Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – 02 September 2025: Rateel Alshehri, the 14-year-old Saudi podcaster, public speaker, and youth advocate, is set to make history as the youngest to ever MC a TEDx event. With an audience of over 4,000 attendees at TEDxAmman, Rateel will bring her signature energy, authenticity, and vision to one of the world’s most renowned platforms for ideas and inspiration.
Rateel’s achievement not only cements her place as a trailblazing voice of Generation Alpha but also highlights her growing influence as a thought leader shaping the conversations that matter to today’s youth.
This milestone follows the release of Rateel’s recent podcast episode, which addressed the silent pressures students face during the back-to-school season. Joined by a senior clinical psychologist, Rateel explored the overlooked mental readiness of students, tackling issues such as anxiety, identity, and societal expectations.
“Everyone asks if we’re physically ready for school, but no one asks if we’re mentally ready,” said Rateel Alshehri. “Standing on the TEDx stage will help me ensure that young voices are not just heard—they are needed. I want to use this platform to remind students that their wellbeing matters as much as their grades.”
Saudi Arabia’s youngest trailblazer continues to break barriers as she recently shared the stage with global philanthropist and tech visionary Bill Gates at the Misk Global Forum 2024 in Riyadh. Rateel was selected to deliver the keynote opening speech, captivating the audience with her vision for empowering youth and introducing Gates, who headlined the forum.
Alshehri also took part in the iktva Forum, organized by Saudi Aramco, which witnessed the signing of 145 agreements and MoUs worth SAR 33.75 billion to boost local content. The forum was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Energy, who underscored the importance of localizing supply chains to strengthen the national economy.
In addition, she made her presence felt at the Biban Forum, one of the Kingdom’s most important gatherings for entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers. The forum brought together leaders, startups, and investors to explore opportunities for growth and foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.
Through these impactful appearances, Rateel Alshehri continues to amplify the voice of Saudi youth, showcasing the ambition and creativity of a generation determined to shape the future.
As the founder and host of Rateel Alpha Talk, Rateel is on a mission to inspire curiosity, courage, and self-awareness among her peers. With over millions of followers on social media, she is driving conversations around education, mental health, sustainability, and innovation—aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of empowering youth to lead the Kingdom’s transformation.
Join Rateel Alshehri at the TEDxAmman Conference — The Power of Why. Under Amman’s sky, inside the 2,000-year-old Roman Theater, Rateel will take the stage alongside global voices, inspiring 4,000+ dreamers, builders, and doers for an unforgettable night of ideas. For more information, visit https://shorturl.at/Jl12j