The independently organized event, licensed by TED, will feature seven local voices under the theme Think, Act & Live Differently.
Launched in 2009, TEDx is a program of locally organized events around the world that bring communities together to share experiences, and TEDxNadi will be the first in Fiji’s gateway town.
Tourism and Environment
Meet our first speaker Akshay, an ivy-league educated professional who has dedicated his career to tourism in the Pacific Islands. Passionate about the South Pacific and its rich social and cultural diversity and beauty, Akshay is also fascinated by renewable energy.
He aims to inspire tourism businesses in the region to be more socially and environmentally conscious, and to create a pathway for sustainable tourism in the future
Entrepreneur
One of Maca’s interests is seeing people utilise their dormant talents and untapped potential and living their lives to the fullest. She is a pastor, entrepreneur, wife and blogger with a large following as she covers varying subjects to help people holistically.
A survivor of child abuse, she hopes that by sharing her story, she’ll be able to help fellow sufferers and break the culture of silence. Maca credits her husband and son as her biggest cheerleaders and enjoys travelling, meeting people and gleaning from their experiences.
Leadership & Project Management
A trailblazer for Fijian women in information and communications technology (ICT), Rajneesh led the Fiji Sugar Corporations’ information systems for over 15 years and is a leadership and project management trainer. She enjoys mentoring women in business and is passionate about developing start-ups, travel, and innovation, and advocating the merits of healthy living.
The entrepreneur and globally accredited trainer is also an active philanthropist and an ambassador for the global social enterprise, Island Innovation. Among her numerous board roles, is currently co-chair and trustee of the Golden Age Home Board of Visitors in Lautoka.
Director – Value City
Her family-owned recycled clothing franchise is one of the most recognizable in Fiji, Tonga, and Kiribati and at the helm, Vera has long advocated the merits of upcycling. The award-winning businesswoman and executive also takes a special interest in philanthropy and mentoring and assisting women in MSMEs and the informal sector to give them financial independence.
Vera also believes in the merits of literacy at early childhood education and primary school level, with donations of books and educational toys to schools, especially in rural and maritime regions.
Fashion Entrepreneur
A classic dream-weaver, this award-winning creative turned her pain into purpose by redesigning her fragmented life. After two decades in the shipping industry, Moira followed her dreams into the world of fashion and at the helm of a successful production house, has picked up many awards.
She’s also lent her talents and expertise to entrepreneurial efforts for women and youth, including recommendations on indigenous entrepreneurship in the Pacific. When Covid19 hit Fiji, Moira diversified to sustainable products such as reusable face masks, reusable diapers and reusable menstrual pads and earned gold certification from DfG’s International (Days For Girls) and acting as an agent of change.
Led by the motto “Imagine, believe and create”, her fashion house is now expanding to interior and home décor designs.
Island Style Peanut Butter Owner
Born in Labasa and raised in New Zealand, Gary is proud to be a Fijian returning to his country of birth. He comes from a long career in the aviation business and having been through the ups and downs of the industry, returned to Fiji to rediscover his heritage.
Gary’s passions are family, travel, and an appreciation of the small everyday joys of life in Fiji. He’s created the country’s first natural peanut butter and is on a personal journey of growth and change by stepping out of his comfort zone into a world of opportunities!
Team Tabu Soro – Ecochallenge 2019
Adam Wade joins our #TEDxNadi Speaker lineup. Born in Australia and bred in Fiji, Adam is a marina general manager with an inherent love of family, travelling, surfing, paddling, sailing and adventuring. “Adam’s adventures” are actually a thing according to his family and friends, and he enjoys the weird and wonderful.
But while they are usually a great time, he sometimes gets in over his head, ending up lost or injured…or both. In due fate, this constant survivor is thrown the ultimate adventure on the World’s Toughest Race – Eco Challenge Fiji and the journey is gruelling and transformative. At Nadi’s first TEDx event, Adam and other inspiring individuals share some special stories of the human experience.