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).

Best Western Plus Plaza Hotel Darmstadt
Am Kavalleriesand 6
Darmstadt, Hessen, 64295
Germany

Dr. Markus Hammer

Dr. Markus Hammer leads the global Operations Learning team at McKinsey & Company. He has been advising clients on resource-productive operations and capability building since 2004, and has been active in learning factories for the last 15 years. He started his career in 2000 at Procter & Gamble in Germany. Markus Hammer studied process engineering at Graz University of Technology and later earned his doctorate there at the Institute for Innovation and Industrial Management. He is the author of several books and articles and a university lecturer at Graz University of Technology. He is happily married, father of two sons and lives in Austria.

Dr. Sandra Arndt

As an Executive Coach (PCC) and leadership expert, Dr. Sandra Arndt works with organizations and their leaders on topics like authenticity, compassion and balance. She has a deep passion for supporting individuals’ and teams’ development, drawing her effectiveness as a leader and coach from deep self-awareness, leading with authenticity, courage and compassion herself. By creating a safe space for leaders to move from acceptance of their starting point as well as their underlying core motivation, to appreciation of their gifts as well as acknowledgement of their journey ahead, Dr. Arndt enables growth and true transformation in an accelerated way. As an "Enneagram Ambassador" she enjoys contributing to the regional and global community of practitioners, including certification trainings on the Enneagram. A medical doctor by training, Dr. Sandra Arndt has spent the past 20+ years in management consulting and talent and leadership development, combining a strong international business background with a profound insight into the human experience. Various leadership roles across different regions and continents allowed her true cultural immersion, having lived and worked out of Frankfurt, London, Riyadh, and Singapore.

Ji-Hae Park

Hi, I am the violinist Ji-Hae Park. I play my beloved violin for a living. It is my pure passion and joy, but if you ask me why I live, I would say that the reason of my life is to spread positive messages by playing not only my violin, but my whole life. I enjoy exploring everything I can through music. Maybe that's why I'm so crazy about AI technology right now. In 2013, I spoke at the TED event ‘Dreamer’ in Long Beach, where Elon Musk was the speaker, just before it was my turn. Regardless of the controversies he generates, I greatly admire his ‘stay hungry and stay foolish’ attitude. At the TEDx event ‘Shape your world’ in Darmstadt, I would like to talk about my time as a musician during the COVID-19 pandemic. Normally, traveling to concerts or conferences means I'm always working and practicing. At the beginning of the pandemic it was really hard for me not to be able to pursue my profession, but on the other hand it was the only time when I could rest and improve myself. In that time, I was able to recreate classical music by integrating AI technology…

Laura Winterling

Laura Winterling believes that finding, seeing, admitting one's place in the universe would help making the world a better place. She likes the power and energy that radiates when ‘we’ work together, when we help others, shake hands, form a rescue alley on the highway, cry together in front of the TV while watching bad news in the world, or even just watching the European Championship partying with strangers on the street. We are good when we are good!

Omar El Manfalouty

Professionally, Omar El Manfalouty has been a research assistant at the Historical Seminar of Goethe University Frankfurt since 2019 and is pursuing a dissertation project on the role of political freedom for Jewish and Christian groups under Roman rule. As a sideline, he is a professional pilot and flight instructor in Egelsbach near Frankfurt. Since 2018, he has also volunteered as a pilot and foundation board member for the Swiss Humanitarian Pilots Initiative (HPI).

Patrick Scholl

Patrick Scholl is a former TU student, biomechanics engineer and CEO of the start-up novapace. Mondays to Fridays he works in a company in the field of electrical impedance tomography, on weekends he develops innovative gait aids for Parkinson's patients.

Prof. Dr. Alexander Kock

Prof. Dr. Alexander Kock researches and teaches at the Technical University of Darmstadt in the fields of innovation and project management. His research focuses on the management of project portfolios, the design of organizational innovation systems and the management of university-industry collaborations.