, el Doctor WO: un viajero de neuronas, un arquitecto de circuitos y un soñador que cree que la ciencia también construye país. 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

7000 días para acompañar a los niños a construir su cerebro: un viaje por el desarrollo infantil y las oportunidades que tenemos para promover el desarrollo del pleno potencial de cada niño y su capacidad de florecer aún en medio de la adversidad. Marta es Médica, Magíster en neuropsicología, Doctora en ciencias sociales, niñez y juventud.Es Docente de la maestría en Neurodesarrollo y aprendizaje de la Universidad CES.Acompaña familias en el proceso de crianza, reconociendo las inmensas capacidades de mamás y papás para nunca rendirse y encontrar la manera de desarrollar el pleno potencial de sus hijos, aun en medio de la adversidad. Es la mamá de Sofía. 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