Theme: Within Epiphany

TEDxAUBG is a student club at the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG). Since 2012, a group of highly motivated students has been organizing an annual conference under the guidance of the official TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) organization. On April 6 2024, TEDxAUBG will organize its twelfth conference under the theme "Within Epiphany". We are happy to have the opportunity to welcome remarkable speakers in Blagoevgrad again and to organize the conference, which will be held in the Carl Djerassi Theatre at AUBG. Coming from Bulgaria, Germany, the UK, and more, the speakers will deliver speeches on various topics including innovation, digital literacy, education, cinema, entrepreneurship, and many more. Our mission is to touch and inspire as many people as possible through the speakers we have invited and their ideas.

Carl Djerrassi Theater in ABF Student Center
12, Svoboda Bachvarova str.
Blagoevgrad, Blagoevgrad, 2700
Bulgaria

Aleksandra Dimitrova

Business Administration Student at AUBG

Aleksandra is about to graduate from AUBG with a major in Business Administration, a minor in Economics, and a minor in Psychology. She’s aiming to start her career in a big corporation, gain experience, and focus more profoundly on one of her many professional interests: project management, finance, and marketing. In 2022, Aleksandra and her team won first place in the Startup Weekend. She has also been part of a bunch of AUBG clubs where she has been developing her skills as a Public Relations & Sponsorship specialist.

Gabriel Nussbaum

Mechanical Engineer, Content Creator

From Mechanical Engineering to Finance, Gabriel has a strong voice as a content creator in the field of personal finance. With an impressive follower base, he aims to help those seeking financial empowerment. Except being phenomenal on social media, Gabriel is also the co-founder of The Creator Space, the UK’s premier creator community, and a host of the T-Show podcast in which he navigates the complexities of trading with clarity and integrity.

Ivelina Atanasova-Genchev

Entrepreneur, Business Consultant

Ivelina Atanasova-Genchev is a Bulgarian internet entrepreneur, senior business consultant in market strategies, digital transformation and growth marketing. She is a Certified Business Coaching Expert and Founder of the first “business clinic”® for digital business transformation in Bulgaria. Author of the theory of “digital children” and founder of the global education transformation initiative DigitalKidZ. DigitalKidZ is the first Bulgarian initiative to increase the digital literacy of today’s teachers, parents and children, two years later the initiative won the “Social Campaign of Bulgaria” award from Forbes. She co-founded the Bulgarian branch of the global organization - Women in Tech®. Ivelina has won numerous awards regarding Technology and Innovation and she has been giving lectures on the topics.

Matthew Whoolery

Psychologist, Associate Professor of Psychology at AUBG

Matthew Whoolery is a psychologist, specializing in the field of Cultural Psychology. He is a beloved Associate Professor of Psychology at AUBG. Previously, he has taught at the American University in Cairo, Egypt, at Lady Shri Ram College for Women in New Delhi, India, and at BYU Idaho, USA. His 20+ years of experience as a psychologist and educator have inspired his work as a researcher in the field. His topics of research include religion, the development of children, and mental health.

Pauline Roussel

CEO of Coworkies

As the CEO of Coworkies, the first global job board for coworking spaces, and co-author of "Around the World in 250 Coworking Spaces", Pauline Roussel brings unparalleled expertise and insight into this dynamic field. Pauline and her work partner document their travels in a blog and have started a coworking magazine, delving deep into the stories of the spaces, people, and cities they encounter. She has explored and collaborated with 425 coworking spaces across 48 cities. Coworkies have also created a Podcast and “The Coworkies Readers Club” - a digital hub for professionals and enthusiasts eager to dive into the world of coworking.

Petar Tsankov

Researcher, Entrepreneur

Dr. Petar Tsankov is a researcher and entrepreneur in the field of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI). He graduated with a BSc degree in computer science from Georgia Tech in the United States, winning the best student in computer science award. Later, he completed his doctorate at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, where he created the first methods and tools for automatic verification of modern systems such as neural networks, smart contracts, and others. For his contributions, he received the John Atanasoff Prize from the President of Bulgaria. In the domain of AI, he created the world’s first scalable system for verifying deep neural networks. As an entrepreneur, Dr. Tsankov co-founded ChainSecurity, a global leader in smart contract security.

Sandra Petrova

Actress, Singer, Songwriter, and Event Manager

Sandra Petrova is an actress, singer, songwriter, and an event manager, as well as a NATFA graduate. Over the years, she’s played at the National Music Theater in numerous performances and at the National Opera in Mamma Mia. She’s participated in some of the episodes of the show “Аламинут”, and has recorded many songs for the “Бърколино” show on the Bulgarian National Television.

Tedy Karteva

Endodontist, Restorative Dentist

She is a passionate Endodontist and Restorative Dentist dedicated to revolutionizing dental care. Her expertise extends beyond clinical practice; she’s a trailblazer in medical data management, having served as a Medical Data Manager in Leuven, Belgium. There, she spearheaded initiatives to propel dental AI and optimize medical data management. Additionally, she contributes her insights as a Researcher in the ITU-WHO Focus Group on AI for Health, exploring the transformative potential of AI in healthcare. Today, Dr. Karteva brings her wealth of knowledge and passion for innovation to her practice, where she strives to deliver comprehensive, patient-centric care. Join her as she redefines the standards of dental care.

Zdravka Evtimova

Author, Translator

Zdravka Evtimova is an esteemed Bulgarian contemporary author who has written a multitude of short stories, novels, and essays. Her globally praised works have made her one of Bulgaria's most beloved contemporary writers, with her expertise as a translator in English, French, and German adding depth to her literary creations. A recipient of numerous prestigious literary awards, her short stories have appeared in many international literary journals. The impact of her short story "Blood" is evident, as it's now part of the curriculum for high schools in Denmark and the USA. A respected member of SBP, the League of Writers of Great Britain and the Bulgarian PEN-club, Zdravka Evtimova continues to inspire and captivate audiences with her work and language expertise.