Theme: Empowering Resilience

Since launching, TEDxTralee has been a powerful force in spotlighting local and international voices, weaving a rich tapestry of ideas that stretch across themes like innovation, inclusion, and community empowerment. It’s an incredible tradition to step into—and one that makes the stage at Siamsa Tíre feel larger than life.

This year's theme for TEDxTralee Women Conference, 'Empowering Resilience', couldn’t be more fitting. In a time marked by rapid change and unexpected challenges, stories of endurance and transformation carry new weight. Our Speakers are eager to contribute their voice—and just as eager to hear from everyone in the room whose journeys promise to move and motivate.

Siamsa Tíre Theatre
Tralee Town Park
Denny Street
Tralee, Kerry, V92 XW44
Ireland

Aimee Barnes

The Silent Epidemic of Modern Singlehood

Aimee Barnes is a life coach, facilitator, and trainee psychotherapist with a background in learning and development. She is the founder of Ganbaru, a wellness and education practice focused on self-development, mindfulness, and mental health. Through a blend of coaching, psychoeducation, somatic work, and grounded spirituality, she supports individuals in nurturing emotional wellbeing and self-trust, deepening self-awareness, and living with greater authenticity. Aimee brings a unique, compassionate lens to modern challenges around identity, belonging, and purpose. Her work is especially informed by her own journey through societal expectations and her ongoing exploration of what it means to live a meaningful, aligned life. She is committed to creating inclusive, trauma-informed spaces that foster emotional wellbeing and personal growth. Currently completing her clinical training in psychotherapy, she integrates trauma-informed, relational approaches into her work.

Aka Dee

Become the Hero you Admire

Aka is a cosplayer, composer, and academic from Ireland with a strong background in creative and performance-based work. Over the past five years, Aka has brought more than 100 characters to life both online and at in conventions across Europe as both a guest and performer. Their work explores the relationship between character, identity, and self-expression. As a synth-pop musician, Aka is currently preparing to release a debut EP. Their creative practice blends visual performance and music to express ideas around anemoia and emotional retro aesthetics. Aka holds a BSc in Multimedia, an MSc in Public Relations and Strategic Communications and is currently working towards becoming a professor in the humanities and social sciences. In this TEDx talk, Aka will discuss the creative process behind cosplay as an art form and a tool for empowerment, exploring identity and strengthening confidence.

Bettina Gordon Wayne

How to Get Younger With Age

Bettina Gordon-Wayne is a seasoned international journalist, Certified Mental Strength Trainer, and bestselling author who has interviewed world-renowned figures in business, finance, and culture. Her journey took a pivotal turn when she became a first-time mother at 44 — and faced a cancer diagnosis just a few years later. Drawing on her journalistic skills, Bettina spent thousands of hours researching optimal health, longevity, and the science of lowering biological age through mindset, nutrition, and lifestyle transformation. She now lives by the science-backed principles she once investigated, empowering individuals to take control of their well-being, vitality, and future. Bettina's bestselling book, The Joy of Later Motherhood, challenged traditional timelines around family and career, and she continues to challenge cultural narratives around strength, purpose, and aging. The founder of Younger With Age Media and BettinaGordon.com

Deirdre Greaney

Clutter Clearing - The Key to a Lighter Life and Stronger Community

Deirdre Greaney is a holistic coach and wellness practitioner dedicated to guiding individuals to improve their wellbeing through natural health practices, personal development, and mind-body awareness. After beginning her career with degrees in Arts and Law and working in insurance, Deirdre transitioned into the wellness field, earning qualifications in bio-energy therapy, reflexology, aromatherapy, and coaching with neuroscience. Her work blends evidence-based strategies with holistic approaches, empowering people to make meaningful improvements in their health, mindset, and daily lives. Deirdre also leads workshops and wellness events focused on natural health, personal growth, and practical techniques for reducing overwhelm, clearing physical and mental clutter, and building supportive, lasting habits. With a strong foundation in both scientific insight and holistic practice, Deirdre offers practical tools for lasting transformation.

Destiny Ayo Vaughan

The Scars That Shape Us: How Trauma Impacts Identity

A dedicated scholar and activist, recently graduating from the University of Aberdeen with an MSc in Psychological Studies and a Bachelor's honours degree in Social Science, both earned through scholarships. She also holds a Level Five qualification in Early Childhood Education. Currently, Destiny is pursuing a master's degree in Clinical Health Psychology at Queen's University, supported by another academic scholarship. Alongside her studies, she works as a public speaker with the London Speaking Bureau. In 2019, Destiny founded Mind the Gap Ireland (MTGI), the country's first anonymous storytelling platform for survivors of sexual violence. MTGI has since become a vital support network, helping hundreds each year and giving voice to many previously unheard. Her social impact has earned her a place in the 2023 Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Ideas Academy and the sheGenerates program for female founders.

Eileen Hopkins

Unboxed - Breaking free from Limiting Labels

Eileen spent over 30 years in nursing and nurse management, dedicating her career to caring for others.In 2016 the call of her lifelong passion—to empower others to reclaim their best lives—became too loud to ignore. So, Eileen took a transformative leap, embarking on a journey to become an accredited Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychotherapist, lecturer, and professional Life, Career & Public Speaking Coach, as well as a Certified Trainer. Public speaking has always been a passion of Eileen's, and she has pursued it with determination, sharing her experiences and insights on various stages. Her efforts have led her to achieve notable recognition, both nationally and internationally. Despite facing challenges such as dyslexia and ADHD, Eileen has successfully navigated her path to these accomplishments, demonstrating that hurdles can be overcome with perseverance and support. Currently, she is close to the finish line of a MSc in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy.

Eliana Fernández

Journaling from a Child's Perspective

Eliana Fernández is a bilingual 11-year-old artist and creative entrepreneur. Eliana has spoken and performed on stages around the world about Your 12 Superpowers, including Mexico, the Bahamas, and to 700,000 people in India. She recently designed her own website: Your12Superpowers.com, and is the author of “Your 12 Superpowers: Discover Your True Self and Change Your Life.” Eliana loves her mom, her sisters, and all animals. She loves to write songs and poems, read, draw, and play the piano. Her favorite place to be is in nature, especially in the Dominican Republic. She has been a YouTube creator since the age of 3, and her content at “Eliana’s Planet” has been sponsored by many prestigious brands. She is homeschooled, and she loves to learn about business and marketing. With the support of her family, she continues the "not-so-top-secret" mission to empower others every day to discover and activate their superpowers daily so they can transform their lives.

Farzana Maudarbaccus

The Power Within - Train your Brain to be Resilient

Farzana is a Work and Organisational Psychologist and Executive Coach who is passionate about the human factor in organisations. Specialising in leadership development, she has extensive experience across varied sectors, helping leaders cultivate emotional intelligence and strengthen self-awareness, thereby influencing workplaces to foster positive team dynamics. Originally from Mauritius, Farzana pursued her studies in psychology in France and has been living in Ireland since 2011. Fluent in English and French, she works across diverse cultural and organisational contexts, delivering executive coaching and leadership initiatives that create lasting impact with a focus on nurturing people and relationships. Farzana is recognised for her composed style and commitment to fostering human-centred leadership. Her work also extends to workplace wellbeing, where she has facilitated programmes to enhance employee wellbeing in dynamic environments.

Helena Lyne

Compassion as an Act of Radical Resistance

scientist, wellness facilitator, STEM educator and mother of 3 boys. Helena has a background in education and a passion for evidence-based wellness practices, she now works at the intersection of science, compassion, and wellbeing. Her TEDx talk explores the evolving role of women in a fast-paced, fractured world—and how the qualities often dismissed as “soft” may be exactly what we need to restore balance. Drawing from her experience as a mother, her Irish roots, and her studies in wellbeing, Helena speaks honestly about rage, resilience, returning to love, and the quiet power of presence. Her message is not just for women or mothers, but for anyone who believes that strength can also be soft, and that real change begins with compassion—for ourselves, for each other, and for the world. When she’s not working or raising boys, Helena can be found singing, swimming and discovering new ways to experience the world with a heart that is always learning.

Hilary Rose

The Rest Reset — Rethinking Resilience

Hilary Rose is an IFTA nominated actor, speaker, and podcast host with a passion for storytelling, wellness, and authentic connection. Best known for her role as Mairead in the hit comedy The Young Offenders, Hilary has worked across film, television, and theatre, earning acclaim for her emotionally rich and grounded performances. Off-screen, Hilary is a sought-after speaker who brings her experience in performance and creativity to the corporate stage, delivering TED-style talks that explore topics such as rest, resilience, leadership under pressure, the power of language and creativity. She is also the creator and host of the Live Wild podcast, where she interviews artists, change-makers, and thought leaders about living with purpose and courage in a chaotic world. Hilary's unique blend of artistic insight, lived experience, and heartfelt curiosity allows her to inspire audiences to rethink the way they approach work, wellness, and creativity.

Kathy Houston

What Lies Are You Telling Yourself?

Kathy Is the Run Your Life Coach. Her motto: Don't Let Life Run You. She identifies as Lesbian and she/her. She specialises in increasing your mental fitness to improve health and wellness, and relationships for mature women of power in and out of the LGBTQ+ community. She knows first hand how hard it can be to live fully as yourself. When she began to embrace herself and accept herself for who she really was, a weight was lifted and joy filled her life. She ended a marriage of 35 years, downsized a home, and moved in with her amazing wife. Kathy was a retail store manager for 30 years and left to follow her heart and create a business that she felt excited and passionate about. She is a certified Positive Intelligence Coach for the PQ program by Shirzad Chamine. The program uses neuro based science to change the brain and positive changes that stick. Kathy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and served in the Army.

Louise Kelly

Who turned the Music Down!

Music is the driving force in Louise Kelly's life. As co-founder of Resilient Rhythms and a practicing Music Therapist for 25 years, she passionately unlocks music's power to connect and heal across diverse ages and environments. Holding a Postgraduate Diploma in Music Therapy and a BA in Music and Sociology, Louise's work is rooted in a deep understanding of the innate human response to music, a response increasingly validated by various research fields. Born out of the critical need to address the crisis in young people's mental health, Resilient Rhythms, co-founded by Louise, delivers workshops that empower young individuals with coping strategies to navigate challenges through the power of music. Louise also lectures on a module focused on therapeutic music making in the classroom, inspiring educators to harness its transformative potential. Complementing her music therapy expertise, she holds qualifications in counselling.

Niamh Devine

The Body Remembers — Until You Ask It To Let Go

Niamh Devine is a mind-body mentor, healing facilitator, and former international broadcaster, who helps people address the emotional and psychological roots of physical illness. Her work supports individuals in seeing symptoms not as signs of failure—but as intelligent messages from the body, shaped by how we’ve learned to think, feel, and adapt. With a background in international media, Niamh rose to worldwide attention through Twin Strangers, a viral documentary project in which she found and met three of her doppelgängers. This exploration of identity and appearance sparked a deeper inquiry into how we perceive ourselves, —and how those perceptions can influence our lived reality—physically and emotionally. Today she works globally, helping people rewrite the inner stories that influence health and identity. Her approach combines unearthing the root emotional cause, reworking perspective, energy work as well as somatic release.

Shonagh Sullivan

The Perfect Life of a Teenage Girl

The Perfect Life of a Teenage Girl beautifully highlights Shonagh's inspiring journey. Her passions for public speaking, community service, and the joy she brings to children through the Kilflynn Enchanted Fairy Festival showcase her vibrant character. Her love of the sea, fitness, and reading adds depth to her personality. Moreover, her awareness of the pressures faced by teenage girls in today's social media-driven world reflects maturity beyond her years. Through her efforts, Shonagh embodies the type of female leadership that can guide young girls towards authenticity and connection. It's a compelling narrative of ambition, compassion, and growth! Shonagh hopes her TEDx talk will give a voice to other teenage girls and help adult's understand the pressures they face everyday, often in silence behind the closed door of their bedroom.

Stephanie Aitken

Gender Equality Broken

Stephanie Aitken is a boundary-breaking thought leader who invites audiences to rethink what they thought they knew about gender, equality and progress. She is also a former lawyer and gender diversity consultant. Born into a vibrant mix of Venezuelan, British and Swiss cultures, she’s always been wired for contrast, complexity and human insight. For the past five years, she has worked on the front lines of gender diversity in corporate spaces, helping organisations apply evidence-based strategies to advance women into leadership. Her insights are drawn not just from data but from over a decade of coaching, training and listening to those navigating systems not built with them in mind. She served as lead trainer for the UK’s largest women’s personal development company, empowering thousands to lead with confidence and purpose. She also commissioned unique research that revealed deep insights into the hidden barriers women face at work and how to address them.

Susanna Petche

Turning the light On - How we can Heal the Shame of Trauma

Dr. Susanna Petche is redefining what it means to heal. An award-winning GP, trauma educator, and founder of Trauma-Sense, she brings over 25 years of clinical experience to the forefront of a movement transforming trauma care from the inside out. She has shared stages with global leaders such as Dr. Gabor Maté, Dr. Rangan Chatterjee and Dr Stephen Porges. After a personal experience of complex PTSD in 2016, Susanna earned a Master's in Psychological Trauma and developed the C-Sense methodology—an innovative blend of neuroscience, functional medicine, and coaching that's changing how we understand and recover from trauma. Her NHS-funded programme, ConnectionWorks, achieved life-changing outcomes for people with complex PTSD. She has set up and commissioned mental health services in both the UK and Sydney, and is a passionate educator, training clinicians, coaches, and organisations to create safer, more compassionate ways of working.