Founder and producer Ted Habte-Gabr was born and raised in Ethiopia, the son of an Eritrean doctor and a Palestinian nurse.

After emigrating to the U.S. in 1985, Ted earned a degree in engineering from the University of Iowa, though his passion was chairing the University’s lecture series. He began his career in the vertical transportation business, where he worked in business development, skills he next applied in the earliest days of the online learning space. While consulting with colleges and non-profits on the creation of live event experiences, he dreamt of launching his own business.

In 2010, he did. Live Talks Los Angeles is the culmination of Ted's lifetime love of conversation, oratory and community.

In Ted’s spare time, he serves as the volunteer manager for the Rock Bottom Remainders, a musical group comprised of some of the most best-selling authors of all time who play music for charity—badly.