In his TEDx talk “Building Bridges by Living Daily with Your Eyes and Heart Open,” educator and soccer coach TJ Kostecky blends personal stories, soccer wisdom, and life philosophy to teach the power of perception, empathy, and intentional action. With lessons drawn from Leo Messi, Brooklyn bodegas, and the Bard Prison Initiative, TJ invites us to widen our lens, believe in others (and ourselves), and create ripple effects of kindness and connection. TJ Kostecky is the lead innovator of Vision Training, a leadership development program that empowers individuals to discover their full potential and form meaningful connections through subtle shifts in perspective. His academic career spans three decades and six universities and has seen him in diverse roles, such as a coach, athletic director, professor, and entrepreneur, each contributing to his unique perspective on leadership. TJ published his self-help book Eyes Up! in 2024. Good Housekeeping released their list of the 26 Best Self-Help books that work, and Eyes UP! was #5. He is currently the Head Men’s Soccer Coach and Co-founder of the Bard Leadership program at Bard College. In 2020, he was inducted into the Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame. TJ resides in Tivoli, NY, where he enjoys longboarding through the village streets, hiking the Catskill Mountains, and engaging everyone he meets in conversation. 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

Young people are often told that success comes from hard work and good grades - but in reality, opportunities go to those who are seen, remembered, and trusted. In a world where voices compete for attention, your personal brand is your greatest asset. This talk will challenge students to take control of their reputation early, position themselves as leaders, and attract life-changing opportunities. I will share how I went from an immigrant with no connections to a sought-after speaker and professional, proving that visibility creates possibilities. Rufeda Ali is a Product Manager, and Personal Branding Advocate who went from feeling invisible in classrooms to being invited into rooms she once dreamed of. After starting her career in a non-tech background, she successfully transitioned into tech - without connections, privilege, or a roadmap. She recently completed her Master’s in Business Analytics from Southern Methodist University (SMU) while building a personal brand that now speaks for her even when she’s not in the room. At TEDx, Rufeda shares how young people can take control of their reputation and turn their story into their greatest asset. 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

"Living Beyond Courage" idea is that when we choose to terminate our contract with fear and live beyond courage, we can radically improve our physical and mental health, make better/wiser decisions, and enjoy a life of true freedom. After 20 years of studying fearlessness and overcoming my own debilitating fears, I realized we have glorified courage and completely misunderstood fearlessness. Courage means “doing it afraid” and taking fearful action is not a sustainable long-term strategy! Fearlessness is not recklessness, it means removing fear from your decision-making process. Fearlessness is possible for everyone! Sandy Gledhill is a thought leader & business consultant who has researched fearlessness for 20 years. After overcoming her own debilitating fears and discovering the 7 secrets to fearlessness, she now empowers leaders to lead, even as they are still in the process of becoming. Sandy helps high-performers achieve outrageous success by teaching them how to totally eradicate fear. A keynote speaker & author of The Fearless Revolution, she loves to share her unique message of Living Beyond Courage. 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

How Katie uses invention to fight for women's rights and fight the climate crisis. KATIE R. ’26 is a junior at Walker’s. She is an active member ofthe theater program and head of SunDial Press, the student- run newspaper. Katie is currently the head of She LeadsJustice, a community partnership that helps immerse women in politics, and an Advancement Student Ambassador. Outside of school, she has engineered several devices including the Freedom Feeder, the Power Sole, and the Power Purifer, which won her the Raytheon “Technology of Tomorrow” Award. Katie is also involved with the CT DEMS, where she works on various political candidates’ campaigns. 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

How Dr. Sheldon takes what she learns from around the world to enrich the Walker's community and make us all better thinkers. DR. JULIA SHELDON P’20, ’23 has taught science at Walker’s since 1998. She has a degree in chemistry from UC San Diego and a Ph.D. in bioorganic chemistry from Yale University. At Walker’s, her students learn how science can help them understand and improve their world. She was named a National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow, and traveled on an expedition to the Arctic. This led her to develop and teach an interdisciplinary elective course on Climate Change. She also co-developed and co-teaches Honors Scientifc Research in Antibiotic Discovery, and has held several administrative roles at Walker’s including Science Department Chair, Co-Dean of Faculty, and Dean of Studies. Julia has embarked on two visits to the Galapagos Islands with National Geographic, a safari in Tanzania, and an expedition to Antarctica with a cohort of female and nonbinary leaders in STEM. She uses these experiences in the classroom to 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

How being given the freedom to do anything can make a person ready for the world. MEREDYTHE GOETHE ‘05 is currently the Vice President of Operations at FinMkt, a leading fntech company based out of New York City. She earned her MBA from Harvard Business School with a minor in organizational behavior. After graduating from Walker’s, Meredythe received a BFA and B.A. from The School of the Museum of Fine Arts and Tufts University. She then spent a year in Southeast Asia integrating an arts therapy NPO into local schools before starting her MFA at Pratt Institute. Leveraging a part-time bakery job, Meredythe began cooking full time for Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, and others before launching her blog, The Salty Piece. Meredythe lives in Brooklyn, New York with her partner and two children. In 2026, she will run her fourth New York City Marathon as a member of The Human Rights Campaign team raising awareness and resources for the LGBTQIA+ community. Meredythe still considers her roles as Head of Dials and the frst Wally the Wildcat among her proudest achievements. 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