Mosaic 2026

Uniquely shaped, intentionally fragmented, and unified by a common artistic vision, a mosaic strategically uses different mediums, colors, angles, and positions to bring unlikely works of art into a shared space.

By virtue of our shared humanity and innate abilities to contribute to the world, we are each a tessera–a piece of a mosaic part of larger pictures and patterns. Join us as our speakers reveal their stories, curated to show how they fit into the mosaic of ideas worth sharing.

At TEDxPenn 2026, we welcome you to consider how you are a piece of and reflect the mosaics in your life.

Date
March 28, 2026
Theme
Mosaic
Venue
Irvine Auditorium, Main Hall
3401 Spruce Street
City
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Speakers

  • Zack Kass

    Zack Kass

    Global AI Advisor, former Head of GTM, OpenAI

    Zack Kass is a global AI advisor and the former Head of GTM for OpenAI. Following his experience publicly launching ChatGPT, he now advises Fortune 1000 companies on AI strategy. In addition to his professional roles, he is an Executive-in-Residence at the University of Virginia. Kass recently authored a book, The Next RenAIssance, detailing the implications of AI on society at large. As an avid techno-optimist, Kass specializes in rewriting the prevalent dystopian narrative on technology in the media.

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  • Seema Hingorani

    Seema Hingorani

    Founder and Chair, Girls Who Invest

    Seema Hingorani is the Founder and Chair of Girls Who Invest, a non-profit organization focused on increasing the number of women in the asset management industry. Her career is characterized by deep expertise in investment management coupled with a longstanding passion to advance gender equity in finance. She previously served as Chief Investment Officer of the New York City Retirement Systems and held senior leadership roles at Morgan Stanley Investment Management, including Managing Director, Senior Client Advisor, and member of the Operating Committee.

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  • Mike Israetel

    Mike Israetel

    Co-founder, Renaissance Periodization

    Mike Israetel is a renowned sports physiologist, educator, and the co-founder of Renaissance Periodization. He holds a PhD in Sport Physiology from East Tennessee State University and is widely recognized online for his expertise in dieting and strength training. Aside from his extensive online presence, he shares his expertise across the globe at various scientific and performance conferences such as the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid.

  • James Payne

    James Payne

    Creator, Great Art Explained

    James Payne is best known for his YouTube channel “Great Art Explained.” Through his channel, Payne analyzes historical works of art, sharing their themes and strengths with audience members with a variety of exposure to art history. His career takes these pieces from the walls of museums to anyone with an internet connection, connecting art pieces to their social and cultural significance.

  • John Grant

    John Grant

    First Privacy and Civil Liberties Engineer, Palantir

    John Grant works to facilitate conversations and professional training on contentious ethical qualms, promoting the importance of sharing and consuming perspectives different from your own in and beyond your workspace. In his enduring career as the first Civil Liberties Engineer at Palantir, Grant is a funnel for employees to engage in critical thinking, particularly towards privacy and civil liberties.

  • Lakshay Sharma

    Lakshay Sharma

    CEO, Cerulion, Penn ’21

    Lakshay Sharma is a robotics engineer who founded and serves as the CEO of Cerulion, a robotics middleware service that provides efficient, excellent ways to build, test, and deploy robots. A Penn and MIT alum, his academic and professional experiences point to the argument that the way in which robots are designed reveals the assumptions held by their designers more than the limitations of the technology itself.

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  • Allison Zuckerman

    Allison Zuckerman

    Mixed-media artist, Penn ’12

    Allison Zuckerman is a contemporary artist with a plethora of pop-surrealist pieces. Her work connects painting and digital mediums to challenge gender stereotypes and dominant narratives. A Penn alum currently based in New York City, her work has been displayed in galleries internationally and has expanded to the music and fashion industries.