Step inside the TED Fellows community

2026

Haiti + US

Additive Manufacturing, Design, Haitian culture, Manufacturing, Startup

United States

2009

India

Mobile employment innovator // CEO of Babajob.com, a network connecting employers to informal-sector employees through mobile phones // CEO of Babajob.com, a network connecting employers to informal-sector employees through mobile phones // Mobile employment innovator // mobile phones // Bangalore|Bengaluru|India|Karnataka

Bangalore|Bengaluru|India|Karnataka

Decathlon, Mathematics of War, Nanotechnology, Network theory, OSINT, Online news, Physics, Quantative Analysis

2009

United States

Physicist + military theorist // Sean Gourley's research for his master's degree led to the formation of New Zealand's first nanotech company, NanoDevices Ltd. He was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, where he studied for his PhD in a newly created branch of physics called "complexity," which uses techniques from traditional physics to understand and predict the behavior of social systems. After two years of PhD study he was offered a research position at NASA. <br /><br />In 2007 his research on global conflicts was awarded a PhD in physics and resulted in a string of publications in <em>Science</em>, <em>The Economist</em> and <em>The Telegraph</em>, which led to a post as advisor to the newly formed Iraqi government. Gourley now lives and works in San Francisco at YouNoodle. He recently returned from Iraq where he conducted research for his thesis, which he hopes to adapt into a book.<br /><br />In December, 2009, his research was featured in the scientific journal <em><a href="http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v462/n7275/full/nature08631.html">Nature</a></em>. // Co-founder and CTO of Quid, part time physicist and sometimes decathlete. I'm based in San Francisco where I spend most of my time working at Quid building the next generation global intelligence platform. Not an easy task, but luckily I have a great team of quants and engineers coming along with me for the ride. I'm originally from New Zealand where I divided my time between, studying Physics, running, surfing and organizing political rallies. Back in New Zealand I ran for National elected office, helped start New Zealand's first Nanotech company and won two national Decathlon titles. I spent best 7 years studying at Oxford and trying to understand the mathematical patterns that underly insurgent warfare. This research has taken me all over the world from the Pentagon, to the House of Lords, the United Nations and most recently to Iraq. You can see more of the 'mathematics of war' research here on TED.com // What do 24,000 ideas look like? Ecologist Eric Berlow and physicist Sean Gourley apply algorithms to the entire archive of TEDx Talks, taking us on a stimulating visual tour to show how ideas connect globally. // By analyzing raw data on violent incidents in the Iraq war and others, Sean Gourley and his team claim to have found a surprisingly strong mathematical relationship linking the fatality and frequency of attacks. // Co-founder and CTO of Quid, part time physicist and sometimes decathlete. I'm based in San Francisco where I spend most of my time working at Quid building the next generation global intelligence platform. Not an easy task, but luckily I have a great team of quants and engineers coming along with me for the ride. I'm originally from New Zealand where I divided my time between, studying Physics, running, surfing and organizing political rallies. Back in New Zealand I ran for National elected office, helped start New Zealand's first Nanotech company and won two national Decathlon titles. I spent best 7 years studying at Oxford and trying to understand the mathematical patterns that underly insurgent warfare. This research has taken me all over the world from the Pentagon, to the House of Lords, the United Nations and most recently to Iraq. You can see more of the 'mathematics of war' research here on TED.com // Physicist + military theorist // research, online news, nature, quantative analysis, osint, science, mathematics of war, led, network theory, physics, government, war, data, nanotechnology, decathlon // California|United States|San Francisco|USA

California|United States|San Francisco|USA

business management, ecommerce, entreprenuership, marketing, sales

2007

Kenya

CEO of MamaMikes, a Nairobi-based gifting service used to send gifts and needed items from anywhere in the world to Kenya and Uganda; CEO, Airpesa, a service which focuses on instant airtime top-ups from the DiasporaCountry: // For most of my professional life I have been an entrepreneur, I founded one of Kenya’s first e-commerce businesses, ‘MamaMikes Online’, a business I have run for close to 15 years. MamaMikes offers the Kenyan Diaspora a platform to buy gifts and groceries for their family and friends back home. We became famous for pioneering the e-Mbuzi ‘e-goat’ the delivery of goats over Christmas time. Our philosophy is ‘Share Love. Spread Happiness’ More recently, I joined a Kenyan startup called BRCK, a business whose ambition is to offer advertiser supported Free Wifi across East Africa. I run business development at BRCK. // For most of my professional life I have been an entrepreneur, I founded one of Kenya’s first e-commerce businesses, ‘MamaMikes Online’, a business I have run for close to 15 years. MamaMikes offers the Kenyan Diaspora a platform to buy gifts and groceries for their family and friends back home. We became famous for pioneering the e-Mbuzi ‘e-goat’ the delivery of goats over Christmas time. Our philosophy is ‘Share Love. Spread Happiness’ More recently, I joined a Kenyan startup called BRCK, a business whose ambition is to offer advertiser supported Free Wifi across East Africa. I run business development at BRCK. // ecommerce, sales, business management, entreprenuership, marketing, goats // Nairobi County|Kenya|Nairobi

Nairobi County|Kenya|Nairobi

Aerial imagery, aerial photography, artificial intelligence, automation, autonomous systems, autonomous vehicle, computer vision, machine learning, offshore oil spill, robotics, science, self-driving cars, sensor, systems engineering, technology, wildlife

2014

Switzerland

ETH Zürich; Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich; Fotokite; NVIDIA; ETH Zurich; Cornell University

ETH Zürich; Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich; Fotokite; NVIDIA; ETH Zurich; Cornell University // My priority these days is first being a good dad. But in my "spare time" I try to influence and direct how robotics and AI technology evolves. Try to nudge it to the useful things and away from the very scary ones, as things allow. // Sergei Lupashin is a dedicated individual who prioritizes his role as a father while actively shaping the trajectory of robotics and AI technology. With a focus on steering these advancements towards beneficial applications and steering away from potentially concerning uses, Sergei's work reflects a commitment to ethical and responsible innovation. His efforts in influencing the development of technology highlight his dedication to ensuring that these tools serve society in constructive ways. // Aerial robotics researcher // Swiss-based engineer developing the Fotokite, an easy-to-use flying robotic camera. His work also includes unmanned aerial vehicles and autonomous cars. // Let's admit it: aerial photo drones and UAVs are a little creepy, and they come with big regulatory and safety problems. But aerial photos can be a powerful way of telling the truth about the world: the size of a protest, the spread of an oil spill, the wildlife hidden in a delta. Sergei Lupashin demos Fotokite, a nifty new way to see the world from on high, safely and under control. // Sergei Lupashin is a dedicated individual who prioritizes his role as a father while actively shaping the trajectory of robotics and AI technology. With a focus on steering these advancements towards beneficial applications and steering away from potentially concerning uses, Sergei's work reflects a commitment to ethical and responsible innovation. His efforts in influencing the development of technology highlight his dedication to ensuring that these tools serve society in constructive ways. // Aerial robotics researcher // technology, aerial imagery, automation, machine learning, autonomous vehicle, design, aerial photography, self-driving cars, wildlife, offshore oil spill, robotics, systems engineering, vehicles, sensor, cars, computer vision, autonomous systems, science, artificial intelligence // Zürich|Switzerland|Zurich

Zürich|Switzerland|Zurich

Art, Culture, Design, Japan, Textiles, West Africa

2011

France

Groupe Renault; Nissan Motor Corporation; WAFRICA; Woodoo; ENSCI - Les Ateliers; ENSAAMA

Wafrica is an organization that combines the ancient sophisticated aesthetics of West Africa and Japan to create a new artistic territory. Founded by Serge Mouangue, Wafrica's projects focus on creating Third Aesthetic artworks that blend Japanese refinement with West African vitality. The organization showcases African textile kimonos and collaborates with Japanese artists to produce masks and sculptures. Serge Mouangue's work has gained international acclaim through exhibitions and collaborations, exploring the harmonious relationship between the two cultures. For inquiries about Wafrica's artwork, collaborations, or exhibitions, individuals can contact the organization through the provided form. // Serge Mouangue is a Cameroonian designer and artist based in Paris, France, known for his Japanese/Cameroonian art pieces that explore shared belonging and cultural similarities. He has worked in various design fields, including collaborating with Renault and Nissan in Japan. Mouangue's art focuses on the concept of the 'third aesthetic', representing the collaborative space created when two cultures interact. His creative platform "Wafrica" combines his Cameroonian heritage with his experiences in Japan. Mouangue's work includes a series of kimono made from West African fabrics and traditional Japanese features, as well as sculptures, live performances, and collaborative installations. His art has been exhibited internationally and featured in various events and exhibitions, showcasing his unique blend of cultural influences and universal sense of belonging. // Passionate leader across industry, art, brand and strategy, focused on value creation // Insure business development with . Top 5 Global Luxury groups . Top 5 Europe Premium automotive makers . Top 3 Global aeronautic players // Wa 和... the spirit of Japan and harmony. Wafrica encapsulates both West Africa and Japanese ancient sophisticated aesthetic to create a 3rd esthetic, redefining our sense of origin. // Member of Renault Group Brand Committee with the challenge to increase Renault Group Brand strength and consistency through Product strategy. // LCI an internal “Startup” of 50 people created to deliver disruptive vehicle concept. // Create and define new competitive concept vehicle in upstream phase for Nissan Group // Member of Renault Group Brand Committee with the challenge to increase Renault Group Brand strength and consistency through Product strategy. // Member of Renault Group Brand Committee with the challenge to increase Renault Group Brand strength and consistency through Product strategy. // Groupe Renault; Nissan Motor Corporation; WAFRICA; Woodoo; ENSCI - Les Ateliers; ENSAAMA // Serge Mouangue is a passionate leader with a diverse background spanning industries such as luxury, automotive, and aeronautics. With a focus on value creation, Serge has worked closely with top global luxury groups, premium European automotive makers, and major global aeronautic players. His innovative approach is evident in projects like Wafrica, which blends West African and Japanese aesthetics to create a unique third aesthetic. Serge's experience includes membership in the Renault Group Brand Committee, where he tackled challenges related to brand strength and product strategy. Additionally, he has been involved in creating disruptive vehicle concepts and defining competitive concepts for leading automotive groups. // I am try to create a cultural dialogue between Japan and West Africa through art. // Serge Mouangue is a Cameroonian designer and artist based in Paris, France, known for his innovative work that bridges the cultural aesthetics of West Africa and Japan. Through his organization, Wafrica, Mouangue explores the concept of the 'third aesthetic', blending Japanese refinement with West African vitality to create unique art pieces. His projects include African textile kimonos, masks, sculptures, and collaborative installations that have garnered international acclaim for their harmonious fusion of diverse cultural influences. With a background in luxury, automotive, and aeronautics industries, Mouangue brings a wealth of experience to his creative endeavors, showcasing a passion for value creation and cultural dialogue through his art. // Cross cultural designer // Tokyo based Cameroonian cross cultural artist + designer -- bringing both African and Japanese techniques into his work. // Serge Mouangue is a Cameroonian designer and artist based in Paris, France, known for his innovative work that bridges the cultural aesthetics of West Africa and Japan. Through his organization, Wafrica, Mouangue explores the concept of the 'third aesthetic', blending Japanese refinement with West African vitality to create unique art pieces. His projects include African textile kimonos, masks, sculptures, and collaborative installations that have garnered international acclaim for their harmonious fusion of diverse cultural influences. With a background in luxury, automotive, and aeronautics industries, Mouangue brings a wealth of experience to his creative endeavors, showcasing a passion for value creation and cultural dialogue through his art. // Cross cultural designer // design, automotive, japan, identity, textiles, artist, culture, west africa // Tokyo|Douala|Japan|France|Paris|Australia|Sydney|Cameroon|Île-de-France

Tokyo|Douala|Japan|France|Paris|Australia|Sydney|Cameroon|Île-de-France

Innovation, Magic

2009

United States

Magician // Seth Raphael is doing what he loves: helping others achieve the impossible and blowing their minds. Growing up, Seth's passion for magic had to compete with his love of computers. At times, one threatened to eclipse the other as he alternatively wrote off magic as childish, and technology as soul less. He reconciled his two obsessions by embracing his inner child and putting some soul into technology. He remixed the profound underpinnings of magic with cutting edge technology in order to create wonder and inspire innovation. He makes Google read your mind and technology awake your inner child. At Hampshire College he studied the historical relationship of technology and magic, and he explored the emotion of wonder at the MIT Media Lab. Leaving awe and fantastic technologies in his wake, he went on to found X-Pollinate, a team of interdisciplinary innovators who help organizations all around the world come up with new solutions to impossible problems. // Seth Raphael is doing what he loves: helping others achieve the impossible and blowing their minds. Growing up, Seth's passion for magic had to compete with his love of computers. At times, one threatened to eclipse the other as he alternatively wrote off magic as childish, and technology as soul less. He reconciled his two obsessions by embracing his inner child and putting some soul into technology. He remixed the profound underpinnings of magic with cutting edge technology in order to create wonder and inspire innovation. He makes Google read your mind and technology awake your inner child. At Hampshire College he studied the historical relationship of technology and magic, and he explored the emotion of wonder at the MIT Media Lab. Leaving awe and fantastic technologies in his wake, he went on to found X-Pollinate, a team of interdisciplinary innovators who help organizations all around the world come up with new solutions to impossible problems. // Magician // technology, children, innovation, magic // Oregon|Portland|United States|USA

Oregon|Portland|United States|USA

2011, 2012

South Korea

Media artist // A Korean data-visualization designer who works with live data sets to creatively display information // Sey Min is a multi-disciplinary interactive designer, who's interest is in dealing with live data sets in various media formats. She makes projects that reimagine how humans relate to technologies, to societies and cities, and to environments. Combining elements of environmentology, visual art, programming and storytelling, her projects range from building a real time interactive information graphics system for a music club(2007) to proposing a boundlessness open gallery exhibition system (2010). She also worked on developing ocean pollution cleaning system, especially oil spills effects to our lives and ecology. Recently, she has worked on the project of 'how to re-define city' with urban data. She is the founder and organizer of randomwalks.org(www.randomwalks.org), which is half profit/none-profit media art studio in korea. Her art works have been shown at Art Center in Seoul, Lift conference experience, and have appeared on CNN Asia, Lift09, and aliceOn.net. Sey Min received a M.F.A. in the interactive media from Pratt institute, 2004 and recently worked at MIT SENSEable City Lab, as an urban information design researcher. // Sey Min is a multi-disciplinary interactive designer, who's interest is in dealing with live data sets in various media formats. She makes projects that reimagine how humans relate to technologies, to societies and cities, and to environments. Combining elements of environmentology, visual art, programming and storytelling, her projects range from building a real time interactive information graphics system for a music club(2007) to proposing a boundlessness open gallery exhibition system (2010). She also worked on developing ocean pollution cleaning system, especially oil spills effects to our lives and ecology. Recently, she has worked on the project of 'how to re-define city' with urban data. She is the founder and organizer of randomwalks.org(www.randomwalks.org), which is half profit/none-profit media art studio in korea. Her art works have been shown at Art Center in Seoul, Lift conference experience, and have appeared on CNN Asia, Lift09, and aliceOn.net. Sey Min received a M.F.A. in the interactive media from Pratt institute, 2004 and recently worked at MIT SENSEable City Lab, as an urban information design researcher. // Media artist // technology, pollution, design, cleaning agents, ocean pollution, cities, data, ecology, urban, oceans // Seoul|South Korea

Seoul|South Korea

2009

India

Ambulance + anti-corruption entrepreneur // Shaffi Mather is Lawyer and a serial Social Entrepreneur. He is the founder of Ambulance Access for All (Dial 1298 for Ambulance – an Emergency Response Ambulance Service), Education Access for All (Newton Schools and E-tutor Digital Learning Support) and co-promoter of Moksha Yug Access (Rural Supply Chain Organization). Shaffi previously served as the Economic Advisor to the Chief Minister, Kerala Shaffi practice Law (mainly in the Supreme Court of India) focusing on litigation in Public Interest Matters especially battling for transparency in governance and use of public funds, human rights, civil rights and primacy of constitution. Shaffi is educated at the Mahatma Gandhi University, India, University of Pittsburgh, USA, University of Bridgeport, USA and the London School of Economics, UK where he was a Chevening Senior Scholar and currently, a Visiting Lecturer. He was also a Mason Fellow in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University in 2007-08 graduating with a MPA degree. Post his MBA, Shaffi took his family business in real estate to a leadership position in his State and then professionally worked with two of India's leading corporate leaders, Mr. Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Industries) and Mr. Subash Chandra (ZeeTV/Essel Group) in Retail and Telecom. He is part of an upcoming new generation of young leaders within Indian National Congress Party and an Asia Young Leader (Asia Society), Ted Fellow (TED), World Young Leader (BMW Foundation), Kenneth Galbraith Scholar (Harvard University), Member of Clinton Global Initiative (Clinton Foundation) and Winner of Godfrey Philips Bravery Award for Social Act of Courage. Shaffi has also beeen featured in case studies at Harvard Business School, University of Michigan Business School, Columbia University Business School and project studies at several leading business schools. He has also spoken at multiple international conferences and forums including World Justice Forum, Williamsburg Conference, Asian Young Leaders Summit, World Socialist Forum, Clinton Global Initiative etc. // Shaffi Mather Lawyer, Entrepreneur & Policy Analyst Shaffi Mather is Lawyer and a serial Social Entrepreneur. He is the founder of Ambulance Access for All (Dial 1298 for Ambulance – an Emergency Response Ambulance Service), Education Access for All (Newton Schools and E-tutor Digital Learning Support) and co-promoter of Moksha Yug Access (Rural Supply Chain Organization). Shaffi practice Law (mainly in New Delhi, Mumbai and Cochin) focusing on litigation in Public Interest Matters especially battling for transparency in governance and use of public funds, human rights, civil rights and primacy of constitution. Shaffi is educated at the Mahatma Gandhi University, India, University of Pittsburgh, USA, University of Bridgeport, USA and the London School of Economics, UK where he was a Chevening Senior Scholar and currently, a Visiting Lecturer. He was also a Mason Fellow in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University in 2007-08 graduating with a MPA degree. Post his MBA, Shaffi took his family business in real estate to a leadership position in his State and then professionally worked with two of India's leading corporate leaders, Mr. Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Industries) and Mr. Subash Chandra (ZeeTV/Essel Group) in Retail and Telecom. He is part of an upcoming new generation of young leaders within Indian National Congress Party and an Asia Young Leader (Asia Society), Ted Fellow (TED), World Young Leader (BMW Foundation), Kenneth Galbraith Scholar (Harvard University), Member of Clinton Global Initiative (Clinton Foundation) and Winner of Godfrey Philips Bravery Award for Social Act of Courage. Shaffi has also beeen featured in case studies at Harvard Business School, University of Michigan Business School, Columbia University Business School and project studies at several leading business schools. He has also spoken at multiple international conferences and forums including World Justice Forum, Williamsburg Conference, Asian Young Leaders Summit, World Socialist Forum, Clinton Global Initiative etc. // Shaffi Mather explains why he left his first career to become a social entrepreneur, providing life-saving transportation with his company 1298 for Ambulance. Now, he has a new idea and plans to begin a company to fight the booming business of corruption in public service, eliminating it one bribe at a time. // Shaffi Mather Lawyer, Entrepreneur & Policy Analyst Shaffi Mather is Lawyer and a serial Social Entrepreneur. He is the founder of Ambulance Access for All (Dial 1298 for Ambulance – an Emergency Response Ambulance Service), Education Access for All (Newton Schools and E-tutor Digital Learning Support) and co-promoter of Moksha Yug Access (Rural Supply Chain Organization). Shaffi practice Law (mainly in New Delhi, Mumbai and Cochin) focusing on litigation in Public Interest Matters especially battling for transparency in governance and use of public funds, human rights, civil rights and primacy of constitution. Shaffi is educated at the Mahatma Gandhi University, India, University of Pittsburgh, USA, University of Bridgeport, USA and the London School of Economics, UK where he was a Chevening Senior Scholar and currently, a Visiting Lecturer. He was also a Mason Fellow in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University in 2007-08 graduating with a MPA degree. Post his MBA, Shaffi took his family business in real estate to a leadership position in his State and then professionally worked with two of India's leading corporate leaders, Mr. Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Industries) and Mr. Subash Chandra (ZeeTV/Essel Group) in Retail and Telecom. He is part of an upcoming new generation of young leaders within Indian National Congress Party and an Asia Young Leader (Asia Society), Ted Fellow (TED), World Young Leader (BMW Foundation), Kenneth Galbraith Scholar (Harvard University), Member of Clinton Global Initiative (Clinton Foundation) and Winner of Godfrey Philips Bravery Award for Social Act of Courage. Shaffi has also beeen featured in case studies at Harvard Business School, University of Michigan Business School, Columbia University Business School and project studies at several leading business schools. He has also spoken at multiple international conferences and forums including World Justice Forum, Williamsburg Conference, Asian Young Leaders Summit, World Socialist Forum, Clinton Global Initiative etc. // Ambulance + anti-corruption entrepreneur // emergency response, education, mobility, supply chain, human rights, rights, policy, public policy, civil rights, transparency, litigation, rural, governance, law, transportation, government, real estate, justice // Kerala|Cochin|Kochi|India

Kerala|Cochin|Kochi|India

2009

India

Education entrepreneur // Shaheen Mistri is the Founder of the Akanksha Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to impact the lives of less privileged children, enabling them to maximise their potential and change their lives. Akanksha works primarily in the field of education, addressing non formal education through its Akanksha centre model and also formal education by initiating school reform. Shaheen started Akanksha at the age of 18. Over the past 19 years, the organization has expanded from 15 children in one centre in 1989 to over 3,500 children across Mumbai and Pune, and has 58 centers and 6 schools in Mumbai and Pune. Shaheen is also the CEO and one of the founding board members of Teach For India, a nationwide movement with the mission to build a movement of leaders who will eliminate inequity in education. She has been working on the idea of Teach For India since 2007, and in 2008 formally established the movement after successfully adapting the widely acclaimed Teach For America model to India. The first batch of 87 Teach For India Fellows (exceptional college graduates and young professionals from across the country) began teaching in June 2009, and committed to teach full-time for two years in under-resourced schools and to become life-long leaders, across sectors, advocating for educational equity. In just a year, Mistri has grown the movement to 217 Fellows teaching in over 60 schools in Mumbai and Pune and impacting the lives of almost 7000 children. Among the numerous rewards and recognitions she has received, Shaheen is an Ashoka Fellow (2001), Recipient of the Indo-American Society’s Young Achiever Award (2001), a Global Leader for Tomorrow at the World Economic Forum (2002), an Archana Trust Woman Achiever (2003), an Asia Society 21 Leader (2006) and serves on the boards of Ummeed, The Thermax Social Initiatives Foundation and is an advisor to the Latika Roy Foundation. // Shaheen Mistri is the Founder of the Akanksha Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to impact the lives of less privileged children, enabling them to maximise their potential and change their lives. Akanksha works primarily in the field of education, addressing non formal education through its Akanksha centre model and also formal education by initiating school reform. Shaheen started Akanksha at the age of 18. Over the past 19 years, the organization has expanded from 15 children in one centre in 1989 to over 3,500 children across Mumbai and Pune, and has 58 centers and 6 schools in Mumbai and Pune. Shaheen is also the CEO and one of the founding board members of Teach For India, a nationwide movement with the mission to build a movement of leaders who will eliminate inequity in education. She has been working on the idea of Teach For India since 2007, and in 2008 formally established the movement after successfully adapting the widely acclaimed Teach For America model to India. The first batch of 87 Teach For India Fellows (exceptional college graduates and young professionals from across the country) began teaching in June 2009, and committed to teach full-time for two years in under-resourced schools and to become life-long leaders, across sectors, advocating for educational equity. In just a year, Mistri has grown the movement to 217 Fellows teaching in over 60 schools in Mumbai and Pune and impacting the lives of almost 7000 children. Among the numerous rewards and recognitions she has received, Shaheen is an Ashoka Fellow (2001), Recipient of the Indo-American Society’s Young Achiever Award (2001), a Global Leader for Tomorrow at the World Economic Forum (2002), an Archana Trust Woman Achiever (2003), an Asia Society 21 Leader (2006) and serves on the boards of Ummeed, The Thermax Social Initiatives Foundation and is an advisor to the Latika Roy Foundation. // Shaheen Mistri is the Founder of the Akanksha Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to impact the lives of less privileged children, enabling them to maximise their potential and change their lives. Akanksha works primarily in the field of education, addressing non formal education through its Akanksha centre model and also formal education by initiating school reform. Shaheen started Akanksha at the age of 18. Over the past 19 years, the organization has expanded from 15 children in one centre in 1989 to over 3,500 children across Mumbai and Pune, and has 58 centers and 6 schools in Mumbai and Pune. Shaheen is also the CEO and one of the founding board members of Teach For India, a nationwide movement with the mission to build a movement of leaders who will eliminate inequity in education. She has been working on the idea of Teach For India since 2007, and in 2008 formally established the movement after successfully adapting the widely acclaimed Teach For America model to India. The first batch of 87 Teach For India Fellows (exceptional college graduates and young professionals from across the country) began teaching in June 2009, and committed to teach full-time for two years in under-resourced schools and to become life-long leaders, across sectors, advocating for educational equity. In just a year, Mistri has grown the movement to 217 Fellows teaching in over 60 schools in Mumbai and Pune and impacting the lives of almost 7000 children. Among the numerous rewards and recognitions she has received, Shaheen is an Ashoka Fellow (2001), Recipient of the Indo-American Society’s Young Achiever Award (2001), a Global Leader for Tomorrow at the World Economic Forum (2002), an Archana Trust Woman Achiever (2003), an Asia Society 21 Leader (2006) and serves on the boards of Ummeed, The Thermax Social Initiatives Foundation and is an advisor to the Latika Roy Foundation. // Education entrepreneur // children, education, inequity // Maharashtra|Mumbai|India

Maharashtra|Mumbai|India

2009

Pakistan

Health care innovator // Born in India to Indian Parents, I migrated to New York at the age of 5, and lived there until 2001. In 2001 I decided to move to, of all places , Karachi Pakistan to follow my dream of devoting full time to social development. Given that India and Pakistan are of course, supposedly enemies..., this seemed a bit strange to most at the time. Having had extensive contact with both over the years, I for one find more similarities than differences, and continue to hope and pray for an end to the senseless enmity soon. In terms of identity, I am global citizen of the human race, with a spiritual core. I've harbored a life long passion for wanting to make a difference in peoples lives, however without any real "grand plans". As life progresses, I find we have more power than most people realize, and that one person can make a tremendous difference by just doing something, anything, when faced with absolutely unbearable situations. I have been christened " a serial entrepreneur" by friends, as it seems that everytime I am faced with a serious social issue,I need to find a way to incorporate a Business based solution. Sehat First started as a result of exactly such a situation. I was in an very poor area on the outskirts of Karachi, and saw a small 3 year old child die in front of me. The child had had diarrhea, and due to a lack of medical facilities in the area, the mother did not know that the child could become dehydrated. The child died of something so preventable, simple dehydration. There had to be a way to prevent such senseless deaths! My other companies are similar efforts (one is for early childhood education, and the other in technology). I truly believe that we must find long term, self financing solutions for our global problems if our children are to have good and meaningful lives. // Born in India to Indian Parents, I migrated to New York at the age of 5, and lived there until 2001. In 2001 I decided to move to, of all places , Karachi Pakistan to follow my dream of devoting full time to social development. Given that India and Pakistan are of course, supposedly enemies..., this seemed a bit strange to most at the time. Having had extensive contact with both over the years, I for one find more similarities than differences, and continue to hope and pray for an end to the senseless enmity soon. In terms of identity, I am global citizen of the human race, with a spiritual core. I've harbored a life long passion for wanting to make a difference in peoples lives, however without any real "grand plans". As life progresses, I find we have more power than most people realize, and that one person can make a tremendous difference by just doing something, anything, when faced with absolutely unbearable situations. I have been christened " a serial entrepreneur" by friends, as it seems that everytime I am faced with a serious social issue,I need to find a way to incorporate a Business based solution. Sehat First started as a result of exactly such a situation. I was in an very poor area on the outskirts of Karachi, and saw a small 3 year old child die in front of me. The child had had diarrhea, and due to a lack of medical facilities in the area, the mother did not know that the child could become dehydrated. The child died of something so preventable, simple dehydration. There had to be a way to prevent such senseless deaths! My other companies are similar efforts (one is for early childhood education, and the other in technology). I truly believe that we must find long term, self financing solutions for our global problems if our children are to have good and meaningful lives. // Health care innovator // children, technology, education, finance // Islamabad Capital Territory|Pakistan|Islamabad

Islamabad Capital Territory|Pakistan|Islamabad

Documentaries, Ecology, Filmmaking, Food - eating it, Science-fiction, Solar, Water

2009

United States

Filmmaker + activist // Filmmaker Shalini Kantayya finished in the top 10 out of 12,000 filmmakers on Fox’s ON THE LOT, a show by Steven Spielberg in search of Hollywood’s next great director. The mission of her production company, 7th Empire Media, is to create a culture of human rights and a sustainable planet through wildly imaginative media. Her science-fiction film about the world water crisis, a DROP of LIFE, won Best Short at Palm Beach International, a Crystal Dior Nomination at Tokyo Shorts, and was broadcast on national television in India and the U.S. The film was used as a tool to organize for water rights in 40 villages across Africa—making a real-world impact. A William D. Fulbright Scholar, her film Manthan received the award for best documentary at the Asian American Film Festival. Shalini has received recognition from the Sundance Documentary Program, IFP, the Jerome Hill Centennial, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, New York Women in Film and Television, and Media Action Network for Asian Americans. She is a Sundance Fellow, a TED Fellow, and an IATP Food and Society Policy Fellow. She was a finalist for the ABC | DGA Directing Fellowship. Her work has screened at over thirty film festivals internationally. She received an MFA in Film Direction from the City College of New York, and a BA in Media Studies and International Human Rights from Hampshire College. Shalini is currently working on Chasing the Sun, a feature documentary that asks the hard questions of how a clean energy economy may actually be built, through the stories of unemployed American workers seeking to retool at a solar power jobs training program in Richmond, California. // Filmmaker Shalini Kantayya’s, Coded Bias, premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim. Coded Bias was broadcast nationally on PBS Emmy-award winning series Independent Lens and globally on Netflix in April 2021. The film won a SIMA Award for Best Director, and has been nominated for a Critics’ Choice, a Cinema Eye Honors, and NAACP Image Award, among others. Shalini’s debut feature, Catching the Sun, premiered at the LA Film Festival and was named a NY Times Critics’ Pick. Catching the Sun released globally on Netflix on Earth Day 2016 with Executive Producer Leonardo DiCaprio, and was nominated for the Environmental Media Association Award for Best Documentary. She directed the season finale of the National Geographic television series Breakthrough, Executive Produced by Ron Howard, broadcast globally in June 2017. She has also directed for NOVA and YouTube Originals. Shalini is a TED Fellow, a William J. Fulbright Scholar, and an Associate of the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Her current film, TikTok, Boom, premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, was official selection at SXSW, and anticipates global release later this year. // Filmmaker Shalini Kantayya’s, Coded Bias, premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim. Coded Bias was broadcast nationally on PBS Emmy-award winning series Independent Lens and globally on Netflix in April 2021. The film won a SIMA Award for Best Director, and has been nominated for a Critics’ Choice, a Cinema Eye Honors, and NAACP Image Award, among others. Shalini’s debut feature, Catching the Sun, premiered at the LA Film Festival and was named a NY Times Critics’ Pick. Catching the Sun released globally on Netflix on Earth Day 2016 with Executive Producer Leonardo DiCaprio, and was nominated for the Environmental Media Association Award for Best Documentary. She directed the season finale of the National Geographic television series Breakthrough, Executive Produced by Ron Howard, broadcast globally in June 2017. She has also directed for NOVA and YouTube Originals. Shalini is a TED Fellow, a William J. Fulbright Scholar, and an Associate of the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Her current film, TikTok, Boom, premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, was official selection at SXSW, and anticipates global release later this year. // Filmmaker + activist // water crisis, water, jobs, job skills training, solar thermal, human rights, rights, energy economy, policy, clean energy, women, heating, power, filmmaking, science-fiction, rural villages, documentary, solar, solar power, workers, documentaries, rural, food, solar water, energy, ecology, food - eating it // New York|United States|Brooklyn|USA

New York|United States|Brooklyn|USA

2009

Pakistan

Writer // Shandana Minhas’ first novel Tunnel Vision was published in 2007 by Roli Books and shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. Her column Don’t Shoot the Messenger appears in The News on Sunday. Her novella Rafina is being adapted into a feature film by director Sabiha Sumar. Shandana’s first collection of poetry will be published in 2010 and she is currently working on her second novel. She also writes short film and documentary scripts. Her production credits include the film “Doctor” which she co-directed with Maheen Zia and the documentaries “Lyari Expressway: Development or Destruction” and “Gwadar: Between Golden Acres and the Deep Blue Sea.” // Shandana Minhas’ first novel Tunnel Vision was published in 2007 by Roli Books and shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. Her column Don’t Shoot the Messenger appears in The News on Sunday. Her novella Rafina is being adapted into a feature film by director Sabiha Sumar. Shandana’s first collection of poetry will be published in 2010 and she is currently working on her second novel. She also writes short film and documentary scripts. Her production credits include the film “Doctor” which she co-directed with Maheen Zia and the documentaries “Lyari Expressway: Development or Destruction” and “Gwadar: Between Golden Acres and the Deep Blue Sea.” // Shandana Minhas’ first novel Tunnel Vision was published in 2007 by Roli Books and shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. Her column Don’t Shoot the Messenger appears in The News on Sunday. Her novella Rafina is being adapted into a feature film by director Sabiha Sumar. Shandana’s first collection of poetry will be published in 2010 and she is currently working on her second novel. She also writes short film and documentary scripts. Her production credits include the film “Doctor” which she co-directed with Maheen Zia and the documentaries “Lyari Expressway: Development or Destruction” and “Gwadar: Between Golden Acres and the Deep Blue Sea.” // Writer // documentary // Karachi|Sindh|Pakistan

Karachi|Sindh|Pakistan

2010, 2011

Pakistan

Filmmaker + historian // Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy is an Academy Award and Emmy Award winning documentary filmmaker. Her films include SAVING FACE, TRANSGENDERS: PAKISTAN’S OPEN SECRET AND PAKISTAN’S TALIBAN GENERATION, which aired on PBS, Channel 4, CBC, SBS and Arte and was the recipient of the Alfred I Dupont Award as well as The Association for International Broadcasting award. Sharmeen has made over a dozen-multi award winning films in over 10 countries around the world and is the first non-American to be awarded the Livingston Award for best international reporting. In 2007, Sharmeen helped found The Citizens Archive of Pakistan; a non-profit, volunteer organization formed to foster and promote community-wide interest in the culture and history of Pakistan. At a time when Pakistan’s youth finds itself caught between religious and state ideology, the organization works with thousands of underprivileged children inculcating critical thinking skills and instilling a sense of pride in them about their history and identity. // Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy is the only female director to have been awarded two Academy Awards by the age of 37. Since 2001, she has made over two dozen multi award films in over 16 countries around the world. Her films includeStudent Athlete, Girl in the river, Song of Lahore, Saving Face, Peace Keepers and Transgenders: Pakistan’s Open Secret. In 2012, Time Magazine included Sharmeen in their annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. That same year the Pakistan Government awarded her with highest civil honor “Hilal -e–Imtiaz ”. In 2013, the Canadian government awarded her a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her work in the field of documentary films and the World Economic Forum honored her with a Crystal Award at their annual summit in Davos. In 2017 the International Center for Journalists awarded her the Knight International Journalism Award for her work that led to legislative change. In 2017, Sharmeen was the first artist to co-chair the “World Economic Forum”at Davos. Sharmeen holds a Bachelors degree from Smith college and two masters degrees from Stanford University. // Film has the power to change the way we think about ourselves and our culture. Documentarian and TED Fellow Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy uses it to fight violence against women, turning her camera on the tradition of honor killings in Pakistan. In a stirring talk, she shares how she took her Oscar-winning film on the road in a mobile cinema, visiting small towns and villages across Pakistan -- and shifting the dynamics between women, men and society, one screening at a time. // Filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy takes on a terrifying question: How does the Taliban convince children to become suicide bombers? Propaganda footage from a training camp is intercut with her interviews of young camp graduates. A shocking vision. // Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy is the only female director to have been awarded two Academy Awards by the age of 37. Since 2001, she has made over two dozen multi award films in over 16 countries around the world. Her films includeStudent Athlete, Girl in the river, Song of Lahore, Saving Face, Peace Keepers and Transgenders: Pakistan’s Open Secret. In 2012, Time Magazine included Sharmeen in their annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. That same year the Pakistan Government awarded her with highest civil honor “Hilal -e–Imtiaz ”. In 2013, the Canadian government awarded her a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her work in the field of documentary films and the World Economic Forum honored her with a Crystal Award at their annual summit in Davos. In 2017 the International Center for Journalists awarded her the Knight International Journalism Award for her work that led to legislative change. In 2017, Sharmeen was the first artist to co-chair the “World Economic Forum”at Davos. Sharmeen holds a Bachelors degree from Smith college and two masters degrees from Stanford University. // Filmmaker + historian // children, rivers and lakes, diamond, violence, rural, rural villages, youth, volunteerism, led, documentary, government, job skills training, women // Karachi|Sindh|Pakistan

Karachi|Sindh|Pakistan