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Meet The Team
Saanavi Goyal
Lead Organizer
Saanavi is a Macaulay Honors Student at City College of New York. She is majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Management and Business Administration. She has loved listening to TED talks for as long as she remembers, and is absolutely delighted to be a part of the team. During free time, Saanavi loves dancing, painting, reading non-fiction, and exploring the city with friends!
Caitlin Baker
Co-Director of Speakers and Programing
Caitlin is a Senior at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, double majoring in Forensic Psychology and Crime & Deviance Studies and minoring in Anthropology. She is passionate about helping people better understand the world around her, through music, words, and compelling conversation. In her free time, Caitlin can be found reading, writing, and making the next best Spotify playlist.
Patrycja Milewska
Co-Director of Media and Marketing
Patrycja is a student at CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies at Baruch College pursuing a degree in Strategy Marketing and Digital Media. She is passionate about design and creative marketing. In her free time, she loves to draw and catch up on her favorite shows.
Alisha Elie
Co-Director of Partnerships and Outreach
Alisha is a sophomore at Hunter College. She is majoring in Economics and minoring in Legal Studies. She is passionate about increasing access to mental health resources. In her free time, she loves reading, watching films, and taking early morning walks.
Micki Zhang
Logistics and Engagement Co-Director
Micki is a third-year student at the Macaulay Honors College at Baruch College, majoring in Operations Management and Analytics with a double minor in Computer Applications in Business and New York City Studies. She is passionate about self-improvement and always seeks ways to enhance her skills. In her free time, she enjoys watching crime documentaries, listening to ASMR, reading manga, and watching K-dramas, C-dramas, and Anime.
Deslin Nkansah-Brempong
Speakers and Programming Curator
Deslin is a Macaulay Honors junior at The City College of New York majoring in Political Science. She is passionate about the creative arts, the ways people connect with each other, and challenging herself to learn new things. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music and discovering new shows and films.
Akaylah Rose
Speakers and Programming Curator
Akaylah is a sophomore at John Jay College of Criminal Justice majoring in Criminal Justice and minoring in Political Science. She is very passionate about social justice issues and strives to support and represent those who lack representation.
Katerina Porter
Speakers and Programming Curator
Katerina is a junior at John Jay College majoring in English and minoring in Digital Media and Journalism. She is passionate about media, staying updated with the latest news, and reporting on sports as she wants to become a journalist. In Katerina's free time, she enjoys kickboxing, hanging out with friends, and practicing photography.
Renae Leung
Speakers and Programming Curator
Renae is a freshman at Hunter College double majoring in English and Political Science and minoring in Public Policy and French. She is passionate about advocating for social justice through speech and creating safe spaces for uninhibited political dialogue. In her free time,
Alexandra Davidescu
Speakers and Programming Curator
Alexandra is a freshman at Hunter College majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Art History, and Political Science. She is passionate about the intersection of arts and sciences, and hopes to become a pediatric neuropsychiatrist. In her free time, Alexandra can be found watching Gilmore Girls, reading classical literature, painting, or spending time with her younger siblings. She loves TEDx and is so excited to collaborate and create for TEDxCUNY 2026. :)
Ardita Zeqiraj
Media and Design Curator
Ardita Zeqiraj is a Pre-law student at Brooklyn College majoring in Psychology. She is dedicated to activism, civics, and is a current Peer Mentor at Brooklyn College for a freshman class with over twenty students. As an intern at the Legal Action Center, she is focused on creating a better future for the youth of NYC, and hopes to become an attorney.
Soho Jung
Media and Design Curator
Soho Jung is a Film Studies student at Queens College. She is passionate about storytelling through media. She enjoys creating fun vidoes on campus and is especially interested in how film, journalism, and cultural institutions connect with one another. In her free time, she likes walking in the park and exploring new food places in New York City.
Hay Mar Oo
Partnerships and Outreach Curator
Hay Mar Oo is a Finance major at Baruch College who came all the way from Myanmar to pursue her studies. She is passionate about exploring new opportunities for growth, both personally and academically. In her free time, she enjoys trying different cuisines, discovering new places, and relaxing at the beach while balancing her love for socializing with quiet moments of reflection.
Kadijah Gumaneh
Partnerships and Outreach Curator
Kadijah is majoring in Finance with a minor in Law & Policy at Baruch College. Kadijah's passion for finance started in her hometown The Bronx where finical literacy is not common. Her mission is to spread knowledge and emerge herself in communities that value diversity & inclusivity. In her free time, she likes to read, do henna, travel, and try different cultural food.
Jaylin Parris-Ross
Partnerships and Outreach Curator
Jaylin Parris-Ross, who goes by Jaylin Kaii or JK! , is a student at Lehman College with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies consisting of Multimedia: Theatre and Dance and Media Communications Studies through CUNY BA. They are passionate about storytelling in all its forms, especially projects that blend performance, identity, and community. In their free time, JK! enjoys yapping, sleeping, and curating creative projects, and collaborating with peers to bring artistic ideas to life. They are driven by the belief that art has the power to spark conversation and inspire change.
Chelsea Martinez
Logistics and Engagement Curator
Chelsea is a Junior at Baruch College. She is majoring in Operations Management & Analytics. She is passionate about making a positive impact through fundraising and volunteering where she enjoys creating meaningful experiences. In her free time she enjoys attending concerts, trying new food spots, and watching thriller/horror movies.
Zena Shaalan
Logistics and Engagement Curator
Zena is a student at Baruch College, studying Economics and a IDC Minor with Honors in New York City. She passionate about the law and hopes to be a lawyer. In her freetime, she likes to draw and paint, read manga, and watch trending shows.
Rachel Ruggeri
Lead Organizer
Rachel is a sophomore at Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College. She is an English Adolescent Education major. She is passionate about education and how public speaking can be used to spread knowledge. In her free time, Rachel likes finding new music artists, coaching debate, exploring New York City, and reading.
Rachel Houng
Co-Director of Speakers
and Programming
Rachel is a junior at Hunter College majoring in English, minoring in Computer Science, and obtaining a certificate in Business. She is passionate about the power of language and the impact of words. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with friends.
Kilhah St. Fort
Co-Director of Partnerships and Outreach
Kilhah is a Macaulay Honors student at Lehman College majoring in Data, Technology, and Society. They are passionate about dismantling systems of oppression through community building, storytelling, and education. In her free time, Kilhah is binge-watching cartoons and anime, making jewelry, crocheting, or playing with her cats.
Mithi Jhaveri
Logistics and Engagement Co-Director
Mithi is a student at City College where she is a Political Science and International Studies major and Anthropology minor. Mithi is passionate about reading. She likes to watch movies, spend time with her friends, and go on walks in her free time.
Wai Khant Paing
Speakers and Programming Curator
Wai Khant Paing is a sophomore at Borough of Manhattan Community College, majoring in Communication Studies. He is passionate about public speaking and learning how people connect through communication, and in his free time, he enjoys experiencing new cultures and attending events around New York City. He hopes to pursue a career in public relations, higher education, or diplomacy.
Omar Saquisili
Speakers and Programming Curator
Omar is a freshman at John Jay College majoring in Political Science. He is passionate about social justice issues and wants to use his voice to make an impact. In Omar's free time you can catch him playing volleyball or chess.
Mahnoor Ahmed
Speakers and Programming Curator
Mahnoor is a freshmen at Brooklyn College Majoring in Political Science and minoring in Global Studies. She is passionate about applying diverse perspectives to law and policy to create an inclusive and representative government in which all constituents are valued. In her free time, Mahnoor enjoys journaling, baking, and spending time with friends.
Renae Visico
Speakers and Programming Curator
Renae is a freshman at Brooklyn College majoring in Psychology and minoring in Sociology. She is passionate about vocal performance and promoting awareness of mental health & diverse experiences through literature and media. In her free time, Renae can be found singing, playing piano, making bracelets, or reading fantasy novels.
Daria Reva
Speakers and Programming Curator
Daria is a junior at Baruch and Macaulay Honors College, majoring in Philosophy. She is passionate about sharing ideas through art, analyzing film, and meeting new people. She is passionate about seeing life-changing movies and documentaries, meeting new people, reading poetry, and learning about the impacts of media on human behavior. In her free time, she frequents the movie theater and reads.
Arshia Imtiaz
Media and Design Curator
Arshia is a Macaulay Honors student at City College of New York majoring in Biochemistry. She has long been passionate about graphic design, photography, film, and science research. In her free time, she loves watching Formula 1 and reading sci-fi and fantasy books.
Maya DuBose
Media and Design Curator
Maya DuBose is a freshman at Hunter College. She majors in English with a focus in Creative Writing while minoring in Film. As Maya builds her new hobby of reading, she continues to find joy in learning, trying new foods, writing, and analyzing films. One of her passions revolve around spreading and seeking truth through art.
Erika Maza
Media and Design Curator
Erika Maza studies Communication Design at the New York City College of Technology. She is passionate about graphic design and art direction, finding inspiration in both academic and personal projects. In her free time, Erika enjoys designing and listening to music, considering her career not just a profession but also a favorite pastime.
Fiona Wong
Partnerships and Outreach Curator
Fiona is a Macaulay Honors student at Baruch College currently majoring in Business Computer Information Systems. She is passionate about connecting people through ideas, spreading the mission of TEDxCUNY. She loves creating art and binging Netflix movies/shows in her free time!
Cynthia Bongo
Partnerships and Outreach Curator
Cynthia is a student at Baruch College.
Byran Ang
Logistics and Engagement Curator
Bryan Ang is a student at Baruch College majoring in Advertising Marketing with a minor in Psychology. He has a passion for exploring New York City, from thrifting and discovering new restaurants to adventuring in pop up events and enjoying the vibrant food scene in Chinatown. In his free time, he loves unwinding by watching movies or playing games with friends.
Derick Zheng
Logistics and Engagement Curator
Derick Zheng is a student at Queens College, where he is pursuing a double major in Biochemistry & Journalism. He is passionate about exploring medicine and innovation, particularly about uplifting voices and creating spaces where ideas and stories can inspire others to take action. In his free time, he enjoys volunteering in his community and exploring arts and crafts as a creative outlet.
Jacob Velez
Logistics and Engagement Curator
Jacob Velez is a student at Queens College, where he is majoring in Digital Marketing. He is passionate about creative storytelling and using media to connect communities, which aligns with his interest in TED’s mission of spreading impactful ideas. Outside of academics, he enjoys exploring fashion and music as forms of self expression. In his free time, he likes creating digital content and curating social media projects that showcase culture and creativity.
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