Theme: Smashing Boxes

The paths we choose in life depend on many factors. TEDxCuraçao 2018 challenges you to ask yourself: Do you dare explore the unknown, to reset your perception of reality and to be who you truly are? Are you brave enough to go after what you want, whatever that may be? Zoom out, see the bigger picture and stop letting everyday life, expectations and comfort zones run your life for a moment…

Welcome to TEDxCuraçao 2018! On 14 April 2018 we will be Smashing Boxes. Boxes that limit our beliefs and perception of what is possible. With this event we seek to encourage our attendees (and other followers) to venture out of the boxes we create for ourselves and the world around us.

TEDxCuraçao 2018 will bring together 10 inspirational speakers and performers who dared to go off the beaten path. Who have created a new reality, who prove that one small step can lead to magnificent change, and who are happy to share their ideas and inspiration as fuel for others.

This year we’re going beyond just thinking outside the box. We are smashing the box.

Vila Maria
van de Brandhofstraat
Willemstad, Curaçao, 00000
Curaçao

David Allen

A "personal productivity guru"

David Allen is one of the world’s most influential thinkers on productivity. He has earned the titles of “personal productivity guru” by Fast Company Magazine and one of America’s top 5 executive coaches by Forbes Magazine. The American Management Association has ranked him in the top ten business leaders. His bestselling book ‘Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity’ has been published in thirty languages and its methodology has become a global phenomenon. David is dedicated to teaching people how to stay relaxed and productive in our fast paced world.

Eugene Rhuggenaath

Eugene Rhuggenaath is a Curaçaoan politician and party leader of the Partido Alternativa Real (PAR). He was Minister for Economic Development in the Cabinet-Koeiman in 2016. He was a member of the Island Council of Curaçao between 2003 and December 2009 and of the Estates of Curaçao since May 2017. During the Curaçao general election of 2017 his party received most votes. Rhuggenaath was tasked to form a new coalition government by Governor Lucille George-Wout with his Party, Partido MAN and Partido Inovashon Nashonal. Rhuggenaath was sworn in as Prime Minister on 29 May 2017.

Jasmine Sendar

Actress, model, presenter, radio-dj, comedian and businesswoman

Jasmine Sendar, born in Willemstad, is a creative soul with many talents. She is an actress, model, presenter, radio-dj, comedian and businesswoman. Last year she wrote and performed her cabaret show 'Mooi Weer' about her turbulent life and downfall from being a Dutch television star, most prominently known for ‘Onderweg Naar Morgen’. Besides her many talents, she also gives empowering speeches to women and coaches children how to act, model, present themselves and be more self confident.

Jocelyn Pearson

Author and founder of The Scholarship System

Jocelyn Pearson is an Amazon best-selling author and founder of The Scholarship System, an online program to teach families how to pay for college with scholarships and avoid student loan debt. Today, she runs a business in creating profitable online marketing funnels and coaches other entrepreneurs on how to do the same. “My goal is to help you deliver your passion and ideas to as many people as possible, while creating more freedom and flexibility in your life,” says Pearson, one of the winners of the TEDxCuracao Speakers’ Pitch.

Joel Simonetti

Teacher, author and naturalist

Joel Simonetti is the co-founder of the non-profit organization Fintegrity and a teacher, author and naturalist. He is interested in the intersection of education and our ocean’s future. Over the last 25 years passion and profession have taken him to Indonesia, Egypt, Australia and Curacao, all nations home to the world’s richest coral reefs. There he has had ample opportunity to ask kids what they know about life in our ocean.

Joeri Oltheten

Social entrepreneur

Joeri Oltheten is an energetic, multifaceted social entrepreneur with over 10 years of experience. He manages, coordinates and executes projects that enhance sustainable human development and wellbeing. Currently, Oltheten is working on ingraining an entrepreneurial and creative spirit in Curaçao’s DNA, by supporting micro business development on the island. He is the owner of Cinqo Consultancy, director of Wintertuin Curaçao and partner of Ngrane Caribbean.

Mark Tigchelaar

The "Brain Trainer of the Netherlands"

The "Brain Trainer of the Netherlands" - Mark Tigchelaar studied neuropsychology and specialises in how people can gain more from their brain. He is the author of four books and has trained more than 100,000 people in the principles of UseClark. UseClark is a company of which he is co-founder and director. It helps governments, businesses, educational institutions and individuals to deal with large amounts of information, through trainings and special software. Internationally, Tigchelaar is seen as the expert about our brain and productivity.

Nathania Engelhardt

Debate, Argumentation and Communication

Nathania Engelhardt just moved back to Curacao after graduating from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, with a master’s degree in communication science. During her studies she dedicated herself to debating, both as a hobby and a field of study. She now continues her work by focusing on debate education projects for the youth. Nathania participated in the TEDxCuracao Speakers’ Pitch and convinced everyone to let her have a place on stage at TEDxCuracao on April 14.

Noemi Elisa

Blogger

Noemi Elisa is a 29-year-old speaker who has always tried to have a positive outlook on life. During the TEDxCuraçao Speaker's pitch she told her own personal story titled: Resilience beats happiness.

Priscilla Lotman

Founder and Director of Ava2 Digital Asset Management

With the developments in the FinTech industry the last few years, Priscilla Lotman has made it a point to immerse herself into this world. She focuses on the advances of digital assets, blockchain technology and technological innovations in the financial world. Priscilla is the Founder and Director of Ava2 Digital Asset Management; a company that works with start-ups and investment funds in the Fintech space.

Roël Calister

Stories and Drums

Roël Calister was born on Curaçao and is famous for his ability to tastefully mix dance, pop and jazz with folklore elements from Curacao. He is specialized in African and Caribbean instruments, which play a prominent role in Roël’s project Kuenta i Tambu. With Kuenta i Tambu, he has been performing at venues and festivals all over the world for 8 years. In 2005, Roël started drumdrumdrum.nl, which specializes in developing rhythmical concepts and educational programs for schools and theaters.

Steven Coutinho

Professional speaker, author and university lecturer.

Steven Coutinho is a professional speaker, author and university lecturer known for his insights into self-image and how it is programmed by society's stories. His recent book Breaking Rank takes you on a fascinating journey into how the mind has evolved, how it is shaped by society and how it shapes society in turn. Combining evolutionary psychology, neuroscience and a lot of fun, he inspires audiences to look differently at themselves - and in doing so he transforms minds. Previously Steven was a managing director of one of the world's largest banks, a strategy consultant and an economic policy adviser to governments across the Caribbean and South America. Steven holds a Masters in Physics cum laude from the University of Groningen, and an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Veronique Toulon

Accomplished hairstylist, entrepreneur and CEO of Cherie

Veronique Toulon, born in 1986, is an accomplished hairstylist, entrepreneur and CEO of Cherie. Cherie is a beauty salon which was voted as number one on Curaçao multiple times. At the exclusive learning and work institute Cherie Certified, upcoming hairdressers will have the opportunity to learn and work with the dynamic team of Cherie. This creative program is the key to start improving the hair education on Curaçao.