TEDxNYU Shanghai

Speakers

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

• Amir Hampel

  Amir Hampel is a medical anthropologist specializing in mental health. Based on ethnographic research on self-help programs popular with Chinese youth, He has analyzed how markets, mobility, and rapidly changing values are affecting young people's anxieties about personal identity and social belonging. Amir is now studying emerging uses for Chinese medicine for mental health issues including depression, autism, and ADHD. Using digital research methods and interviews with clinicians, scientists, and patients, he is investigating how these therapies are being shaped by cultural, commercial, and technological forces including an expanding set of AI tools.

• Canal Cheong Jagerroos

  • Founder of Floating Island & Co-founder of Blue and Red, showcased worldwide • 30+ years of artistic practice bridging East & West • Featured in nearly 100 exhibitions across Asia, Europe, Africa, and Finland • Creates a distinctive visual language through large-scale painting, drawing & installation • Currently based between Helsinki, Shanghai, and Berlin

• Danni Zhao

  Danni Zhao is a Brand Director in Feminine Care at Procter & Gamble, where she leads strategic initiatives for some of the world's most recognized personal care brands. After beginning her career in the fast-paced entrepreneurial environment of New York and earning a Master’s degree from New York University, she rose through leadership roles at P&G starting in 2019. Driven by a deep curiosity about human psychology and connection, Danni focuses on how brands can influence self-perception and foster a deeper understanding of human needs and interpersonal relationships.

• Ivan Rasmussen

  • Former fellow at Harvard Kennedy School and consultant for the RAND Corporation • Brings policy and practice experience from the US State Department to the classroom • Winner of NYU Shanghai’s Teaching Excellence Award • Member of the Mansfield-Luce Asia Scholars Network • Research & fieldwork spanning 20+ universities in China and beyond

• Stephanie Sam

  Stephanie Sam is a communications strategist and speaker focused on US–China and EU–China geopolitics, AI, and institutional trust. Based in Shanghai, her work spans media, diplomacy, and cross-cultural leadership — translating complexity into clarity and influence. She currently serves as Editor-in-Chief at the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai and frequently hosts and moderates international forums, conferences, and leadership dialogues.

• Susan Huang

  Susan Huang is an HR strategist with over 14 years of experience across APAC in luxury, real estate, and education. Specializing in talent acquisition and people strategy, she leverages dual Master’s degrees in intercultural education and communication to align organizational growth with human potential. As a leader in disability inclusion, she is a passionate advocate for building diverse, human-centered workplaces that adapt to the evolving global landscape.

• Thomas Derksen

  Thomas Derksen is a Shanghai-based German entrepreneur and prominent content creator who has built a platform reaching over 10 million followers across China’s major social media channels. As the co-founder of AsiaBits, he bridges the gap between China and the West by providing global business audiences with deep insights into China’s technology, robotics, and innovation landscapes. Through his podcast and strategic work, Thomas focuses on making China's fast-moving tech ecosystem accessible, engaging with industry leaders to foster cross-cultural understanding in the global business world.