Past TEDx event
TEDxMenlo College
Beyond the Obvious
Speakers
Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.
Anthea Weiland
Innovation Solutions Consultant
Anthea is a Menlo College graduate, where she was named Valedictorian of the Class of 2025 after pursuing a double major in Finance and International Business. On campus, she served on the board of the Business and Environment Club and led as the President of the Living Learning Community for Creativity and Innovation. She gained experience interning with Silicon Valley Startups and completed a long-term consulting internship in Germany before joining the German American Chamber of Commerce in San Francisco. In her current role within the Innovation Solutions Department, she focuses on AI deployment for German SMEs, startups and multinational players, as well as smart mobility, smart cities, and renewable technologies such as agrivoltaics - advancing transatlantic collaboration on sustainable innovation.
Bat-Orgil Yaruukhan
Menlo College Student
Bat-Orgil Yaruukhan is an international student and storyteller whose work celebrates the beauty of diversity and the quiet strength of human connection. Originally from Mongolia, they are currently studying Business in California, where their journey across cultures has shaped their perspective on courage, belonging, and gratitude. Their TEDx talk, “Gratitude Beyond Borders: What We Find in the Details,” explores how living between worlds reveals the universal threads that connect us all.
Emma Hague
Menlo College Student
Emma Hague is from Redwood City, California and a Senior at Menlo College, pursuing a B.S. in Marketing. After her first year of College in New York City, she decided to transfer back home to Menlo to continue her educational journey. She currently serves as the President of the Marketing Club and the Women in Leadership Development Club. Recently she joined the Alumni Relations Office as a Student Ambassador, and is serving on the Dean's Student Advisory Board. In her professional career Emma has interned as Global Mobility and Immigration Intern at Seagate Technologies where she assisted in the relocation and immigration of foreign nationals across the nation. She hopes to continue her educational career in Europe to pursue a Master's Public Policy/Government Communication or find a job in San Francisco and give back to her community.
Erik Bakke
Dean of International Education and Academic Success
Erik Bakke is the Dean of International Education and Academic Success at Menlo College. He has dedicated decades to practicing writing about art and creating artwork, specifically in contemporary approaches. In his administrative role at Menlo College, he works with a wide variety of programs including: Bowman Library, the Writing Center, Tutoring, Rising Scholars, Mentoring, Study Abroad, and International Student Services. Each semester, he teaches in the Intensive English Program, and over the years, he has taught and lectured about both the practice of art and art history. As an art writer, he has published in and edited a variety of international publications. Bakke has maintained a studio practice with a focus on painting for over forty years and has shown his work regularly since his first solo exhibition in 1991 in Kobe, Japan.
Joseph Adams
Adjunct Professor - Arts and Science Senior Career Counselor – SFSU Consultant, Educator, Mentor
Dr. Joseph R. Adams, a Bay Area native, educator, and social justice advocate, holds a Doctorate from the University of San Francisco in Education. He also earned a Master’s in Ethnic Studies and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Africana Studies and English Literature from San Francisco State University. As a Senior Career Counselor at SFSU, he creates culturally grounded programs that empower students to define success on their own terms. Additionally, he teaches at Menlo College as an Adjunct Professor. His work connects education, and social justice, emphasizing identity, leadership, and inclusive career development. About Joseph’s Talk: “Heroism Beyond Wealth,” explores how Batman’s story reveals a deeper truth about purpose, resilience, and choice. It challenges the idea true heroism comes from the will to rise above pain and turn trauma into purpose. Through Batman’s journey—and my own—I invite audiences to reflect on how we can all transform struggle into strength.
Lars Faessler
Student, Menlo College
Lars Faessler is an international student from St. Gallen, Switzerland pursuing a B.S. in Business Administration with a major in International Management at Menlo College, where he also plays for the Men’s Soccer Team and serves as Student Development Fund Representative. He is passionate about leadership, resilience, and personal growth. Beyond the classroom, he is actively involved in student leadership and athletics. In 2024, Lars and his team placed first in the Global Scaling Challenge, representing Menlo College against 45 teams worldwide.
Nargess Hassani
Menlo College Student
Nargess is a Business and AI Analytics major at Menlo College, who channels her passion for social impacts to challenge individuals perceptions and foster global understandings of others. Guided by a deep commitment to education and free expression, she shares a personal journey of resilience after she left her home country to fight for the right to learn freely. Her work focuses on dismantling harmful mindsets and celebrating the beauty and strength of her culture. Through her work she invites individuals to look beyond the surface, and recognize the strength and wisdom within cultural identities. Within her own culture, the courage of her people and women serve as a powerful example to those who refuse diversity.
Pacific Islander Club
Menlo College Pacific Islander Club
The Menlo College Pacific Islander Club is one of Menlo's oldest and largest clubs. Originally ‘the Hawai'i club,’ The Pacific Islander Club changed their name in 2018 to be open to all Pacific Islanders. This club strives to unite islanders in the Bay area and share diverse cultures within the campus and wider community. The PIC teaches hula and other traditional dances by their kumu (teacher) Martini 'Eke, who has been integral to the club's success for the past 25+ years. Speaking on the club's behalf is Kaua Hermosura, club advisor, Menlo College staff member and alumnus. Kaua was the president of the Pacifc Islander Club from 2022-2023 and a board member for two years. Kaua is a Native Hawaiian, from the island of Kaua'i, where he grew up learning and living Hawaiian Culture. Student Dancers: Jalen Arceo, Dwayne Deang, Dheryl Guerrero-Sy, Ryan Padron, Matthew Puahi-Kapololu Kawai'Apo Acopan, Isabella Aquino, Judd Eldredge Sagapolutele, Vailini-Seini Keola-Kuapahi, Jezzie Young
Sam Langsdale
Assistant Director of Academic Success
Dr. Sam Langsdale is the Assistant Director of Academic Success and an Adjunct Faculty member at Menlo College. She has over ten years of experience in university education, student advising, project management, and organizational leadership. In addition to administrative work, Dr. Langsdale maintains an active research agenda. Her work focuses on the politics around representations of gender, sexuality, and race in visual culture. She has published in peer-reviewed journals, numerous edited volumes, and in popular news outlets. Her book, Searching for Feminist Superheroes: Gender, Sexuality, and Race in Marvel Comics was awarded the 2024 Charles Hatfield Book Prize by the Comics Studies Society.
