Theme: On Purpose

TEDxChilliwack is a not-for-profit, annual one-day event held in Chilliwack, British Columbia. Come hear live speakers share innovative and optimistic ideas with a community of open and curious minds searching for ways to make a difference.

G. W. Graham Theatre
45955 Thomas Road
Chilliwack, British Columbia, V2R 0B5
Canada

Alyson Seale

Associate Professor

Alyson Seale is currently an Associate Professor at the University of the Fraser Valley instructing in the Workplace TASK program, a pre-employment program for adults with disabilities. She has worked with people with a wide variety of disabilities including in a post secondary Disability Resource Center providing supports for students with disabilities through their post secondary studies, and 10 years as an ASL/English Sign Language Interpreter. She has taught for the departments of Upgrading and University Preparation, the School of Social Work and Adult Education. Alyson is currently pursuing her doctoral degree at the University of British Columbia in the Faculty of Educational Studies, Leadership and Policy Development with her research focus on the experiences of employees with intellectual disabilities in the workplace.

Dave Dinesen

Agricultural Tech Innovator

A seasoned CEO, Dave Dinesen founded his first company, BackCheck, in 1997 and took it from startup to the largest background screening company in Canada and a leader in the UK. With over 500 employees in three countries, BackCheck served over 15,000 corporate customers and screened millions of people in Canada and the UK. A successful sale and merger with a larger US competitor, Sterling Infosystems, completed in 2012. The merged business was renamed Sterling BackCheck and Dave joined the executive team and ran the global business units for Canada, the UK, and the Philippines. The company was sold again to Goldman Sachs in 2015 and Dave left the organization and founded WideOcean Strategies Ltd. a boutique venture capital and consulting firm. Since late 2015, Dave has been working with Bevo Farms Ltd. to put the CubicFarm Systems team and business strategy in place. In mid-2016, Dave agreed to serve as CubicFarm Systems Corp’s first CEO.

Dr. Carin Bondar

Biologist + Author

Dr. Carin Bondar is a biologist, writer, presenter and a true science geek. She specialises in animal population ecology, with an extended focus on their sexual behaviours. Dr. Bondar’s award winning shows along with her unique style and candour allow us fans to feel exceptionally tame in our own perversions when compared to the shocking behaviour of animals in the natural world. You can currently see her on Discovery Channel’s Outrageous Acts of Science and Stephen Hawking’s Brave New World. Her independent web series Wild Sex has amassed over 50 million views and she presented on this topic at TED Global 2013 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Dr. Kevin J.A. Orieux

Sociologist and Dental Surgeon

Kevin Orieux conducts research focused on determining sociological causes of conflict and dysfunction occurring in group dynamics in the workplace, with special emphasis on inter-generational tension related to disengagement and why Millennials have a much different philosophy about their work lives than past generations. When he is not doing research or teaching others how to resolve conflict in group dynamics, Dr. Orieux is a practicing dental surgeon. Drawing parallels between problem solving in medicine versus problem solving in management, he shares strategic approaches to resolving conflict personally, professionally and corporately.

Fatima Zaidi

Homelessness Advocate

Fatima Zaidi is a young entrepreneur and a recent graduate of Kwantlen Polytechnic University with a major in Criminology. She is passionate about social change as well as policy and program development and has devoted most of her life working with several non-profit organizations on projects such as anti-bullying campaigns, youth empowerment and leadership programs, support and programs for new immigrants and refugee youth and adults, student advocacy and representation at university, and more recently her work with people who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. She continues to finds ways to engage in community development and inspires people around her to do the same.

Hon. Steven Point

Aboriginal Leader

Steven is a Canadian jurist and former Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia whose term of office ended on November 1, 2012. He also served as the chair of the advisory committee on the safety and security of vulnerable women, a committee that provides community-based guidance to the implementation of the recommendations from the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry. From 1975 to 1999, Steven Point served as Chief of the Skowkale First Nation. From 1994 to 1999 he served as Tribal Chair of the Stó:lō Nation.

Jess Montgomery

Clothing Sustainability Advocate

Jess Montgomery is the Founder and Executive Director of Think the World Differently, a nonprofit organization based in Vancouver that is leading ground up systems change in the clothing industry through behaviour change initiatives focused on reducing overconsumption. Jess is also a contributing writer for Not Just A Label. Jess holds a BFA with Distinction in Art History from Concordia University, and a MA in the History and Theory of Contemporary Art from the San Francisco Art Institute, where she wrote her thesis on the role that fashion can play in perpetuating or challenging overconsumption.

Jon Morrison

Communication Expert

For years, Jon has been aware of the disconnect between the reputation that Millennials get on the media and the amazing work they are doing all around the world. As a Millennial himself, Jon has lived to change the stereotype by living as an example to his peers and raising up leaders who are ready for the challenges of life and business in our modern world. Jon Morrison is the CEO of Get Clear Consulting, which received a business excellence award for "Best New Business" in 2018. He lives in Abbotsford with his wife and two children.

Lori Paul & Spiderlodge

Acoustic Roots Rock Trio

Spiderlodge is a Chilliwack-based acoustic roots rock trio made up of Fraser Valley Music Award winner Rick Genge, vocalist Lori Paul and percussionist Clay Thornton. Multi-instrumentalist Rick Genge has produced seven albums out of the home studio he shares with wife Lori Paul, wordsmith and lead vocalist for the band. Clay began his career in rhythm as a tap-dancing toddler at his Grandmother’s academy, the Fleita Tutte School of Dance. Clay and Lori formed their first professional band here in Chilliwack in 1980.

Michelle Ebbin

Inventor + Autism Advocate

Michelle Ebbin founded JettProof to improve the daily lives of children and adults living with sensory needs by providing an all day wearable, effective solution. JettProof has the ability to positively transform the lives of children and adults living with Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, Anxiety and other neurological conditions. JettProof came about when Michelle's child, Jett was diagnosed with severe Autism, Global Development Delay and Sensory Processing Disorder at 3 years of age. With up to 14 meltdowns before midday most days, MichelleI was desperate to find a product to help Jett stay calm, focused and responsive to language and instructions. A worldwide search did not locate a suitable garment. With over 20 years of extensive clothing manufacturing, design, export and marketing background, Michelle decided to provide a solution to help Jett and other families throughout the world. JettProof was created!

Natalie Forstbauer

Brain Injury Survivor

Natalie is passionate about healthy living, healthy food choices, and living a healthy lifestyle.She was raised on an organic farm, trained in Polarity Therapy and alternative medicine practices, and owned her own organic farm for a number of years. Her first book, Health In a Hurry sums up her mantra: Take Your Health to Higher Heights with Small Changes that Create Big Results. A brain injury survivor of 15 years, she ignites hearts and connects people to what matters; to wake up, to turn brain injuries into brain upgrades and to turn trauma into triumph.

Natella Isazada

Quality Management and Organizational Excellence Expert

Natella Isazada is a Quality Management and Organizational Excellence expert, speaker and author who promotes and empowers professional success through personal growth and transformation. She has over 15 years of progressive experience helping organizations in the US and Canada to upkeep the quality of their products, excellence of their processes and the health and safety of the employees. An active member of American Society of Quality, she is a Board member at the ASQ Vancouver. Originally from Azerbaijan, Natella experienced life in a few diverse places before finding her home in Beautiful BC in 2007. Her extensive world travels and life-long passion for learning gives her fresh perspectives when it comes to effective problem solving skills. Natella provides keynote speeches, educational sessions, and workshops. She shares her ideas through professional publications, on her blog Quality In Quality Out and in her same named book coming up in 2019.

Reen Rose

Happiness Maven + Author

Reen Rose lives with her husband, son, dog, and three cats in Kelowna although she lived in the lower mainland for most of her childhood. She has worked for over three decades in the world of education, teaching children and adults in Canada and England. Her daughter is currently living in England, so she has an excuse to travel there regularly. She also loves to travel to other destinations, connect with people, and write. Her love of learning and her desire to help others has led her to become certified as a Microsoft Office trainer and a Myers Briggs practitioner. Reen is a self-proclaimed happiness maven who is dedicated to increasing the success, satisfaction, and spirit of the world.

Trevor McDonald

Musician + Community Builder

Trevor is Chilliwack’s hardest-working musician performing more than 100 times a year around our community. He also very active as an event planner working with many yearly events including Canada Day, the Chilliwack Fair, Party in the Park and the Village Classic Car Show to name just a few. He is also the emcee for many charity events each year as well, donating his time and energy to incredible local causes including Ruth & Naomi's Mission, Ann Davis Transition House, Chilliwack Bowls of Hope Society and the Salvation Army. Trevor was the recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship Award and the Stan Rogers Legacy Award by the Chamber of Commerce for contributions to Chilliwack. Plus, he hosts the Ultimate 80s Show on 89.5 The Drive.