Theme: The Brave and The Brilliant

"The Brave and the Brilliant" is a celebration of those who dare to dream, defy the odds, and illuminate our world with their ideas. It's a day that honors courage, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of change for good. It’s about the bold decisions that move mountains and the brilliant sparks that light the way forward.

A celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the founding of TED and those leading the way with creativity, ingenuity, courage, wisdom and generosity with TEDx Kuwait City!

Kuwait
Kuwait City
Kuwait City, Al Kuwayt (Al ٰĀşimah), Kuwait City
Kuwait

Abdulaziz Al-Roomi

Author, Coach and HR Leader

Abdulaziz is a visionary HR Leader and Executive Coach with over 20 years of cross-industry experience spanning retail, petrochemical, oil & gas, IT, and more. He has led HR departments for global organizations, developed future leaders, managed multi-million-dollar budgets, and driven business transformation initiatives. Abdulaziz’s expertise includes Talent Management, HR excellence, and coaching. As CHRO of ABYAT Megastore, he managed HR for over 2,000 employees. His career also includes roles such as Sr HR Specialist at EQUATE, where he improved HR and financial processes. A published author, Abdulaziz’s book Prevail became an Amazon bestseller, offering leadership insights. He is writing his second book on HR and has shared his knowledge on TV, radio, and at international conferences like Davos and ATD International.

Ahmed Eldin

Journalist, Producer, Actor

Ahmed Shihab-Eldin is an Emmy-nominated journalist, producer, and actor. His recent documentary "Queer Egypt Under Attack" for the BBC won a British Journalism Award for Social Affairs, Diversity & Inclusion. Previously, as a Senior Correspondent for AJ+, Ahmed produced award-winning documentaries focused on social justice and human rights. He recently acted in the short film "The Red Sea Makes Me Wanna Cry," which premiered at Cannes Directors' Fortnight and won the Silver Star at the El Gouna Film Festival. Ahmed began his career with PBS, working on Wide Angle and FRONTLINE/World, later joining The New York Times as a News Producer. He co-hosted Al Jazeera English’s "The Stream", an Emmy-nominated interactive talk show. Named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 and Arabian Business Power List's "100 under 40", Ahmed is currently developing a podcast, acting, and documenting global human rights stories.

Alison Shan Price

Cultural Historian & Founder/Director

Alison Shan Price MBE is a cultural historian and dramaturg with over four decades of experience in Kuwait, where she has worked alongside multicultural creative teams, Middle Eastern and UK scholars, and international experts to produce bilingual new works, historical presentations, and theatre productions in both the Middle East and the UK. Through her work, she has brought historical and cultural stories to life, fostering intercultural collaborations and artistic expression. As the Founder of the UK Production House One World Actors Centre CIC, Alison has directed and acted for TAQA Productions and serves as an Associate Director of ACT Media Kuwait. Alison is deeply passionate about youth empowerment and the creation of safe spaces for fostering intercultural awareness and understanding, believing in the transformative power of theatre and cultural exchange to build bridges across communities.

Caroline Faraj

VP at CNN and CNN Arabic Editor-in-Chief

Dr. Caroline Faraj, CNN Vice President and CNN Arabic Editor-in-Chief is an award-winning Journalist who has over 30 years' experience in journalism. She launched CNN Arabic together with the first CNN bureau in the GCC. Dr. Faraj has an MA in International Journalism and an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science from City University of London. She's interested in new media, enabling women, youth creativity and freedom of expression.

Ghassan Abdullah Alothman

Founder and CEO of Athr Community (NPO)

Dr. Alothman is a highly accomplished medical professional and community health advocate. In Kuwait, Dr. Ghassan played a pivotal role in establishing the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Respiratory services at Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, serving as director from 2002 to 2007. In 2015, he joined the Yarmouk Healthy City Council (YHCC), eventually serving as Chairman from 2021 to January 2024. During this time, Dr. Alothman developed a passion for Public Health and community medicine, leading efforts to enhance community engagement and health education through the WHO Healthy City program. Currently, Dr. Ghassan has founded Athr Community NPO, a platform dedicated to developing residential areas that prioritize the health and well-being of residents by addressing environmental and urban challenges to promote better health outcomes. Athr also explores the connections between human behavior and the built environment, aiming to bring about positive changes in communities.

Nabila Abu Hantash

Executive Coach and Founder 'Girls for Girls - Kuwait'

Nabila is an IMD certified executive coach and a Harvard MPA graduate, with over 30 years of experience in finance, strategy, and leadership development. She holds an MBA from George Washington University and is certified in non-violent communication (NVC). As an executive mentor and coach, Nabila helps entrepreneurs and leaders thrive in high-pressure environments characterized by rapid change and potential burnout. Her coaching emphasizes empathy, understanding emotional triggers, and re-imagining stressful situations, empowering leaders to gain clarity and take actionable steps toward success. Nabila has held senior positions including Head of Strategy at AlArgan International Real Estate, Senior Consultant for the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects, and Vice President at AlShall Investment Company.

Nada Ibrahim

Medical Doctor

Dr. Nada Ibrahim, Specialist in Urogynecology and Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstruction Surgery - she is a passionate member of Women Surgeons of Kuwait. She dedicates her time and expertise to support women around the world, making a significant impact in women’s healthcare.

Nourah Ibrahim

Medical Doctor

A Royal College certified Gynaecology Oncologist and a dedicated member of Women Surgeons of Kuwait, Dr. Nourah dedicates her time and expertise to empowering women and improving healthcare worldwide.

Sarah Alyouha

Medical Doctor

A Senior Specialist Plastic Surgeon and a devoted member of Women Surgeons of Kuwait, Dr. Sara is committed to using her time and expertise to uplift and support women globally.

Sawsan Daana

Chef and Founder

Sawsan Daana is a mother of four, living in Kuwait with her Kuwaiti husband. Her passion for cooking led her to start a humble home business, where she created a variety of dishes. Through dedication and hard work, she successfully expanded her venture into a central kitchen and eventually opened a restaurant in The Avenues Mall. Sawsan’s love for cooking is deeply rooted in her desire to share rich flavors and celebrate her cultural heritage through food.