TEDxMarvila values the power of diversity to promote creativity and innovation through its team of dedicated volunteers. We have more than 10 different nationalities, all with distinct professional backgrounds.
What we have in common is our passion for enabling dialogue, the belief in the power of human connections, and the commitment to providing a day full of inspiration and ideas worth sharing.
You can start getting to know some of us by visiting our LinkedIn page.
Anel Imanbay, organizer and licensee of TEDxMarvila.
Lead Organiser, Licensee & Host
Anel Imanbay, writing under the pen name Imani Cortez, is the celebrated author of the US children’s bestseller “Her Name Was Flower.” A graduate in financial economics from the UK, Anel has diversified her career across corporate finance and innovative startups. With over a decade of experience in commercial roles spanning the education, gaming, and beauty industries, she brings a rich expertise to her endeavours. Additionally, Anel has orchestrated numerous charity events in various countries, including Kazakhstan, Portugal, Namibia, and the UK, demonstrating her commitment to global community engagement. Anel hosts the popular podcast “Voices of the World,” which amplifies diverse perspectives and stories. Residing in Marvila, she has chosen to deepen her impact by serving as the lead organizer for TEDxMarvila, driven by a desire to foster a vibrant community of ideas and innovation right in her neighborhood.
Dahlia Imanbay is a tech entrepreneur and the driving force behind an AI-powered digital agency that transforms branding and marketing through automation. With a diverse background that spans leadership roles in Fortune 500 companies, healthcare, and SaaS, Dahlia combines a strategic vision with hands-on expertise to deliver impactful results. Her work bridges industries from eCommerce to education, and her adaptable, globally minded approach has made her a sought-after leader in both B2B and B2C marketing. Fluent in four languages and passionate about innovation, Dahlia is dedicated to harnessing AI to elevate brands in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
Hello! I’m passionate about connecting people, ideas, and experiences, always bridging different worlds. Having lived in Italy, Spain, Belgium, and Portugal, I’ve embraced multicultural environments and speak English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian fluently, with just enough French to make Parisian waiters smile.
When I’m not discovering growth opportunities, you’ll find me exploring hidden corners of cities or diving into meaningful conversations. Whether it’s a new project or a chance to share stories, my goal is always the same: to create connections and create new perspectives.
Head of Marketing Communications
A seasoned marketing expert with 15 years of experience in luxury and lifestyle hospitality. Pauline is originally from France and has worked in Paris, London, and Lisbon, gaining a unique vision on global markets and cultural diversity.
Pauline’s expertise lies in strategic marketing, project management, and creative leadership. An enthusiastic, performance-driven team player, she has led innovative projects including high-profile openings, exclusive partnerships and experiential events for top hotel brands like W Hotels.
Passionate about travels, interior design and food, Pauline is also a skilled coach with 120+ entrepreneurs trained in digital and strategic marketing.
Elana Gold is a global C-Suite executive with 25+ years of experience driving growth and value creation across industries, including consumer goods, healthcare, beauty, food and beverage, and direct selling. She has led P&Ls from $10M to $7.5B at companies YumBrands, PepsiCo, Novartis, Abbott, and Avon, as well as PE/VC-funded startups. Known for leading turnarounds, revitalizing iconic brands, scaling businesses, and driving digital transformations, Elana excels at building high-performing teams and delivering sustained growth.
A Wharton MBA, she collaborates with boards and startups to secure funding and create impactful growth plans. Elana is also passionate about lecturing at top universities, inspiring future leaders with insights from her global career.
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Joanna’s superpower is creating unforgettable events. With a deep passion for event planning, she has honed her skills over the years by managing international events for various companies. From coordinating alternative jazz bands to overseeing guest management during Euro 2012 in Warsaw, as well as organizing IT conferences, she has successfully led numerous high-impact events. Currently, she works as a Project Manager for global projects.
As a Leadership Coach and founder of the Inspire Me Lisbon community, Joanna dedicates her free time to helping others grow, unlock their full potential, and achieve their dreams.
As a volunteer at TEDx Marvila, she strives to be part of a team that inspires thousands to create a better world.
Nearly 20 years in HR taught me one thing: organizations change when leaders do.
I work with CEOs and executive teams to turn strategy decks into real behaviour, redesign how teams collaborate, and make culture visible in day-to-day decisions.
My background in Finance & HR, a Master’s degree, and PhD research in communication, organizational change and leadership help me translate complex transformations into clear, human-centric actions.
If you are facing growth, restructuring, or a new leadership chapter, I can help you secure company success through trust, align your top team, and turn people strategy into measurable business results.
Volunteer
Kaiden is a 16-year-old international student and experienced web and app developer, originally from the U.S. and now based in Lisbon, Portugal. Passionate about AI and human-centered technology, he is the founder of Sync, an upcoming social coordination app designed to make planning and real-world interactions effortless.
With expertise in AI-driven applications, backend architecture, and UX/UI design, he has worked on diverse projects, from AI-powered mental health tools to predictive modeling for urban mobility. His ability to merge behavioral psychology with technology allows him to create engaging, habit-forming digital experiences that solve everyday challenges.
As a globally minded innovator, Kaiden is committed to leveraging AI to enhance social connections, productivity, and well-being. His long-term goal is to push the boundaries of AI and human interaction, making technology a seamless extension of daily life.
Daniela Pires studied marketing in a vocational course and, even without attending university, built her career in the field. Despite exploring different sectors throughout her career, she always knew that marketing was what she truly wanted. Today, she helps companies build an authentic and impactful online presence.
Passionate about communication and psychology, she believes that understanding people is the key to any good strategy. In addition to marketing, she dedicates herself to volunteering in pediatric oncology, where she works directly with children to make their hospital experience less frightening. She is also part of TEDx Marvila, contributing to inspiring new ideas and connections.
She has always been an enthusiast of TEDx, following the TED Talks available on YouTube. This passion helped her develop a taste for questioning, exploring new perspectives, and deepening her knowledge of the world.
Experienced Web Developer and Digital Consultant with over 17 years of hands-on experience designing, developing, and maintaining responsive websites, e-commerce platforms, and online campaigns. I specialize in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, MySQL, and user-centered design, with a strong foundation in SEO and web performance optimization, combined with project and team management skills over a agile workflow.
Oksana is a Volunteer Speaker Curator for TEDxMarvila. With experience in event management and tourism, she loves meeting people who have bold ideas and a desire to make an impact. Inspired by visionaries who turn ideas into action, she is curious by nature and always on a journey of self-discovery and growth.
Farah is a strategic communications leader who works with founders, CEOs and ultra-high-net-worth individuals navigating moments of growth, scrutiny and transformation. She specialises in turning complex ideas—particularly in emerging technologies—into clear narratives that build trust, shape public conversation and unlock opportunity. Over the past decade she has worked with some of the world’s most influential organisations and high-growth ventures. Farah leads communications and PR for the TEDxMarvila team.
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Victoria Egorova is a UX/UI designer and communication strategist with over 10 years of experience in storytelling, brand building. As UX/UI Designer at TEDxMarvila, she brings a background in communications leadership, combining empathy, people insights and business strategy. From product discovery to experience design, Victoria blends analytical thinking with artistic sensibility, exploring how thoughtful design can inspire connection and positive change.
Victoria believes that good design starts with understanding people. Over the past years, she worked on more than 20 web and mobile projects, helping turn ideas into clear, intuitive digital experiences. Her work focuses on making technology easier to understand and more natural to use — designing products that feel simple, thoughtful, and human. Before moving into design, she spent 15 years working in editing and journalism. At TEDxMarvila, Victoria brings this same mindset: curiosity about people, respect for different stories, and a belief that thoughtful design can help ideas travel further.
Partnerships and Communications at TEDxMarvila
A communications and creative professional based in Lisbon, with experience in brand strategy, social media, and partnership development across hospitality, lifestyle, and cultural projects. His work focuses on building strong audience connection through thoughtful storytelling, strategic communication, and community-led outreach.
At TEDxMarvila, he supports partnerships and communications, helping strengthen the relationship between the event and its wider community. His approach combines creativity, clarity, and a strong understanding of how to connect ideas, people, and platforms in a meaningful way.
Hande Oney is an Independent AI & Tech Strategy Advisor and the founder of Lumina Studio, an advisory firm helping SMBs shape their future AI strategy. With a dual Turkish-American background and an MBA from Columbia Business School, she has held leadership roles at J.P. Morgan, Gartner, and a global scale-up through its IPO phase. Based in Lisbon, she also serves as Strategic Advisor and Founding Board Member at TEDxMarvila. Combining experience across architecture, corporate strategy, and technology, Hande helps bridge creativity and business innovation on a global scale.
Graphic designer and visual artist she works across editorial design, typography, and visual exhibitions. Currently volunteering with TEDxMarvila, she brings a multidisciplinary approach shaped by international experience in social media, cultural projects, and the arts.
