Theme: "Why not?"

TEDxAshburyCollege is a student-led, independently-organized TEDx event—a local gathering where live and inspiring TED-like talks are shared with our community. Speakers will be exploring this year's theme of "Why not?", discussing topics ranging from the extinction of animals to digital safety and more. An afternoon session (2:00-3:15) and evening session (7:00-8:30) will feature professionals and students giving passionate talks followed by refreshments and a unique opportunity to connect with members of the Ottawa community. Admission is free and all are welcome!

Ashbury College Theatre
362 Mariposa Avenue, Rockcliffe
Ottawa, Ontario, K1M 0T3
Canada

Diana Church

Director of Operation Smile Canada

Diana Church is the National Director of Volunteer, Staff and Community Engagement at Operation Smile Canada. She works with over 130 medical volunteers who give freely of their time to perform surgeries for children born with cleft conditions around the world.

Elizabeth Audette-Bourdeau

CEO and Co-Founder of Welbi

Elizabeth Audette-Bourdeau is a successful entrepreneur who started her first business at 17 years old, and as of today, she has founded three companies. She is now working full time on her latest startup Welbi, a business that helps senior living communities deliver their residents an exceptional and unique life experience through a state-of-the-art recreation platform.

Fahd Alhattab

Leadership Speaker

Fahd Alhattab is a former at-risk immigrant child turned leader and entrepreneur. In his youth, he founded a camp for underprivileged children, raised over a million dollars for local charities, and was awarded Canada’s Top 20 Under 20 Award. He speaks to youth across North America on a mission to build the next generation of global leaders.

Gregg Efraim

Student

Gregg Efraim is a grade eleven student and climate activist.

Jason Dunkerley

Paralympic Athlete

Jason Dunkerley represented Canada at 5 Paralympic Games and is a 5-time medallist in middle-distance track. One of the founding members of the Achilles Ottawa running club for blind athletes, he is a board member with the Ontario Blind Sports Association and a coach with the Ottawa Lions.

Jennifer Flanagan

CEO of Actua

Jennifer Flanagan is the co-founder and CEO of Actua, the largest science, technology, engineering and math outreach organization in Canada. Ms. Flanagan is a national expert in technology education, diversity and inclusion, as well as employability skills for youth.

Jennifer Xu

Student

Jennifer Xu is a grade seven student.

Julian Procter

Student

Julian Procter is a grade seven student.

Kaz Shuji

Student

Kaz Shuji is an Ashbury alumnus who graduated as part of the class of 2017. He is currently a third-year biology student at the University of Ottawa, doing research in zebrafish physiology and behaviour. He is interested in animal behaviour and ecology, and also has a big passion for sports and music.

Paul Thoppil

Assistant Deputy Minister (Asia Pacific)

Paul Thoppil is Assistant Deputy Minister (Asia Pacific). A career highlight was serving as Commercial Minister at the Canadian Embassy to Japan in Tokyo, where he advanced free-trade negotiations with Japan on behalf of the Government of Canada.

Samir Khan

Professor at uOttawa Department of Psychiatry

Neuroscientist Dr. Samir Khan is a University of Ottawa Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry and Health Canada science advisor. He was previously on the research faculty at the University of Michigan Medical School as well as a Senior Science Advisor at Health Canada and is currently with the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch.

Tarek Mounib

Creator and Producer of "Free Trip to Egypt"

Tarek Mounib is the Creator and Producer of "Free Trip To Egypt", an inspiring film and an experiment in kindness where Mounib reaches out to every day Americans who feel threatened by people from the Middle East and offers them a free trip to Egypt. The film has been screened in 500 theaters across the United States and Canada and has triggered the global #PledgeToListen Movement.