The challenges encountered after Hurricane Helene, and the hope discovered working as a reptile conservation biologist. Gabrielle Graeter is a Conservation Biologist and Herpetologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, based out of Asheville. Gabrielle is originally from the mountains of North Carolina and a proud NCSSM graduate. After NCSSM, she went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned a B.S. in Biology. After a couple of years of leading outdoor adventure trips, environmental education, and working as a Biological Technician with the US Forest Service, she headed back to school to get a M.S. in Ecology from the University of Georgia’s Odum School of Ecology, where she studied the effects of landscape fragmentation on reptiles and amphibians. Gabrielle’s current work involves studying the reptiles of western North Carolina to better understand their distribution and determine their population status. The focus is on population monitoring, assessing threats, and taking action to help priority species. 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, Alice Carter delves into the concept of Behavioral Innovation, revealing how human behavior shapes innovation and decision-making. She challenges the assumption of rationality, demonstrating how our actions are deeply influenced by context. Through compelling insights from psychology and real-world scenarios, this session explores how we can cultivate an innovative mindset to drive meaningful change. Alice Carter is the East Africa Director at Brink, an innovation practice dedicated to addressing global challenges by integrating innovation and behavioural science. At Brink, Alice champions the belief that innovation extends beyond isolated breakthroughs; it thrives when entrepreneurs, governments, and philanthropists work together in a systemic and intentional way. Leading Brink’s efforts in East Africa, she focuses on fostering collaborations that catalyse transformative and sustainable 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

Bonding Minds Across Generations through intergenerational transmission: Rashid shares how her roles as a entrepreneur, family member, friend and philanthropist has shaped her work and her life. Rashida embraces her maiden surname (Anjarwalla) and her married surname (Nurbhai) because she believes her identity is relative to her whole lifetime.She was born and brought up in Nairobi, Kenya. After marriage she relocated to Arusha, Tanzania.Her everyday role revolves around being a daughter, granddaughter, sister, wife, daughter-in-law, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, friend, homemaker, an entrepreneur and, a citizen of her nation and the greater world.She is an artist, food processing expert, nutritionist, and one of the directors in the family owned business.Rashida was awarded The (Citizen Tanzania) Rising Woman Award in 2024, presented by H.E. President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The award was to acknowledge her family owned business's dedication towards women empowerment. Her hobbies include painting, reading, golfing, motorcycling, hiking and, baking. 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

Mr. Qureshi talks about how in the corporate world, challenges—like performance gaps, cultural shifts, and leadership struggles—are the black dots on our canvas. With the right mindset, we can transform obstacles into success stories that redefine our organizations and careers. Mr. Qureshi has always been fascinated by the way small actions, seemingly insignificant moments, or even a single idea can create ripples far beyond what is expected. With experience in coaching and leadership, he has witnessed how perspectives and small steps can lead to profound transformation in the meanings of people's lives. 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

Σε ποιο βαθμό η επιθυμία μας είναι πραγματικά δική μας; Η ομιλία εξετάζει το ψυχαναλυτικό παράδοξο της επιθυμίας μέσα από τη σκέψη του Ζακ Λακάν και του Σίγκμουντ Φρόυντ, αναδεικνύοντας πώς οι προσδοκίες των άλλων –και κυρίως των γονέων μας– διαμορφώνουν την αίσθηση του εαυτού μας. Πώς ορίζεται η ταυτότητά μας όταν διαρκώς αναζητούμε κάτι που μας διαφεύγει; Και τι σημαίνει να ζούμε μέσα από την επιθυμία των άλλων; Georgios Kountouras is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at Democritus University of Thrace. He is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) and the Department of Social Work at the Athens University of Applied Sciences (TEI Athens). He holds a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Derby and a PhD. He has also received training in psychoanalysis. He has significant academic experience teaching topics related to mental health and psychopathology. 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

Η Δανάη Μπεζαντάκου μοιράζεται τις καθημερινές μεταβάσεις που βιώνει, από το ρόλο της ως μητέρα και μέντορας μέχρι την ηγεσία στον επιχειρηματικό κόσμο. Αναλύει τις προκλήσεις και τις ευκαιρίες που δημιουργούνται μέσα από αυτές τις αλλαγές, ενώ παράλληλα αναδεικνύει τα μεγάλα σύγχρονα ζητήματα, όπως το brain drain, το δημογραφικό και την ψηφιακή μετάβαση. Μέσα από τη ναυτιλία, την επιχειρηματικότητα και τη δικτύωση, παρουσιάζει τρόπους με τους οποίους μπορούμε να προσαρμοστούμε και να αξιοποιήσουμε τη μετάβαση ως εργαλείο εξέλιξης. Danae Bezantakou leads NAVIGATOR SHIPPING CONSULTANTS in the maritime industry while also being involved in family businesses in the tourism sector, including the tourism company KEFI S.A. and the MATILDA Hotel in Zakynthos. She is the founder of the YES Forum, the first platform for open dialogue between students, executives, and professionals in the fields of Shipping and Maritime Tourism, and the author of the book titled "Towards the Sea Meria," published by Dioptra Editions. Additionally, she serves as the First Vice President of the International Propeller Club (Port of Piraeus), Director at Large of the International Propeller Club, and President of the Hellenic U.S. Alumni Association. She is also the President of iforU - Greek Mentoring Network, which aims to empower women entrepreneurs through Mentoring and Networking, and Head of the Education Team at ICC Women Hellas. 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