TEDxAmericanUniversityofKurdistan

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Banar Hushiar

  A passionate 26-year-old journalist and film producer with seven years of experience. Raised in a family that champions women’s empowerment, Banar overcame challenges to pursue her dreams and is fluent in Kurdish, Arabic, and English. From working with national to international TV channels, she brings the beauty of Kurdistan to audiences worldwide. As a former regional director for a French organization, she has empowered women journalists and recent graduates. Banar’s love for culture and nature shines through in her storytelling, and she’s set to make a lasting impact.

• Birhat Muharam

  Birhat Muharam Ageed is a dedicated nursing student at the American University of Kurdistan, where he also tutors fellow students in English. Driven by a strong passion for both nursing and education, he has actively volunteered as a teacher, combining his love for learning with a commitment to supporting others on their educational journeys.

• Brenda Hershey

  Brenda Hershey is an international humanitarian, author, and Executive Director of TRY Global. With a background in trauma recovery and disaster relief in the Middle East, Brenda’s mission is to help individuals take control of their mental and physical health. Armed with expertise in trauma informed practices grounded in neuroscience, she leads TRY Global in empowering at-risk communities.

• Chang Farhan Tahir

  Born and raised in Duhok, Iraqi Kurdistan, she is a student in the MA program in Management of Arts & Culture at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, she has dedicated her career to connecting communities with their roots. Her work spans roles like Activities Manager at Nawroz University and contributions to the Land of Nineveh Archaeological Project, where she championed heritage preservation. Currently researching museum studies, she aims to create a future where Kurdistan’s rich history is celebrated and shared across generations.

• Helmet Kêsteyî

  Meet Halmat Kestai: a journalist, presenter, podcaster, and media expert with over a decade in public affairs. With a master’s in media science from Germany and 20 years abroad, he brings a wealth of experience in marketing, media management, and creative writing. Since returning to Kurdistan, Halmat Kestai has shaped local media as a producer and news editor, and since 2019, he’s led marketing and media at the American University of Kurdistan.

• Jack Jendo

  Jack Jendo is an entrepreneur, digital strategist, and advocate for using technology to make a difference. As the founder of Brain Digits, he empowers communities and leaders to tap into the power of AI, big data, and blockchain for positive change. With over ten years in leadership and digital transformation, Jack believes technology can enhance human potential and create a better future. He takes up this stage to share insights on how we can rethink leadership, embrace innovation, and unlock new possibilities for growth.

• Kaiwan Shaban

  Kaiwan Shaban, a 25-year-old visual artist hailing from the city of Akre in the Kurdistan region. Currently based in Warsaw, Poland. His art represents an amalgamation of digital art and cinematography that conveys the best of both worlds, allowing him to translate his imaginative ideas into a distinctive form of creative self-expression. Throughout his career, Kaiwan has worked with prestigious clients such as Apple, Adobe, Mercedes, Audible, Sony Music, and Jaguar, to name a few.

• Maryam Alhakim

  Maryam Rasheed Alhakim, a dedicated 5th-year medical student at the University of Duhok, with hands-on experience in clinical practice and healthcare. Beyond excelling in medical training and academic projects, her leadership and teamwork skills shine through various student-led initiatives. A passionate advocate for the surgical field, Maryam also channels creativity through sketching and writing, offering unique insights into the world around her.

• Yousif Ismat

  At just 19, Yousif ranked first in Iraq's International Baccalaureate in 2023. A self-taught iOS developer, he has built over 20 apps, from budgeting tools to entertainment platforms, mastering Swift and exploring AI and machine learning. His vision? to create tech that drives change for the masses.