Emily Bebenek

In 2024, I graduated from Wake Forest University with a BA in Communications and minors in Creative Writing and Film & Media Studies. My early introduction to TED has led to many wonderful experiences and opportunities, and I am so grateful to be connected to such an amazing organization and community. I joined the TED-Ed Club at my junior high school in 2014, and I gave three talks at three separate TEDx events during my time there. After graduating junior high, I established a TED-Ed club at the corresponding high school. From fall 2018 to spring 2019, I volunteered on the Marketing and Planning Teams for TEDxBirmingham. I was asked to present one of my talks alongside TED-Ed at the 2019 National Coalition for School Safety. That summer I was recruited by Sounds True to extend and present another one of my talks for their Understanding Narcissism podcast. I continue to be inspired and impressed by TED, and look forward to launching a career in communications!

reading, writing, animal rights, communication, empathetic community-building

Empathy is a skill that should be included in formal education and cultivated throughout life

I joined the TED-Ed Club at my junior high school in 2014, and I gave three talks at three separate TEDx events during my time there. After graduating junior high, I tried to establish a club at the corresponding high school. Unfortunately, due to the class schedule and increased academic workload, the club died out. From fall 2018 to spring 2019, I volunteered on the Marketing and Planning Teams for TEDxBirmingham, and as such was the only minor allowed to attend the event. I was asked to present on of my talks at the 2019 National Coalition for School Safety, and that summer I was recruited by Sounds True to extend and present another one of my talks for their Understanding Narcissism podcast. In college, I chose to explore other avenues of interest, but I continue to be inspired and impressed by TED!

Organizing, Gift-giving