Theme: Majesty

TEDxSanDiego Women: MAJESTY celebrates the power, grace, and bold vision women bring to every arena: science, innovation, leadership, the arts, and social change. Get your tickets today: TEDxSanDiego.com

David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre
4126 Executive Dr, La Jolla
La Jolla, California, 92037
United States

Andaaz Dance Academy

Visual & Performing Arts Storyteller or Choreographer

"Andaaz Dance Academy is a dynamic, women-led South Asian dance collective based in San Diego. Founded by Kinjal Kurani at just 19 years old, Andaaz fuses Bollywood, Indian classical, and hip-hop styles to embody the vibrancy of contemporary Indian culture and the creative spirit of San Diego. Through high-energy classes, immersive workshops, and captivating performances, Andaaz fosters joyful, inclusive spaces where people of all backgrounds can connect through movement and storytelling. Rooted in cultural tradition and powered by community, Andaaz is a celebration of identity, heritage, and the shared rhythm of togetherness."

Anne Middleton

conservation biologist

Originally from Montana, Anne moved to San Diego in 2014 from Cameroon, where she worked for Taylor Guitars on sustainable ebony wood procurement for guitar manufacturing. Anne served as Executive Director at ECOLIFE Conservation, building fuel-efficient stoves in rural Mexico and aquaponics systems in San Diego. She also worked for the Environmental Investigation Agency in DC, investigating international wildlife crime. EIA’s work in Madagascar led to the first criminal case for the amended Lacey Act, a ban on trade in illegal wood. Anne is currently the Associate Director at WILDCOAST, a nonprofit organization that conserves coastal and marine ecosystems and addresses climate change through natural solutions. She holds a B.A. in Biology from Oberlin College and a Master's Degree of Environmental Science and Management (MESM) from the Bren School at UC-Santa Barbara. She sings and plays bass and guitar, and sits on the board at Project [BLANK] and the Escondido Creek Conservancy.

Ashley Van Zeeland

Life Science Technologist

Ashley Van Zeeland, PhD, MBA is leader in genomic innovation, dedicated to transforming healthcare through precision medicine. As Vice President and Head of Corporate Development at Illumina, she drives the advancement of genomic discoveries and applications through strategic innovation and global partnerships, building on a career of translating cutting-edge research into real-world solutions. From her leadership as CEO of Cypher Genomics to directing large-scale genomic platforms as CTO at Human Longevity, Inc., she has consistently operated at the frontiers of what's possible, driving closer to a future where genomic insights empower us all to live healthier lives. Ashley is passionate about building an inclusive innovation economy and serves as Vice Chair of Connect, an organization dedicated to catalyzing and supporting life science and tech companies in San Diego. She also serves as Scientific Advisor to Curebound, a San Diego nonprofit focused on accelerating cures for cancer.

Audrey Callahan

Motivational INNERtainer

"Audrey Callahan is a transformational soul-pop artist, speaker, and voice for awakening. Her bold, emotionally charged music helps people break through fear, rewire limiting beliefs, and step into who they truly are. From a broke waitress who once gave up on her dreams to a heart-led entrepreneur now living the childhood dream she thought she’d lost, Audrey embodies the journey from misalignment to purpose. She offers both inspiration and proof that it’s never too late to walk your true path. Her powerful vocals and purpose-driven lyrics are more than entertainment, they’re INNERtainment; a high-vibe blend of music, healing, and activation. And it slaps. Featured on national TV and viral campaigns, Audrey is on a mission to make conscious music mainstream, because when you change what you listen to, you change who you become."

Jessica King

Human Centered Design Leader and Innovation Strategist

Jessica M. King is a designer-turned-real estate developer shaping the future of work through human-centered design. As Chief Brand Officer at Alexandria Real Estate Equities, she leads the creative vision and placemaking strategies for over 40M+ SF of next-generation campuses across the country, home to some of the world’s most innovative companies. From Boston to San Diego, her work fuses human-centered design, neuroscience, and human behavior aimed at unlocking creativity and accelerating performance—proving that where we work deeply shapes how we think, solve, and perform. As a mother of three young children and a fierce believer in the future, Jessica challenges us to stop treating space as an afterthought and start seeing it as a strategic asset. In a future AI-disrupted world, space can be a tool to fuel genius or drain it. Designing for humans to thrive is her greatest passion and she works across disciplines to deliver life-changing environments for her clients.

Kennedy Murphy

Youth Grief Advocate

Kennedy Murphy is a recognized youth grief expert, public speaker, and student leader who uses her voice as a vessel for communication and change. She serves on the Youth Advisory Board at Experience Camps, helping to shape national conversations around grief and resilience. A high-achieving student-athlete, Kennedy is driven by discipline, purpose, and a deep commitment to empowering others. Her advocacy and leadership have been featured in People and Girls’ Life magazines, and she was a speaker at the 2024 End Well conference. She is passionate about leadership, communication, and building a future rooted in business and impact-driven work.

Laura Bashore

Career & Business Strategist

Laura Bashore is an entrepreneur and owner of three businesses: a coaching and consulting firm (MUSE Business Solutions, LLC), a six-figure e-commerce company (Classic Transmission Solutions), and a professional networking franchise (TEAM Referral Network San Diego County). A sought-after career coach and public speaker, Laura helps managers and executives elevate their careers. As Franchise Owner of TEAM Referral Network San Diego, she supports small business owners in building powerful connections. She is a member of the National Résumé Writers’ Association, Board of Directors for the North San Diego Business Chamber and Classics 4 Kids, and contributor to local non-profits. Married for 13 years, she’s a mom to two boys under 10 and a dog. In her free time, she enjoys concerts, art, yoga, travel, and reading. Coach Laura B. believes the key to success is setting high objectives and achieving them through the strategic execution of smaller goals. linkedin.com/in/lauraobashore

Loretta-Grace Morrison

Education Culture Curator

Loretta Grace, CSM, MT-BC, is a board-certified music therapist, business strategist, and storyteller who bridges creativity, science, and social impact. She runs a private practice in San Diego serving children with autism and their families, offering personalized, out-of-pocket care rooted in dignity, collaboration, and evidence-based music therapy. With leadership experience in nonprofit, education, and healthcare sectors—including roles at the Art of Problem Solving Academy, Cortica, and Changing Worlds—Loretta designs inclusive systems that humanize and optimize. She's also crafting a children's storybook that promotes growth mindset and celebrates Black youth through magical storytelling and interactive puzzles. A charismatic speaker, she shares insights on music therapy, racial trauma, leadership, and integrative health. Loretta lives in San Diego with her cat Toby and bunny Chloe.

Manisha Dhawan

Brand & Strategy Executive

Manisha Dhawan is an executive, author, speaker, coach and facilitator. In her book, The Digital Agile Leader, she shares stories and strategies on how to lead effectively and navigate change in the workplace and beyond. Manisha works in her family business, Applied Membranes Inc (AMI), a global provider of water solutions for many applications. AMI is based in Vista, CA and was founded by her father, Gulshan Dhawan, in 1983. Manisha also spent over a decade at organizations including PwC, Deloitte, and Taco Bell Corp. leading major global digital transformation, innovation, and change initiatives. She is passionate about driving growth and organizational excellence. Manisha holds a BS in Chemistry and MBA from UC Irvine. She speaks about various topics including change management, leadership, career development, and technology. www.appliedmembranes.com, www.mpathcoaching.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/manishadhawan/

Pamela Gardner

Transformational Leader and Scientific Entrepreneur

For 35 years, Pamela Gardner has been a global leader, entrepreneur, and transformational coach in science and technology. Spending over half of her life conforming to outdated stereotypes, she started the "The Art of Women Thriving in STEM Movement." She is now helping thousands of women rewrite their stories and step into visible leadership to bring their authentic flair and whole selves to the table. Pamela is also the Founder and CEO of Biotech Vendor Services (BVS), which she founded in 2003. BVS' mission is to advance science through innovative products and services, enhance sustainability in the labs, and empower women to rise in STEM. In 2019, she was awarded the esteemed Athena Pinnacle Award for making a significant difference in the lives of women in STEM. In November 2021, she was awarded one of San Diego Business Journal’s Business Women of the Year Awards and was recognized as one of San Diego's 500 most influential people in the Health and Science Category.

Teresa Valenzuela

Global Mobility Advocate: (Urban Design + Implicit Tech + Explicit Speaker role)

Global Mobility Advocate and seasoned speaker Teresa Valenzuela integrates urban design with technology solutions, driven by her 32-year experience as an electric wheelchair user to dismantle mobility barriers, envisioning innovations like her AI Network of Charging Stations. Her accessibility insights resonate across platforms, including a keynote at California's Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative launch advocating for inclusive digital infrastructure. Using her experience as a catalyst for change, Teresa promotes accessible technology and transportation for universal mobility. With decades of experience, she offers unique insights into urban planning, micromobility, and inclusive technology, seeking global collaboration to advance accessible mobility solutions.