Role on the team: Stewarding this celebrated volunteer organization that brings local ideas to life through live events and recorded talks shared with the world. I set strategy, oversee operations, and drive new programming—like our first-of-its-kind, free-to-attend Students & Educators Day. I’ve been part of the team since 2018.

What do you do when you are not working on TEDx? Over 25 years working across media, academia, nonprofits and founder-led businesses, I’ve distilled strengthening organizations into a core practice: building things that hold. As an embedded partner, (kaarinmilne.com) I work alongside founders, small business owners, and nonprofit leaders building the plans, mechanisms, and momentum that keep their work moving forward. I measure success by what keeps working once they’re running it themselves. Personally, I love pine forests, coffee with friends, and watching our three kids become kind, capable young adults.

A favorite TED Talk?
The Way We Think About Charity is Dead Wrong by Dan Pallotta

Favorite part of TEDxPortsmouth: That it’s co-created by countless amazing people! Everyone involved–team, speakers, partners, sponsors, attendees, performers—shares ownership. It’s a true community collaboration– vibrant, connective, and full of possibility.

And, if you could see any historical figure give a TED Talk who would it be and what would they talk about? Rainer Maria Rilke- Living Your Spirituality