Theme: Unmask the Magic

There's a human impulse to look beyond.

It exists within you, and those around us.
It is the urge of curiosity, and the pleasure of the payoff.

We dig, we reveal and dig further. We find intrinsic truths. Unmasked, then we are wowed.

That desire has us look up to the cosmos,
beyond the facade of stars for answers to deaths,
or inside a cell for an answer to life itself.

Behind the mask is something that changes us,
It sparks us, it dazzles us.

The magic is here.

At TEDxSFU, we will Unmask the Magic.

The Centre for Performing Arts
777 Homer St.
Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 0H3
Canada

Carleen Thomas & M'Girl Music Group

Carleen Thomas is an educator and former council member for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. In 2021, she was appointed Chancellor of Emily Carr University. Ms. Thomas is currently the Special Projects Manager for the Treaty, Lands and Resources department at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Prior to this position, she served eight two-year terms as an elected council member for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, in which she held the Community Development portfolio covering health and education. Ms. Thomas holds a bachelor’s degree in education from UBC and has previously worked for the North Vancouver and Burnaby school districts as a district resource teacher in Indigenous education. M'Girl is a collective of Indigenous women with stories and songs about the gifts received from Mother Earth. M’Girls’ percussive-based hand drum songs, blend their harmonies into a contemporary style reflecting their expertise of voice and their personal story of home. Led by Renae Morriseau, their music reflects their cultural worldviews held respectfully by each M’Girl living in the urban world of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tlseil-Waututh peoples: Deanna Gestrin, Tiare Laporte, Cheri Maracle and Renae Morriseau.

Chris Wilson

Former Helicopter Pilot & Career Coach

Chris Wilson, a former Helicopter Pilot and Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, has always had a taste for adventure and a drive to make a difference. With two published books and a past in competitive fitness, he's no stranger to pushing boundaries. Today, Chris has transitioned his passion into a Career Coaching business. His mission is to guide and empower young professionals through career transitions and changes, helping them discover pathways that not only ignite their joy but also create a lasting impact. A dedicated Mentor in the Entrepreneurship program at the University of British Columbia, Chris shares his insights and experiences to inspire the next generation of innovators and leaders.

Hayley Honeyman

ADHD Advocate & Internet Personality

Hayley is a Vancouver-based Internet Personality with over half a million followers across platforms. She focuses her content on ADHD, Autism and Mental Health Awareness, all while being goofy, comedic and her authentic self. Hayley also runs virtual programs around Mental Health for adults. With hundreds of attendees from around the world each month, she is working towards creating global change around how we manage our mental health as individuals and in workplaces. Hayley spends her time outside of her advocacy work reading, writing music, rock climbing and practicing wellness and mindfulness practices to continually improve her own mental health. You can find Hayley on her socials @hayleyhoneyman

Janice Bannister

Psychiatric Nurse & Stand Up Comedian

Janice is a stand-up comic and a former Psychiatric Nurse. She owns Laughter Zone 101, a stand-up comedy and storytelling school. Janice is known as the Comedy Mamma to over 1586 comedy students. Janice has performed, for over 20 years on the comedy circuit, along with corporate gigs for businesses and social groups. She has produced numerous comedy shows and plays. Janice says “I love what I do. I get people out of their comfort zone; I get to share laughter with so many people.” Janice has won BC’s Funniest Female twice, was a Finalist in the Jeannie Robertson worldwide comedy competition, she has performed for Just for Laughs, CBC, CTV, and the Women’s Network. Vancouver Sun featured her in the Business Section for the joys and struggles of being in the Laughter Business.

Kurt the Violinist

Clutching his violin and brimming with boundless talent, Kurt is an extraordinary musician captivating the hearts of his audience. Through his inventive performances, he defies the constraints of traditional genres, infusing each note with his personal artisty. His videos showcase not only his virtuosity but also his genuine love for the violin, creating a magnetic connection with viewers. Kurt's dedication to classical beauty fused with contemporary creativity stands out, making him a sensation on TikTok. His journey exemplifies the power of artistry and innovation, attributing to his success as a one-of-a-kind musician.

Micky Papa

Tokyo 2020 Olympian & Pro Skateboarder

Micky Papa is from right here in Vancouver Canada and has made his way from the Canadian national skate scene on to the global scale. Micky is well known for his innovative technical skate style, coming up with never been done tricks and always pushing his game to the next level. Skating has brought him everywhere from the Olympics to the TEDx stage right here in front of you. His love for skating has extended into a passion for wellness and nutrition. He currently holds a diploma in nutrition and is always thriving to broaden his knowledge. Aside from skating you can find him on the sunny beaches of California surfing or playing volleyball with friends.

Noel Bentley

Noel is an accomplished speaker who specializes in educational workshops and entertaining performances. He has appeared before audiences as a speaker, trainer, emcee, humorist and storyteller. Noel’s creative approach to presenting guarantees that his audiences will experience something fresh and memorable. Seminars and workshops he has created and delivered include speechwriting, presentation training, delivering feedback that motivates, harnessing the power of humour and modern leadership. Noel’s experience includes many years working with nonprofit organizations creating programs in communication, art and employment.

Parmida Beigi

Amazon AI Tech Lead

A true AI and Machine Learning visionary, Amazon Alexa’s Senior AI Scientist and Research Science Lead, and a tech influencer with a community of over 500K learners. With an insatiable passion for Generative AI and Machine Learning, Parmida is a force to be reckoned with. Her journey in the world of technology has been nothing short of remarkable, and her dedication to demystifying AI and inspiring others to embrace its potential is truly impressive. Parmida is committed to promoting AI literacy and responsible development, actively demystifying AI/ML and data science, and sharing solutions that harness the power of AI, including LLMs and Generative AI, for positive impact. Parmida challenges the status quo by advocating for AI literacy as a crucial skill in today's world, making it more accessible to a broader community. Her passion lies in helping individuals overcome misconceptions about AI and embrace the technology shaping their lives.

Paul Falkowski

Past TEDxSFU Speaker, now Executive Producer, Paul Falkowski welcomes the audience to TEDxSFU 2023: Unmask the Magic. Paul is an Entertainer turned Educator. Prior to teaching, he spent a decade entertaining audiences through educational tours, cross-country marketing campaigns, and even on Top 40 radio airwaves. He now teaches Drama and English in BC Canada, and often finds himself intermixing the same lessons while leading meditations for non-profits and outdoor festivals. He is passionate about getting people to step into their personal power as speakers, leaders, and human beings. His own talk The Unexpected Promise of a Drama Classroom can be viewed here: https://www.ted.com/talks/paul_falkowski_the_unexpected_promise_of_a_drama_classroom

Rob Roy Mackenzie & Kelsi Sheren

TEDxSFU 2023: Unmask the Magic took place on November 11, 2023. In honour of Remembrance Day in Canada, organizers invited the following two guests to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty. Major-General, retired, Rob Roy MacKenzie is a graduate of US Army Ranger School, the Joint Reserve Command and Staff Course-Canadian Forces College, US Reserve Components National Security Course-National Defence University, Washington DC, the Combined Joint Force Land Component Commander’s Course at the US Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and the Public Executive Program at Queen’s University. Following his command of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, Major-General MacKenzie deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 to serve in a key position as Officer. Commanding the Operational Coordination Centre-Provincial, as part of the Joint Task Force Afghanistan Headquarters in Kandahar. On return to Canada he served simultaneously as Assistant Chief of Staff-Operations 39 Canadian Brigade Group and Director of the Regional Liaison Officer Program-Joint Task Force Pacific. Shortly after promotion to Colonel on September 7th, 2010, he was selected nationally for a second deployment to Afghanistan, where he served until the end of 2011 with the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan as the Senior Advisor to the Afghan Border Police. On May 27th, 2012, he was appointed Commander 39 Canadian Brigade Group. He was promoted to Brigadier-General on September 11th, 2013 and appointed Deputy Commander 3rd Canadian Division. He was appointed as the Chief of Staff Army Reserve at Canadian Army Headquarters in September 2015. He was promoted to his current rank on April 26th, 2019 and appointed to his final post of Chief of Reserves for the Canadian Armed Forces. Major-General MacKenzie’s awards include Officer of the Order of Military Merit, the General Campaign Star-Southwest Asia with 3 bars, the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal, the Canadian Forces Decoration, the Police Exemplary Service Medal, and Chief of Defence Staff Commendation. Kelsie Sheren, CEO of Brass & Unity and author of "Brass and Unity, One Woman’s Journey Through the Hell of Afghanistan and Back," is a formidable Canadian veteran who served across Canadian, American, and British military forces as an Artillery Gunner & CST in 2009 in Afghanistan. From childhood, she emerged as a competitive Tae kwon do champion, securing a second-degree black belt & National Championship title by 19. Following her intense Afghan tour, Kelsie confronted her own battles, diagnosed with PTSD & TBI, but she discovered solace in art therapy, ingeniously crafting jewelry from spent bullet casings. This birthed Brass & Unity, a renowned jewelry and eyewear brand, channeling 20% of net profits to aid veterans grappling with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and suicide. Notably nominated for prestigious awards, the brand found favor among celebrities like Kevin Hart, Ellen, Michael Buble, and Julianne Hough, and received widespread media coverage. Kelsie's impactful journey sparked the creation of the Brass & Unity Podcast, a top-ranked global show delving into mental health and extraordinary stories of resilience, featuring acclaimed individuals from various domains. Committed to aiding veterans, Brass & Unity significantly contributed to multiple veterans' charities and initiatives, amplifying their impact through a cascade of donations and partnerships. The convergence of Kelsie's inspiring book release, upcoming film adaptation, and her alliance with "Support Our Troops”, “Boot Campaign" underscores her relentless dedication to veterans' well-being, solidifying her legacy as a force for positive change.

Rob Roy Mackenzie & Kelsie Sheren

Major-General, retired, Rob Roy MacKenzie is a graduate of US Army Ranger School, the Joint Reserve Command and Staff Course-Canadian Forces College, US Reserve Components National Security Course-National Defence University, Washington DC, the Combined Joint Force Land Component Commander’s Course at the US Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and the Public Executive Program at Queen’s University. Following his command of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, Major-General MacKenzie deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 to serve in a key position as Officer. Commanding the Operational Coordination Centre-Provincial, as part of the Joint Task Force Afghanistan Headquarters in Kandahar. On return to Canada he served simultaneously as Assistant Chief of Staff-Operations 39 Canadian Brigade Group and Director of the Regional Liaison Officer Program-Joint Task Force Pacific. Shortly after promotion to Colonel on September 7th, 2010, he was selected nationally for a second deployment to Afghanistan, where he served until the end of 2011 with the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan as the Senior Advisor to the Afghan Border Police. On May 27th, 2012, he was appointed Commander 39 Canadian Brigade Group. He was promoted to Brigadier-General on September 11th, 2013 and appointed Deputy Commander 3rd Canadian Division. He was appointed as the Chief of Staff Army Reserve at Canadian Army Headquarters in September 2015. He was promoted to his current rank on April 26th, 2019 and appointed to his final post of Chief of Reserves for the Canadian Armed Forces. Major-General MacKenzie’s awards include Officer of the Order of Military Merit, the General Campaign Star-Southwest Asia with 3 bars, the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal, the Canadian Forces Decoration, the Police Exemplary Service Medal, and Chief of Defence Staff Commendation. Kelsie Sheren, CEO of Brass & Unity and author of "Brass and Unity, One Woman’s Journey Through the Hell of Afghanistan and Back," is a formidable Canadian veteran who served across Canadian, American, and British military forces as an Artillery Gunner & CST in 2009 in Afghanistan. From childhood, she emerged as a competitive Tae kwon do champion, securing a second-degree black belt & National Championship title by 19. Following her intense Afghan tour, Kelsi confronted her own battles, diagnosed with PTSD & TBI, but she discovered solace in art therapy, ingeniously crafting jewelry from spent bullet casings. This birthed Brass & Unity, a renowned jewelry and eyewear brand, channeling 20% of net profits to aid veterans grappling with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and suicide. Notably nominated for prestigious awards, the brand found favor among celebrities like Kevin Hart, Ellen, Michael Buble, and Julianne Hough, and received widespread media coverage. Kelsi's impactful journey sparked the creation of the Brass & Unity Podcast, a top-ranked global show delving into mental health and extraordinary stories of resilience, featuring acclaimed individuals from various domains. Committed to aiding veterans, Brass & Unity significantly contributed to multiple veterans' charities and initiatives, amplifying their impact through a cascade of donations and partnerships. The convergence of Kelsi's inspiring book release, upcoming film adaptation, and her alliance with "Support Our Troops”, “Boot Campaign" underscores her relentless dedication to veterans' well-being, solidifying her legacy as a force for positive change.

Sumaiya Tufail

Undergraduate Slam Poet & Consultant

Sumaiya Tufail is a philanthropist, community activist, and poet from Surrey, British Columbia. She's known for her powerful spoken word poems and philanthropic efforts empowering women and girls in Kenya. She has her own consulting business that helps non-profit organizations grow and is also finishing her undergraduate degree in International Studies at Simon Fraser University. Currently she is the president of the SFU Slam Poetry Club.

Tiara Cash

Mindfulness Practitioner & PhD Student

Born and raised in Memphis, TN, Tiara is a Black woman with an Indigenous heritage (non-enrolled Chahta and Tsalagi descendant) with cultural roots in India. She uses these ethnic and cultural connections to inform and curate the Equitable Mindfulness Framework, which is meant to support mindfulness practice and conversations across social differences. Featured on NPR (National Public Radio) as an expert in mindfulness and social justice, Tiara is also a certified Koru Mindfulness Instructor with a 20-year personal practice of mindfulness and meditation. Academically, Tiara has been granted scholarships, grants, and awards for her work with mindfulness in the student-athlete population, mindfulness, equity/social justice, and creating transformative art with a foundation of mindful practice. For the last 5 years, she has been invited internationally to present on her research involving mindfulness and overlooked populations and utilizing community for life transitions.

Trek of Arts

Trek of Arts (TOA) from Vancouver, Canada, is all about nurturing your artistic potential. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting your creative journey, they invite everyone to explore and discover their unique artistry, spanning movement, music, design, voice, and more. Art is a huge part of life. It's a necessary part of life. This is them performing at TEDxSFU 2023: Unmask the Magic.

Ven Virah

Ven Virah is an award-winning motivational speaker, a global corporate director, and an MBA student at SFU. In these roles, Ven brings people together, empowers them to feel alive, and encourages them to think differently. As a certified laughter yoga instructor, Ven has received raving reviews for successfully lifting the energy in academic, public, and corporate environments. Today, Ven will unmask the magic of laughter! Get ready to laugh like you’ve never laughed before! Ven will initiate laughter exercises where you will laugh without relying on humour, jokes, or comedy. Ven will also draw on storytelling and breathwork to invoke your expression and imagination. Within minutes, you will reclaim joy, release stress, and truly feel the present moment.

Vladimir Kanic

Multidisciplinary Artist & Environmentalist

Vladimir Kanic is the creator of living algae sculptures that use spectators’ breath as food and convert it into oxygen while mitigating the effects of the global climate emergency. His world-building practice imagines the living sculptures as beacons of a decarbonised future, where social and climate justice are collaborative public acts as essential as breathing. Kanic’s art practice is informed by his maritime heritage and free diving experience. He uses diving and breathing to access his cultural, ancestral, and personal worlds while exploring memories of the Earth’s geological time deposited within the bodies of living algae. As Earth’s principal carbon sinks, algae produce approximately 70% of planetary oxygen while consuming gasses produced by the burning of Earth’s geological layers (such as coal, oil and gas).

Yee Loong Tang

TEDxSFU Executive Director Yee Loong Tang is an innovative and multidisciplinary strategic designer that leverages his extensive background in live entertainment to provide unique insights and deliver solutions that combine aesthetic allure with strategic effectiveness. Here he is delivering his closing remarks at TEDxSFU 2023: Unmask the Magic.