Theme: Fearless

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).

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

Alia AlGhunaim

Architect and Mother

She is a Kuwaiti architect and mother, working on projects that not only benefit the society but also make a mark. She designed Bayt Abdullah, a children’s hospice in Kuwait and the first in the Middle East. Bayt Abdullah was realized and completed in January 2012. Hard work, dedication and creating beauty are three of her objectives that have kept her going in this competitive field, which she hopes to continue to make her mark in.

Dareen Almojil

Scientist

Dareen is currently working with the Evolutionary Genomics laboratory at NYU. Her research is focused on the population genomics of wild Xenopus laevis and its mysterious adaptation to challenging conditions in South Africa and Western France. She obtained her PhD from the University of Cambridge, UK where she investigated the population genetic structure and reproductive behavior of sharks to serve their conservation. During her PhD, she published her first book, titled: “Sharks and Rays of the Arabian/Persian Gulf”, and took part in a documentary called “Arabia’s Sharks: A journey of discovery” which was aired on Discovery channel in 2016. She is also the founder of Muthalath, a platform designed to connect STEM researchers in the region with science related opportunities.

Farah AlShaikh

Head of Procurement for region Middle East at Siemens Energy

Farah holds an MBA with concentration in Finance from Gust University in kuwait. She is Head of Procurement for region Middle East at Siemens Energy. Working in an industry that is most predominantly Male driven, she is one of the few Women in the management team. Her motivation and stubbornness have enabled her successes in life-work balance.

Lama Aloraiman

Student

Kuwait’s National Point of Contact for the Space Generation Advisory Council with a seat on the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Lama has an ultimate goal of promoting the voice of Kuwaiti youth to the global space community. She continues to represent Kuwait and promote diversity in the space industry by delegating in the world’s biggest space conferences and competing in global hackathons.

Maha AlBaghli

Founder and Managing Director of Safira CSR

Maha holds a master’s degree in Intelligent Transportation Systems from University of Central Florida (UCF) and was the first Woman Engineer to work as a Projects Engineer at the Kuwait University Construction Program (KUCP). Maha is the elected president of the Business & Professional Women Network of Kuwait and an active member of the Kuwait Economic Society. She is currently the only woman Municipal Council Member and heads the Environmental Committee of the council. Maha is the Founder and Managing Director of Safira CSR Company, established in January 2014, with the mission to involve the private sector in empowering women and the youth and conducting creative solutions to social issues and building awareness.

Reem Al-Shammari

Cyber Security Expert - Team Leader Information Security “CISO”, Kuwait Oil Company

Dr. Reem is a passionate leader whose valuable contribution to cybersecurity is recognized at national, regional and international levels. She is a Co-founder and Board member of Women in CyberSecurity MiddleEast. She holds a number of Academic and Professional degrees such as Engineering, MBA, PhD and Harvard’s Business School Executives Program. She represents Kuwait in a number of regional & global program and forums, and is recognized as an “Innovator” and “Wild Card” who continues to push the envelope to get to the most optimum outcome on an initiative or a project. She was ranked #1 at IFSEC Global Top Influencers in Security & Fire 2019 and also awarded the "The Arab CISO of the Year 2019”. She’s a very active contributor to Cyber Security Community via sharing of knowledge, organizing various CyberSecurity related workshops/events and meetups. She had contributed heavily in Academia including PhD research & MIT Review interview.

Rokaya Ali Hussain

Director General of Educational Projects at Lulua Group

Rokaya is the former Director General of Capital Educational Area and Jahra Educational Area – Ministry of Education in the State of Kuwait. Currently, she is the Director General of Educational Projects at Lulua Group. She is the Director General of Bareec Program for Positive Thinking and Wellbeing. Bareec is endorsed in the Development Plan of the State of Kuwait under the pillar of Creative Human Capital. In the academic year 2019/2020 Bareec was implemented in 47 Public High Schools, training over 500 teachers, and reaching over 11,600 students. She is a graduate of Kuwait University with Bachelors in English Literature and also holds an MBA from Kuwait University.