You’ve all been waiting patiently for us to announce the speakers for TEDxEastVan 2016. While we thought of keeping them a secret until the day of the event, we’re so excited that we couldn’t keep it in any longer!

We think the speakers truly reflect the spirit of TED and of East Vancouver - as well as this year’s theme of “MOVE!” - and we can’t wait for them to share their ideas with you. So, without further ado, here’s the first round of speakers chosen to take the stage at the York Theatre on April 23rd.

 

Dominic Walliman
Physicist. Writer. Filmmaker.
Favourite Ted Talk: Sir Ken Robinson’s “Bring on the Learning Revolution!”

Dominic Walliman is a physicist, and award-winning science writer. He received his PhD in quantum device physics from the University of Birmingham and currently works at D-Wave Systems Inc., a quantum computing company in Vancouver. Dominic grew up reading science books and remembers vividly the excitement of discovering the mind-boggling explanations that science gives us about the Universe. If he can pass on this wonder and enjoyment to the next generation, he will consider it a job well done.

 

Barbara Alink
Inventor. Connector. Community Activist.
Favourite TED Talk: Alberto Cairo’s “There Are No Scraps of Men”

Barbara Alink, woodworker and architect, left the Netherlands for what grew into 10 years international reconstruction work. She felt locked up between the labels that were attached to all the rights western societies were proud of. She missed a sense of community and struck out to find a place where her soul could be free. She ended up in the seemingly harsh environments of Sudan and Afghanistan where she found honest and humble communities that were living in complete acceptance of life and death and the here and now. Back in the Western World since 2009, she now shares her experiences, creating awareness and insight into the devastating consequences of the denial of death and how we can come together, be inclusive, and create a safe community.

 

Christopher Bush
Catalyst. Father. BioResource Pioneer.
Favourite TED Talk: Dr. Saoud’s "More Crop Per Drop."

Chris started his life in a small farming town in Southern Ontario, and, like many country kids, couldn’t wait to get to the city. He knew for sure what he would be when he grew up - a race car driver.  When his family came apart at 16, he went out and made his own way. In 1990, he was part of a group invited to an event in British Columbia, and at the end of it he stayed out west. After years of going with the flow, life had him at quite a low point. A sudden succession of meeting people in the right place at the right time with the right message led to a radical turn and a change of life. He went on a mission to identify a path to personal success. Today, he is a sustainability pioneer who lives with his family in the self proclaimed agricultural capital of Canada, Abbotsford, BC.

 

Eyoälha Baker
Adventurer. Artist. Alchemist.
Favourite TED Talk: Thandie Newton’s “Embracing Otherness, Embracing Ourselves,” and Mark Brand’s “The Impact of an Unconventional Solution."

Eyoälha Baker is a photographer and muralist. Born on Canada’s West Coast, Eyoälha (Eee-YO-Lah) means the wind in the Kwakwa’ka’wakw (Kwakiutl) language. Traveling and living around the world has given her a great appreciation for cultural differences and human similarities. She has a BFA from Concordia University, a Diploma in Media Resources, and Studied International Business Management. After running a small interior decorating business and helping start up a furnishing rental business, she decided to follow her passion as a photographer. Eyoälha is a passionate advocate for supporting people with barriers in the DTES.

 

Paul Fijal
Adventurer. Social Entrepreneur. Outdoorsman.
Favourite TED Talk: Pico Iyer’s “The Art of Stillness.”

Paul Fijal is a young social entrepreneur and Lead Biomedical Engineer with Awake Labs, who provide personalized, quantified care solutions to people living with autism. He is also dedicated to growing Vancouver's reputation as a hub for social entrepreneurship and impact ventures. Paul is currently involved with the Coast Capital Savings Innovation Hub and is helping to bootstrap the brand new MedTech Development Hub at VGH with a group of young engineers and entrepreneurs. A Francophone originally from Calgary, Alberta, Paul graduated from the University of British Columbia with a BASc in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical option, in May of 2015. He’s interested in new ventures focusing on social impact, as well as the biomedical and biotech industry. Paul also recently returned from a round-the-world trip through Indonesia, India, Central Asia, Russia, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.

 

Edward Westerhuis
Creative. Performer. Collaborator.
Favourite TED Talk: Elizabeth Gilbert's “Your elusive creative genius”

Edward Westerhuis is visual artist and performer who often works collaboratively to build intersections between video and other art forms. His breakout work Sci-Fi Double Feature, produced by Ramshackle Theatre, showcases his talents as a writer, producer, and performer. Edward has toured this project across Canada, with performances at The Yukon Arts Centre, The Banff Centre, and National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

Stay tuned for part two of our speakers who are going to “move” you on April 23rd. Grab your tickets HERE to join in the experience.