In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning
273 Bloor Street West
Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1W2
Canada

Robert Binet/The National Ballet of Canada

One of the top international ballet companies, The National Ballet of Canada, was founded in 1951. A company of 70 dancers with its own orchestra, the National Ballet has been led by Artistic Director Karen Kain since 2005. Renowned for its diverse repertoire, the company performs traditional full-length classics, embraces contemporary work and encourages the creation of new ballets as well as the development of Canadian choreographers. Robert Binet is one of the most exciting choreographers of the new ballet generation. Prior to joining the National Ballet as Choreographic Associate, he was the first-ever Choreographic Apprentice for The Royal Ballet in London. Robert has created works for The Dutch National Ballet, The German National Youth Ballet and Wayne McGregor | Random Dance and has collaborated with indie artists such as Owen Pallett and Belle & Sebastian. In September, Robert will be the first Canadian in over 20 years to create a new ballet for the New York City Ballet.

Spin Cycle (Afiara Quartet & Skratch Bastid)

Spin Cycle is a three-stage, ground-breaking process that curates a full conversation with four of the hottest young composers in Canada (Kevin Lau, Laura Silberberg, Rob Teehan, Dinuk Wijeratne), the internationally award-winning Afiara Quartet, and the renowned scratch DJ, Skratch Bastid. Each composer writes a quartet, Skratch Bastid remixes it, and the composer responds by working the Afiara Quartet back into the mix.

The Soul Motivators

The Soul Motivators are the hottest property in Canadian funk. Formed in 2012 and inspired by a multi-cultural urban lifestyle in downtown Toronto, their repertoire blends funk, soul, hip-hop breaks and psychedelic beat. Featuring numerous veterans of Toronto’s thriving live music scene, they play everything from jazz to reggae and soul – and their wide influences come together to create a unique metropolitan style. 2014 is their biggest year yet; following online EP, ‘Dirt On The Floor’, they released their debut album ‘Free To Believe’ on Do Right Music.

Vanhawks

Vanhawks is a Toronto-based hardware company focused on reshaping the urban commute. As cities become rife with congested streets and overburdened public transportation, Vanhawks equips commuters with the technology to make cycling safer and more readily accessible. The Vanhawks Valour is the first step towards the cycling revolution. Its sensors, navigation and security features reduce the stresses of urban cycling and let commuters enjoy the simple pleasures of a bike ride.

Andrew Peek

Andrew Peek is a serial entrepreneur and angel investor. Having served as a Partner / Co-Founder (Jet Cooper, Pilot) and Director (FreshBooks, Shopify) to some of Canada’s most successful startups, Andrew has been consistently relied upon to chart paths through uncertainty and make predictions on where technology will lead us in the future. He is currently the Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Vox Pop Labs – a data-driven approach to decision-making, the Co-Founder of Next to North – a film production studio operating in Toronto and Vancouver, and the Co-Chair of Camp Reset – a digital detox summer camp for adults.

Brian Cugelman

Brian Cugelman is a Senior Scientist at AlterSpark. Since 1997, Dr. Cugelman has built an extensive career in online social mobilization, digital psychology, research, and training. Brian started his career, using the Internet to promote social and environmental causes, with his early work for the United Nations resulting in recognition from the UN General Assembly. Later, he obtained a PhD in online social change, and published his research in his field’s top scientific journal. Currently, Dr. Cugelman provided expert advice and training on digital psychology.

Jordan Axani

Jordan is a Toronto native and entrepreneur. He made global headlines in 2014 when he posted a simple message on Reddit offering anyone who shared the same name as his previous partner a free plane ticket for a trip around the world. This simple deed of trying to pay it forward earned a shocking 4 billion media impressions. However, the real story began when he ended up in a Hollywood cyclone of media pressure, launching him on a journey rife with challenges. Day to day, Jordan leads two organizations that were created during the viral wave. He is the Founder and Chair of A Ticket Forward, a charity to support at-risk youth through travel, entrepreneurship and mentorship; and, he is the CEO of Seekeasy, a startup that enables travellers to have an on-demand local expert anywhere they go.

Molly Shoichet

Professor Molly Shoichet holds the Canada Research Chair in Tissue Engineering at the University of Toronto. She has published 500+ papers and given 300+ lectures worldwide. She leads a laboratory of 25 and has graduated 168 scientists. She is actively engaged in translational research and science outreach. Dr. Shoichet won the 2015 L’Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science award and holds the Order of Ontario. Her BSc is from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her PhD is from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in Polymer Science and Engineering.

Natalie Panek

Natalie Panek is an aerospace engineer, adventurer, and advocate for women in technology. She works on the next generation of Canadian space robotics at MDA’s Robotics and Automation division. Prior to her position at MDA, Natalie drove a solar powered car across North America, acquired a private pilot’s license, and interned at both NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and NASA’s Ames Research Center. Natalie is the 2013 recipient of the University of Calgary Graduate of the Last Decade Award, one of the Women’s Executive Network 2014 Top 100 Most Powerful Women, and one of Forbes 30 under 30.

Nina Arsenault

Nina Arsenault is a multi¬discipline artist (dance, theatre, video, photography, reality TV and popular print journalism) who has worked nationally and internationally to critical acclaim and controversy, exploring the limits of sex, gender, beauty, the sacred and the profane, as well as the potentials for furthering the rights and dignities of transwomen.

Nina Mažar

Nina Mažar is Associate Professor of Marketing at University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, co-founder and partner at BEworks, and one of “The 40 Most Outstanding B-School Profs Under 40 In The World” (Poets&Quants 2014). Her research focuses on how human behaviour is influenced by seemingly irrelevant cues in the environment, and how to re-design environments to nudge individuals to make better decisions (anywhere from financial decisions to consumption decisions to moral decisions).

Paul Nadeau

Paul Nadeau is a retired and decorated Police Detective, Hostage Negotiator, International Peace Keeper and professional interrogator. Today, Paul is the proud father of two incredible adult daughters, lectures independently, and provides live on-screen consultation to several major news networks as a hostage expert. He recently completed his premier book “Hostage to Myself,” a book dedicated to helping those who have become hostaged to thoughts and beliefs that prevent them from living and enjoying the life they deserve.

Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes, C.M.

As the Pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto, Rev. Hawkes has been at the forefront of ministry to the Gay & Lesbian Community in Toronto. He serves as spiritual leader to a faith community of more than 600 congregants at regular Sunday worship. As well, he has served the community at large with distinction, championing several Human Rights initiatives, especially benefiting the Gay & Lesbian Community.

Talli Osborne

Talli Osborne is a Punk Rock Optimist. Though Talli was born missing her arms and bones in her legs, she was raised with the belief that she could do anything she wanted to, and this determined attitude is exactly how she lives her life. Talli is recognizable in many punk scenes around the world, and for the last four years she's fronted her own melodic-punk band, performing in many landmark venues in Toronto, including The Bovine, Sneaky Dee's and the Kool Haus.

Tarek Ibrahim

Tarek is the founder of Airvinci, an aviation startup. Tarek holds an undergrad degree from University of Toronto and a Masters of Architecture from University of Houston. Having lived in 5 countries and speaking several languages, Tarek brings global experience and understanding to his current pursuit of making the average person’s dream of flight a reality. Curious by nature, Tarek has invented many things, including, most recently, the Airvinci drone, unbreakable lenses and a purist roadster.

Valerie Scott

Valerie Scott is a Sex Worker & Advocate. Valerie Scott always wanted to be a sex worker and has extensive experience in her chosen profession. She is a founding member and legal co-ordinator of Sex Professionals of Canada, a sex worker rights organization. She has been a passionate advocate for her colleague's human, civil, and legal rights for the past 30 years. She has testified at Canada's Senate and at several Parliamentary committees. She has spoken at numerous community meetings, colleges, universities, and conferences about the humanity of sex workers and the need for full decriminalization of adult sex work.

Zahra Ebrahim

Zahra Ebrahim is the principal of the design think tank, archiTEXT, working with Canada’s largest charities, governing bodies, and philanthropic organizations to introduce design and design process to their change-making efforts. She has taught at OCAD University, the Museum of Modern Art, and is currently a faculty member at the University of Toronto. She serves as Chair of the board of Jane’s Walk, and serves on the board of St. Stephen’s House as the Chair of the organization’s advocacy efforts.