Theme: Press Play

TEDxUW is back this Fall! This year our theme is "Press Play". We have curated a captivating roster of incredible speakers that will spark deep discussion and connection in the spirit of TED's vision to foster "ideas worth spreading".

In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic and resultant public health measures in place, TEDxUW 2020 will be held virtually and tickets are free!

We hope to see you on October 31st!

Hagey Hall Theatre of the Humanities
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1
Canada

Alishba Imran

Science Prodigy

Alishba is a 17-year-old Machine Learning and Blockchain Developer who was recently named a Young Innovator to Watch at CES. She’s worked with companies such as IBM to develop a platform on Blockchain to track medication and put an end to counterfeit medication in supply chain systems in developing countries. In the past, she’s also interned with the top banks in Canada working on AI enterprise solutions and new product lines for credit analysis. Currently, she’s working with top manufactures in energy storage on a machine learning product to accelerate the testing of energy storage devices from months to days for renewable energy.

Ben Scher

Harm Reduction Worker

Ben works for a local Vancouver non-profit which operates emergency shelters, supportive housing units and supervised consumption sites and in September 2021 is beginning his PhD in the field of Social Policy. In his doctoral research, Ben will be undertaking a global comparative analysis on the ways in which law enforcement and public health agencies could better serve their communities through purposeful collaboration. Acutely aware of the rising overdose rates in many parts of the world, Ben is passionate about producing research and directing policy that can help governments in their efforts to address the complex health, environmental and socio-economic needs of the often homeless community members impacted by the overdose crisis.

Colin Whaley

Medical Student at McMaster University

Colin Whaley is a medical student at McMaster University, health science researcher, community leader, experienced teacher and public speaker. Colin graduated from the University of Waterloo with a BSc in 2018, and MSc(Pharm) in 2020. During undergrad, Colin co-founded the enTECH Computer Club in 2015, which helps older adults, cancer patients and new Canadians in the Waterloo Region learn how to use technology to keep in contact with their families and their communities. Throughout this time, over 150 enTECH volunteers have spent 2000+ hours directly helping people in our community, and contributing to the free tech education resources we have on our website. EnTECH volunteers continue to provide services in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic through a phone- and email-based service, to help people stay connected despite the challenges our society faces.

Elizabeth Moore

Educator and Speaker on Racist Extremism in Canada

From 1992-1995, Elizabeth was one of the few prominent female spokespeople in Canada’s largest white supremacist organization at the time, The Heritage Front. Fortunately, she had a change of heart, and with the help of Bernie Farber and the Canadian Jewish Congress, Elizabeth left the Front in 1995. She has since contributed to numerous anti-racist education and arts initiatives, reaching millions with her story of personal change. In 1998, she consulted on the award winning CBC drama, White Lies, starring Sarah Polley and Lynn Redgrave. Elizabeth continues to be a speaker and educator on racist extremism, and is a member of the advisory board for the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, and the Community Network for Parents for Peace.

John Tukums

Founder of DeepSubconscious.ai Inc., and Host of Happiness 2.02 Podcast

John Tukums is the founder and CEO of DeepSubconscious.ai Inc. and the author of the book Sustaining Happiness, which reached #1 in the Amazon Bestseller List for the Business Management and Leadership Category. He followed his father and grandfather into health care, and through his initiatives, John works with clients to help them take action and seize the day. As the host of Happiness 2.02 Podcast, John interviews world-renowned executives and remarkable leaders so that listeners can apply their wisdom. Through his work and podcast, John focuses on stripping away the fear-inducing language related to breathing and helping clients experience an integrated approach to health, wellness and well-being. His areas of research include using your body to release built-up stress, and on identifying “Grand Canyon thoughts”; thoughts that weigh us down throughout our lives. John is also a Fellow Founder of the inaugural World Happiness Summit in Miami.

Lindsay Gulanes

Somatic Experiencing Practitioner

Through a combination of good luck and hard work, Lindsay Gulanes has moved from a life of accepting that you can’t change once you have been ruined by trauma, to one where not only is change possible, life can actually be filled with goodness beyond what she ever imagined possible. This isn’t true for many survivors of trauma. Lindsay knows how difficult it is to summon the courage to ask for help, and then to invest energy into a lengthy and painful process. In her professional work she uses a multidisciplinary approach for helping a person restore goodness and vitality after trauma. She understands on a personal level that having access to support is vital for the health of our community. Lindsay is the owner of Fearless Heart Yoga, and has a private trauma practice.

Ola Idris

Undergraduate Student at the University of Waterloo

Ola Idris Ali is a Sudanese Black Muslim Woman. She recently immigrated to Canada from Uganda and is currently in her third year studying Political Science & Economics at the University of Waterloo. Her aim is to focus most of what she studies on Africa and its people, including those in the diaspora. She has always been passionate about the bigger picture of everyday life practices as well as how the world shapes our identity. She is currently part of the team behind the newly launched TRAD magazine, a space curated by young writers and explorers aiming to reconnect with our heritage in organic and dynamic ways. Her talk explores how watching the Sudanese revolution back home transformed her world view and how lending her voice to a movement has allowed her to reimagine the world.Her talk will also highlight lessons she learnt and how resistance movements happening around the world are a reflection of the cries of change needed, especially for African People and their Diaspora.