The audience is invited to “step into a world of inspiration” during the next TEDxSurrey, set for Saturday, Jan. 20, at Bell Performing Arts Centre.
The $99 tickets are now close to sold-out for the annual event, a daytime gathering for 12 guest speakers on a variety of topics. Their timed talks (18 minutes max) will also be livestreamed for a $9.99 fee.
The featured speakers, named last October, will take the stage in the theatre at Sullivan Heights Secondary for the sixth edition of TEDxSurrey, curated by Alan Warburton.
A ticket includes lunch, entertainment and “energizers,” a speaker’s corner and prizes, promises the event website, where the speaker biographers are posted.
Here are bios of the 2024 TEDxSurrey speakers:
Alexandra Ford: “May have started her advocacy work at 11 years of age but circumstances shifted her life path from speeches and petitions to drugs and even experiencing her own exploitation. After her escape, she became passionate about educating herself in the social services field. Alexandra proudly obtained a bachelor’s degree in criminology, a postgraduate certification in victimology with honours, a diploma in community and justice services with honours, and most recently, a master’s of science in psychology where she graduated with the highest honours. It took a decade before she came to understand the exploitation that she had endured was human trafficking. This shock motivated her to return to her advocacy work and she co-founded a U.S.-based anti-human trafficking nonprofit and became an international public speaker, sharing her story to help others better understand trafficking and exploitation.”
Aminullah Shirazi: “A Grade 10 French Immersion student at Panorama Ridge Secondary, Aminullah is no stranger to the challenges of being a teenager in an ever-changing, post-pandemic world. After a year of pushing his boundaries, he’s eager to share his journey of embracing discomfort to conquer the concept he defines as the ‘teenage comfort zone.’ Aminullah’s life journey has been marked by change. Born in the U.K. and raised in Canada with Indian-Iranian roots, he’s experienced a rich tapestry of cultures and perspectives. Having gone through so much change, Aminullah grappled with anxiety and perfectionism. Still, his perspective shifted immensely after his sister taught him a profound life lesson – to grow, it is essential that you embrace discomfort.”
Andrea Neil: “The first woman soccer player elected to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, Andrea Neil is celebrated for her roles as a player, captain and coach for the Canadian Women’s National Team. Her distinguished career included participation in five FIFA World Cups over 20 years: four helping to anchor the team’s midfield and a fifth on the coaching staff. When she retired, she held the record for the most international appearances by any Canadian soccer player and was honoured with the prestigious Order of Sport award. She earned a UEFA ‘A’ European Coaching License from Italy and established The Coaching Compass, a values-based approach to grassroots and elite development, leadership and team-building.”
Dr. Andrew Miki: “A registered psychologist in B.C. with expertise in neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). He has dedicated 30+ years to improving the lives of people struggling with stress, anxiety, and depression and empowering them to build the skills they need to lead healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lives. In 2013, Dr. Miki founded Starling Minds, a digital mental health company dedicated to using psychoeducation to reduce the stigma around mental health and provide personalized support that emulates the same work and processes he uses in his practice. Today, over 4.5 million people have access to Starling Minds.”
David Norwell: “Is from all over British Columbia – growing up in Fort St. John, Kamloops, Valemount, and Prince George, then completing his higher education in Victoria. His parents were both foresters and he grew up more outside than inside. During his 20s he spent his summers in remote bush camps doing survey work, or on kayaking and cycle-touring expeditions. David’s bestselling book, A Complex Coast: A Kayak Journey from Vancouver Island to Alaska, was a finalist in the Banff Mountain Book and Film Festival. He has also illustrated four children’s books which are printed in the Tibetan language. He has visited 33 countries, sailed across the Atlantic and Indian Ocean, trekked over the Himalayas with a kitten, and hitchhiked over two hundred rides. He is dedicated to understanding the human experience and sharing his findings.”
Carla Pellegrini: “Has been privileged to centre her career of 15 years around creating positive social change through roles in community development, social finance and operations management. She is currently the Executive Director of Food Stash Foundation, a Vancouver-based charity that prevents good food from going to waste and provides dignified food access. Food Stash rescues over 120,000 pounds of perfectly good food each month and redistributes it through other nonprofits, a home delivery program for folks with disabilities and a weekly affordable market.”
Chelsea Minhas: “Holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of British Columbia, and has been with Covenant House Vancouver for over 16 years. As their Chief Program Officer, Chelsea is a mission- and values-driven leader, with extensive program design and implementation experience. In her current role, Chelsea oversees all program operations, acts as an industry expert for all levels of government, and is a sought-after trainer and speaker. Chelsea implements evidence-based practices that serve all youth with unconditional love and absolute respect, while also advocating for social policy change in the community.”
Josh Green: “Embodies a remarkable blend of talents and ventures, making his journey truly dynamic and inspiring. Armed with degrees in both fine arts and business, Josh’s diverse pursuits have taken him across the world as a full-time actor and a seasoned comedian, entertaining audiences all over the place. Not content with just one path, he’s carved his own way by founding a series of successful and not-so-successful companies, from crafting cookie dough to dog-walking, Amazon drop shipping and event management. His ventures extend to the realms of travel and yoga instruction, as he imparts his knowledge at festivals across the globe.”
Michael Timms: “Believes that everyone deserves to be inspired and uplifted by their leaders at work. A best-selling author and internationally sought-after speaker and consultant, Michael teaches leaders how to inspire greatness in those they lead. Michael is the author of the book, How Leaders Can Inspire Accountability, which the world’s #1 leadership coach, Marshall Goldsmith, called ‘the ultimate guide for embracing accountability as a leader’ and is the basis of his TEDx talk.”
Mollie Kaye: “A published writer, communications and promotions consultant, fine artist, and seasoned stage performer – yet she spent much of her adult life attempting to fit in and fade into the background. As a single parent working from home, she found herself becoming more and more lonely and isolated. Four and a half years ago, she decided to make a 180-degree shift from fitting in to ‘fitting out.’ As she experimented with showing up in public dressed in outfits that generated pleasant conversations with strangers, she noticed a measurable increase in her sense of belonging and well-being. She decided to make a deliberate practice of dressing head to toe in comment-worthy, mid-century ensembles one day a week, and calls this social experiment ‘Turned-out Tuesdays.’ The project now has a worldwide following. She documents each outfit, and offers essays and practical advice about how to build more social interactions into daily life.”
Pamela Dangelmaier: “A highly skilled mindfulness practitioner, facilitator, and life coach. She obtained a Graduate Certificate in Mindfulness-Based Teaching & Learning from UFV, where she graduated with distinction. Pamela’s exceptional performance also earned her the Award for Outstanding Achievement in the MBTL program. Seeking to enhance her ability to assist her clients, she completed the renowned Wayfinder Life Coaching program with Martha Beck, becoming a certified Life Coach with ACTP accreditation. Showcasing her commitment to her profession, Pamela is a founding member of the Mindful Coach Association and a professional member of the American Mindfulness Research Association.”
TJ Dawe: “Writes, directs and performs new work for the stage. He’s been mining his life and ideas to create monologues and ensemble shows since the 1990s. He was named Touring Artist of the Year by the B.C. and Alberta Touring Arts Council in 2004. He co-created and directed The One Man Star Wars Trilogy, which has been touring the world for 20 years, including runs in New York, London and Sydney, and featured spots on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and The Today Show. His co-written play Toothpaste and Cigars was made into the feature film The F Word, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Zoe Kazan and Adam Driver. He helped Richard Dreyfuss create an interactive multimedia career retrospective. He’s had seven of his scripts published, as well as a humour book.”