PRESIDENT AND LEAD ORGANIZER

Melina Zarboulas is a junior studying information with a focus on computer science and digital studies. She has been the president of TEDxUWMadison since 2022, and has loved working with different professionals to educate the students of UW Madison on an array of topics. She began watching TED talks when she was younger at the request of her acting instructor, who valued the immense presentation talent and impact the speakers held throughout their talks. Since then, she has found herself captivated by so many different areas of interest, and has loved how TED talks enhance dynamics of speech and education through the power of presenting. What Melina loves most about TEDx talks is their ability to bring together people from all backgrounds, careers, and experiences, and how these people can all seamlessly intertwine their stories to paint a larger picture. She hopes that the audience can absorb information on many different subject cores through the admirable speakers and their talks.

VICE PRESIDENT

Tula Cox is a junior studying Animal and Veterinary Biosciences. Originally from California and being raised in a bi-cultural household, Tula has always appreciated different backgrounds, something she always found captivating about TED talks, more so the way a TED event can join so many people together from different environments and interests in a creative yet logical fashion. As a pre-vet. student, Tula is constantly looking for ways to be involved in campus and with her peers, while both enriching her animal care experience and expanding her interests beyond the veterinary field. TEDxUWMadison is an engaging and educational outlet that allows Tula to learn about very different people and topics, while also curating skills that she’s found to be imperative to her success both in and out of the classroom and workplace. Above all, Tula is enthralled with TEDx’s motto of “ideas worth spreading” as she believes there are so many talented and insightful people who simply don’t have a platform to share their innovative and creative experiences and mindsets. Being part of a team whose main goal is to provide these people with the opportunity to share their ideas, not only to the general public, but to young adults, our future, has been extremely meaningful to Tula.

STUDENT CLASS OFFICE REPRESENTATIVE

Megan, originally from Minnesota, is embarking on her final year at UW-Madison, where she is pursuing a degree in Neurobiology and Data Science. Throughout her time on campus, Megan has consistently demonstrated her unwavering dedication to the Badger community. She has excelled as an All-Big Ten Dancer for the University's Dance Team and has actively participated in numerous campus nonprofit organizations. Megan plays a vital role in student leadership as serves as the Student Chair on the Chancellor's advisory board for alcohol and drugs and holds the position of Vice President for the Class of 2024. Collaborating with Ted from the Senior Class Office, aims to provide students with valuable opportunities for engaging in diverse conversations with professionals. This initiative is designed to broaden students' perspectives and prepare them for the professional world of post-graduate life.

Maisie Pederson is a freshman studying biochemistry at UW-Madison. Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, she is passionate about providing a platform to elevate the voices of others— uniting individuals through shared curiosity