This first edition of TEDxFiesole takes place at a time of great turmoil in human history.
But the future beckons with extraordinary possibilities in sustainability, clean energy, social entrepreneurship, climate and sustainable finance, new technologies, new mindsets
TEDxFiesole will be the stage for discussing how we can realize our future’s potential by putting people at the center of concern in all these areas
We will look at the above issues and potential solutions with an attitude of RENEWED HUMANISM, mindful of our need to live in solidarity with one another and in harmony with nature on our planet.
The theme of TEDxFiesole is a ‘Renewed Humanism’, a humanism that looks towards a sustainable, equitable, and harmonious future for all planetary life.
‘Humanism’, born roughly half a millennia ago, refers to a set of social, artistic, and philosophical perspectives broadly based upon the egalitarian aims of widespread learning, intellectual freedom, and individual expression.
The ‘Renewed Humanism’ of TEDxFiesole investigates and extends those thought processes to the current context of the Anthropocene – a new geophysical epoch where all human, biological and terrestrial systems are defined by deep states of stress and fragility catalyzed primarily by human activity.
As viewed through the ‘Fiesole lens’, the way forward is via the routes described by of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (the ‘Global Goals’) and UN 2030 Agenda – which include empowering women and disadvantaged peoples; eliminating war and poverty, creating universal access to food, water and energy; and reversing climate change and ecosystem destruction.
TEDxFiesole is a forum for creation and revitalization—an ecosystem designed as an organic, creative, and collaborative organism to sustain the integrated flourishing of all life.
10 TEDx Talks, music, dance, interviews with special guests and other surprises
1,500 spectators in presence, and thousands in live streaming
from around the globe.
On the 15th of September, we will host a panel in the presence of some of our top speakers and Andriano Karipuna, a symbolic figure of the resistance of the indigenous peoples of the Amazon.
The evening before the event, on 16 September, the cultural association promoting TEDxFiesole, The Club of Fiesole, will host a gala reception where our speakers will meet our supporters.
For one full day, the city of Fiesole will become the stage for performing arts, music, full access to the museum, guided tours, food, fun, many surprises and much more. TEDxFiesole matchmaking platform will allow to organize bilateral meetings with attendees, speakers, VIPs, guests.
Executive director, is a presentation coach and Global Head of the Client Skills Technology Training Team at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, responsible for coaching client interfacing teams to maximize presentation skills and optimize the use of technology for successful communications. An employee since 2013, she has led global strategic implementations of technology across both Asset and Wealth Management and worked closely with senior management to baseline and implement metrics for measured results. Jennifer has 13 years of industry experience, and prior to J.P. Morgan, she worked to implement policies in Change Management at Credit Suisse and the Chief Operating Office at Citigroup. Jennifer holds a degree in Communications with a focus on Public Relations from Western Washington University and has traveled to 39 countries.
Executive director, is a presentation coach and Global Head of the Client Skills Technology Training Team at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, responsible for coaching client interfacing teams to maximize presentation skills and optimize the use of technology for successful communications. An employee since 2013, she has led global strategic implementations of technology across both Asset and Wealth Management and worked closely with senior management to baseline and implement metrics for measured results. Jennifer has 13 years of industry experience, and prior to J.P. Morgan, she worked to implement policies in Change Management at Credit Suisse and the Chief Operating Office at Citigroup. Jennifer holds a degree in Communications with a focus on Public Relations from Western Washington University and has traveled to 39 countries.
Denise Cortês-Keyser is a Mozambican Entrepreneur, Finance and Investments Advisor,
International Public and Motivational Speaker, with 25 years of experience. She is a Certified
Accountant with an honors degree in Management and post-graduation in Corporate Finance.
Denise Cortês-Keyser is the former Vice-President for Studies, Projects and Marketing Board
of the Mozambique Football Federation
She is member of the Advisory Board of Operation Water, an American Non-Profit
organisation focused in bringing water to the communities in rural areas in Africa. And Board
Member of PowerBlox Africa, a renewable energy company operating in Mozambique and
expanding to the rest of the African Continent, serving rural communities.
Denise is non-executive Board Member of New Faces New Voices in Mozambique. An
organization chaired by Mrs. Graça Machel, aiming to empower women working in the
Financial Sector and promote Financial Inclusion.
Denise is the former Executive Director of ACIS – Association of Commerce, Industry and
Services of Mozambique. The biggest Business Association in Mozambique, composed by 400
company members, representing a combined investment of USD 70 Billions, with combined
workforce of more than 75,000 employees and working with more than 450,000 community
out-growers. In that role, she was one of the key people in the Public-Private Dialogue in
Mozambique.
During her career, Ms. Cortês-Keyser received the New Leader for Tomorrow Award at the
Crans Montana Forum in 2012; Maputo Top Leader in 2017, and Legacy Global Influencer in
2020 by The Premier Legacy Foundation in the USA. Under her leadership, the Association of
Commerce Industry and Services of Mozambique was awarded the Best Business Association
in Mozambique prize in 2014.
Denise Cortês-Keyser is a Mozambican Entrepreneur, Finance and Investments Advisor,
International Public and Motivational Speaker, with 25 years of experience. She is a Certified
Accountant with an honors degree in Management and post-graduation in Corporate Finance.
Denise Cortês-Keyser is the former Vice-President for Studies, Projects and Marketing Board
of the Mozambique Football Federation
She is member of the Advisory Board of Operation Water, an American Non-Profit
organisation focused in bringing water to the communities in rural areas in Africa. And Board
Member of PowerBlox Africa, a renewable energy company operating in Mozambique and
expanding to the rest of the African Continent, serving rural communities.
Denise is non-executive Board Member of New Faces New Voices in Mozambique. An
organization chaired by Mrs. Graça Machel, aiming to empower women working in the
Financial Sector and promote Financial Inclusion.
Denise is the former Executive Director of ACIS – Association of Commerce, Industry and
Services of Mozambique. The biggest Business Association in Mozambique, composed by 400
company members, representing a combined investment of USD 70 Billions, with combined
workforce of more than 75,000 employees and working with more than 450,000 community
out-growers. In that role, she was one of the key people in the Public-Private Dialogue in
Mozambique.
During her career, Ms. Cortês-Keyser received the New Leader for Tomorrow Award at the
Crans Montana Forum in 2012; Maputo Top Leader in 2017, and Legacy Global Influencer in
2020 by The Premier Legacy Foundation in the USA. Under her leadership, the Association of
Commerce Industry and Services of Mozambique was awarded the Best Business Association
in Mozambique prize in 2014.
Melania is Director of Investor Relations for The Unreasonable Collective - Unreasonable Group's co-investment platform that aims to deploy capital in high-growth technology ventures operating at the nexus of global impact and profit.
Prior to joining Unreasonable, Melania spent over a decade in finance and venture capital investing roles across the US, Europe, and Asia. Most recently, she consulted with F500 companies on their corporate innovation and advised venture-backed startups on their fundraising strategy and international expansion. Prior to that, she invested strategic capital into rapidly growing start-ups affiliated with Oxford University, as part of the Oxford Angel Fund in San Francisco and was also Vice President for HSBC's Venture Capital coverage team. Melania is the Founder and Curator of TEDxCheltenham, and the author of several books. She holds a BA and MA in Economics and Management from Oxford University.
Melania is Director of Investor Relations for The Unreasonable Collective - Unreasonable Group's co-investment platform that aims to deploy capital in high-growth technology ventures operating at the nexus of global impact and profit.
Prior to joining Unreasonable, Melania spent over a decade in finance and venture capital investing roles across the US, Europe, and Asia. Most recently, she consulted with F500 companies on their corporate innovation and advised venture-backed startups on their fundraising strategy and international expansion. Prior to that, she invested strategic capital into rapidly growing start-ups affiliated with Oxford University, as part of the Oxford Angel Fund in San Francisco and was also Vice President for HSBC's Venture Capital coverage team. Melania is the Founder and Curator of TEDxCheltenham, and the author of several books. She holds a BA and MA in Economics and Management from Oxford University.
Dr. Giner-Reichl is the President of Global Forum for Sustainable Energy; Former Austrian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China and Mongolia (2012-2017), and Austrian Ambassador to Brazil and Suriname. Dr. Giner-Reichl has been a member of the Austrian Diplomatic Service since 1982.
Dr. Giner-Reichl is the President of Global Forum for Sustainable Energy; Former Austrian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China and Mongolia (2012-2017), and Austrian Ambassador to Brazil and Suriname. Dr. Giner-Reichl has been a member of the Austrian Diplomatic Service since 1982.
Paolo Petrocelli, PhD-EMBA-FRSA, is a senior cultural manager driven by the belief that culture, arts and education are a major force for growth, development and change globally. A passionate, innovative and dynamic manager with an extensive experience in leadership positions in a variety of organizational settings, he is an international relations and global cultural affairs expert.
Paolo Petrocelli, PhD-EMBA-FRSA, is a senior cultural manager driven by the belief that culture, arts and education are a major force for growth, development and change globally. A passionate, innovative and dynamic manager with an extensive experience in leadership positions in a variety of organizational settings, he is an international relations and global cultural affairs expert.
Peter Eigen is a lawyer, development economist and civil society leader. Over a period of 12 years, Eigen founded and chaired Transparency International (TI), a non-governmental organization with National Chapters in over 100 countries. Founded in 1993, TI promotes transparency and accountability in government, business, and international development.
Peter Eigen is a lawyer, development economist and civil society leader. Over a period of 12 years, Eigen founded and chaired Transparency International (TI), a non-governmental organization with National Chapters in over 100 countries. Founded in 1993, TI promotes transparency and accountability in government, business, and international development.
Mr Lifeng LI is the Director of Land and Water Division, FAO. Prior to joining FAO headquarters, Mr Li
served as Coordinator of Support Programmes at the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in Incheon, Republic of
Korea, during June 2018 – May 2021.
He started his career in 2000 as Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Institute of Geographic Sciences and
Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, China. In 2002, he joined the World
Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) China Programme as Coordinator of Freshwater and Marine Programme in
Beijing, and, at a later stage, he took up the duties of Officer of Freshwater and Marine Programme and
Director of Freshwater Programme. Between July 2008 and March 2017, he served as Director of
Freshwater Programme of WWF International in Gland, Switzerland. During June 2017 to May 2018, he
was the Head of Programmes at the Wetlands International in Ede-Wageningen, Netherlands.
He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Geography from Nanjing Institute of Geography and
Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in China, and a Bachelor of Science in Geographical Education
from Shandong Normal University in China.
Mr Lifeng LI is the Director of Land and Water Division, FAO. Prior to joining FAO headquarters, Mr Li
served as Coordinator of Support Programmes at the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in Incheon, Republic of
Korea, during June 2018 – May 2021.
He started his career in 2000 as Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Institute of Geographic Sciences and
Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, China. In 2002, he joined the World
Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) China Programme as Coordinator of Freshwater and Marine Programme in
Beijing, and, at a later stage, he took up the duties of Officer of Freshwater and Marine Programme and
Director of Freshwater Programme. Between July 2008 and March 2017, he served as Director of
Freshwater Programme of WWF International in Gland, Switzerland. During June 2017 to May 2018, he
was the Head of Programmes at the Wetlands International in Ede-Wageningen, Netherlands.
He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Geography from Nanjing Institute of Geography and
Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in China, and a Bachelor of Science in Geographical Education
from Shandong Normal University in China.