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

What happens when your grief doesn't come with a funeral or casseroles? Drawing from her personal journey after her son's autism diagnosis, Saba illuminates the common, yet often invisible, sorrow of "unacknowledged grief" - losses which society does not broadly recognize. Challenging the notion that grief is solely about death, this talk explores how to normalize the pain when life differs from expectations. Discover a path to healing by giving ourselves and others permission to grieve these silent losses, fostering deeper compassion and understanding. A relentless advocate, lifelong learner, and healthcare innovator, Dr. Saba Syed drives transformation in healthcare services. Her 16+ year journey through diverse pharmacy, healthcare technology, and leadership roles at multiple start-ups, combined with her profound personal experiences as a mother navigating the complexities of raising an autistic child, has instilled a deep empathy and unique perspective on resilience and inclusion. This lived experience is the cornerstone of her insights on unacknowledged grief. 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 practical, high-impact talk, Kim reveals the fear, self-doubt, and lack of strategy that hold people back—and teaches a 4-step system to show up confidently and create compelling video content for social media and beyond that connects, and converts. Kim Rittberg is an award-winning media executive turned entrepreneur who helps professionals grow their visibility and confidence through content. With 15 years at top media outlets like Netflix and PEOPLE, she built Us Weekly’s video unit and helped drive its $100 million sale. A national speaker and Fast Company contributor, Kim had a wake-up call during childbirth that pushed her to redefine success. Today, she teaches others how to craft standout video, podcast, and social media content to build impactful, fulfilling careers. 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

When change is most needed, even purpose-driven leaders with the best intentions can often choose self-preservation over purpose. This talk unpacks why 90% of change efforts fail—not because leaders don’t care, but because ego, identity, and fear quietly override purpose in critical moments. Drawing from decades of her original research and behind-closed-doors work with executive teams, Dr. Tiffany Brandreth reveals the hidden dynamics that cause well-intentioned leaders to abandon the very mission they set out to champion. Dr. Tiffany Brandreth is an Organizational Psychologist and Transformation Consultant. Through NDA-bound partnerships, she works privately with C-suite teams to uncover the power dynamics, trust gaps, and behavioral patterns that quietly shape culture, decision-making, and performance. Her research uncovered why 90% of culture change efforts fail, leading to the development of the Transformation Formula - now used by senior teams to restore trust, revolutionize culture, and drive lasting change. Her mission is to turn the 10% of Transformative Leaders into the new standard—leaders who lead with truth, act on principles that serve purpose, and leave a lasting impact. 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