TEDxVictoria returned to the historic McPherson Playhouse on June 10th, 2025, bringing together a full day of powerful ideas, deeply human stories, and meaningful community connection.
Guided by this year’s theme, Ripples, the event explored how change doesn’t always begin with a grand gesture. Sometimes, it starts with a single voice, a thoughtful question, or one intentional action and expands outward in ways we can’t always predict.
The video below offers a glimpse into the energy, ideas, and moments that shaped the day.
Throughout the day, speakers shared lived experiences that sparked reflection, challenged assumptions, and invited us to see our roles in shaping the future differently. From leadership and innovation to climate action, equity, and creative expression, each talk carried the shared belief that big things start with small action.
As speaker Jill Van Gyn-Carr so beautifully put it, “Every action, decision, thought, and feeling—no matter how small—has the potential to create a massive impact.”
That sentiment echoed throughout the theatre, a reminder that ideas are not meant to be held alone, but shared, passed on, and allowed to grow.
At a time when conversations around technology and AI are accelerating, environmental challenges can feel overwhelming, and many people are questioning whether individual actions still matter. The ideas shared on the TEDxVictoria stage felt especially timely.
Ripples showed up in countless ways on stage. More than a theme, it was a catalyst—illustrating how ideas move from thought to action, often through curiosity, citizen participation, and everyday choices. We heard how to evaluate and question new technologies for ourselves; how innovation unfolds through curiosity and community action; and how equity, inclusion, and social impact begin with education and intention.
Speakers like Sunniva Sorby reminded us that reconnecting with nature can spark collective climate action and that all citizens can have an impact, while Katłà (Catherine) Lafferty shared how storytelling and Indigenous law can carry messages far beyond their starting point.
From youth advocacy and financial literacy to neuroscience, creative activism, and citizen science, the talks reflected a wide range of perspectives—all grounded in the belief that individuals can make a difference, even amid complexity and uncertainty.
You can revisit the Ripples talks and spend time with the ideas that resonated most. If you missed a talk (or want to experience it again), you can explore the full TEDxVictoria 2025: Ripples playlist here.
The day opened with a welcome that grounded us in place, acknowledging that the McPherson Playhouse sits on the traditional territories of the Lək̓ʷəŋən peoples. Then our speakers took the stage, interspersed with musical guests Decades after Paris and a duo of Daniel Morel and David Vest, creating time and space to absorb the themes of the day.
Beyond the stage, the energy spilled into Centennial Square, where attendees connected through interactive installations, activations, and shared space designed to encourage conversation and reflection. These experiences extended the ideas beyond the theatre, inviting people to engage, ask questions, and connect in new ways.
These moments between talks, over coffee, or standing in the sunshine with local ice cream were a chance to process and internalize the ideas communicated from the stage.
Events like TEDxVictoria are never created by one person or one idea.
This day was made possible by an incredible network of volunteers, partners, performers, organizers, artists, production teams, and supporters who gave their time, energy, and care to bring the event to life. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed and to the attendees who showed up with openness, curiosity, and generosity.
“A single idea, shared in the right moment, can move people, shift systems, and send waves far beyond its point of origin.” - Marco Pimentel, TEDxVictoria Licensee
TEDxVictoria exists to bring together people from diverse industries, experiences, and perspectives, creating space for ideas to flourish and move forward. None of it would be possible without the community that comes together to create and lean into this event.
As we carry these ripples forward, we’re already looking toward TEDxVictoria 2026 happening October 7th at UVic's Farquhar Auditorium. Speaker applications are now open and we invite you to learn more about speaking at TEDxVictoria here.
Until we reconvene in the fall, we invite you to revisit the talks, share the ideas that moved you, and keep the ripples going.
Explore more at https://tedxvictoria.ca/ and follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.
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.
