Glasswing Hosts TEDx Quetzaltenango: Ideas That Transform, Connect, and Heal
Published on November 7, 2025 by Glasswing
On November 19, 2025, Glasswing International will bring together 10 speakers and more than 350 attendees for TEDx Quetzaltenango, a day-long event celebrating the power of ideas and stories to inspire both individual and collective transformation. The event, to be held in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, will feature speakers from diverse disciplines whose experiences reflect the resilience and creativity that define Latin America and the Caribbean.
In the spirit of connecting mind, body, and community, talks at the TEDx will explore themes ranging from mental health and cultural identity to entrepreneurship, environmental conservation, and collective philanthropy. Through these conversations, Glasswing reaffirms a commitment to creating shared spaces that foster well-being and empathy, where people come together to listen to and engage with one another.
“We believe in the power of ideas to inspire and transform,” said Celina de Sola, Co-founder and President of Glasswing International and TED speaker. “We’re deeply grateful to TED and the TEDx speakers for sharing their expertise, creativity, and voices, the Quetzaltenango community for creating space for these vital conversations, and everyone who is joining us to listen and consider their own perspective on themes and issues that impact us all.”
Visit the link below (in Spanish) to reserve your spot and join us at TEDx Quetzaltenango, in person or virtually. All talks will be held in Spanish.
Voices That Inspire
Each speaker will share a unique perspective on how change begins within each of us and multiplies through community.
Miguel Babo, a content creator from Salamá, Baja Verapaz, Guatemala, uses social media to highlight his country’s culinary culture. He shares recipes, ingredients, and traditions from his village, transforming regional cuisine into a bridge to the world and inviting us to savor the stories hidden in every recipe—a reflection on identity, memory, and the power of sharing who we are.
Carlos Castellanos promotes community-based tourism and sustainability in Guatemala. Through Hacienda del Café in Huehuetenango, he leads tourism experiences that engage and empower communities. His work combines social entrepreneurship, nature, and local identity. At TEDx Quetzaltenango, he will share a story of resilience, change, and transformation.
Cristha Fuentes is a Guatemalan designer who specializes in handcrafted footwear. Founder of her namesake brand, she blends traditional techniques with contemporary design to tell stories through handmade shoes. Her story reminds us that entrepreneurship is not about running faster—it’s about enduring the toughest miles of the journey.
Mario Gómez is a Mexican explorer, ecologist, and founder of the NGO Beta Diversidad, dedicated to the conservation of ecosystems. For more than four decades, he has worked to create public policies and Marine Protected Areas that have become international models for ocean conservation. From his experience in marine preservation, he invites us to look beyond what’s visible and discover that what is essential—in nature and within ourselves—is often unseen, yet sustains all life.
Sara Lomelín (Mexico) is the founder and CEO of Philanthropy Together, a global initiative to scale the collective-giving movement and democratize and diversify philanthropy. She travels the world to share about the power of collective giving, as well as the connection between civic engagement and Latino philanthropy. Her talk is an invitation to believe in the power of the collective. When people come together, generosity becomes transformation.
Ch’umilkaj Nicho, a Kaqchikel singer-songwriter and cultural ambassador, believes that art is a powerful tool for transformation, revolution, and resilience. Her work bridges tradition and modernity, using her songs in Kaqchikel and Spanish to reflect on heritage and collective memory. Through her voice, she reminds us that being a woman, artist, and Indigenous in Guatemala is a radical act of love and courage.
Pedro Rodríguez (Venezuela) is a researcher, educator, writer, and PhD in Psychology with a specialization in Community Mental Health. He has dedicated his career to exploring the relationship between the mind, community, and human narratives. He invites us to reflect on the most profound lessons he has discovered in his practice—insights that can guide us in caring for our minds and relationships.
Federico Roncal is a clinical psychologist and Doctor of Education with more than 30 years of experience in the educational and psychosocial fields in Guatemala. He has dedicated his career to strengthening teacher training, mental health, and socioemotional education in diverse communities across the country. In his talk, he will share how suicide prevention does not rely solely on specialists, but also on the power of human connection.
Fernando Us (Guatemala) is a Maya K’iche’ spiritual guide, war survivor, LGBTQ+ activist, and human rights defender advocating for the rights and visibility of Indigenous peoples. His voice preserves and shares the memory of his community, reminding us that what we live through shapes who we become.
Lesly Villagrán, a 19-year-old Maya K’iche’ writer and community leader from Guatemala, promotes pride in heritage through literature and culture. She was recently named Hija del Pueblo de Xelajú in celebration of the identity and culture of the Maya K’iche’. Lesly invites us to reconnect with our roots and discover the power of knowing where we come from.
Ideas can change the world—and this is your space to share them. To join us virtually or in person, please visit the link below.
Beyond the Event
TEDx Quetzaltenango reflects Glasswing International’s commitment to well-being and social transformation. Through initiatives in education, health, and community development, Glasswing creates programs and spaces for people to connect with their sense of purpose and the world around them. By strengthening public systems and collaborating with local actors, we’re working to build a world where everyone can become a catalyst of lasting positive change.
The event embodies this vision: a community where ideas turn into action, and collective well-being becomes a shared goal.
