Theme: A Day of DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion)

Welcome to TEDxEspoo Youth 2025!

TEDxEspoo Youth 2025: A Day Of DEI
(Diversity, Equity, Inclusion)

TEDxEspoo Youth is a grassroots initiative by a group of Youth. The theme for the event is DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion), we chose this theme since it is a topic which is talked a lot about, but is not implemented in real world scenarios. Through the theme the audience - youth can carry the concepts of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to their diverse work fields, and then the 100+ youth multiply to 1000 youth and so on.

TEDxEspoo Youth is a 4-5 hours event, with a youth audience from various regions of Finland including Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa. Our goal is to bring together bright minds to give talks that are idea-focused on a wide range of subjects, to foster learning, inspiration, wonder and provoke conversations that matters to youth. It is a platform, where diverse youth are provided a platform of equity and inclusivity by the speakers.

Please note that the sign ups will be processed on a first come, first save basis. So be quick to RSVP as soon as possible.

https://forms.gle/2N5BkpjA3vLCHMRv6

Join us on Sat May 24, 2025 at 12:30 at Lillhemtintie 1, 02250 Opinmäki Campus

Email : tedxespoo.youth@gmail.com

opinmaki Campus
Opinmäki campus
Lillhemtintie 1
Espoo, Uusimaa, 02250 Espoo
Finland

Aicha Manai

CEO of a social enterprise (Startup Refugees) and DEI expert

Aicha Manai is the CEO of Startup Refugees. She leads Startup Refugees, a social innovation that supports refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in building careers and launching businesses. Startup Refugees has become a powerful force for connecting untapped talent with meaningful opportunities and reshaping the narrative around refugees, immigration and integration.

Apurva Ganoo

Lecturer in Entrepreneurship

Apurva Ganoo is a permanent (tenured) Lecturer in Entrepreneurship at Aalto University School of Business. His research examines entrepreneurial education from a critical perspective, exploring its connections to the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem and institutions. In his teaching, he contributes to Aalto's new master’s program in Sustainable Entrepreneurship and teaches introductory bachelor’s courses in entrepreneurship. Apurva is actively involved in several EU-funded capacity-building projects, where he has played a key role in securing over €3M in funding and establishing partnerships with universities across Europe, Africa, and Asia. In 2024, Apurva was recognized by the Suomen Liikemies-Yhdistys (The Finnish Businessmen's Association) for his contributions to promoting entrepreneurship at Aalto and beyond.

Dora Puhakka

Diversity Work Specialist

Dora Puhakka, a highly experienced DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) consultant from Namibia, currently based in Finland. She is a co-founding member of Kuikan Co. With over a decade of experience in the Finnish NGO sector. In recognition of her significant contributions to women's rights, she was honored with the "Mentor and Supporter of Women’s Rights" award in 2022 by AFAES (Africans and African-Europeans Associations). Additionally, Dora Puhakka serves as the Vice-Chairperson of the board for Suomi-Namibia Seura (Finnish-Namibian Society), the oldest friendship society in Finland with an African country.

Emilia Lun

High School Student

Emilia is a high school student, Third Culture Kid, and founder of Swiss Venture Girls, a platform empowering girls in Switzerland to explore entrepreneurship and global connection. Raised between Germany, Italy, the U.S., and Switzerland, she’s learned to navigate identity, language, and belonging from a young age. After spending a life-changing exchange year at Beau Soleil, a Swiss boarding school and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro at 15, Emilia saw that real leadership isn’t about fitting in. It’s about building bridges. In her talk, she shares why growing up between cultures isn’t a gap. It's a gift.

Frederick Lalu

Studying at University of Helsinki and Board Member at the National Committee of European Youth Parliament Finland – EYP Finland ry

Frederick Lalu is currently studying at University of Helsinki. Apart from his studies, he is currently a Board Member at the National Committee of European Youth Parliament Finland – EYP Finland ry an independent youth organization dedicated to empowering young Europeans through European Parliament simulations and promoting active citizenship. Frederick has been an active member in many other youth organizations for the last four years.

Justina Gimbutiene

Community Counselor Youth work, Multicultural work

I am a Lithuanian national living in finland for 15 years already. I came to Finland to do EVS and thought that I would leave after 12 months, but apparently Finland Finland never thought the same way! I have studied social work, did internships in Malaysia and South Africa, worked in child protection services and for the past two years at Espoo International School as a community counselor! Multicultural work has always been big part of my life.

Leotrim Deliu

Studying at Eiran Aikuislukio and President of European Youth Parliament (EYP) Uusimaa, Finland.

Leotrim Deliu, studying at Eiran Aikuislukio. Alongside his studies, he is the President of European Youth Parliament (EYP) Uusimaa, Finland. Leotrim uses his free time in activities to improve society.

Pavel Tahkovuori

Sustainability expert & non-fiction author

Pavel Tahkovuori is a non-fiction author and sustainability expert with a background in the food business and a strong interest in how companies shape what we eat. Before co-founding Viral Vegans, he worked in market research, often for some of Finland’s largest companies. That experience gave him a rare inside view of the food industry giants' influence on consumer behavior. Today, he produces Finland’s most listened-to sustainability podcast and creates social media content that reaches up to 1,7 million people each month.

Ted Apter

Industrial Policy Special Advisor + Local Politician

Ted Apter is a Special Advisor on Industrial Policy, an active local politician, and has taken many roles in a multitude of NGOs. His career includes positions in both the public and private sectors. He currently works as a Special Advisor on Industrial Policy for Suomen Ekonomit, with a focus on accelerating Finnish economic growth. He is mainly focused on themes such as increased study - and work - related migration, adding financing for research and development and supporting the startup ecosystem for grow in Finland.