Gael Hannan is an advocate, author, and speaker on hearing loss. Born with progressive hearing loss, she now uses both a hearing aid and cochlear implant. Becoming a mother at 40 led her to discover a passion for advocacy. For 30 years, she has created award-winning programs blending comedy and drama to help others navigate hearing loss. A globally recognized writer, she authored The Way I Hear It and Hear & Beyond. Gael has served on national and international accessibility organizations. She lives in North Saanich, Vancouver Island, with her husband, “The Hearing Husband,” cherishing visits from their four children and seven grandchildren.
Katłıà (Catherine) Lafferty is a Dene woman from Dënéndeh, Northwest Territories, whose northern roots and matrilineal lineage deeply inform her storytelling. She is working in the RELAW program (Revitalizing Indigenous law for land, air and water) at West Coast Environmental Law, a non-profit organization based in British Columbia that uses the law to address environmental issues. An accomplished author, her works include Northern Wildflower, Land-Water-Sky, This House is Not a Home, Firekeeper, and the forthcoming Mother Earth is Our Elder. Katłıà’s writing weaves together personal experience, Indigenous knowledge, and activism. She is a mother, grandmother, and daughter of many mothers, including Mother Earth.
Leah Wang is a passionate public speaker, youth mentor, and advocate for accessible communication education. Growing up with selective mutism and a severe stutter, she overcame immense challenges to discover that public speaking isn’t about perfection—it’s about being heard. At just 15, Leah works with students making public speaking education accessible regardless of financial or systemic barriers. She believes communication is one of the most transformative skills a young person can develop. Whether in classrooms or communities, Leah is proving that no matter where you start, your voice can make a difference.
Bob “Gyala’gameh” Chamberlin is a lifelong advocate for Wild Pacific Salmon, food security, and Indigenous rights. He served 14 years as elected Chief Councilor of the Kwikwasutinuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation and nine years as Vice President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. “Gyala’gameh” led negotiations resulting in the removal of fish farms from the Broughton Archipelago and consulted for Homalco, Tla'amin, and Klahoose First Nations on the Discovery Islands. He is the founder of the First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance and has spoken on Indigenous rights and environmental justice at national forums and the United Nations Convention in Geneva. His work centers on true reconciliation and lasting environmental stewardship.
K Krasnow Waterman has held C-suite roles across government, finance, and academia. Following a midcareer JD and a Master’s in global management and innovation, she’s spent recent years helping build companies in all industries from startup through $10+B, as well as performing AI research at MIT and providing board leadership and entrepreneurship education. Through her company, Tcomplete Canada Inc., she supports tech innovation and transformation—from product design and strategy to policy and commercialization. Locally, she’s involved with organizations like the Indigenomics Institute and COAST’s advisory board. K brings energy and insight, offering a 360-degree view of the future of tech and leadership.
Sunniva Sorby is a polar explorer, climate advocate, and citizen scientist dedicated to protecting our planet. In 2020, she became one of the first women to overwinter solo in the Arctic, spending 19 months off-grid to advance climate research through Hearts in the Ice, a global initiative engaging 150,000+ youth. A sought-after speaker, she has presented for Google, the UN (COP26), and National Geographic. Sunniva has been featured in BBC, CNN, Forbes, and Canadian Geographic. A Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, she continues to inspire action through storytelling, youth engagement, and an upcoming documentary bringing her Arctic experiences to life.
David Delisle is the founder of The Awesome Stuff™, a TV personality, bestselling author, and entrepreneur passionate about financial literacy. Featured on NBC, Fox, Forbes, and CTV’s The Social, he made his first investment at 11, entered real estate by 20, and was semi-retired by 40. His groundbreaking graphic novel, The Golden Quest, is the first of its kind to teach financial literacy, aiming to transform how a million kids think about money. Through engaging storytelling, David inspires young minds to build financial freedom with purpose and joy, helping them focus on what truly matters in life.
Alyssa Talley is a historian, entrepreneur, and avid traveler passionate about how societies remember the past. A recent Master of Arts graduate from the University of Victoria, her research explores memorialization and its evolving meaning across cultures. Through the UVic I-Witness Field School, she engaged in intercultural dialogues on history and remembrance in North America and Europe. Beyond academia, Alyssa co-founded Local Urban Bites, a Victoria-based meal-kit company focused on local products and sustainability. Her business not only brings fresh food to dinner tables but also supports charitable initiatives and youth athletics, blending her love for history, community, and social impact.
Zoe Slusar, aka ZHE the FREE, is a powerhouse hip-hop artist, mentor, and advocate. Growing up on Treaty 7 land, she channels her fire into explosive performances, blending freestyle, storytelling, and social activism. Winner of the National Music Centre’s 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop track competition, she inspires others to find their voice through music. A dedicated mentor, she has worked with Sask Music, Tribe Artist Society, and more, using hip-hop as a tool for youth empowerment. Founder of Cypher Club YYC and co-founder of Circle Made Artist Society, ZHE organizes community events, bringing artists together through the power of rhythm, words, and raw energy.
Eric Pittman is an adventurer, conservationist, and artist with a diverse career spanning the Canadian Coast Guard, aviation, and environmental activism. A former commercial helicopter pilot, he worked in search and rescue, firefighting, and exploration. In the arts, he developed Spectral Visions, performed for Prince Charles and Princess Diana, and was featured in National Geographic. He later founded Sterling Glass Foundry, repurposing waste glass into art. In 2017, he co-founded the Canadian Orca Rescue Society, working with First Nations to remove fish farms. Recognized for bravery and conservation, he has collaborated with BBC, Netflix, and recently presented to the House of Commons on environmental issues.
Erfa Alani is an executive leader with over 20 years experience shaping strategy, investment, and public policy across industries. A former refugee, she learned resilience early—an ethos that has guided her through law school to consulting at PwC and IBM. She worked as Deputy Head of Mission at the Aga Khan Development Network where she secured critical resources for healthcare, education, and infrastructure, bringing sustainable development to underserved communities. Erfa specializes in building organizations from the ground up, fostering collaboration to drive lasting impact. She is currently Chief of Staff and Director of Corporate Affairs at Invest Ontario, an organization she helped to establish.
Tony Esteves once dedicated an entire year of his life to meeting one new stranger every day. He brings his deep understanding of human interaction to his work as keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and coach who helps leaders and teams foster innovation, connection, and collaboration. For two decades, Tony has engaged audiences on five continents, guiding individuals and teams to break through communication barriers in a way that feels natural, energizing, and fun. He believes life is a gift meant to be celebrated with loved ones and strangers alike. As creator of the Talk2MorePeople Project, Tony encourages people to get off their technology and back into face-to-face conversations.
Jill Van Gyn-Carr is a writer, advocate, and business leader known for her bold approach to storytelling, entrepreneurship, and social impact. As founding CEO of Fatso Peanut Butter, she built a nationally recognized brand celebrated for its progressive values. Her leadership has been nationally recognized by Maclean’s, BC Business, and EY and today she is the Director of Business Development at Rifflandia Entertainment Company where she helps drive growth, brand development, and strategic initiatives for one of Canada’s most dynamic music and entertainment brands. Jill is on the board of Peers Victoria, an organization that ignited her passion for small-scale, high-impact philanthropy.
Dr. Olav Krigolson is a neuroscientist at the University of Victoria with research interests spanning decision-making, learning, statistics, game theory, EEG, and mobile neuroscience technologies. His research program has led to over 100 peer reviewed scientific publications and $27 million in grant funding for the Theoretical and Applied Neuroscience Laboratory where he is the Principal Investigator. He’s collaborated with NASA, major league sports, and health organizations, and his work has been featured by CBC, the Discovery Channel, and Maclean’s. In 2017, he received a Benjamin Meaker Fellowship at Bristol University for his contributions to neuroscience.
TEDxVictoria 2024 brought Victoria and beyond together for inspiring conversations that challenge inaction and encourage change personally, globally, and locally to Victoria.
Hosted at the historic McPherson Playhouse in downtown Victoria, TEDxVictoria is a full-day event featuring talks, performances, and community exhibitions.
This event takes place on the traditional Coast Salish territory and we respectfully acknowledge the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ People of this region. With gratitude, we live, work, and play on this beautiful land.
This independent TEDx event is operated under license from TED.
