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).

Albion Library
1515 Albion Road
Toronto, Ontario, M9V 1B2
Canada

Andy Xiao

Meet Andy, a seasoned sales professional and captivating storyteller with over a decade of expertise in business development. An undergraduate from UBC and Stanford with a BA in Social Science and Commerce, Andy has achieved remarkable success in both startup and corporate environments. As a former Senior Account Executive at DoorDash, he led the franchise division within the Enterprise team, managing Canada's Top 50 brands and consistently driving millions in revenue. Currently, as an Account Executive at Google, he plays a pivotal role in forging new business partnerships with high-potential brands across the Canadian market. But Andy's impact extends far beyond the boardroom. Recognizing the formidable challenges individuals face in today's hyper-competitive job market, he founded A&E Academy, committed to guiding individuals—especially those navigating career transitions—into the dynamic world of tech sales. Andy lives by the philosophy that "If my insights can impact the life of even one person among a million, then I consider it a tremendous success," propelling his mission to make a tangible difference in the lives of others. Passionate about personal growth and fostering connections, Andy has pitched startup projects to Venture Capitalists & Angel Investors at Stanford, served as a keynote speaker for Simon Fraser University Enactus, and played a pivotal role as the VP of UBC Chinese Collegiate Society. In addition, Andy hosts the Mind Diary podcast, where he shares anecdotes and personal reflections on seeking growth on social, academic, and professional levels. With an unwavering commitment to excellence and a passion for making a difference, Andy embodies the spirit of innovation and empowerment

Ayesha Shah

Ayesha is a People & Culture Executive, Coach, Speaker and Author with deep expertise in creating ecosystems that fuel creativity and nurture the development of empowered leaders who find novel solutions to challenging problems. A board member and respected mentor, she regularly volunteers as an advisor, coach, and panelist in various settings. As a thought leader, Ayesha speaks and writes about various topics in life and leadership. She is the author of the forthcoming book, The Mindset Prism. Ayesha believes that human development and progress on both individual & collective level are intrinsically linked. How we relate to ourselves is mirrored in all of our relationships, and the key to unlocking the true potential of life starts with the stories we believe to be true about ourselves and about life.

Deena Kara Shaffer

Dr. Deena Kara Shaffer (she/her) is the Founder and CEO of Awakened Learning, designing compelling learning experiences for students of all ages, parents, and leaders, and best-selling author of "Feel Good Learning." Deena is Adjunct Faculty at Toronto Metropolitan University, teaching their popular academic resilience course, and is the Director of the Office of Student and Academic Services for York University's Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. Prior, Deena served as Manager of Thriving Innovations in Student Wellbeing and lecturer in Toronto Metropolitan University's Psychology Department. Deena was a two-term President of the Learning Specialists Association of Canada, a former learning strategist for students with disabilities, and a skilled certified high school teacher. Deena is the co-founder of the now international Thriving in Action resilience intervention, and co-author of Thriving in Action Online and Thriving in the Classroom. Deena holds a doctorate in nature-based pedagogy, is a trained yoga and mindfulness meditation teacher, is a published poet, and is a public speaker on learning and well-becoming. Deena's ideal day is spent outdoors getting muddy with her two kids.

Diondra Filicetti

Diondra Filicetti is a professional workshop facilitator, instructor and speaker in the personal and professional development space. Diondra has worked with colleges, universities and small businesses within the GTA to deliver engaging educational and transformational learning experiences that empower participants to make material changes in their lives. A testament to her commitment to empowering others, Diondra is also the author of the Self-Awareness and Reflection Journal titled "Illuminate Your True Self." This insightful journal serves as a guide for individuals seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and their life's journey.

Divyansh Chandel

Divyansh Chandel (he/him) is a finance and engineering professional driven to champion and advocate for mental health. His accomplishments include recognizing the importance of mental health in the workplace, developing a comprehensive resource for individuals struggling with chronic pain and curating events with prominent figures in various professional fields to help educate peers.

Jacintha Kurniawan

Jacintha is a MBA grad from SFU Vancouver and studied Commerce and Psych at UNSW, Sydney. She works in Data Analytics at Canadian Tire and Business Development in Australia. "On the side, I host & produce The Deep Dive lab podcast, was a leader in the Net Impact team (non-profit sustainability org) and enjoy a bit of theatre!" Fun Facts: Home to me is Australia and Indonesia. Full-time Foodie & Traveller, Europe's up next!

Suzanne Knight

Suzanne Knight, MBA, MA is an award-winning expert on transformational change and the future of work. CEO and founder of mBolden human capital consulting firm, Suzanne works with organizations around the world helping them anticipate and adapt to change so they can thrive, rather than just survive. Through her own firm and nearly a decade at Deloitte, Suzanne worked with over 40 clients in 12 countries. Beyond her consulting work, Suzanne is an active angel investor with The Firehood, start-up advisor, and tech founder. She previously spent 5 years with Walmart Canada as Vice President, Transformational Service with a 100,000+ employee portfolio and Philip Morris International leading organization transformation and change for Canada. Suzanne is an active speaker, presenter, and facilitator, having recently spoken for Deloitte, Manulife, Uniphore, Schulich Executive Education Centre, University of Western Ontario, Verity Women's Club, Future Leaders of Ontario, Ensil Canada, Joint Venture Finance, Walmart Canada, and the Strategy Institute. She has also been featured at conferences including Elevate, Future of Work, and Customer Experience Summit. She volunteers as a SickKids Innovator, mentor with Urban Squash Toronto, and is on the HR Committee of JIAS. She has served as head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for a Consumer Goods company, on the Executive Advisory Council for Walmart Canada's Women in Retail program, and on the Foundation Board of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. Suzanne Knight has an MA in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and MBA in Finance and Strategy. In 2023, she was recognized on The Peak's Emerging (under age 40) Leaders List and The DMZ's Women of the Year.

Taaha Muhammad

Dr. Taaha Muhammad completed medical school at the University of Toronto, followed by Residency in Family and Community Medicine at McMaster University. He is currently pursuing a fellowship in Addictions and Mental Health at the University of Toronto, based out of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Outside of medicine, he has served various leadership roles over the course of 8 years at Naseeha Mental Health, a charity devoted to providing community support, mental health advocacy and education, counselling, and crisis support at an international level. He has special interests in primary care, mental health, palliative care and addictions. He has previously done qualitative research on medical trainee well-being and resilience, and is currently working on a project evaluating the response among addictions physicians on guidance for opioid use disorder treatment. He has completed numerous clinical experiences in psychiatry, psychotherapy, and inpatient and outpatient addictions. Taaha hopes to integrate holistic approaches to mental and physical health and work on community-level advocacy to support the mental health of the Muslim community and beyond.

Taslim Alani-Verjee

Dr. Taslim Alani-Verjee is an award winning Clinical Psychologist living and working in Toronto, Canada. She is the Founder and Director of Silm Centre for Mental Health, a community-based and social justice-oriented practice that seeks to make mental health awareness and services more accessible to the communities with whom she and her team work. Her practice has over 20 clinicians, supports pro bono and sliding scale work, and has developed community partnerships to promote the well-being of organizations and those who work within them. She is also the co-founder of Feelings Unpacked, a psychoeducational mental health subscription service that seeks to help users understand and experience their emotions. Dr. Taslim teaches regularly at Lakehead University where she is an Adjunct Faculty member. She is a Faculty Member at Adler Graduate Professional School where she teaches courses on Ethics in Psychology, Psychopathology, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Cultural Humility. Dr. Taslim has her PhD and Masters in Clinical Psychology from Lakehead University, where her research focused on body image, eating disorders, intimate partner violence, and engaging with marginalized populations using community-based participatory research. She obtained her Masters in International Development Studies from Dalhousie University where her research focused on intimate partner violence within First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario. She completed her Honours Bachelor of Arts at Brescia University College at Western University.