TEDxCIU

Speakers

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

• Cinthia Catarina Tila

  A Business Administration student at Bahçeşehir Cyprus University, where she explores the intersection of leadership, human behavior, and creativity. Alongside her academic studies, she is completing a certification in Emotional Management, a field focused on understanding how unprocessed emotions influence performance, relationships, and overall well-being. Beyond the classroom, Cinthia serves as the President of a student club at BAU (Business Club), leading initiatives centered on personal and professional growth, mindset, and community impact. Outside of academics, she is a cheerleader, dancer, and artist. These passions reflect her creative nature and ongoing curiosity for personal growth and expression. She also creates content on emotional intelligence and adaptability, with a focus on developing self-awareness and inner flexibility. Through her work and studies, she continues to explore the idea that identity is not fixed, but an evolving process shaped by awareness, choice, and experience.

• Dr. Glenn P. Jenkins

  President of Cambridge Resources international and Professor of Economics at Queen’s University, Canada. He is an Institute Fellow Emeritus of Harvard University, and the former President of the International Society for Benefit Cost Analysis. In 1985, he founded the Program on Investment Appraisal and Management at Harvard University, and was its Director from 1985 to 2000. Since 2000, he has been the Director of the Program on Investment Appraisal and Risk Analysis at Queen’s University, Canada. To date, these programs have equipped over 2000 professionals from 50 countries with the theoretical and practical skills of cost-benefit analysis.

• Emmanuella Imo Akubuko

  Emmanuella Imo Akubuko is a distinguished social entrepreneur, nonprofit communications consultant, and speaker dedicated to driving meaningful social change across Africa and beyond. With over six years of experience in the nonprofit sector, she has cultivated a deep expertise in leveraging digital media and strategic communications to create lasting impact. As the Founder and CEO of HEXA Media, a full-service digital marketing agency, Emmanuella has empowered over 5000 African nonprofits to harness the power of digital media, technology, and communication strategies. Her innovative approach has enabled organisations of all sizes to amplify their voices and accelerate their missions for social good. Beyond her work with HEXA Media, Emmanuella is the visionary behind the Social Impact Marketing Summit, one of the leading marketing summits for African nonprofits. She also initiated the Humanitarians of Africa series and awards, celebrating and sharing the stories of over 40 African nonprofit founders, thereby spotlighting their invaluable contributions to society. Emmanuella’s commitment to excellence has not gone unnoticed. The African Changemakers Platform named her one of the Top 50 African Female Changemakers. Additionally, she served as the second female president of the Nigerian Student Union in Cyprus and is actively pursuing a Ph.D. in Communications and Media Studies at Cyprus International University. Her dedication to mentoring young women and aspiring nonprofit communication professionals highlights her passion for building the next generation of leaders in the sector.

• Gofran Muslim

  Gofran is a 20-year-old architecture student who loves turning big ideas into reality. Whether she’s designing buildings or exploring new ways to be creative, she’s always looking for the beauty in how things are made. For her, architecture is the perfect mix of logic and art.

• Ismail Abdirahman

  Ismail is an articulation coach with EliteSpeak. He is Somali and was born and raised in London. Having graduated from a degree in History from King's College London in 2020, he worked as a data scientist before pursuing his current vocation. He has a keen interest in languages and studies his native languages alongside foreign ones. In addition to English, he also speaks Somali, Japanese, Spanish and a little bit of Italian

• Manassé MONGILI PUATI

  Master’s student in Civil Engineering whose interests lie at the crossroads of infrastructure, society, and knowledge. Beyond engineering, he has a strong passion for history, geopolitics, and public affairs. He believes that technological progress cannot be separated from its social and political context. This multidisciplinary curiosity shapes how he communicates complex ideas, making them clear, relevant, and meaningful to a wide range of audiences. His leadership journey reflects a deep commitment to service and community development. From 2023 to 2024, he served as President of the Congolese Society at Cyprus International University, where he led cultural, academic, and social initiatives aimed at strengthening unity, representation, and student support. He is also a member of the organizing team of Foundation Joseph Sarto, a Congolese NGO dedicated to education and youth empowerment. Through this role, he contributes to initiatives that expand access to learning and help young people reach their full potential. Today, Manassé is also a content creator, using digital platforms to educate, inspire, and connect people from diverse backgrounds. Through his YouTube and Instagram platforms, Le Dunamisme, he shares content that promotes general knowledge, with a particular focus on science and history, encouraging audiences to see knowledge not as isolated facts, but as a tool for empowerment.