TEDxVitosha

Speakers

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

• Arina Shillo

  Non-Verbal Storyteller

  At only 15 she is already an actress who transforms silence into the most powerful tool for connecting with an audience. The stage for her is a space where movement becomes a precise and honest language of emotions – one capable of conveying far more than speech ever could. In 2022, Arina arrived in Bulgaria from Ukraine, finding herself in a completely unfamiliar environment without knowing the local language. Instead of isolating herself, she chose to let her art speak for her, creating the persona of a street mime. It was here, at the crossroads of different languages and cultures, that she realised true communication happens far beyond words. In 2025, she became a finalist on Bulgaria’s Got Talent. Her pantomime performances went viral on social media. In a world that never stops being noisy, Arina challenges us to pause and look closer. Because sometimes, the most important truths are the ones for which we have no words.

• Daniela Samiri

  Voice for Human Rights

  Daniela is a criminologist and writer exploring how collective silence fuels the machinery of prejudice. As Communications and Advocacy Advisor at the Roma Foundation for Europe, she analyses how systemic failures are reframed as blame, directed at marginalised groups. Her career spans Brussels and London, developing anti-corruption strategies. Her surname, Samiri, comes from her father, who was affected by the “Revival Process” in Bulgaria in the late 1980s. Today, Daniela carries the name consciously, rejecting the imposed narrative of victimhood and challenging society to confront the deeper roots of discrimination.

• Denis Videnov

  Jewelry Designer

  In a world where moments fade into pixels and clouds, creating something lasting is an act of rebellion. Denis Videnov’s mission is to capture life’s most meaningful moments and transform them into forms made to endure. As a jewellery designer and master craftsman, he uses gold to materialise memory and emotions preserving them through time. His journey began with the discipline of traditional apprenticeship, mastering the patience and precision required to shape metal by hand. Yet he moved beyond the workbench, embracing modern technology and integrating advanced design and digital fabrication into his craft. In Denis’ hands, jewelry becomes more than ornament. It is personal history cast in gold - a symbol of identity, emotion, and belonging, carried close and meant to last for generations.

• Fatima Alloghani

  Talent Hunter

  Fatima Alloghani is a founder, strategist, and adventure motorcyclist living at the intersection of courage and systems change in the UAE - one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. As founder of Born2Localize, she challenges how organisations approach people, inclusion and national potential. In a country where nearly 90% of the population are expatriates, her work focuses on strengthening the Emiratisation ecosystem and bridging the gap between private sector needs and local talent integration. Half Indian and half Emirati, Fatima faced discrimination early on, yet refused to follow a predefined path. After overcoming burnout, she rebuilt herself beyond titles and external validation. In the past two years, she rode solo over 12,000 km across nine countries, from the Alps to some of the world’s highest roads. For her, the journey is both an adventure and a reflection - a reminder that it’s okay to be lost while finding your way.

• Gavin Simpson

  Former Binman

  Gavin Simpson comes from a working-class family. He spent nearly 10 years as a binman. Today, he is a Chartered Global Management Accountant, advising executive teams and helping some of UK’s largest companies save millions. An outsider from the start, Gavin’s success was driven not only by persistence, but by thinking differently. A mind once labeled “unsuitable” by the education system became his greatest professional strength. A turning point came after his son’s autism diagnosis. Learning that autism can be genetic led Gavin to recognise the same traits in himself and seek a late diagnosis. Suddenly, his struggles at school made sense.

• Iliana Raeva

  Sports Legend Rhythmic Gymnastics

  Her journey began at her father’s insistence, not her own choice. Yet she became one of the brightest stars among the legendary “Golden Girls” in Bulgarian rhythmic gymnastics . A European Champion with 5 gold medals, Raeva continued as both a coach and a leader the Bulgarian national team and the Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation. In 1979, Time magazine called her “the diamond who blew Wembley Stadium away.” In elite sport, she believes, talent is only an entry ticket. Without direction, it is scattered energy. True greatness is built away from the spotlight, where discipline, resilience, and the guidance of a coach turn potential into reality.

• Iren Dikova

  Transplant Athlete

  Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at 19, Iren Dikova-Dimitrov faced a devastating prognosis but chose to fight for every breath. After a life-saving double lung transplant, she transformed her life, becoming a decorated transplant athlete with gold medals in Alpine skiing, tennis, and table tennis from European and World Games. Her resilience extends to her professional life, too. An alumna of Istituto Marangoni, Iren is the co-founder of studio D3 Designd. She brings an uncompromising pursuit of perfection to her interior design work, creating meaningful spaces with the understanding of someone who knows the true value of time.

• Katya Slavcheva

  Nuclear Lead

  Katya Slavcheva is a pioneer, a marathon runner, and a nuclear leader. While she enjoys sweet cakes, her favourite one is “yellowcake” uranium concentrate. Like Marie Curie and Lise Meitner, she chose an unconventional path, becoming the only nuclear professional in her family. She has worked on four continents and led the operational readiness demonstration before the safe launch of the first Arab nuclear power plant. Katya shares her experience not to make nuclear “sexy” again, but to provide fact-based knowledge so everyone can form their own opinion. She aims to explain nuclear science into concepts even children can understand. Believing some deeds outlive a lifetime, she promotes public understanding, supports young talent, and advocates for greater retention of women in nuclear energy. Buckle up, the chain reaction starts now.

• Martin Campbell

  Film Director and Producer

  What do Casino Royale, The Mask of Zorro and The Foreigner have in common? New Zealander Martin Campbell. Often described as an action director, he has more than 15 feature films to his name and 6 BAFTA Awards. Campbell knows how to captivate audiences. The Mask of Zorro (1998) earned Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations and launched the international careers of Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. He also revitalized the James Bond franchise with GoldenEye (1995), Pierce Brosnan’s debut as 007, which grossed over $350 million worldwide. Martin began his career as a cameraman at BBC London and made his directorial debut with the series The Professionals (1977). Decades later, his creative drive remains strong. His latest film, Just Play Dead, starring Samuel L. Jackson and Eva Green, was shot in 2025 in Spain in just 29 days.

• Max Baklayan

  Guardian of Values

  What currency do outliers trade in? Max Baklayan knows the difference between growing a bank account and building karmic capital. 17 years ago, during the global financial crisis, he made a counterintuitive move that reshaped the Bulgarian financial market. He transformed stigmatised currency exchange kiosks into trusted institutions with a positive public image. His success rests on one principle - excellence through selection. He creates a culture that refuses to compromise on quality. Max also undertook a 37-day water fast, discovering that hunger is often an illusion and that clarity fuels energy. The same discipline he applies to capital, he applies to himself. For him the most valuable currency is the choice to build something truly exceptional.

• Milko Georgiev

  Conditioning & Strength Coach

  Is it possible to “reprogram” the human body? For Milko Georgiev, the answer is yes. A kinesiologist, nutritionist, and strength & conditioning coach with 25+ years of experience, he has developed a holistic system for physical culture. His method goes beyond quick fixes, placing functional movement at the core of sustainable health and performance. Though he holds a Master’s Degree in Information Technology, in 2002 he found his calling: guiding people out of the “zoo” of sedentary living and back to their natural motor potential. He has prepared Olympic champion Karlos Nasar and elite athletes including Linda Zetchiri. Milko has also coached the Chinese National Beach Volleyball Team and the Bulgarian National Youth Boxing Team. His philosophy balances strength, mobility, load, and recovery. Living proof of his system, he maintains under 6% body fat year-round.

• Pavel Lefterov

  Race Car Driver

  How do you build your character when your life is measured in milliseconds? Pavel Lefterov knows where to find the racing line and how to turn a team’s collective effort into podium glory. Pavel’s journey began at age 11 in a karting. By 17, in his very first appearance, he made history as the youngest driver in the GT4 series, securing a stunning double victory at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit. A champion in the German DTC series (2016) and a winner of the grueling 24 Hours of Nürburgring (SP8 class, 2019), Pavel’s trophies are backed by thousands of hours of training, sacrifice, and moments of doubt

• Stoyan Stoyanov

  Experience Designer

  Stoyan Stoyanov is the co-founder of Elektrick.me - a creative laboratory that turns audiences into active participants in art. Bridging the gap between technology and creativity, he specializes in 3D mapping, interactive installations and 3D animation. Stoyan has successfully executed campaigns for global brands like Intel, Mercedes, and Range Rover in China, and his digital works adorn prestigious locations such as the Boston Consulting Group in Shenzhen and the W Hotel in Shanghai.

• Vania Mitova

  Breast Oncology Surgeon

  What steps do you take beyond practicing your profession? Dr. Mitova heals not only with her hands, but with her heart. A surgeon and breast oncology specialist, she dedicates her weekends to a cause beyond the operating room. Each year, nearly 4,000 people in Bulgaria are diagnosed with breast cancer, a third of them are treated at the Department of Breast and Reconstructive Surgery at the University Specialised Hospital for Oncology “Prof. Ivan Chernozemski” in Sofia, where she leads the team. Noticing repeated questions from patients, 6 years ago she identified a gap in timely and accessible information. This led to Bulgaria’s first multimodal mobile app for breast cancer prevention and follow-up. Developed with national experts, it provides essential disease information, enables self-examinations, eases appointment scheduling, and increases preventive screenings.

• Yasen Tanev

  Anti-Hacker Shield

  Yasen Tanev works at the intersection of technology and human behavior in cyberspace. For over 20 years, he has built complex digital systems, managed risk, and implemented cybersecurity standards in both the private and public sectors. In 2012, when his daughter started school, he realised that most “digital tourists” are unprepared for this new world and children are even more vulnerable. He saw that business expertise had to reach teachers, students, and everyday users. This led to the creation of Safer.bg, a Digital Community Center helping people navigate and survive online. More than a decade later, its mission is more relevant than ever. Yasen believes our strongest defence is critical thinking, risk awareness, and personal responsibility. But as AI is reshaping the landscape, the question “Who are you talking to?” no longer applies only to humans.