TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures

Thomas Devaney is a writer whose work captures the stories of Philadelphia through community-centered narratives.

A Pew Fellow in the Arts, he has written books, essays and a documentary exploring the city’s history, culture and neighborhoods.

His work bridges literature, urbanism and civic engagement, highlighting how local stories shape collective identity... Read More →

Born and raised in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, Michael Dimock studied about people, data and communication at the University of Houston and U.C. San Diego.

After serving as a college professor for four years, he joined Pew Research Center in 2000, determined to... Read More →

Aria Florant is the cofounder and CEO of Liberation Ventures, a field catalyst accelerating the reparations movement and building a culture of repair in the United States. A writer, organizational development consultant and educator, she teaches adaptive leadership at the Harvard... Read More →

Jen Golbeck is a computer scientist, journalist and professor at the University of Maryland who studies artificial intelligence, surveillance, social media and their impact on society.

Her work explores how technology and human behavior intersect in digital environments.

She has authored five books, more than 200 scientific papers and numerous articles for outlets including Psychology Today and Esquire... Read More →

Anuj Gupta is the president of The Welcoming Center, where he works to help immigrants realize their economic aspirations and position Philadelphia as a global gateway city.

His career spans government, nonprofit leadership, and civic innovation, all rooted in expanding opportun... Read More →

Scott Reich is a writer, speaker and nonprofit founder who explores how individuals and communities respond to adversity.

After his son was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition, he founded Believe in a Cure to advance research and build community for affected families.

Through his writing, podcast and public work, Reich focuses on how resilience can transform hardship into connection and purpose... Read More →