Meet The Team

Innovation is, for me, the art of making peace with time’s impatience. I'm Julie de Sousa some would say I've had multiple lives, I just don't sleep enough. My role at TEDX Tribeca is to spotlight doers, visionaries and bold minds. To push every stakeholders toward greatness. 

 

More than a director I'm your host and good news I was a restaurant owner back in France.  

I’m also a boxing champion, a reminder that discipline and creativity share the same heartbeat.

I’m Thai Miller, a communication coach, speaker, and founder of Google’s Public Speaking Club. For the past two years, I’ve also worked as an Account Manager at Google, blending business expertise with innovative methods for communication to drive impact.

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I know for a fact that TED Talks inspired me in a way that completely changed the course of my career, and now I’m truly excited to create that kind of impact for others.

I've always been drawn to puzzles — from taking things apart as a kid to building complex AI systems as VP of Engineering at Arklex AI. My path has led through competitive programming, engineering at Google and Two Sigma, coaching Columbia's programming teams, and creating open-source AI frameworks.

 

For me, technology isn't just about code — it's about people pushing each other to think bigger. That's the magic of TEDxTribeca: where curiosity, creativity, and community create something new.

Officially here to make sure we do not get sued, unofficially here for the compelling speakers and promises of a buffet.

 

Whether it’s drafting the clauses no one reads, or making sure our corporate housekeeping remains in order, Ruth is the steady hand behind our most important agreements. Even game-changing ideas need good paperwork.

is the Head of Speaker Curation for TEDx Tribeca. He is currently an Analyst at Brookfield, where he works in the renewable energy asset management division. Sam graduated from the University of Michigan in 2024 with a degree in Industrial and Operations Engineering.

 

Outside of work, he is an avid skier and hiker, and enjoys playing Texas Hold’em and Settlers of Catan.

Rina is a Montreal-born retention marketing manager at Oddity, now based in New York City. With an avid interest in new technology and social psychology, she got involved with TedX to bring together people building innovative solutions that serve humanity.

 

In her free time, she’s exploring NYC’s best bakeries, reading fiction, or playing rec league basketball (and is always looking for new players!).

Arielle Levy is a senior at Williams College. She founded the TAMID chapter, connecting students to consult for Israeli founders. She is the co-founder of the Ubuntu Advisory Group, an organization that connects students to African companies all across the continent and verticals. 

She’s a 2024 Excel Fellow, and worked at a boutique VC firm sourcing SaaS/defense tech startups. She is a 2025 Geller Fellow and a member of AJC’s global campus board. 

She was a former figure skater, love studying languages, and all sports.

Samantha is a Social Content Producer who's worked in social media for over 6 years with work in the entertainment, magazine, and pop radio industries.

 

Outside of work she enjoys spending time trying new coffee shops with friends, crafting with her sister, and hanging out with her cat, Cotton.

Madelyn Burr is a Communications Manager at JSA+Partners, a boutique communications firm specializing in technology, media, and gaming.

 

She has over five years of experience providing support to clients through strategic counsel, media relations, thought leadership, and events and awards. Madelyn graduated with honors from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and a minor in Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Volunteerism. She is based in New York. 

Alicia Kort is a writer, editor, and content strategist. She currently serves as the Fundraising Copywriting Lead for the TEDxTribeca team. In addition to this role, she is the Temporary Editorial Project Manager for Hearst's fashion and luxury brands and the Copy & Content Manager for the Media Dinner Club.

 

Alicia's writing has appeared in Esquire, InStyle, Interview, and Newsweek. She resides in Brooklyn, New York.

Morgan Laucius is a Senior Client Success Manager who thrives at the intersection of data, creativity, and people. She works closely with brands to make sense of complex performance data, helping them turn insights into campaigns that actually connect.

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With a background in media strategy and analytics, Morgan loves asking the “why” behind the numbers and building partnerships rooted in trust, curiosity, and collaboration. 

 

Outside of work, Morgan is probably deep into a good book, playing a competitive game of backgammon, or getting lost (on purpose) somewhere in New York City