From adventurers and advocates, TEDxVictoria 2025 brings together deeply human stories that spark connection, shift perspectives, and inspire action—one ripple, one voice, one idea at a time.

At TEDxVictoria 2025, we're exploring a simple but powerful idea: change doesn't always start with a tidal wave, sometimes, it begins with a single ripple. This isn't just another conference, it's a day designed to ignite ideas, fuel action, and spark connections that matter.

What truly makes this event extraordinary are the people sharing their stories. Real, dynamic individuals who have extraordinary lived experiences and now want to pass them on. In the words of one of our speakers, K Krasnow Waterman, “My life is shaped and re-shaped all the time by the people I encounter.” 

We couldn’t have said it better. This year’s speakers are bringing a range of perspectives and experiences to the stage, but what binds them together is their drive to ignite change. 

You'll hear from innovators like Sunniva Sorby on Arctic exploration and climate action, and Katłıà Lafferty on Indigenous law and environmental stewardship—as well as speakers from executive leadership, neuroscience, citizen science, creative activism, and storytelling. They all embody the spirit of Ripples: how small, intentional actions lead to powerful transformations. 

But that isn’t all. We wanted to pull back the curtain a little on a few of the topics, themes, and speakers you can look forward to hearing from.

Discover how leadership and the future of work are driven by small actions

Today's leaders are building resilient, purpose-driven teams and shaping future-ready organizations. The theme, Ripples, is critical in this conversation, as one of our upcoming speakers, Erfa Alani, said, “I’ve seen how a single, well-placed question can change the trajectory of a negotiation.”

Alani is an executive leader with over 20 years of experience shaping strategy, investment, and public policy across industries.

Alongside Alani, we’re looking forward to hearing from David Delisle on how the future of your work begins with the people who are in the room and the questions they are willing to ask. Deslisle is the founder of The Awesome Stuff™, a bestselling author, and an entrepreneur who is passionate about financial literacy. His TEDx Talk will focus on how “teaching our kids about money will ripple outwards and change the world.” 

Catch Alani and Delisle’s TEDx Talks to discover how values-based leadership, organizational transformation, and financial literacy for future leaders have the power to reshape the way we work, govern, and grow.

See innovation and decision-making create lasting ripples

Innovation is rarely about one big breakthrough, it's continuous, thoughtful steps. Writer, advocate, and business leader, Jill Van Gyn-Carr, is delivering her TEDxTalk to remind us, “Every action, decision, thought, and feeling—no matter how small—has the potential to create a massive impact.”

Historian and entrepreneur, Alyssa Talley, is bringing the perspective that decisions we make every day come with “an element of mystery […] as we often do not know the ripple effect of something until after it is completed.” 

Learn from these experts as we explore how AI, data analytics, tech policy, and innovation strategy are evolving—and how intentional decision-making and conscious action could change everything. 

Equity, inclusion, and social impact start with everyday decisions

Every decision to advocate, include, and uplift matters. One of our upcoming speakers, youth advocate Leah Wang, reflected on the event, “Ripples is about the small decisions we make every day that have the power to change everything.” 

It can be hard to know where to start with equity, inclusion, and social impact conversations, but as Katłıà (Catherine) Lafferty, Dene storyteller, puts it, it’s simply about “Getting the message out far and wide.” Katłıà’s northern roots and matrilineal lineage inform her storytelling and incorporate personal experience, Indigenous knowledge, and activism as she works in the RELAW (Revitalizing Indigenous law for land, air, and water) program, getting that message out.

From inclusive education and gender equity to environmental impact on communities and youth empowerment, expect conversations that ignite systemic change and inspire new leadership models.

The power of collective climate action and conservation

Hear how Indigenous-led land protection, marine conservation, citizen science, and Arctic exploration are creating pathways for collective climate action. Climate advocate Sunniva Sorby overwintered in the Arctic and now uses her storytelling to encourage people to “reconnect with nature and to see themselves as part of a larger ecosystem.” 

Sorby, among other speakers, demonstrates how small actions can trigger global conversations through their stories, research, and extraordinary personal experiences. Multiple speakers will be touching on their sustainability work, and we can’t wait to hear from them. 

Creativity and storytelling through connection

Art and storytelling are powerful tools for resilience and social change. Artist ZHE the Free (Zoe Slusar) reminds us as she prepares to speak at this year's event, “The ripples of you extend outward. You matter.” 

This year, we are diving into topics like cross-cultural dialogue that fosters advocacy and justice, creativity as a tool for mental health and resilience, and how youth activism is transforming narratives and challenging traditional systems through bold storytelling and collective voice.

You'll want to see what our speakers bring to the stage

Each of these individuals arrives on the TEDxVictoria stage not just with ideas, but with stories that are lived, layered, and deeply human. Now, they’re here to share them with you.

What you can expect

TEDxVictoria 2025 offers more than inspiring talks. It's a launchpad for new ideas, meaningful dialogue, and connections that will fuel your leadership journey, your company's innovation strategy, and your personal passion for change.

On top of hearing from these inspiring speakers, you can expect to:

> Connect with purpose-driven professionals, thought leaders, and changemakers.

> Gain actionable insights in leadership, sustainability, innovation, and inclusion.

> Be part of a passionate community committed to turning small actions into big waves of change.

> Experience hands-on activations and interact with your fellow attendees. 

If you’re passionate about leadership, innovation, sustainability, equity, or creative expression, you’ll want to be part of TEDxVictoria 2025.

Join the movement

TEDxVictoria 2025 promises a day of bold ideas sparked by small moments. Come for the inspiration, stay for the conversations that could change everything.

Explore the full lineup of speakers and topics at tedxvictoria.ca/speakers.

Want to be in the room when these ripples start?