Theme: The Tides of Change

Tides of Change explores how shifts—big or small—reshape our world, pushing us toward new ideas, discoveries, and perspectives. From personal transformation to technological innovation, environmental evolution to societal movements, change is constant. Through waves of stories, insights, and breakthroughs, this event invites speakers and attendees to dive deep into the forces that shape our future. As with the tide, progress is often gradual but inevitable. Together, let’s ride the currents of change and discover the power of adaptation, resilience, and forward-thinking ideas.

1951 @ SkySong
1475 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85257
1st Floor
Scottsdale, Arizona, 85257
United States

Alexandria George

Award Wining Educator

Alexandria George is an award-winning educator, aspiring author, certified life coach, and public speaker. She grew up in Birmingham, UK, with parents who emigrated from the Caribbean and met in Saudi Arabia. At 14, Alexandria moved to Nigeria, where she first experienced living in another culture and adapting to a new country—an experience that fueled her curiosity about how others live and as a result has now lived in 5 of 7 continents and speaks multiple languages. At 21, Alexandria left everything she knew and moved to Taiwan after graduating from the University of Westminster with a bachelor’s degree in information systems. While in Taiwan, she became an educator, working in both rural areas and major cities like Taipei and New Taipei City. She opened a food truck business in Taiwan and also co-founded Taipei is Listening, a social justice movement aimed at promoting community conversations.

Ayush Prasanna

Student & Sports Psychology Enthusiast

Ayush Prasanna is a passionate high school athlete and aspiring medical professional dedicated to helping athletes reach their full potential. With experience shadowing medical professionals, mentoring younger students, and participating in medical summer programs, Ayush has developed a deep understanding of the connection between physical and mental performance. He believes that building mental resilience and confidence is essential for athletes to thrive both on and off the field. Through his work, Ayush strives to promote personal growth and well-being, paving the way for a healthier and more balanced future for athletes everywhere.

Dr. Shaweta “Shay” Vasudeva

Acupuncturist

Dr. Shaweta “Shay” Vasudeva is an Acupuncturist, Professor, Author, & Coach. Her passion is to help people become the best version of themselves by using an interdisciplinary and holistic approach, bringing 10+ years of experience in Psychology, Personal Fitness Training, Corrective Exercise, Nutritional Coaching, Cranial Sacral Work, and teaching Karate & Tai Chi classes to her business, ShayTheCoach. She recently added acupuncture to her practice. For more information visit her personal webpage: www.shaythecoach.com

Fata Avegalio

Well Rounded Sportsman

Fata Avegalio is an inquisitive and exuberant young man. His pursuits of interest are supported by his homeschooling lifestyle. Some of his favorite topics to study include engineering, aviation, finance, and entrepreneurship. He is now registered for flight classes where he can learn to become a pilot in the cockpit. Fata also enjoys sports such as Brazilain Jiu-Jitsu where he’s won multiple titles such as 2024 IBJJF National Champion, 2024 IBJJF PANS World Champion, 2-time IBJJF European Champion and #1 IBJJF world ranking in the same year. His physical ability along with intensity also makes him a formidable opponent on the rugby field. In the 2024 State Championship game, he scored multiple tries, helping to win the game decisively. Being a student athlete keeps Fata busy but he also helps with the family business on the weekends. His main contributions there are in production and sales. Fata has goals of merging his love of science and engineering with entrepreneurship.

Jane Jeyaraj

Mindful Eating Advocate

Jane Jeyaraj is a highschool sophomore, an author, STEM enthusiast, and an artist with over twenty thousand followers on Youtube. She hopes to be an architect, and enjoys anything creative. She believes that mindful eating is a vital part of leading a healthy lifestyle, and everyone should have the opportunity and access to good food. Especially in the age of social media, Jane hopes to use her platform to inspire other young people and bring change to her community.

Kentarou Siejak

Communication Coach

Kentarou’s life is a story of action and impact, fueled by the power of communication. From his tackling bold ideas to coaching leaders on how to articulate theirs, he has always understood that the right words can spark change. Growing up in a military family, moving constantly, and navigating new environments taught him adaptability, resilience, and the importance of connection. By his teens, he was mentoring peers, leading nonprofit initiatives, and directing/producing films and albums—all while refining his ability to inspire and guide others. Today, Kentarou helps people harness their voices with confidence, proving that clear, compelling communication isn’t just a skill—it’s a catalyst for impact.

Laina Avegalio

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion

Fa’aolaina Avegalio is a dedicated and adventurous young lady whose drive has not only earned her distinguishable world titles but also cultivates her love of culture and the arts. One of Laina’s passions is the sport of Brazilian Jiu- Jitsu where she trains at Gracie Barra in Chandler Arizona. She has earned numerous titles such as IBJJF 2024 PANS World Champion, IBJJF 2-time National Champion, IBJJF 2-time European Champion and 2-time #1 world ranking. Some of her newer jiu-jitsu goals are completing the 2025 International Grand Slam, which includes titles in three different continents. More than earning these titles is the love of the growth she has experienced personally, and with her team.

Max Baldauf

Change Optimization Coach | Creator of The Life Optimization Loop

Max Baldauf is a Change Optimization Coach, speaker, and creator of The Life Optimization Loop—a framework designed to help individuals and businesses create lasting, meaningful change in any area of life. Through his own journey of overcoming five addictions, healing fractured family relationships, deepening his faith, and maintaining a debt-free lifestyle, Max uncovered the universal principles behind sustainable transformation. Now, he teaches leaders and individuals how to move beyond surface-level success and optimize at the intersection of purpose, effectiveness, and efficiency. His work empowers people to not only scale businesses but scale themselves. Connect with Max: https://campsite.to/askmaxbaldauf

Meera Bhat

Student & STEM Mentor

Meera Bhat is a driven student passionate about technology, leadership, and service. As treasurer of the National Junior Honor Society, she leads STEM mentorship programs, community clean-up drives, and service projects. For the past two years, she has taught coding and robotics to elementary students, inspiring young minds to embrace technology. A competitive tennis player, Meera has developed resilience, strategic thinking, and adaptability. Her diverse experiences in robotics, sports, and service fuel her commitment to lifelong learning, teamwork, and making a meaningful impact in her community.

Melisa Torres

Entrepreneur

Experienced entrepreneur with over 13-year track record as Founder and CEO of INDUSTRIAS MT S.A.S., and the intellectual creator of the innovative product VIOX, recognized as the 9th best water in the world at Berkeley Springs (USA, 2019). Her career is distinguished by seven awards for excellence in innovation, business strategy, and execution. She has delivered multiple entrepreneurship conferences in Colombia and has assisted over 10 entrepreneurs in achieving successful businesses. She also founded her own Ecommerce business in 2020, through which she has processed over 50,000 orders for various products to date. Currently she’s pursuing a Master’s in Global Management with a focus on Data Science, at Thunderbird School of Global Management - Arizona State University.

Nikhil Pandey

Teen Yoga & Mindfulness Coach

Nikhil is a passionate teen yoga and mindfulness coach and a budding neuroscience researcher. In these confusing and fast-paced times plagued by social media, Nikhil empowers the youth in his community by building mental resilience through meditation, mindful breathing and yoga. He believes that being engaged with the present through these practices brings transformative tides of changes, leading to a coherent, connected and compassionate world.

Penny Wu

MBA Student

Penny Wu is pursuing her master’s degree at Thunderbird School of Global Management. As an international student, change has been a constant in her life. At first, she feared uncertainty, but instead of resisting it, she chose to embrace it. Each challenge became an opportunity for growth. This time, she wants to share her journey—how stepping out of her comfort zone transformed fear into confidence and possibility.

Shubhada Sahasrabudhe

World Renowned Sand Artist, Mechanical Engineer & Patent Holder

Shubhada Sahasrabudhe is an artist renowned for her expertise in various fine art mediums, including oil paint, watercolors, charcoal, and especially sand art. With over 30 years of experience, she creates elaborate portraits, landscapes, and emotionally charged stories by dusting and sculpting sand on a lit glass table. Her sand art has been showcased on Nickelodeon, featured in live performances at art, cultural, and corporate events, and used in numerous commercial projects. In addition to her artistic career, Shubhada is a mechanical engineer with nearly 25 years of experience as a principal engineer in the semiconductor industry. She has secured numerous patents and publications and was honored as the Woman Engineer of the Year by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Her journey exemplifies the powerful synergy between seemingly disparate fields leading to impacting contributions. Explore her diverse artistic works on her YouTube channel, "Shubhada’s Sand Art."

Srinidhi Pallerla

Student & Nonprofit Founder

Srinidhi Pallera is a high school student, nonprofit founder, and leader dedicated to creating meaningful change. She founded Steps to Impact, a student-led nonprofit empowering communities, and Med Connect, a school club that connects peers with the world of medicine. Inspired by her passion for medicine and commitment to service, Srinidhi demonstrates how even the smallest actions can lead to significant impact, inspiring others to turn their ambitions into meaningful progress.

Thanvi Voruganti

Student & International Bestselling Author

Thanvi Voruganti, a freshman at Arizona College Preparatory High School, is a passionate writer dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices. As an international best-selling author on Amazon, she uses her platform to uncover untold stories and bring critical awareness to invisible struggles.

Vidyana Marxaney

Student & Motivational Speaker

Vidyana Marxaney (Vidy) is a 14-year-old student who lives in England. She attends Khan World School, which she describes as a great institution. Born with serious health challenges, Vidy faced significant obstacles early in life. However, she learned many valuable lessons through these experiences, and now, she is passionate about sharing those lessons with others. Vidy believes that everyone faces challenges, and she aims to help others navigate their own difficulties more effectively.