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).

Centennial College, Progress Campus
941 Progress Ave
Toronto, Ontario, M1G 3T8
Canada

Ann Buller

Ann Buller is a visionary leader who has embedded the principles of global citizenship, equity and inclusion into Centennial’s programs and operations. She helped introduce Centennial’s Global Citizenship and Equity Learning Experiences that urge students and staff to make positive social change through meaningful service-learning projects around the globe. Ann is a member of several boards and committees, working tirelessly as an advocate for Centennial and the college system. She is frequently quoted in the media on issues related to post secondary education, leadership, internationalization, and inclusion, and has earned numerous prestigious awards recognizing her leadership excellence and mentoring.

Brandon Love

Brandon Love is a magician, speaker, and author. He’s worked with thousands of people across North America, helping them learn to solve more problems, build better teams, and fulfill their potential, both personally and professionally. Combining awe-inspiring entertainment with experience-derived insights from more than 15 years facilitating leadership workshops, Brandon creates an audience experience you won’t soon forget. He is a certified teacher, hypnotist, and a member of the Academy of Magical Arts at the Magic Castle. He is the co-author of Brainsprouting: How to Become Fearlessly Creative & Have Better Ideas More Often.

Erin Wilson

Erin is currently enrolled in her second year of the Recreation and Leisure Services Program at Centennial College. This will be the fourth program Erin has completed at Centennial since 2012. Erin is also a small business owner who recently launched her 3rd company this past summer. Living on her own since age 16, Erin has faced numerous challenges and trials in her short life but, through resiliency and learning to change her inner dialogue has gone on to find continued success both personally and professionally.

Joanne Dominico

Joanne Dominico is a Learning Strategist at Centennial College’s Morningside Campus. Joanne has over 15 years of experience working in diverse educational settings and has worked with learners of all ages. Joanne first began her career as an Occupational Therapist working in schools across the GTA, in the USA and in Sunny Bermuda. Now also a certified fitness instructor, Joanne first launched Anatomy Boot camp in the summer of 2018 and plans to continue helping students to pass this challenging course while getting fit at the same time!

John Wilson

A software development expert and renewable energy innovator, John Wilson brings 30 years’ experience in technology management to his role as Vice President, Operations at Bullfrog Power, Canada’s leading renewable energy company. A trailblazer in low-carbon living, John, with his family, designed and built their award-winning, sustainable Wilson Natural home in 2001. John has also produced three documentary films about his vision of a solar powered world. John is currently developing solar powered aquaponics systems and food waste up-cycling at his home and farm property.

Melissa Grelo

Smart, sassy, and informed, Melissa Grelo is a Co-Host and moderator of THE SOCIAL, and Contributing Host of CTV’s YOUR MORNING. Prior to these roles, Grelo was a long-time co-host of Canada’s most-watched morning news program, CP24 BREAKFAST, where she anchored and reported on the biggest stories in Canada’s largest news market. Seizing the opportunity afforded to her by these roles, Grelo has successfully positioned herself as a top social media influencer with thousands of followers across all platforms. The mother of an adventurous young daughter, she is active in the community, specifically with the GTA’s youth, and is the Celebrity Ambassador in Canada for The Prince of Wales’s Campaign for Wool.

Najwa Zebian

Najwa Zebian is a Lebanese-Canadian author, speaker, and educator. Her passion for language was evident from a young age, as she delved into Arabic poetry and novels. Since self-publishing her first collection of poetry and prose in 2016, Najwa has become an inspiration to millions of people worldwide. Najwa has become a trailblazing voice for women everywhere and was name-dropped by the New York Times and CBS News among others. Drawing on her own experiences of displacement, discrimination, and abuse, Najwa uses her words to encourage others to build a home within themselves; to live, love, and create fearlessly.

Nick Liu

As Executive Chef/Partner at the critically acclaimed DaiLo and Little DaiLo in Toronto, he is renowned for his delicate handling of bold Asian flavours with traditional French techniques. As an authority on New Asian Cuisine, he is a sought-after guest speaker, TV personality (including Iron Chef Canada) and culinary pundit. Having worked at Michelin star restaurants and owning one of Canada’s top restaurants, Chef Liu has earned numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the culinary world.

Nikita Lebedev

I was born in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1988. Since very early age my love and appreciation for art was growing, thanks to the efforts of my parents. I regularly visited various museums in St. Petersburg, and took classes on archeology, classical art and ethnology. For years I went to classes where I made my own electrical and mechanical toys and besides that took music classes, playing French Horn, as well as biology, choreography, boxing, kung-fu and wrestling. However, my passion for art was the most prominent, so at some point I went to an art school, leaving other classes behind. My love for movies and video games got me interested in SFX and VFX. I’ve always been fascinated by all the creatures, special effects and all the visual work that went into the movies I watched. That’s why contributing to the movie making myself was my dream. In 2004 I got my first 3ds Max book and started teaching myself what I could in 3d modeling, dynamics and animation. In year 2005 I graduated from an art school and from 2005 to 2009 I’ve been studying Animation program at University of Cinema and TV in St. Petersburg, Russia. I finished Digital Animation Program at Centennial College in May 2012 and since then have been working in VFX field. For the first few years I worked as a CG generalist at Crush Inc. At that time I spent most of my free time sculpting both ZBrush and clay, studying anatomy, drawing and painging. In 2015 I went to work at Spin VFX as a 3d Modeler and since the beginning of 2016 I’ve been workin in Mr. X as a Senior Character and Creature artist. Throughout my career I’ve worked on dozens of commercials and similar gigs including 4 opening scenes for TIFF, and CANNES LIONS video sequence. I’ve created various creatures and characters for various movies and TV shows, including The Shape of Water, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, Strain, Godless and others. Currently, I’m working at Mr. X Inc. I also work as a part-time professor at Centennial College, teaching some classes for Digital Animation and DVFX programs. I create sculptures in my free time and have recently opened my sculpture store, where I sell resin kits of my work and some educational materials as well. Some of my work has been published in 3d printing magazines and featured on websites like Stan Winston School and Zortrax.

Shamim Ahmadi

Shamim Ahmadi was born in 1991 in a small village in Central East Afghanistan during the Mujahidin War and grew up when the Taliban were in power. She learned reading and writing in the mosque and started school after the fall of the Taliban. When Ahmadi was a teenager, her family immigrated to Pakistan due to increased violence in Afghanistan. After graduating from a refugee high school in Quetta Pakistan, she came to Canada and lived in Covenant House for six months. In 2014, Ahmadi founded an online organization that supports education for women in Afghanistan. She is currently a nursing student at Centennial College and pursuing her dream to obtain a medical degree while working as a nurse. Her goal is to empower women and help children through education and medicine.

Tahani Aburaneh

She didn’t just break the proverbial glass ceiling. She broke the mold. Tahani Aburaneh is one of Canada’s top real estate moguls, a land developer, a builder and the founder of 4 companies. She is also an international speaker and bestselling author of Real Estate Riches (published by Wiley and Sons). She is a shining female star in a heavily male-dominated industry. But Tahani’s more-than-humble beginnings, are both heart-wrenching and heart-warming at the same time. Tahani was born in a refugee camp. At the tender age of 15, she got an arranged marriage to a man living in Canada (she didn’t speak a word of English when she arrived here). She tenaciously built her career as a single mom of two. Ultimately, her economic contributions to the province were so outstanding, she was recognized with the prestigious Premier’s Award by Colleges Ontario and numerous other awards. Tahani is now trailblazing a new legacy project, the first of its kind in North America called: F.I.R.E www.FemalesInRealEstate.com – a highly specialized application-based mentorship and mastermind program. In addition to a wider free Facebook community for women. F.I.R.E is designed for women who want to build financial independence through real estate. Tahani believes every woman deserves the right to feel financially secure, and she is on a mission to champion as many women as possible.

Trung Ngo

When faced with adversity, why do some people become stronger while others break down? In the past decade, Trung Ngo has been exploring this question while treating people with complex, chronic pain at Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Ngo has worked with leading clinicians and academics in pain rehabilitation and has published research in peer-reviewed journals. In 2017, he founded Novah Healthcare, a community-based clinic that offers an interdisciplinary approach to pain management. He also speaks regularly at public events in his quest to educate the community about chronic pain. Outside of work, he is mastering the art of changing diapers.