Theme: It's About Time

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).

Great Hall, Parliament Buildings
Stormont
Belfast, Antrim, BT4 3XX
United Kingdom

Adele Doherty

Operations Manager, Alzheimer's Society

Adele Doherty is Regional Operations Manager for the Alzheimer's Society in Northern Ireland with 20 years experience of volunteering and working in the third sector. Adele has both a personal and professional insight into dementia and the challenges that it brings and is passionate about sharing information about the small changes each of us can make to support our friends and neighbours to live well with dementia. Hailing from Blackpool in Lancashire, via Hertfordshire and Dubai, she has made her home in Omagh, Co. Tyrone with her husband and three lively little boys. @AlzSoc_Adele

Amanda St John

Soulful Singer and Songwriter

Amanda St John is a soulful singer-songwriter from Co. Antrim. She is a mainstay on the Irish radio, festival and gig circuit and has been described as "An incredible vocal performer and songwriter" by BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean. Her debut album 'Grow' was launched in May 2016 and has received rave reviews and worldwide airplay. She has worked with artists like Brian Kennedy, Duke Special, Ciaran Gribbin (of INXS) and Jon Tiven. She also works in the community and charity sectors as a motivational coach and music mentor. @amandastjohn

Carrie Montgomery

Suicide Prevention Professional

Carrie is Contact Deputy CEO, the NI regional charity specialising in suicide prevention with a vision of society free from suicide. Twenty years ago Carrie suffered the loss of three close teenage friends to suicide. Making sense of her suicide bereavement saw Carrie follow a career in crisis counselling. Carrie led the initial Lifeline pilot exemplar project. The Lifeline crisis counselling service evolved as a core element to the first decade of the NI Protect Life suicide prevention strategy. Carrie is a strong advocate for Zero Suicide, commencing with health care systems. She is passionate that every suicide is preventable…with the right support, at the right time. @carriemo_gomery

Claire Sugden

Justice Minister

Justice Minister Claire Sugden is an Independent MLA representing the East Londonderry constituency. Claire is the only Independent member of the Northern Ireland Assembly and the first Independent to hold Ministerial office. At 29 she is the youngest Minister in the Executive with Departmental responsibility. Claire is an alumnus of the Washington Ireland Program when she worked within the US government in the Department of Health and Human Services in 2010. Claire is a passionate advocate for her constituents and works closely with many community and voluntary sector groups locally. She is particularly concerned with helping vulnerable people and those with learning disabilities.Her priorities in the Department of Justice include tackling domestic violence, rural crime and crimes against the elderly. She also wants to reduce the numbers of young people and people with mental health issues coming into contact with the criminal justice system. ‎

Dorcas Crawford

Lawyer and Innovator

Dorcas has been Senior Partner in Edwards & Co Solicitors since 2005 and has managed the firm through the changing landscape of legal services, using innovative methods to develop the practice and winning several awards for her approach to business. In 2014 she launched the highly successful #Belfasthour, a Twitter initiative for SME’s to network and promote each others businesses, free of charge. In 2015 Dorcas launched a unique service for conflict management, ‘The Better way’. Through this service Dorcas brings her mediation and facilitation skills to senior management teams and board members in commercial and third sector organisations, as well as conducting workplace and commercial mediations. The Better Way provides education, facilitation and mediation services to prevent, diagnose and resolve disputes. @CrawfordDorcas

Eileen Mullan

Governance Practitioner

Eileen Mullan is founder of Strictly Boardroom. A Governance Practitioner supporting boards and CEOs to maximise their boardroom effectiveness. Servant to four rescue dogs, Jake, Woody, JJ and Jess. Eileen current Non-Executive Director roles within the third and public sectors are: Chair of Age NI, Member of Northern Ireland Committee for the Big Lottery Fund, Health and Care Professions Council and Southern Health and Social Care Trust. She holds an MSc in Management and Corporate Governance and an IoD Diploma in Company Direction. A champion for boardroom diversity and a believer in anything is possible. Constantly frustrated by the phrase ‘these things take time’. @strictlyboardrm

Joyce Ferder Rankin

Award-winning Photojournalist

Joyce Ferder Rankin LRPS is an award-winning photojournalist who has worked for many of the world’s top broadcasters. As one of the few women to work as a cameraperson/video editor in conflict areas, her assignments included the Falklands, Persian Gulf and Bosnian Wars. Originally from Philadelphia she settled in Northern Ireland in 1999. Her recent travels to Antarctica and the Arctic to document the effects of climate change on wildlife and landscape are the subject of her photographic/video exhibition and book “DEGREESº”. Joyce’s awards include 2 Emmys for TV News coverage and a distinction by the Royal Photographic Society. @jfrankinphotos

Julia and Jean-Pierre De Villiers

Peak Performance Coach and Entrepreneur

Julia Cameron De Villiers is an entrepreneur, speaker, jewellery designer and author. She is the creator of the Julia Cameron lifestyle brand where she exercises her passions through her blog, social media channels, jewellery lines, recipes and health tips. Julia runs transformational events and retreats around the world with her husband Jean-Pierre De Villiers. Jean-Pierre De Villiers is a Peak Performance Coach, International speaker and best selling author. JP as he is known, teaches people how to become the best version of themselves so they can have more energy, confidence, freedom and success to genuinely live an extraordinary life.

Kaja Choma

Health Advocate

Kaja Choma, fitness trainer, health advocate and personal growth enthusiast. She uses her background in psychology and fitness to empower people around her to take ownership of both psychological and physical aspects of their health. Relocated from native Oświęcim to Dungannon in 2005, she is an aspiring young entrepreneur who created Zdrowy (meaning healthy) Lifestyle, a Polish fitness initiative that aims to build a supportive and nurturing environment for her Native Polish in Northern Ireland. A finalist in the Worldskills UK Championship, she uses her fitness knowledge and life experience to spread positive energy and encourage others to embrace their uniqueness. @KajaChoma

Lady Portia Di'Monte

Radio Presenters and Drag Queen

Lady Portia Di'Monte AKA Marcus Hunter-Neill after spending 17 years trying to be an overnight success, struggling to read or spell due to severe dyslexia and suffering humiliating and cruel bullying, Marcus stared out by working with children who have special needs. He moved into the performing arts, and there his alter-ego Lady Portia Di'Monte was born. In a 'Sliding DooAfter spending 17 years trying to be an overnight success, struggling to read or spell due to severe dyslexia and suffering humiliating and cruel bullying, Marcus stared out by working with children who have special needs. He moved into the performing arts, and there his alter-ego Lady Portia Di'Monte was born. In a 'Sliding Doors' moment, he moved into cosmetics where he ran a cancer charity called 'Look Good Feel Better' for ten years. Now he is the first openly gay radio presenter on BBC Radio Ulster, winning a PPI Radio Award for 'Best Newcomer' and fronting his own show on the network. @LadyPandMe

Lindsay Robinson

Postnatal Depression Campaigner

Lindsay is wife to Gavin and mum to Reuben, who's 3 years old and creator of www.haveyouseenthatgirl.com sharing stories of Postnatal Depression and campaigning for better Perinatal Mental Health support and services, in the UK. Delighted to be the Maternal Mental Health Ambassador for NIAMH Charity, Northern Ireland and part of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, who run the #everyonesbusiness campaign, she is a major American Country Music fan and she eats tomato ketchup with everything! @Robinson_Linds

Niall Downey

Surgeon and Airline Pilot

Niall qualified as a doctor from Trinity College, Dublin in 1993. He trained as a surgeon in Belfast and received his FRCSI in 1997 before returning to Dublin where he worked in the National Cardiac Surgery Unit. He subsequently retrained as an airline pilot with Aer Lingus in 1999 and combined aviation with medicine by working as an Accident & Emergency doctor for six years before focusing fully on aviation. After operating as a co-pilot on both the European and Trans-Atlantic fleets, he qualified as a captain in 2010 and is currently operating out of their Belfast base on the A320 fleet. In 2011, he formed Frameworkhealth Ltd, a company providing aviation safety training modified specifically for healthcare which draws on his twenty-five years of experience between both industries. @nialldowney

Nuala Davies

Actor, Singer, Burlesque Dancer, Writer and Teacher

A recent graduate of Queens University Belfast, Nuala Davies works within the creative sector in Northern Ireland. Performing as an Actor, Singer, Burlesque Dancer, Writer, Teacher and much more she has been based within Belfast for the last five years, coming from Portrush on the North coast of Northern Ireland. Nuala works actively with numerous theatre companies in Belfast, The Cabaret Supperclub and Gogirl, a local female creative collective that aims to empower and network women in Northern Ireland. Alongside this she works closely campaigning for animal and ethical rights through her work with LUSH. Nuala predominantly enforces creative togetherness and safe spaces in which open and honest and open discussions can happen. @nualadavies