Archive for year: 2014

“Taking care of people is something I have always liked,” says Sylvia Walsarie Wolff, Speaker Liaison of TEDxDelft. “In this energetic environment, I have the opportunity to cooperate with all kinds of people in order make speakers as comfortable as possible before, during and after the event.” Given the number of high profile speakers invited to the upcoming TEDxDelft event, it appears that this is no ordinary task. Indeed, some presenters consider speaking at TEDxDeflt to be quite the undertaking, which is why Wolff does her utmost best to ensure that they have a pleasant experience.

Relying on her years of expertise as both Project Manager and Policy Officer at TU Delft, Wolff serves as the go-to person for all speaker-related concerns, queries and requests. Needless to say, she plays a critical role in the coordination and organization of the TEDxDelft event. “If we succeed, we will manage to offer visitors inspiring performances by relaxed, well-prepared speakers,” Wolff claims. With all the planning and preparations conducted throughout the year, she and the entire TEDxDelft team hope that this will in fact be the case.

What is your role at TEDxDelft?

I’m the speaker liaison: the person speakers can turn to with all their questions, requests, complaints,  suggestions and wishes before, during and after the event.

Why did you get involved with the organization?
Last year, Brenda made me coordinator of a team of volunteers – a job I enjoyed a lot. So when I was asked to expand my involvement  his year and become speaker liaison, I was very pleased and took the job.

How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft Team?
I have been part of the TEDxDelft team since Spring 2014.

If you could choose one person to give a talk at TEDxDelft, who would it be and why?

Piet van der Zanden is a colleague I met when I started working at TU Delft thirteen years ago.  He managed to raise 6 kids, rebuild a house, get his PhD, write a book and always be a pleasant person. Currently he is working at ICT education support staff on innovative projects like the classroom of the future. I think his vision on life can inspire many people. Moreover, he is the only man I know who likes shopping more than his wife.

What’s your nerdy little secret?

I used to collect Douwe Egberts points, but now the Douwe Egberts shops disappeared and you have to go to Blokker to get your china, I quit. I hate Blokker.

“The most challenging part of my job is to help the TEDxDelft speakers prepare for the best performance they will ever deliver,” says Toine Andernach, Coordinator of the Performer Coaching Team at TEDxDelft. “This year, you will be surprised, confronted, provoked and entertained more than ever before!” Together with a dedicated team of coaches, the head of TU Delft’s FOCUS Centre of Expertise on Education lends his support to the TEDxDelft performers to help them deliver powerful and captivating presentations. “I am looking forward to seeing the whole picture on the day of the event,” Andernach shares, “the nicely decorated stage, performers at their best and an audience ready to be inspired.”

In order to bring the various talks to life, storytelling, theater techniques, stage direction and English language feedback are among the creative tools employed by the Performer Coaching Team. Nevertheless, the longstanding Den Hoorn resident and proud father of twins insists that silence plays an integral role in enhancing the theatrical effect of the presentations. “I am convinced that the quality of performances would drastically increase when performers use silence more intentionally,” Andernach says. Indeed, this enables the speakers to deliver spectacular performances that the audience will never forget.

What is your role at TEDxDelft?

At TEDxDelft, I’m responsible for coordinating the Performer Coaching Team. With a team of about ten coaches, we help our performers to prepare and deliver the performance of their life.

Why did you get involved with the organization?

I got involved with the TEDxDelft organization because I felt I could contribute to optimize the quality of our performers. I told Rob Speekenbrink and he asked me to join the team. And I love the TEDx concept!

How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft Team?

I have been part of TEDxDelft since the very beginning in 2011, when we already started coaching performers.

If you could choose one person to give a talk at TEDxDelft, who would it be and why?

I would like director and (documentary) film maker Michiel van Erp to give a talk at TEDxDelft because of his original and subtle way of looking at both ordinary and special people and showing how they behave.

What’s your nerdy little secret?

My nerdy little secret is that I propagate the use of silence in presentations while I often cannot stop talking myself.

“It’s challenging to create a balanced program that I would personally enjoy seeing,” says Jeroen van Erp, Program Director of TEDxDelft. Responsible for organizing the line up of speakers and acts during each year’s event, Van Erp ensures that TEDxDelft consistently maintains high standards, which are  parallel to his own. “I’m pretty spoiled, so it’s quite an ambitious task,” the curator claims. “I’m looking forward to seeing the audience enjoying the event, especially during the breaks!”

When he’s not in search of inspiring ideas for TEDxDelft, Van Erp takes the lead in fostering creativity as Chairman of the Dutch Creative Council and Chief Creative Officer of Dutch branding and design agency Fabrique. Moreover, he is currently involved in developing a new design school in India. Despite his busy schedule, Van Erp always finds time to enjoy the little pleasures in life. “You can wake me at night to listen to great music from The Beatles or Miles Davis,” the Director says, “or to watch the next season of Homeland.”

As for what can be expected of this year’s TEDxDelft event, Van Erp is adamant on keeping his lips sealed. “I won’t tell you what you can expect,” the curator says. “Oh, come on!”

What is your role at TEDxDelft?

I’m one of the programmers, always searching for new ideas, new voices and new personalities.

Why did you get involved with the organization?

I got involved from the beginning. I liked the idea from the start and got more enthusiastic after meeting the wonderful team.

How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft Team?

This is my fourth edition!

If you could choose one person to give a talk at TEDxDelft, who would it be and why?

I would love to hear Prince Roger Nelson. Hearing him talk about his music and seeing him demonstrate how he writes songs would be awesome.

What’s your nerdy little secret?

The biggest one is probably the fact that I’m fond of mayonaise.

“I’m very excited!” says Annelies Gras, Marketing and Communications Manager for TEDxDelft. As the newest member of the team, Gras is thrilled to be a part of the organization and is eager to get to work. “The people at TEDxDelft are very energetic and enthusiastic, and I felt welcome right away. I started a few weeks ago and I was immediately thrown in the deep-end. That’s probably the best way to get involved. Just do it!”

When she’s not spreading the word on the upcoming TEDxDelft event or pushing herself to the limit during her weekly boot camp sessions, Gras serves as an independent marketing and communications professional. In 2012, she established her own firm Vers Gras Communicatie and has been working with several businesses and institutions across the Netherlands. Naturally, Gras brings her expertise to the TEDxDelft team, encouraging various organizations and the media to get involved with the event.

“It will be very different to attend TEDxDelft as one of the organizers,” Gras shares. “During the past three years, I attended the event as visitor. Now, I expect to see fewer talks. On the other hand, I look forward to enjoying TEDxDelft from behind-the-scenes. This year’s line-up of speakers is very interesting, so I think the event will be amazing!”

What is your role at TEDxDelft?

I am responsible for all marketing en communications activities. My focus is mainly on the offline marketing and communications activities, Molly focuses on online communication. I try to generate free publicity and i want to make sure that TEDxDelft is visible in the city of Delft. Molly and i work together to make sure we communicate adequate on all platforms.

Why did you get involved with the organization?

I visited all TEDxDelft events so far and I really enjoy the event and the vibe around it. A few weeks ago Antoinette send me an email to let me know that the TEDxDelft team was looking for a marketing and communications coordinator and i replied immediately.

How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?

A few weeks.

If you could choose one person to give a talk at TEDxDelft, who would it be and why?

I would like to invite Noella de Jager. She’s believes in the power of self employed women. Ze has created a work environment where women can outshine and help each other to grow as entrepreneur. She is an expert in creating a meaningfull community.

What’s your nerdy little secret?

Recently a bought a record player and i love to be at home and create a nostalgic atmosphere while i listen to old records.

“Motivating a large group of people is always a challenge,” says Molly Quell, Online Media Coordinator for TEDxDelft. As a Social Media Consultant and the International Editor of TU Delft’s official campus magazine TU Delta, Quell is no stranger to the complexities of people management. “I think both the most challenging and rewarding part of my job are the same, which is managing the great team of international volunteers we have who oversee the online content,” Quell claims. “However, seeing the great work that they do at the end of the day is a great reward.”

Over the last three years, Quell has brought her wealth of experience and expertise in Marketing and Communications to the TEDxDelft Team. Besides maintaining the organization’s online presence, she also manages the web care team, which provides regular updates on the event as well as unique insights into the mind of each speaker. “The most exciting part for me is the live blogging and social media updates on the day of the conference,” Quell says. “This year, there will be a very interesting and inspiring group of speakers with ideas worth sharing.”

What is your role at TEDxDelft?

I’m the Online Media Coordinator so I’m responsible for our online presence as well as manage the web care team on the day of the event. I’m also the designated “native English speaker” so I answer a lot of strange questions about grammar.

Why did you get involved with the organization?

Like a lot of people, I got involved because of Rob Speekenbrink. We’re colleagues at TU Delft and I had enjoyed working with him on a number of projects. He asked me to be a part of the team, giving me the opportunity to do the work that I most enjoy.

How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft Team?

I’ve been working with TEDxDelft for three years.

If you could choose one person to give a talk at TEDxDelft, who would it be and why?

I realize that this will sound corny, but my dad. He’s lived this very interesting life and always has great stories to tell. I find myself referring back to a lot of life lessons he passed on via a humorous anecdote.

What’s your nerdy little secret?

I try so hard to keep these under wraps! I think what often surprises people the most is that I run Linux at home. I also have an obsession with the statistical analysis of [American] football.