Youth@Vaughan
x = independently organized TED event

Theme: Made in the Future

This event occurred on
November 16, 2015
9:00am - 1:00pm EST
(UTC -5hrs)
Vaughan, Ontario
Canada

On November 16, 2015, 6 AMAZING ACHIEVERS shared their ideas, thoughts and journey of what ignited The Spark in them that helped them to accomplish the success they have today.
TEDxYouth@Vaughan mission is to create a platform in Greater Toronto Area for young people to celebrate Ideas Worth Spreading locally.

City Playhouse Theatre
1000 New Westminster Drive
Vaughan, Ontario, L4J 8G3
Canada
Event type:
Youth (What is this?)
See more ­T­E­Dx­Youth@­Vaughan events

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check event website for more information.

Calvin Rieder

Student / Engineering at the University of Toronto
Calvin has created solutions combining sustainable environmental engineering innovation with social justice to increase access to clean water for those in greatest need. His systems produce potable water from air and convert non-potable water to potable. Calvin has received numerous awards at regional, national and international science fairs, including those in the categories of engineering innovation, sustainability and environmental management. He has also received recognition from the Organization of American States for contribution to the Americas. As a member of the World Youth Parliament for Water, a partner of UN Water, Calvin helps to raise awareness and promote universal access to water and sanitation. He is also an advocate for social justice in other areas and has received several awards recognizing these efforts.

Dan Blackburn

Founder of National Training Centres
Dan Blackburn is a dad, coach, author of ‘17 Stories that will Shock you, Rock you and Inspire you,’ Founder of National Training Centres, an elite hockey training centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. As a young man, Dan felt virtually invincible when envisioning his success. He worked hard and focused intently on his dreams. As he grew older and ventured into the “real world”, he began to lose his drive and allowed fear to stop him in his tracks. He found himself failing over and over again until one day he hit rock bottom: jobless, living in a room he rented from a friend with no savings or business experience; struggling in his personal relationships and too afraid to ask anyone for help. He realized then that if he was ever going to succeed, he needed more than just a dream and the willingness to work hard; he needed a plan and the commitment to execute regardless of challenges and fears. The realization transformed him from a dreamer into a doer.

Lauren Reid

Student / Engineering Science at the University of Toronto
Lauren Reid was an award-winning researcher competing at national and, as a member of Team Canada, international science fairs. Her eureka moment was in grade 7 when she saw her first wind turbine: it was tall and graceful, but also idle, on a windy day. That didn't make sense, and Lauren set out to change the situation. She invented a new blade that triples the amount of energy generated by a wind turbine and developed a new compound for electrochemical storage of clean energy. Using both, the world's 90,000 wind turbines would triple their clean energy output and store it in electrochemical storage banks making it available 'on demand' to consumers. She is studying Engineering Science at the University of Toronto and is a strong and vocal advocate for encouraging youth to get involved in science and engineering and has been writing articles and speaking to students since 2008.

Leanne Prendergast

Student / Human Rights and Equity Studies at York University
Leanne Prendergast, is Founder and President of Love Our Lives, a not for Profit Organization that supports healing and restoration for girls and women who have experienced bullying in the school, in relationships and within the workplace. She is the recipient of the Attorney General’s Victim Services Award of Distinction, the Louise Russo W.A.V.E. Award and has received numerous awards, scholarships and recognition for her work in community development. Leanne is also the co-author of a self-help book called, Getting to Know Me.

Una Wright

Founder / Team Coach YouthSpeak Performance Charity
Una has been training youth in leadership skills for over 20 years. She founded YouthSpeak Performance Charity in 2004 which was inspired by personal experience within her own family. Through her vision for YouthSpeak and her personal journey, she works towards creating a safe space for people to Speak Inspire Change by helping to turn life challenges into something meaningful that pays-it-forward to others.

William-John Bujold

Youth Speaker
Will has been a youth speaker for the past 5 years sharing his personal story to inspire and motivate others to make changes. With each speech he delivers, he hopes to encourage the betterment of change within at least one individual.

Organizing team

Nazila
Akbari

Toronto, ON, Canada
Organizer

Ramina
Sotoudeh

Abu Dhabi / Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Co-organizer
  • Arshia Sotoudeh
    Team member