TEDxISL Pine Youth

Speakers

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

• Dr Usman Hotiana

  Physiatrist

  Dr Usman Hotiana is the Head of the Psychiatry Department at Rashid Latif Medical College and a graduate of King Edward Medical University, with extensive experience at the Punjab Institute of Mental Health, UHS, and Akhtar Syed Hospital. His work in the field of child and adult psychiatry has shaped national conversations on mental health and the law, including the landmark case of Khizer Hayat, which established that schizophrenia is a mental illness and safeguarded countless lives from wrongful prosecution. Trained in mental health at NYC alongside Prof. George Washington, Dr. Hotiana continues to advocate for improved forensic reporting standards in Pakistan.

• Dr. Sara Rizvi

  Researcher Social Policy/Public Health

  Dr. Sara Rizvi Jafree is an Associate Professor and Chair of Sociology at Forman Christian College, and a researcher whose work bridges social policy, public health, and women's studies. She has authored three books with leading academic publishers and published over fifty papers in international journals, shaping conversations on women's health, digital literacy, and intergenerational learning. As the founding editor of the Forman Journal of Social Sciences, her journey reflects the power of research to address divides and inspire social change across generations.

• Mahd Tahir

  Entrepreneur

  Mahd Tahir is an entrepreneur who has quickly made his mark by building one of Lahore's fastest-growing fast food brands 'Ouii, designed with a distinctly Gen Z spirit. Before stepping into the world of food and business, he built a career in photography and creative production, giving him a unique eye for branding, culture, and storytelling. Today, his journey reflects the power of reimagining everyday experiences-whether through food, technology, or design-and his work continues to inspire young innovators to think differently about how businesses can grow, connect, and create impact.

• Syeda Malaika Rizvi

  Student Speaker

  Syeda Malaika Rizvi is a young changemaker who has used technology to expand opportunity and redefine access to education. As part of ISL's Legacy Batch, she began by teaching coding to her peers and went on to found Girl Coders Pakistan, a platform now connecting young women in 16 countries to STEM skills and resources. Winner of the Global Teen Leader Award and the founding curator of TEDXISLPine Youth, Malaika continues to show how the ideas and energy of a new generation can bridge divides, spark collaboration, and open doors to the future.

• Zaeem Lodhi

  Design Enthusiast

  Zaeem Lodhi is a visual storyteller and content creator, currently serving as Chief Marketing Officer at Grey Matter Global. His journey began at the International School Lahore, where he first explored social media management. Since then, he has grown into a creative leader, now contributing to the launch of the National Institute of Technology - Pakistan's first American university powered by Arizona State University. Driven by hard work and passion, Zaeem has transformed his early curiosity into a career of purpose and impact. At TED/SLPineYouth, he steps onto the stage to share the lessons learned along his path - from bridging generational gaps between teachers and peers, to discovering the importance of celebrating diversity across all fields, and above all, to never doubting one's own potential.

• Zoha Waqas

  Digital Innovator

  Zoha Waqas, a 2024 Diana Award recipient, Youth4Climate Awardee by UNDP, and Tech for Impact Ambassador at the Global Blockchain Business Council, is a leader in business development and tech-driven social impact at Tayaba Org. She spearheaded SavePakistan, Pakistan's first blockchain-powered resource distribution and fundraising system, and also founded Playpreneur, a youth-led, play-based entrepreneurial hub. Guided by her belief that business must serve people, planet, and profit, Zoha empowers young people to transform ideas into action and lead with confidence and creativity in the fast-evolving fields of technology.