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).

Andover Country Club
60 Canterbury St #2825, Andover, MA 01810
Andover, Massachusetts, 01810
United States

Asha Saxena

CEO - WLDA and The AI Factor

Asha Saxena is a strategic and innovative leader with a track record of building successful technology companies over the past 30 years. She is the author of the bestselling book “The AI Factor – How to Apply Artificial Intelligence and Use Big Data to Grow Your Business Exponentially” and the Founder and CEO of Women Leaders in Data and AI, a global leadership organization brining world leaders together to create a fair digital world with parity and equity. Asha is an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University, teaching graduate classes on Entrepreneurship and served as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Columbia Business School. In the past, Asha served as the CEO of a healthcare data analytics company, built an e-commerce platform, and was the President and CEO of Future Technologies. This company provided data analytics solutions to Fortune 1000 companies and was recognized at the World Economic Forum as a “Global Growth Company for 2007”.

Dr. Michelle Weise

CEO - Long Life Learning Strategies

Dr. Michelle leads Long Life Learning Strategies, a consulting firm for organizations seeking to prepare working-age adults for a longer future of work. Her award-winning book, Long Life Learning: Preparing for Jobs that Don’t Even Exist Yet, was recognized by University Professional and Continuing Education Association as the most outstanding work of continuing higher education literature in 2021. That same year, Thinkers50 named her one of 30 management and leadership thinkers in the world to watch. She was also the Chief Innovation Officer of Strada Education Network as well as of Southern New Hampshire University. With Clayton Christensen, she coauthored Hire Education: Mastery, Modularization, and the Workforce Revolution (2014) while leading the higher education practice at Christensen’s Institute for Disruptive Innovation. Michelle is a former English professor, Fulbright Scholar and a graduate of Harvard and Stanford.

Graham Igo

Student - Andover High School

Graham is a passionate student at Andover High School. As a speaker at TEDxAndover, Graham brings a unique and courageous perspective to the stage. His dedication to personal growth and inspiring his peers makes him an outstanding representative of today’s youth. With a focus on embracing individuality and self-confidence, Graham’s message aims to empower young people to take pride in their uniqueness and stand tall in a world that often encourages conformity.

Jagpreet Chhatwal, PhD

Professor, Harvard Medical School

Dr. Jagpreet Chhatwal is an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School whose research has shaped national and global health policies across diverse disease areas. He has provided expert advice to the White House, the World Health Organization, CDC, and multiple state health departments. Dr. Chhatwal has authored over 120 research studies, and his work has been featured in major media outlets such as CNN, Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and National Public Radio. In addition to his academic pursuits, he is a meditation instructor and has been practicing meditation for over two decades.

Kristen Faulkner

Olympic Gold Medalist - Road Cyclist

Kristen is a professional road cyclist for EF-Oatly-Cannondale and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. Kristen’s journey from a small fishing village to the Olympic podium is a testament to her resilience, hard work, and determination. After graduating from Harvard with a degree in computer science, Kristen moved to New York City to work in Venture Capital. There, she attended a beginner cycling clinic and entered her first race in 2017. Less than four years later, Kristen made the bold decision to quit her job and move to Europe to compete full-time. Kristen quickly rose through the ranks of professional cycling, winning major races like the stages at the Giro Donne, the Pan American Games ITT, and achieving podium finishes in multiple World Tour events. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she became the first American woman in 40 years to win the Olympic Road Race and the first to win two gold medals in different disciplines at the same Olympics.

Patrick Opran

NBA Dancer - Boston Celtics

Pat "Planet" Opran is a multi-faceted dancer and performer whose movement background includes styles like Hip-Hop, Jazz Funk, Street Jazz, Theatre Jazz, Tae Kwon Do, and more. Planet has been dancing and performing since the age of 5, but his formal training started at the Broadway Dance Center and the Alvin Ailey School of Dance in his teens where he met his mentor, teaching icon, Bev Brown. Planet is a New York City native who has trained extensively under some of the best in the world. At the age of 17 he started dancing professionally for TV, Commercials, and Live Stage Performances. You can catch him dancing at TD Garden almost every home game as an NBA Dancer for the Boston Celtics. FUN FACT: Planet is quite the academic. In 2016 he received a full tuition ride to attend law school in PA. He completed his Juris Doctor and is now a lawyer! However, he has left his legal career behind; he feels he can better serve the collective by inspiring people through dance!