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).

Guelph Little Theatre
176 Morris Street
Guelph, Ontario, N1E 5M5
Canada

Cam Guthrie

Cam Guthrie was elected Mayor of Guelph in 2014, after serving as a Councillor for Ward 4 from 2010 to 2014. A licensed insurance broker and local entrepreneur for 16 years, Cam has served as a speaker and mentor at the Guelph-Wellington Business Enterprise Centre. He holds a business diploma from Sir Sandford Fleming College. In 2008, the Guelph Mercury named him as one of the city’s top “40 Under 40.” An avid community volunteer, Cam has served on the Boards of Michael House, the Guelph Neighbourhood Watch Association, and Guelph Crime Stoppers. He is an accomplished drummer, a supporter of the arts, and a loyal Guelph Gryphons and Guelph Storm fan. Cam’s roots in Guelph stretch back to 1919, when his great-grandfather founded Guthrie’s Bakery on Quebec Street in downtown Guelph. Cam and his wife Rachel are proud parents of two children.

Dr. Andrea Buchholz

Andrea is an Associate Professor in the Dept Family Relations and Applied Nutrition at the University of Guelph. She has taught at all levels, from large first year service courses of 600 to small graduate seminars of 20. Andrea holds a 3M National Teaching Fellowship, Canada’s most prestigious award for excellence in post-secondary teaching and educational leadership. Andrea has also studied, taught and performed improv theatre for over 10 years. In her spare time, she and her dog, Dylan, are a St. John’s Ambulance therapy dog team, and regularly visit residents in a local retirement home.

Fahim Shahriar

The interest started around the young age of 13. Fahim always had a passion for the arts but also talent in technology. Growing up, he would play and experiment with computers, electronics and drawing. As the years passed, Fahim continued to work at his hobby, gaining more experience and often using his skill to help others. With that, Fahim was able to find a way to merge his two interests into one. His hobby began in graphic design and development. A hobby that has now turned into a career for Fahim. With his hobby, Fahim has worked with a basket full of companies and has traveled the world to meet new people and work on new innovations in both design and development. Fahim advocates for using one’s hobbies to create a career. Fahim is currently a 12+ student at Guelph CVI and he plans on studying computer science or user interface design in university.

Helen Stoumbos

Helen was a member of Canada's National Soccer team for 8 years and was a key member of Canada's first ever world cup team in 1995 where she went on to score Canada's first world cup goal. Her career led her to a position in the prestigious Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame in 2008. Helen is also a Wilfried Laurier University Hall of Fame athlete. While attending Laurier, Helen was honoured as a 4 time all Canadian All star and was presented with the Presidents Award for outstanding female athlete of the year a record 3 times. While there, her team won 3 provincial titles and 1 National title.

Leah Robinson

Leah Robinson suffered an injury at birth when her umbilical cord twisted around her neck and caused a depletion of oxygen to her brain. At a very young age, Leah was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Despite this, she is a two-time Paralympian (competed in Beijing in 2008 & London in 2012). She is currently completing her BA in Sociology at the University of Guelph and has aspirations to attend nursing school next fall. She is the current co-captain of the varsity track & field team at the University of Guelph and will race one last indoor season as a proud Gryphon.

Marissa Liu

Marissa is finishing her senior year at Centennial Collegiate Vocational Institute. When not in school, she can be found in the studio hosting Guelph Youth Council’s prime time radio show, rapping all the lyrics to “Baby Got Back”, or working with several of Canada’s non-profits, applying her love for photography, design and film to advocate for some of today’s greatest causes. After spending much of her year leading a team of 35 Canadian youth on a trade mission to Peru and China and representing Canadian industry and culture, Marissa has come back, ready to share her experience about what it means to be a youth in today’s society, as well as how her experience with strengthening Canada’s trade development efforts have taught her the value of personal development.

Sascha Bosse

Sascha Bosse is a former University of Guelph student, and received the YMCA-YWCA Guelph 2016 Women of distinction in the Trades and Labour category.