In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Forum Groningen
Nieuwe Markt 1
Rabo Zaal
Groningen, Groningen, 9712 KN
Netherlands

Barbara van Bergen

Paralympian

Barbara van Bergen is a 4 times Paralympian who turned adversity into triumph. After a life-changing motorcycle accident which left her in a wheelchair, Barbara found renewed purpose through sport. While in rehabilitation, she discovered wheelchair basketball, quickly rising to become an elite athlete and winning multiple medals at the Paralympic Games. Not stopping there, Barbara transitioned to sit-skiing, where she continued to excel and inspire. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of sport, resilience, and the will to never give up.

Bianca Zwart

Chief Strategy Officer at Bunq

Bianca is bunq’s Chief Strategy Officer, shaping the company’s long-term vision and ensuring bunq delivers on its promises to users. She removes roadblocks, drives growth, and keeps bunq focused on what matters most - building the world’s first global bank people love to use. Starting as a frontline support guide in 2016, Bianca skyrocketed through the ranks, built and sold two companies, then returned to bunq in 2022 as Chief of Staff. A global citizen herself, Bianca lives an international lifestyle, experiencing firsthand the challenges and opportunities faced by bunq’s location-independent users around the world. This unique perspective helps her keep the company’s focus on what matters most: bunq’s users.

David Aston

Co-Founder: NextWave Group & CEO & Founder: NextWave-Infinium (EMEA)

David Aston is one of the co-founders of the NextWave Group and the Founder and CEO of Infinium Consulting (trading as NextWave-Infinium). A serial entrepreneur having established five different and successful businesses over the past 30 years. With in-depth experience of building consultancy focused businesses, David has also gained extensive experience in delivering complex change within Financial Services and Markets and has a proven track record in managing large, high profile, Global projects. His expertise spans Investment Banking, Corporate, Retail and Transaction Banking. David's consulting skills are particularly strong in regulatory, integration-related, and new business-driven projects, usually with a focus on technology and regulation. He has lived and worked in major financial hubs including Amsterdam, Hong Kong, London, Milan, New York, Sydney, and Tokyo.

Franciska de Beer

Neuroscientist

Franciska de Beer is a neuroscientist and PhD student at the University Medical Center Groningen. She studies antipsychotic medication for psychosis, the dopamine system, and women's health. Franciska is a guest curator in the exhibition Brainstorm on how our brain works and is the initiator of the project Science on Wednesday, which illustrates neuroscience with artworks.

Jingyuan Fu

Professor in Systems Medicine

Dr. Jingyuan Fu is a professor of systems medicine in the University Medical Centre Groningen, the Netherlands. She obtained a BSc in Biochemistry, a MSc in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (cum laude), and a PhD in systems genetics (cum laude). Via this route she developed her research line on systems genetics in complex traits and became an expert in integrative genomics and systems biology. Her research aims to acquire a greater knowledge of how the human genome and the gut microbiome interact with each other and affect human health, in order to create better methods for disease prediction, prevention, and treatment. To accomplish this, her study combines with large-scale genetic and microbial association studies in big groups of individuals with functional studies using advanced bacterial culturing and organ-on-a-chip technologies. She is recognized as a 'Highly Cited Researcher' by Web of Science, a laureate of the AMMODO Science Award, and an elected scientific member of KHMW.

Kika Buhrmann

CEO of Nespresso Netherlands

Through my 20 years of work experience in several countries, leading large organizations, combined with the love of raising our three children, I discovered that many conventional concepts don’t make sense. Time management, work-life balance, career ladder, are all mindsets that made me very stressed and limited my thinking. But I do think there is something better! In order to create a ripple effect, we need to be the strongest version of ourselves. In this talk I will share my personal learnings and how I apply a different way of thinking to create a positive impact on the ones around me.