The best stories are hidden stories.
The secrets, the whispers, the unspoken stories. Explore the uncovered, the unconventional, and the unknown.
What stories are hidden inside the minds of machines?
What stories hide inside the proteins in our blood?
What stories can satellites reveal about what’s going on down on Earth?
Would you let a robot tell stories to your little girl?
What stories reveal who we are, and where we came from?
And what stories would you need to tell yourself when it’s time to leave your world behind?
Host
Meg Larrabee Sønderlund
American born and bred, Meg made the quantum leap across the Atlantic to Denmark in 1970. Here, she puddle-jumped from art studies, marriage, children, and degrees in English and business from SDU. Meg says she has “worked forever” teaching and coaching English, creating her own one-woman translation bureau, and finally nearly a quarter of a century teaching at University College Lillebælt. As a mentor to many students in global communication, innovation, and entrepreneurship, Meg’s generous spirit, effervescent personality, and kind heart made her the ideal host to guide us through TEDxOdense.
“I am so ready for new adventures! What a place to begin”
TEDxOdense speakers 2024
Vedrana Rogoznica
Speaker
Meet Vedrana Rogoznica, a 26-year-old Croatian entrepreneur and visionary in the field of robotics. Holding an MSc in Business Administration from SDU, she embarked on a transformative journey when she moved to Denmark in 2020.
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Vedrana is set to share her inspiring story driven by her motto, "Life is about intentionally creating meaningful moments and things." As the co-founder of a playful robotics business aimed at children, Vedrana has harnessed her entrepreneurial spirit to infuse joy into the realms of robotics, code, and technology. Through her talk, Vedrana aims to show that fostering an early love for robotics among children not only shapes their futures but also breaks down barriers and unlocks the hidden potential in us all.
Joel Mario Vej-Nielsen
Speaker
Joel Mario Vej-Sielsen holds a PhD from the University of Southern Denmark where he studied protein chemistry, cell culture techniques, and synthetic biology. In a world of complex ideas, he has honed his skill as a presenter to make science understandable and engaging.
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He is currently pushing the boundaries of modern diagnostics with his work on protein analysis at the Odense-based company, Evosep. Join him as he unveils the stories hidden deep inside the proteins in our blood, and uncover what they may tell us about our future.
Kriti Prajapati
Speaker
Kriti Parjapati, is an engineer by mistake and a comedian by choice. Kriti made her mark in Denmark with her unique blend of cultural humor after completing a rigorous 2-year acting program at the Commedia School in Copenhagen.
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As a well-known figure in the English comedy world in Denmark, Kriti clinched the Toastmasters International's Humorous Speech Championship in India in 2015 and Denmark in 2018.
Her entertaining and astute take on cultural shocks in Denmark has endeared her to audiences, leading to numerous sold-out shows, including “Almost Danes", "My Big Fat Indian Wedding", and "Don't Leave Us Alone with the Danes”. Kriti's journey from engineering to comedy, coupled with her ability to weave humor into everyday experiences helps her uncover the hidden joy in even the most challenging situations.
Stephen Alstrup
Speaker
Stephen Alstrup serves as an algorithm professor at the University of Copenhagen, has been a trusted advisor to the Danish Government, and is an expert advisor to the Danish Data Protection Agency.
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Stephen has a rich entrepreneurial background as a co-founder of Supwiz, a leading Danish AI SaaS company, and previously the co-founder of Octoshape, an online streaming solution, reaching hundreds of millions of users. Stephen co-founded the professional Data Ethics Council and also played a pivotal role in the establishment of the IT University in Copenhagen.
Janne Høgshøj
Speaker
Janne Høgshøj is a Happiness Director and a dynamic force within design and creativity.
As a trained graphic designer and owner of DanishConnection.dk her impact is felt across major brands as an influential teacher and coach, she delves into the creativity and innovation that lies within us all and shares insights from her rich career.
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With a pioneering history, from being a project manager at the first online newspaper in Denmark to being chairman of Visual Forum, representing 800 graphic designers in the Danish Journalists' Association, exhibiting at graphic fairs throughout Scandinavia, and passionate Burner at Burning Man. Janne weaves a captivating tale that resonates in her diverse experiences.
As a coach and mentor at LEAD THE TALENT, she strengthens the next generation with her vast knowledge and enormous personality. In addition to her thriving business, she imparts her wisdom as an external teacher at business academies and design schools all over Denmark.
Simon Vilms Pedersen
Speaker
He is a multidisciplinary researcher and Tenure Track Assistant Professor at the University of Southern Denmark. Part researcher and part entrepreneur, Simon has won awards from both the European Space Agency and Nordic Energy Research.
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Simon started his academic career looking at the unglamorous world of fertilization with manure. Getting knee-deep in muddy fields allowed him to understand the hidden emissions from agriculture.
He then combined his work with manure with the high-tech worlds of optics and machine learning. He has put considerable effort into the unlikely question ‘Can we measure pig poop from space?’. - The answer, and his journey, will surprise you.
The core volunteer team 2024
Adam Montandon
Curator, License holder and Speaker Coach
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Speaking skills expert Adam Montandon has been involved with TEDx events around the world for over a decade. He loves to share his knowledge and energy to create a platform where people can spread amazing ideas. He has been working with the speakers behind the scenes, helping them to tell powerful stories in exciting ways.
“I love to find amazing hidden stories and share them with the city. It is my absolute pleasure to work with so many talented people from around the world to bring this very special event to Odense.”
Favorite TED or TEDx Talk: Rita Pierson - Every kid needs a champion
Contact info:
LinkedIn I Email I adammontandon.com I Speakersimpact.com
Rikke Werenskiold
Marketing Team
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I am a Networker By Nature, get a kick out of networking and bringing people together across diversity and opinions and build the bridge between challenges and solutions.
My work is within digital marketing, event management and sustainability. I have been a part of arranging conferences, network gatherings and workshops, with national and international participants and speaker. In my spare time I network, and it gives me great pleasure to see an individual person grow and experience when community and commitment ratifies the strong bonds between all human beings. TEDxODENSE gives an extra thought, a lift, a push, a friend---- An experience beyond – that’s why I am a volunteer
Francesca Baggio
Marketing Team
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Francesca is a passionate marketer and joyful person. She works as Marketing Coordinator and she loves her job every day. In her free time, she plans journeys around the world, she reads tons of books and cuddles her dog Dobby (yes, she loves Harry Potter). She enjoys living in Odense, even when she is biking and the wind keeps blowing against her (let's see it as a metaphor about obstacles in life).
"I joined the marketing team of TEDxOdense because I love TED talks (and I tend to cry while watching them) and I get so much inspiration from them. Despite all the bad news we hear daily, TED talks allow me to keep trusting humanity, reassuring me that there are still awesome human beings in the world."
Favorite TED Talk: The Edge of Freedom by Niaz Bayati
Maria J Andersen
Website & Graphics
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Maria J Andersen is working as a Freelance Web Designer and has a bachelor's degree In Digital Concept Development. She was born and raised in Denmark but has in recent years spent a lot of time travelling and living abroad - including studying design at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
"Like so many others, I've watched TED videos for many years. This year I got the opportunity to be a part of the TEDxOdense team and contribute with what I do best and I couldn't be more excited."
Favorite TED or TEDx Talk: Andy Puddicombe - All it takes is 10 mindful minutes
Frederik Lunding
Photographer
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Frederik has always loved technology and science, and creating stuff, which lead to him becoming a physics and technology engineering student at the University of Southern Denmark. Besides his studies, he is working on the Danish Student CubeSat Program (DISCO) with setting up a ground station for satellite control and communication with the DISCO-3 satellite, as well as control of future radio telescopes at the university. Apart from his studies, he runs his own freelance photography business, and has had his work featured in news articles on multiple occasions. An interesting fact about his work as a photographer is the fact that he is colourblind, but primarily creates coloured photos.
“Every creation/innovation stem from an idea, but what and where the idea itself stem from is always an interesting story. To me, TED and TEDx talks have always been a great source of inspiration. Being given the opportunity to let my creative skills portray the story of this year’s event, and hopefully help others be inspired is a dream come true.”
Favourite TED or TEDx talk:
Why you should make useless things | Simone Giertz
Contact info:
Alejandro Gatto
Photographer
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Gordon Mazza
Speaker Management
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Gordon worked in financial services in England for nearly 30 years but is now based in Odense, and has been a part of the TEDx Odense team since 2019.
“A client introduced me to TED talks some years ago, and I would dip into them when I got the time. I got tickets to TEDxOdense in 2018 and 2019 and was blown away by the energy and enthusiasm at the event. Cities like Odense need forums where inquisitive minds can be brought together. I am delighted to be able to play a small part in putting on an event that at the very least will be thought-provoking and entertaining, but has the potential to be truly life changing for some.”
Favorite TED or TEDx Talks:
Ok it’s not very original when over 76 million people have seen it, but watching the Sir Ken Robinson talk “Do schools kill creativity?” helped me to reflect on what I wanted from a school for my children and the one that led to direct action on my part, Ole Kassow’s “Cycling without age”
Hakim Harder
Speaker Management
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As a trained actor, screenwriter, producer, and former musician, Hakim is at home on the stage and in front of the camera. Hakim also has many years of experience in the financial industry and IT business. When he is not working, he trains Wing Chun Kung Fu in which he is also a certified instructor.
"I have loved watching TED Talks since I saw my first many years ago. I am a curious soul by nature and the amount and variety of TED Talks out there are staggering and mind-numbing. TEDx is an extremely important platform for spreading new ideas. Maybe now more than ever. So, when my opportunity came to join the TEDx speaker team I had no doubts... I am a fanboy after all."
Favorite TED Talk: Why do we sleep? - Russell Foster
Contact info:
Email
Seda Gärtig
Speaker Management
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Seda is a versatile marketer with a background in industrial engineering, innovation, and business. Her passion lies in sustainability, advocating for a healthy vegan lifestyle, and inspiring personal growth in others. In Odense, she runs Sedas Plantekøkken, a business dedicated to crafting plant-based spreads and providing vegan catering services.
“I fell in love with TED talks since the first video I watched online. I remember wishing I could feel the magic in person. Luckily, we no longer need to travel miles away to do that! With TEDx events, we can live those 'a-ha' moments in person, and I am beyond excited to encourage people to join in. I believe that we will leave TEDxOdense as different versions of ourselves.”
Favorite TED/TEDx talk: 'Don't Believe Everything You Think' by Lauren Weinstein.
Jessica Dreyer
Young speakers Management
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Jessica is passionate about valuing young people’s thoughts and ideas and giving them a voice. She strives to create a world where children’s voice is taken seriously, challenging the power dynamics of adult voice as the norm. Jessica holds a Ph.D. in Child Studies from the University of Minho, Portugal, and is an educator and children’s rights advocate.
“I am thrilled to become part of the TEDxOdense team and work with young speakers. I can’t wait to see them sharing their ideas with our community and shining on stage!”
Favourite TED or TEDx Talks:
Kids can too
Just a teen trying to figure it out
Contact info:
Linkedin I Email: dreyerjessica@gmail.com
Klinta Matisone
Kid Coach
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Klinta has finished her studies in innovation and entrepreneurship here in Odense and recently also learned danish. Most of her experiences are gathered from working in different kind of social and customer sectors, therefore she is also the newest addition to our audience happiness team.
She believes some of her greatest qualities are never ending optimism and always looking for the good side of everything.
It is her first year with Tedx and she is beyond excited to be part of the team and experience the ted talks in person.Her favorite ted talk is by Sir Ken Robinson - Do schools kill creativity?
Alex Kowal
Kid Coach
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Am I crazy? yes. Am I fun? yes. With these, I am trying my best to bring something to the community I am around, and the same goes now with TEDxOdense. I am small and fast so technically I can help with anything. My favorite show is The Office and my favorite band is Arctic Monkeys. I am also in the process of becoming a proper danish (it's gonna take me some time). My fav TEDx video perfectly describes my personality and sense of humor
Kimmie Weddell Beier
Speaker management team & audience happiness team
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Kimmie is an experienced mental health and welfare professional, holding degrees in both Welfare Politics and in Social Work.
Born and raised near Copenhagen, Denmark, she grew up curious of cultures and diversity, leading her to explore for adventures, take on several volunteering events, and partake in the TEDxOdense-organization since 2022.
Joining the TEDxOdense team was motivated by her joy of being part of a unique event gathering great minds and curious audiences - and to participate in making the TEDxOdense event an unforgettable experience for everyone involved!
Quote:
"I can't wait to meet the audience, enjoy the wisdom of the speakers, and feel the vibe of Magasinet as we turn down the lights and nothing but the stage is lit up. This is it. This is the exact moment everyone in that room becomes community."
Favourite ted talk:
Favourite ted talk:
The magic of not giving a f*** - Sarah Knight
Contact info:
Oscar Schofield
Logistics Team
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Oscar is a research assistant at the University of Southern Denmark in the fields of power line inspection drones, and holds a masters in Robot Technology, specialising in Unmanned Aerial Systems Design. He enjoys solving problems with practical solutions, and can often be found tinkering and repairing everything from bikes to 3D printers.
Oscar’s journey with TEDxOdense started in 2018, where his knowledge in building and designing had led to the fabrication of multiple props and projection mapping structures within the venue.
“TED has had a massive impact on my family over the last ten years when my mother was recruited to help start and organise INKTalks conference in India (in association with TED) - every year she would inspire us of the amazing people and the stories they told.
I joined the Helping Hands team after moving to Odense in 2017 and have enjoyed working with passionate, like-minded individuals all with their own amazing stories. This year I look forward to working in the Core team and taking my experiences to make this the best TEDxOdense yet!”
Favourite TED talk: Meet the dazzling flying machines of the future | Raffaello D'Andrea
Ania Gościnna-Poulsen
Logistics Team
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Anna has lived many lives it seems. In Poland where she comes from, she run her own pub and made a BA in Tourism/ Hotel Management. That path is in line with her hospitable nature. Gościnna is a Polish adjective meaning “hospitable”. After coming to Denmark and becoming a mom she had to reinvent herself – family and pub life don’t mix well together. Now a happy Mom, Self-employed Multimedia designer, Anna satisfies her enormous human connection needs by volunteering in various localevents (TEDxOdense, Odense Film Festival etc.) Anna is fascinated by people and their stories, human nature and what makes us do what we do.
“I have been connected with TEDxOdense from its beginnings as TEDxEAL, first as a spectator and later on as a volunteer. I met many fascinating people on stage but more importantly in volunteer and guest
group. Some have influenced my life, some have become my closest
friends. I am excited to see how this years TEDxOdense will enrich my life
– see you there!”
I really love this TEDxHamburg by Cordelia Röders-Arnold “Unf*ck
Menstruation” she is very passionate and a natural speaker – you have to
see this.
Watch TEDx talks
Dive into the library of TEDx Talks on YouTube @TEDx — local speakers presenting to local audiences about everything from politics to pollination.