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).

Théâtre Capitol Theatre
811 rue Main St
Moncton, New Brunswick, E1C 1G1
Canada

Chen Sun

Digital Marketing Manager

Chen was born and raised in China, where he witnessed and experienced the historical economic transition, and its impact to the society during the last four decades. Afterwards he moved to the east coast of China and earned his first degree in economics and then worked for a multinational consumer goods brand as a marketer. Thanks to this part of his career, Chen was able to observe how the economy works at both the macro and micro level, as well as the behaviours of its participants. Chen came to Canada five years ago and graduated with an MBA degree from the University of New Brunswick. He believes big data and algorithm are the ingredients and catalysts for almost every economic activity in the future. As a result, he taught himself both. As he is getting closer to this new domain of knowledge, he also becomes more aware of its opportunities and limits. Chen is currently the Digital Marketing Manager at a leading technology start-up.

Dawn Arnold

Mayor - Mairesse

Elected as Mayor in May 2016, Dawn Arnold brings a vision to move Moncton forward by building a stronger, more transparent and economically sound City. In her mandate as Mayor, Dawn, in collaboration with Council, will see through the responsible completion of several key projects. She has also committed to keeping City Hall open for businesses and making it easier for local businesses to grow and thrive. A strong advocate of transparency and community engagement, Dawn encourages dialogue with residents on important issues with the goal of building a City where individuals of all backgrounds and income levels can live, work and play. Dawn is a recipient of the Order of New Brunswick, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, the YWCA’s Women of Distinction Award and most recently, two Paul Harris Fellowships. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto and has done further education at Harvard, Université Paul-Valéry and Saint Mary's University (ICD.D).

Jason Capson

Co-Founder / CEO

Jason Capson is a seasoned health, fitness and nutrition expert. He is a certified sports nutritionist; an elite level prep coach and a lifelong learner. He is currently completing courses to obtain his RHN, as well as, naturopath designations. A serial entrepreneur - Jason is co-founder and CEO of Sculpt Health and Wellness Inc (10 locations across the country); the co-founder and owner of Team Chiselled Contest Prep; co-founder and owner of East Coast Athlete (a local sports apparel company) and a Strength and Conditioning coach for the Moncton Magic. Jason is a published writer; a power speaker, and proud father of 2 beautiful girls. In his "spare" time, Jason likes to eat, exercise, and inspire others to be the best they can be.

Joe Grondin

International Inspirational Speaker

Joe Grondin has been busy travelling the globe to pursue his passions. Recent destinations include Malaysia, Washington, and Las Vegas to participate in the Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking. Having qualified six times for the world championships, he has successfully placed in the top 10 on two occasions. Joe is a leader, speaker, speech coach, and mentor. He was recognized by his peers with a career award for Physical Education. Joe’s knowledge and commitment to a healthy lifestyle has inspired him to develop and deliver wellness presentations. Joe’s many years as a teacher, especially with at-risk youth, has fuelled his passion to advocate for children. As a parent and grandparent, Joe encourages an understanding of our youth and methods to foster a positive environment for children and adults. He is the author of the book “Living in Harmony with Our Children” and always cherishes the opportunity to speak to anyone who fights the good fight for our youth.

Karen Biggar BScN RN MN

Sessional Lecturer and Clinical Nursing Instructor

Karen Biggar has over 20 years of experience in health and wellness as a practicing Registered Nurse. Her education includes a Master’s in Nursing with a Teaching Focus from Athabasca University following a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UPEI. Over the past 10 years, Karen has specialized in Mental Health and Addictions in both the teaching and clinical capacity. Karen provides informative sessions that consist of an action-orientated approach. She explains how a self-concept is made up of many areas of one’s self-esteem, and how each area relates and can impact one's experience of stress, anxiety, and depression. These sessions work to repair and grow your strengths in every area in your life important to you. Currently Karen is a Lecturer and Clinical Nursing Instructor with UPEI Faculty of Nursing. She has co-coordinated 2 successful women’s wellness workshops, and currently develops, delivers and facilitates on a number of self-concept educational series sessions for women.

Ken MacLeod

Chief Executive Officer

Ken is President and CEO of the internationally-acclaimed New Brunswick Youth Orchestra. He has lead, over the past fifteen years, the development of what is today known as one of the most accomplishment youth orchestra programs in Canada. Ken is founder of NBYO's Sistema New Brunswick program. Launched in 2009, Sistema NB offers social change and hope to vulnerable children, through music. Sistema NB is expanding annually and now operates nine Sistema NB centers in New Brunswick, serving more than 1,000 children daily, the largest of its kind in Canada. NBYO and Sistema NB is also providing leadership in Canada by presenting national conferences for teachers and leaders and by mentoring others in their efforts to begin Sistema-inspired programs. In 2015 the NBYO received the Prime Minister's Award for Social Innovation for the work and leadership in Canada of its Sistema NB program. Ken is a graduate of Acadia University and Mount Allison University.

Scott Brison

President of the Treasury Board

Dazzled by digital as an investment banker during the dot.com boom, Scott was befuddled as Paul Martin’s Public Works minister when asked to approve unnecessarily complex, multi-million-dollar government IT projects that seemed unrelated to user needs. A decade later, named Treasury Board President by the Honourable Justin Trudeau in 2015, he was disappointed by how little had changed in the murky world of government IT planning and procurement. There’s got to be a better way. Scott Brison leads the Government of Canada Service Strategy, strategic IT/IM policy, drives the government’s focus on results, ensures the efficient functioning of the federal government through government expenditure management, and is the employer of the Public Service. He’s not a technologist but has championed a more robust Government of Canada CIO and creation of the new Canadian Digital Service, while promoting a Public Service ethos of experimentation.

Sistema NB Children’s Youth Orchestra

World-leading, innovative and hope-instilling music education program

The Winds Orchestra features 48 young musicians who are between 10 and 12 years of age. They are all students at Sistema NB's Moncton Centre, in Moncton NB, Canada. In performing at the TED event, the musicians played Waltz No. 2 from Jazz Suite- Dmitri Shostakovich, arr. by Jessica Spencer and Looney Tunes Overturwe- Arr. by Bill Holcombe, Adapted by Jessica Spencer

Tareq Hadhad

CEO

Tareq Hadhad, the founder of Peace by Chocolate and one of the Top 25 Immigrants to The Maritimes moved to Canada in Dec 2015 as a Syrian newcomer. He studied medicine at Damascus University and proceeded to join the medical relief efforts for the Syrian refugees with UNHCR and WHO through a local organisation when he arrived in Lebanon in 2013 as a refugee himself. Passionate about the peace and youth entrepreneurship, and just after arriving in Canada, he and his family started their company “Peace by chocolate” in Antigonish, NS, to sponsor peace building projects and support the local economy by offering jobs. The company later turned into a phenomenon that has inspired so many people around the world and was mentioned at the UN summit in Sep 2016 in New York as a remarkable example for the contributions of the newcomers in their communities. Tareq is also challenging being a physician in Canada, he is getting BSc degree at StFX university to head back to medicine later.

Vanessa Paesani

Principal

Vanessa Paesani launched Amplify East earlier this year because she knows there isn’t a supply problem of inspiring women in Atlantic Canada. Vanessa’s amplifying the stories of inspiring women because she believes diverse and visible role models are critical to the stories we tell ourselves about what's possible. Vanessa’s had a wide-ranging career to date – she’s run a large music festival, sold technical equipment, and led a number of non-profits and initiatives focused on education and empowerment. What all of her work has in common is building internal alignment to amplify results. She’s proud to sit on the board of directors of Venture for Canada – a national organization accelerating entrepreneurship. She believes education leads to empowerment - the key to greater economic and social prosperity.