Theme: Connection

As human beings, we all need to feel connection. It is a visceral human need.
Yet, despite the importance of being connected, today's world has many dynamics that disconnect and isolate us.
TEDx St Albans is all about exploring connection.

Abbey Theatre
Westminster Lodge
St. Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 2DL
United Kingdom

Alexandra Russell

Student

Alexandra is a 17-year-old student who is aiming to go to university to read Materials Science/Engineering. She has been an avid volunteer in various capacities ranging from being President of a Rotary Interact Club to helping start a youth group within a local food hub (where she volunteered during the COVID-19 pandemic).

Archana Mohan

Chief Operations and Technology Officer

Archana Mohan is a Chief Operations and Technology Officer, within the finance sector. Her background includes a BA in French Literature from Brown University, an MA in Education from Columbia University, and an MBA in Finance from Yale University.

Bharti Lim

Cyber Security Strategy Manager

Bharti Lim is a cyber security strategy manager and is passionate about initiatives around diversity and inclusion, gender and ethnicity and is an active advocate of change. Bharti was a finalist for the CRN Women in Channel Awards 2021 and a SHE awards winner in 2020.

Claire Thrift

CEO of Crash & Learn

Claire heads up a podcast and consulting agency, working with Schools, Universities, and workplaces, running workshops to promote ADHD strategies to ensure inclusion and productivity. Her talk will focus on her personal and professional mission to educate others on the challenges and benefits of having neurodiverse friends and employees.

Ged Byrne

Software Architect

Ged Byrne is a father, husband, and tech enthusiast. He first learnt to code on his ZX81 in the early 80s and has decades of experience in software development. Ged has been eagerly following the progress of Artificial Intelligence since childhood and is excited by the recent breakthroughs.

Jay Simmons

Student

Jay is an 18-year-old school student, studying media, drama and computer science and she shares her ideas with a dramatic flourish and handles this difficult, sometimes perceived as controversial topic, with humour and sensitivity.

Jon Thorne

Spatial Awareness Coach

Jon’s background is in project management in the engineering industry. There he discovered the ability to help some of the best engineers in the world – do some of the most complex projects to better coordinate their work, while also maintaining their diversity of thought.

Judith Leary-Joyce

Eco-Worrier

Judith has much in common with the UK’s King Charles the third, in that she has been an environmentalist (or as she prefers it an eco-warrior) since the early 70’s before it was a “thing”!

Mike Palin

Director of the267project

Mike has been involved in youth and kids work for over 30 years. He is currently director of an organisation that seeks to ‘resource, grow and celebrate’ youth and children’s work, and its leaders

Richard Pile

GP, Lifestyle Medicine Specialist and Author

Richard is an NHS GP specialising in Lifestyle Medicine and Cardiology. He has written for the national press and the British Medical Journal. He is also the author of a book on wellbeing.

Ruth Dearnley

Group CEO STOP THE TRAFFIK

Ruth is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of an anti-human trafficking organisation and has been awarded an OBE for her work.

Sarah Aspinall

Founder of Breaking Ballet

Sarah has a rich and eclectic background as a former lawyer, a trained dancer, a registered ballet teacher and a mum of two children. She shares her ideas on the value of movement to both bodies and minds.

Sarah Manzie

Homelessness Educator

Sarah has always been passionate about supporting others, and whilst studying Philosophy at the University of Sheffield, became involved in her first homelessness charity. After graduating she wished to continue that work and joined a local Hertfordshire charity.

Shanara HIbbert

Athlete / Careers & Wellbeing Coach

Shanara Hibbert is a two-time British Championship Triple Jump medallist, a wellbeing Coach, and a Performance Lifestyle Practitioner for UK Athletics. During her athletics career she has had to overcome major injury, surgery, and mental health challenges herself.