TEDx Bard College: Changing the Narrative for 2027

Creating space for ideas that matter and voices that deserve to be heard.

Written by Raahim Waqas’27

TEDx Bard College 2027 is bringing together a dynamic group of students, faculty, staff and alumni whose ideas are Changing the Narrative! Building on the success of previous conferences, TEDx Bard College is amplifying voices that challenge perspectives, inspire dialogue, and foster meaningful engagement within the Bard community and beyond.

This year's speaker selection process began with more than 65 applications from across the Bard network. Following a highly competitive interview process, 15 speakers were selected, culminating in 12 talks that reflect the diversity, creativity, and intellectual depth of the Bard community. 

Unlike previous years, the 2027 conference will introduce a two-part experience designed to strengthen the live and digital reach of TEDx Bard. The talks will come together in a live TEDx Bard community showcase in May 2027, featuring a collective watch-party and opportunities for further conversation and engagement. The expanded format also removes the 100-person audience limitation, allowing TEDx Bard to create a larger community experience and extend the life and reach of each talk through digital platforms such as YouTube. 

The selected speakers for TEDx Bard College 2027 are: 

1. Alan Wolfzahn, BardBac ’29
2. Alexandria Thomas, Bard College ’27
3. Ayana Fernandez Pilgrim, Founder of The Talent Cornerstone Co. and Bard GPS Visiting Faculty & Career Advisor
4. Desiree Lyle, Program Director, Center for Environmental Sciences and Humanities, Bard College
5. Lilly Griffin, Community Sciences Lab Technician, Bard College
6. Emily O’Rourke, Bard College ’25, MAT ’26
7. Wyland Stephenson, Bard College ’25
8. Erin Cannan, Vice President, Bard Center for Civic Engagement
9. Jonathan Becker, Acting President, Bard College
10. Isaiah Smith, Bard College ’26, MBA ’29
11. J. Renay Loper, MBA Professor, Bard College
12. Pearllan Cipriano, Sports Information Director, Bard College
13. Phillip Lindsay, Director of Democracy Innovation, Hannah Arendt Center at Bard College
14. Mariia Kondratiuk, Bard College ’27
15. Vishal Prakash, Bard College ’27

This year marks the largest cohort of applicants, speakers, and talks in the conference’s history. TEDx Bard remains a collaborative, student-led effort supported by faculty mentors, alumni, and the broader Bard network. As the platform continues to grow, it remains rooted in its core purpose: creating space for ideas that matter and voices that deserve to be heard. 

For real time updates follow us on Instagram @tedxbardcollege or check our website tedx.bard.edu.

Post Date: 09-03-2026