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TED Countdown is a collaboration between TED and Leaders’ Quest. Since launching in 2020, we’ve brought together leading scientists, artists, policymakers and investors to advance solutions to the climate crisis and the collaborations needed to bring them to life.
Our mission is to help the world move faster toward a better future — by telling stories that reveal what’s possible, elevating the solutions with the greatest potential, and bringing together the people and ideas capable of making it real.
Learn more about our impact and how we partner.
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Meet lindsAy
Lindsay is a long-standing business founder, entrepreneur, advisor and facilitator. She founded Leaders’ Quest in 2001, TED Countdown in 2020 and Blue Dot Collective in 2022. Today most of her time is spent leading Countdown’s strategy and delivery of programs around the world.
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meet jon
Jon is TED’s Head of Impact, where he co-leads TED Countdown and other philanthropically supported issue-specific initiatives. With a background in media, he focuses on the power of storytelling to move people individually and collectively. He previously led content production and strategy for Countdown, producing multiple award-winning films and podcasts.
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meet david
David Biello is the curator for TED Countdown, helping amplify solutions for global warming, accelerate action, and change the narrative from doom and despair to actionable hope. He also serves as TED's science curator and a reviewer for the Audacious Project. Prior to joining TED, he was an award-winning journalist for Scientific American and PBS, among other outlets. He is the author of the book The Unnatural World, an editor's pick of The New York Times Book Review.
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meet ally
Working closely with partners and collaborators, Ally designs and executes Countdown programming spanning from hands-on workshops to community meals to musical activations. She also leads Countdown’s collaboration with the 3,500+ member TEDx network, collaborating with organizers globally to deepen Countdown’s local impact.
meet annie
Annie develops editorial and social media strategies that help mission-driven ideas reach wider audiences. Through storytelling, video and digital campaigns, she translates complex topics — from climate and science to social impact — into engaging content that inspires curiosity, delights audiences, builds community and connects people with the ideas and trailblazers creating a more just and healthy world.
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meet emily
Emily oversees Countdown's in-person audience strategy to foster connection, engagement and a sense of shared purpose among Countdown’s multi-sector community. Her favorite places to be are in the park with a book or on the beach with her friends.
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meet gulnaz
Gulnaz is the climate editor at TED Countdown, where leads writing and editorial strategy. She’s a former editor at National Geographic and the creator and executive producer of Sacred Planet with Gulnaz Khan on PBS, a docuseries exploring how climate change is reshaping sacred spaces and traditions around the world.
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meet ian
Based in Vancouver, Canada, Ian is an award-winning filmmaker, video producer and production manager with over 12 years at TED, including five years helping shape the global storytelling of TED Countdown. His work combines documentary filmmaking with large-scale live and studio productions, backed by a career across film, television, broadcast, theater and independent cinema.
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meet karen
Karen is part of the Audience team, where she drives audience strategy, attendee experience and event operations across major climate convenings — from the Countdown Summit to COP and climate weeks. She supports events from concept to on-site execution, curates invitations, and builds and nurtures the global Countdown community.
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meet marie
Marie oversees TED Countdown’s social and digital presence, press strategy, and Ground Crew creator community, as well as creative collaborations like the SPRINTS program with Fine Acts. She began her career in the photo offices at NPR and the White House, then on to National Geographic, where she was an editor for the photo community before leading sustainable travel content at Nat Geo Travel.
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meet niamh
Niamh produces the programs and events behind TED Countdown, working across program development, partner engagement and event production. She has been with TED since 2018, beginning in partnerships before joining the Impact team. Alongside her work with TED Countdown, she supports strategic fundraising and donor engagement across TED.
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meet nicole
Nicole is an impact strategist and coalition-builder working at the intersection of culture and climate change. She connects people, ideas and resources to deliver lasting change. Nicole works with visionaries to co-create and bring their ideas to life. Her purpose is to help people do great things. She produces social and environmental initiatives, research and collaborations that reach millions around the world.
Meaningful climate progress takes collective action. TED Countdown brings together people and organizations with the ideas and ambition to move climate solutions forward — through global events, original storytelling and bold initiatives.
explore our partnerships
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