In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Kongresshaus Zürich
Claridenstrasse 5
Zurich, Zürich (de), 8001
Switzerland

Allan Guggenbühl

Professional Ghostbuster

Allan Guggenbühl is one of Europe's most renowned psychologist and bestselling author. He is the director of the Institute of Conflict Management in Zurich (www.ikm.ch), professor emeritus at the State University of Zurich, and former director of the department for group therapy at the outpatient clinic in Bern. Known for his groundbreaking work in education, men’s issues, and conflict management, Guggenbühl has written over 17 influential books and captivated audiences with his lectures across all continents. Before working as a psychologist, he was trained as a classical guitarist in Mexico.

Amber Eve

Burlesque artist, Comedian and Stripper

Originally from Germany, Amber Eve is a talented burlesque artist, comedian, and stripper currently based in Switzerland and known internationally. With a background in classical ballet, Amber swapped the horizontal barre for the stripper pole in 2015 and has since mastered the art of expressing herself through body language. She produces her shows in Switzerland, teaches classes, and talks about stripping in her standup comedy, podcast, and writing. She aims to spread joy and awareness through her work and invites her audience to open up to new and magical experiences.

Barbara Schaer

Artist & Designer

Born in the USA in 1943, Dr. Barbara Schaer pursued her studies in Art and Industrial Design at a time when girls were not welcomed in education. With a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering, a Master of Pedagogical Education and a Doctorate of Philosophy, her career teaching environmental and engineering design brought her from the USA to Germany, where she was the assistant of Artist/Architect Max Bill, and to Switzerland. In Ticino, Dr. Barbara Schaer created her gallery of watercolors, oils, incision prints and sculptures. She depicts nature in an expressive-realistic style that presents subjects abstracted to present their inner qualities.

Dr. Shirin Hund

Harvard trained physician

As a practicing physician, medical consultant, and advisory board member, Dr. Hund's expertise extends from the patient's bedside to teaching the next generation of doctors to analyzing and improving the current medical system. She received multiple grants and awards to support her interests in improving medical access and services for vulnerable patient populations and is an alumna of the Harvard Macy Institute Program for Future Academic Clinician-Educators for her development of an innovative curriculum for Harvard Medical School students. Dr. Hund has numerous publications in the fields of medical education, medical humanities, and clinical immunology in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, Academic Medicine, and Immunology.

Eva Parth dos Santos

Entrepreneur

Eva Parth dos Santos is an entrepreneur who supports young girls and women in fashion, education, and technology. With her company “Mint Girls”, she encourages girls to live out their interest in science, technology, engineering, and math by challenging clothing stereotypes and expanding their horizons to include access to other types of clothing for girls in the themes of astronauts, robotics, and other out-of-this-world topics. She has a Master’s in Management and had a successful career in the corporate world before her entrepreneurial journey. Eva and her husband have three young daughters.

Freideriki Michailidou

Scientist & Entrepreneur

Dr. Freideriki (Frida) Michailidou is a trailblazing entrepreneur and accomplished scientist with over a decade of international experience spanning biotech, pharma, and academia. As a researcher and lecturer at ETH Zurich, she led groundbreaking work in developing sustainable fragrances by blending biotechnology, perfumery, and consumer science. Frida’s pioneering spirit even took her to the heights of Mount Olympus, where she scaled nearly 7,000 feet to capture volatile emissions from rare, protected plants. Her transformative research in sustainable fragrances has earned her prestigious accolades, including being named an “MIT Innovator under 35 Europe” by the MIT Technology Review and receiving the UK Alumni Award Greece (Science and Sustainability) from the British Council. Currently, as an entrepreneur, Frida is pioneering sustainable luxury fragrances, dedicated to merging science with sustainable business practices.

Ivana Leiseder

Marketing Anarchist

Ivana Leiseder is a marketing expert, author, lecturer, and relentless fighter against bullshit with over 20 years of experience. She has created some of the most recognized campaigns for many organizations and even Fortune 500 companies. Her actions have taken many forms: founding Switzerland’s first independent music magazine; shaking up the conventional wine market by bringing Serbian wines to Switzerland; giving a terminally ill woman access to a life-saving treatment by initiating Europe’s largest crowdfunding campaign in the health sector; and penning a widely recognized book on bullshit. Today, Ivana battles bad marketing practices with her own business. Raised at the intersection of Tito and Tell, Ivana is the same age as Windows 1.0.

Kristen Pressner

Global HR Executive

Trailblazing people leader Kristen Pressner believes in the potential in each of us. As Global Head of People & Culture for a prominent multinational, her passion for equity and inclusion makes her a sought-after voice, featured on international ‘Top HR Influencer’ lists. Originally from the United States, Kristen’s academic journey includes Bachelor's and MBA degrees. Fifteen years ago, together with her husband and four children, she relocated to Switzerland. Her ability to dive into the complexities of understanding ourselves and others is incredibly relevant in today’s fast-paced world. She returns to the TEDx stage to bring her trademark blend of vulnerability, enlightening insights and inspiration.

Matthias Schranner

FBI trained negotiator

Matthias Schranner is a consultant and negotiation expert originally trained by the German police and the FBI as a lead negotiator for high-stakes situations. For the past 20 years, he and his team at the Schranner Negotiation Institute have been advising clients including the UN, governments, and global corporations in difficult negotiations. He is the author of books such as The Negotiator, Costly Mistakes, and The Schranner Concept® as well as numerous articles and other publications. Matthias is founder and CEO of the Negotiation Council Geneva, an organization dedicated to researching new strategies for peace negotiations.

Ronja Müller-Bruhn

Innovator & Entrepreneur

Ronja is a visionary medical engineer who has dedicated her career to pioneering technologies that bridge the brain, breath, and body. Imagine using magnetic fields to “hack” into the nerves that control our breathing—potentially revolutionising how we breathe and even enhancing our overall well-being. She has filed 15 patents in the medical field and is currently further developing the technology, to be used in therapy within leading clinics around the world.