This month, I had the incredible honor of serving as a judge for the TEDxVUAmsterdam Student Pitch Night at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The experience was nothing short of inspiring, and I left with a profound sense of optimism about the future. The energy in the room, the passion of the students, and the creativity that flowed from every speaker was an inspiring reminder of how much potential lies within our next generation of leaders.
Every day, we all find ourselves on various stages — whether it’s a classroom, a boardroom, a phone call, an elevator ride, or even a conversation at a restaurant table. These moments may seem small or routine, but they are powerful opportunities for us to communicate our ideas, influence others, and leave a lasting impact.
It’s easy to think of a “stage” as a place reserved for formal settings like a TEDx talk or a conference, but in reality, we’re constantly stepping onto stages in our daily lives. Whether we’re pitching an idea to a client, sharing our vision with a team, or even encouraging a friend, each moment presents a chance to inspire others to believe in us and in our ideas.
The Courage to Stand Up and Speak Out
At the Student Pitch Night, fourteen brilliant young minds took to the stage, each with their own unique message, all centered around this year’s TEDxVU theme: “The Space Between.” These students, including Ammar B., Ella Buskin, Ibrahima Halil Diongue, Ilia Vasko, Ian van der Loo, Laura López Parejo, Nadine Nassar, Naomi Beaubrun, Nouhaila Safwane, Serosh Miazada, Shanikaah N., Tudor Dumitru, Verena Jackwerth, and Viola Silbermayr, brought a level of courage, passion, and vulnerability that truly moved me.
As someone who has worked with leaders and visionaries for years, I know how hard it can be to step onto a stage — any stage — and open yourself up to an audience. It requires vulnerability and bravery to speak your truth and stand firm in your beliefs, and these students did just that. Their presentations were not only a showcase of their intelligence and creativity, but also a testament to their commitment to making the world a better place.
Inspiration from the “Space Between”
The theme of this year’s event, “The Space Between,” was a brilliant lens through which the students explored a wide array of topics. From personal growth and cultural challenges to environmental sustainability and technological advancement, they each offered unique insights into how we navigate the often ambiguous spaces between ideas, disciplines, and solutions.
What struck me most was how these students embraced the complexity of “the space between” and used it as a springboard for meaningful conversations. Rather than shying away from uncertainty or conflict, they leaned into it — exploring the possibilities that exist when we’re willing to push past the familiar and delve into the unknown.
It was a reminder that growth and progress often happen in these liminal spaces. As leaders, we too are often called to navigate “the space between” — whether that’s between our current reality and future goals, between different perspectives on a team, or between challenges and opportunities.
A Heartfelt Thank You to the TEDxVU Community
To all the student speakers: It was an honor to witness your message and feel the depth of your passion, courage, and vulnerability. Your curiosity and intelligence, paired with your unwavering dedication to creating a better world, filled me with hope for the future. I have no doubt that the impact you’re making now will ripple far beyond the stage.
I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the TEDxVU committee — Andrea Panivello, Andreea Iorga, Anjuli Van Den Bosch, Fleur Klok, Lal Tuğtepe, Mika Glijn, Minh Hieu Pham — for organizing such an inspiring evening and for inviting me to be a part of it. Your efforts made this event a true celebration of innovation, creativity, and collaboration.
What’s Next?
With the Student Pitch Night now behind us, the excitement continues to build as we look forward to the next phase and preparations for the big TEDxVU event on April 24th will kick into high gear.
To everyone who participated and attended, I can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next. The future is bright, and you are the ones shaping it.
If you’re curious to see these young leaders continue their journey, mark your calendars for April 24th and join us at the next TEDxVU event! Tickets will be available soon at www.tedxvuamsterdam.com.
Thank you again to everyone involved for making this evening unforgettable. It was a true privilege to be part of such a meaningful experience, and I’m filled with excitement for the future!