TEDxThe Lawrence School Lovedale

Speakers

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

• Alina Alam

  Alina Alam started MITTI Café at the age of 23, with the dream of showing the world the magic of abilities. MITTI Cafes work towards fostering economic independence and dignity for persons with disabilities, making a significant impact on Indian society. The organisation’s outreach initiatives also help create awareness about inclusion and disability rights. Alina is a four-time TEDx speaker and has been featured in Forbes Asia’s 30 Under 30 list.

• Bismi Aqib

  Bismi Aqib, a Class 12 student, is a dedicated scholar and a gifted veena player who shines equally in moot courts and Model United Nations. A passionate learner, debater, and dreamer of a legal future, she takes the stage to share her thoughts on “What is Impossible in the Modern World?”

• Nidhi Mishra

  A postgraduate in English Literature, Nidhi sees herself as a born teacher and a people’s person who delights in sharing her ideas with warmth and clarity. Deeply passionate about the Urdu poetry of Faiz Ahmad Faiz, she often finds herself lost in its verses and humming soulful ghazals.

• Pavithra Yudhishter

  Pavithra Yudhishter is an Artist and Neuro Coach whose work blends Aesthetic Intelligence with Deep Human Insight. She is an Internationally Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist trained under Dr. Paul McKenna, and holds the coveted IAPCP Accreditation. She is also qualified in areas of NLP - Neuro linguistic Program - through ICCHP (UK) and in Shadow Work by IPHM. After over a decade in the corporate world, Pavithra transitioned into Early Education, serving as an Atelierista-training Educator's pan-India in creative stimulation methodologies and then as Principal for a reputed International School with The Edvance Group. Her expertise in Education and Human Behaviour led her into Ed-Tech, where she Co-founded and served as CEO of companies like “Image of a Child” and “Freckled”- now integrated into several Colleges across India. Today, she is the Founder of Studio Hunavey, a space through which she uses “creativity” as a medium for healing, expression, and transformation where she conducts niche programs such as “Omakase Intuitive Art Retreats” and “Conscious Creativity workshops”. Her philanthropic work through these workshops has impacted hundreds of educators and thousands of children in rural and government sectors. Pavithra is also a Keynote speaker, a Banjara Format Bellydance teacher and the author of the upcoming book The Six Codes of Conscious Creativity. Early on in life she was a celebrated NCC cadet, she represented India as a youth ambassador to Vietnam, led the Republic Day Parade at Rajpath, and co-commanded the Prime Minister’s Rally—earning numerous State and National honours/accolades, including the prestigious Director General’s Scholarship.

• PN NAYAK

  P. N. Nayak CEO and Managing Trustee, Deshpande Skilling Deshpande Skilling has given me the platform to fulfil a long-cherished desire—to give back to society by applying my decades of experience in Talent Acquisition and Talent Development. Headquartered in Hubli, Karnataka, the Trust has embraced an entrepreneurial approach to social impact. We treat the districts of North Karnataka as a sandbox, prototyping solutions to challenges at the bottom of the pyramid, and building scalable, sustainable models for broader adoption. At the heart of our mission is a powerful purpose: to enhance the incomes of rural and small- town communities by skilling their young people. This vision has been a constant source of inspiration. Today, I am privileged to lead a passionate team of over 500 colleagues who design and deliver programs that annually connect more than 20,000 children and 5,000+ youth from underserved communities to better educational opportunities and meaningful careers. My seven-year journey as CEO and Managing Trustee has been enriching—shaping the lives of thousands of rural families and strengthening pathways for inclusive growth. Working closely with our visionary founders and patrons, Jaishree Deshpande and Gururaj “Desh” Deshpande, is an honour I truly value. An engineer by training (NIT-K Surathkal, 1988), I was fortunate to begin my career in the nascent years of India’s IT industry. I joined HCL, a pioneer known for its culture of risk- taking, bold decision-making, and a growth mindset. Over a 28-year career there, I grew from a trainee engineer to a senior manager, taking on diverse responsibilities across customer support, sales, quality, talent acquisition, talent development, and CSR. That journey, filled with learning and adventure, shaped my leadership philosophy and prepared me for my current role in social impact.

• Sanjay Roshan

  Sanjay, a class topper with a deep passion for science, is also a gifted pianist and a champion delegate in MUNs. His speech will explore whether “impossible” is subjective or objective, offering a fresh perspective on how the term is often misunderstood.