Theme: Human Flourishing
Because flourishing isn’t luck or luxury, it’s built. It grows from four essentials we can all cultivate: belonging, agency, mastery and meaning. In a world of infinite scroll and postponed beginnings, we’re gathering to swap “someday” for practical steps that help people and places thrive right here in Doncaster.
What to expect from the speakers: ten punchy, stage-ready talks that turn big ideas into doable actions. You’ll hear:
How place-based public service rebuilds trust and health in neighbourhoods.
The biology and behaviour behind men’s resilience and a daily code to rebuild it.
Storytelling as a tool for connection, empathy and community growth.
Failure as a framework for learning in a digital world.
A fresh lens on “mental” vs “mind” wellbeing to reduce shame and increase compassion.
Recovery, purpose and service to others as routes to personal and collective flourishing.
Alongside the talks, expect live local performances, a welcoming ideas hub, and a simple, hands-on call to action you can start before you leave the room. Come curious, leave activated with your first small step written down and a community ready to back you.
TEDx Doncaster is a Community Interest Company; proceeds are reinvested locally to keep ideas moving from the stage back into the community.
Speakers
Ali Khan
A founder CEO who has experienced the rollercoaster of startup life. Ali is also a Visiting Professor, helping to build the UK’s (and possibly the world’s) first Flourishing Zone. I’m on the Leadership Council of the AI for Human Flourishing at Harvard University, researching and evangelising the impact of AI on humans, and vice versa. Alongside other roles, Ali is a Flourishing practitioner, having developed scientific models that help us understand and harness the actual manifestation of flourishing in the form of performance and productivity. He has been the CTO and Scientific Officer at AXA’s Well-being unit, among many things, measuring human and population longevity and mental health across multiple countries.
Chris Perkins
Chris Perkins is a dynamic performer and creative artist rooted in Doncaster’s vibrant cultural scene. His work blends storytelling, music, and performance to inspire connection and spark reflection. Passionate about bringing people together through creativity, Chris has built a reputation for pushing boundaries and using art to celebrate local voices with a global resonance. At TEDx Doncaster 2025, he brings his unique energy to the stage, showcasing how performance can be a catalyst for human flourishing and community spirit. Chris Perkins is the founder and Managing Director of Creative Push CIC (formerly Print Imperials), a Doncaster-based arts organisation dedicated to making creative expression accessible to everyone. Under his leadership, Creative Push has delivered print and screen-print workshops, immersive arts programmes, and community arts events across South Yorkshire, with a strong focus on mental health, youth engagement, and social impact.
Danielle Hobson
Danielle is an Intuitive Business Coach, speaker, and founder of The Aligned Business School, a revolutionary new model that’s redefining how businesses are built. From growing up on a council estate and becoming a single mum at 19, to being the first in her family to build a thriving business, Danielle is living proof that the system doesn’t define your success, alignment does. Danielle has worked with hundreds of women to reprogram limiting beliefs, step into their purpose, and build businesses that feel like freedom. Known for her no-BS style, quick wit, and deep compassion, she’s here to rattle cages and start the conversations that matter.
Hannah Dunn
Today, I’m passionate about changing the conversation, helping individuals and communities move from surviving to flourishing through small and powerful changes. I work across education, workplaces, and communities, championing emotional literacy, connection, and the transformational power of language. Before founding Mind Wellbeing, I built a successful career in the construction industry. I’m also a proud mother and a firm believer that wonder is an essential life skill, and that just one word can change our world for the better. Outside of what can be quite a heavy topic, I like to keep things light-hearted and fun. I love dancing and have a passion of 00's r'n'b. This year I have taken up a new hobby of painting, if you can call it that, and will be climbing the National Three Peaks in a few weeks' time.
Lee Tillman
Lee’s responsibilities include corporate policy, performance, data intelligence, transformation, workforce strategy, sustainability, communities and business investment. Lee is a Director of Doncaster Chamber and a trustee for Club Doncaster Foundation, having previously served on the DN Colleges board. Doncaster-born and bred, he attended Hungerhill and Danum Schools, read American Studies at Lancaster University, completed an MSc in Economic Development, and returned in the mid-1990s to dedicate his career to public service and place-making.
Ruth Harris
Recovering addict turned tech entrepreneur & Mindset coach. I transformed my life and now support others to do the same. Passionate about the power of the very programme that gave me life again, I believe developing this method could change the lives of millions of people.
Stephen Donoghue
Stephen Donoghue is a versatile musician based in South Yorkshire, renowned for weaving emotionality and narrative into his performances. Skilled on cello, saxophone, and clarinet, he brings a rich textural voice to live settings, offering solo sets that range from classical to modern covers and atmospheric ballads. In addition to performing, Stephen teaches cello, saxophone, and clarinet, both locally in Doncaster and online, nurturing new talent and helping others find their musical voice. His repertoire spans ceremonial events, concerts, and intimate gigs, giving him the versatility to adapt his sound to the moment and setting. At TEDx Doncaster 2025, Stephen joins Chris Perkins on Sunday, 5th October, bringing his melodic, instrumentally rich presence to the stage. Together, they will fuse storytelling, sound, and performance to reflect themes of connection, growth, and human flourishing.
Daz Cadwallander
Daz Cadwallander is a soulful singer-songwriter from South Yorkshire, bringing storytelling and lived experience to the forefront of his music. Over the past few years, he has established himself as one of the region’s most exciting up-and-coming artists. A milestone moment came in February 2024 when Daz headlined the main room at The Leadmill, Sheffield, selling over 650 tickets — a staple show that marked his growing reputation and set the tone for what’s to come. His achievements to date are impressive: performances at the O2 Academy Sheffield. His songs have been played on national stations including Radio X, BBC Radio Scotland, and BBC Radio Wales, alongside over ten features and interviews on BBC Radio Sheffield in the last two years. At TEDx Doncaster 2025, Daz brings his voice, his stories, and his passion for music to the stage, embodying the spirit of Human Flourishing through song.
Dr Pretty Basra Basra
I’m a qualified optician, seasoned entrepreneur, and business mentor with over 20 years of experience in the optical and healthcare industries. I own a successful optical practice and lead multiple businesses that empower women in business and healthcare to grow with confidence. My career hasn’t been linear; I’ve faced setbacks, detours, and moments that tested my confidence. But each challenge shaped the leader and mentor I am today. Alongside my professional work, I host a podcast, speak on leadership and entrepreneurship, and mentor female healthcare professionals who are ready to step into their full potential. When I’m not working, I’m a mum of three boys, a travel lover (with a soft spot for Santorini and Mykonos), and an annual Chanel earring collector. I’m also known for my love of R&B music, pearls, and pasta!
Dr Simon Kelly
Dr Simon Kelly is a Lecturer in Marketing and Sales at the University of York. He also has a micro business helping companies stand out from competitors. Simon has been Marketing Director for a large blue-chip company in the UK and the US. He has co-authored two business books focused on helping people improve by working better together. A native of Conisbrough and an ageing rocker, he has a bi-weekly music radio show.
Jamie Warren
Jamie Warren is a professional magician and deceptive artist from Doncaster whose performances blend skill, storytelling, and surprise. His journey into magic began as a challenge to outdo a friend’s card trick, but quickly became a passion and, later, his profession. Inspired by his late grandfather, Jamie honed his craft over years of practice and now performs at weddings, corporate events, and live venues across the region. Specialising in close-up magic, Jamie thrives on creating unforgettable moments right in front of his audience. In recognition of his talent and creativity, Jamie was accepted into The Magic Circle on his first attempt, cementing his place among the UK’s most promising magicians. At TEDx Doncaster 2025 on Sunday, 5th October, Jamie will take to the stage as a solo performer, captivating the audience with his unique brand of magic — reminding us all that wonder, awe, and human flourishing are often found in the most unexpected moments.
Rajnish Madaan
Drawing from his own life as a son of immigrants in the UK, influenced by a rich tapestry of global cultures, Rajnish delves into how narratives have shaped his identity and outlook. He presents storytelling not just as a means of entertainment, but as a vital tool for personal growth and social connectivity.
Rik Courtney
Rik Courtney is a stubborn entrepreneur who’s made peace with failing forward. Admitting he’s not always been great at asking for help or even listening to advice, he’s proven that resilience beats perfection every time. He built Be More Social, the UK’s first and largest award-winning marketing coaching company, and has now reimagined it as Just Ask Rikan enhanced platform offering no-fluff, real-world support for business owners who want to grow loud and lead bold. Rik is also the founder of LION State, a movement redefining how men grow in mind and body.. A published author and unapologetic risk-taker, he lives by the mantra: “It’s better to ask for forgiveness than wait for permission.” Whether he's building businesses or challenging outdated norms, Rik shows up to shake things up and leave them better than he found them.
Ryan Malee
Ryan Malee is a multi-business founder and one of the UK’s most dynamic voices in property, construction, and business resilience. As CEO of Create Property Group, Ryan is driving an ambitious mission to deliver 1,000 new homes in 5 years, blending high-quality development with innovative, scalable strategies that fuel long-term impact. He’s also the creative force behind Seven Studios, a media platform built to power authentic storytelling and help others amplify their message.
