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).

New York University
238 Thompson Street
New York, New York, 10003
United States

Ayman Mukerji

Ayman Mukerji

John Ross Rizzo

John-Ross (JR) Rizzo, M.D., M.S.C.I., is a physician-scientist at NYU Lan- gone Medical Center’s Rusk Reha- bilitation, where he is an Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with a cross- appointment in the Department of Neurology and the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engi- neering (NYU-Tandon School of En- gineering). He leads the Visuomo- tor Integration Laboratory (VMIL), where his team focuses on eye- hand coordination, as it relates to acquired brain injury (ABI), and the REACTIV Laboratory (Rehabilitation Engineering Alliance and Center Transforming Low Vision), where his team focuses on advanced wearables for the sensory deprived and benefits from his own personal experiences with vision loss. He is also the Founder and Chief Medi- cal Advisor of Tactile Navigation Tools, LLC, where he and his team work incessantly to disrupt the as- sistive technology space for those with visual impairments of all kinds, enhancing human capabilities.

Jon Stepanian

Jon Stepanian is the President & CEO of Community Solidarity the largest vegetarian hunger relief program in the United States. Sharing millions of pounds of vegetarian groceries, hot vegan meals and clothing with tens of thousands each month is only part of Jon’s job description. The other part is creating long-term solutions to end poverty; namely by developing community inter-dependence, promoting a balanced nutritious diet and fighting for social justice. Jon is also the Co-founder of Long Island Food Not Bombs, the community that gave birth to Community Solidarity and notably the largest Food Not Bombs chapter in the world! He has worked in advisory posi- tions at the United Na- tions and the New York Civil Liberties Union. His commentary on issues of US Poverty can be found in publications like the Times Tribune, Change. org , CNN.com and the Huffington Post. It can also be heard at sympo- siums and forums across the tristate area where he advocates for grassroots problem solving over the mainstream nonprofit hierarchical models. Recently, The Long Island Press has rank Jon as one of the 50 most influential people on Long Island. He was named one of News 12’s “12 Making a Difference” for 2015, he received the “Deed Before Creed” award by the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island and was awarded the 2013 Kairos Award by The Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives.

Kennedy Gachiri

Kennedy Gachiri is the creator of Super- star Agenda ( www.SuperstarAgenda. com ). Superstar Agenda is a compre- hensive talent platform focused on content development and elite coach- ing. The digital magazine showcases individuals who are having a trans- formative impact in their communities and social systems by expressing their natural creativity through art or some form of entrepre- neurship. Superstar Agenda has pre- viously featured the co-founder of Venmo, the creator the Burberry and Tiffany fragrances, and other ac- claimed change agents and creators. Kennedy is also authoring a book by that name, The Superstar Agenda. In a previous life, Kennedy did time as a management consultant, devel- opment advisor, corporate lawyer, and investment banker. He holds degrees from Yale Law School, The Wharton School, and the University of Pennsyl- vania’s School of Nursing. Kennedy is fluent in Swahili and French; and is also a certified personal trainer with the National Academy of Sports Medicine. In his free time, he plays the alto saxo- phone.

RJ Khalaf

RJ is a senior at New York University pursuing a degree in Global Liberal Studies with a concentration in Politics, Rights, and Development a minor in Social Entrepreneurship. Recently named as one of NYU’smost influential students by Washington Square News, he is the President of the NYU Muslim Students Association and has been selected as a Dalai Lama Fellow. RJ is a former NYU Leadership Fellow and is also the founder and director of LEAD Palestine, an organization that aims to inspire, motivate, and empower the next generation of Palestines youth through a hands-on and fun leadership-based summer camp. He was born in raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, loves his two cats, and is passionate about coffee.

Sam Chase

Sam Chase designs and delivers programs in mindfulness, yoga and resilience for organizations nationwide. He specializes in working with commu- nities that serve in high-stress circum- stances. He has developed programs for world leaders at the United Na- tions, service members in the National Guard, medical students at Columbia University, educators at the New York City Department of Education, and the over 1000 yoga teachers he has trained throughout the last decade. His role as an interpreter and bridge- builder in the conversation between Eastern contemplative traditions and Western scientific research led to the 2015 publication of the book Yoga & The Pursuit of Happiness, a down- to-earth guide to the philosophy and science behind yoga and meditation. Sam holds a master’s degree from Harvard, and certificates in Yoga and in Positive Psychology from Kripalu, where he currently serves as the Lead Facilitator for RISE, Kripalu’s evidence- based resilience training program.

Stefanie Giglio

Stefanie Giglio recently received her Master’s degree in Public Policy from NYU Wagner, where she focused her studies on the intersection of Climate Change and Urban Planning. She received her undergraduate degree in International Communications and Media Production from Franklin University Switzerland. Shehas worked as a staff reporter and freelance photographer in the US, Europe, and Africa and has traveled to 27 countries.