TEDxVancouver has revealed its first three speakers today, representing the fields of spirituality, fashion and philanthropy, and sport:
Victor Chan: Forty years of friendship with the Dalai Lama have taught Victor Chan a lot about the pursuit of happiness (they have co-authored two books). He is the founder of the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education and has travelled the world with the Tibetan spiritual leader, taking to heart lessons of empathy, compassion, and authentic well-being along the way. Chan hosted the Dalai Lama three times in Vancouver, and is excited to bring him back once again two days after the TEDxVancouver 2014.
Treana Peake: As the founder and creative designer of the luxury fashion line Obakki and its philanthropic counterpart, the Obakki Foundation, Treana Peake has fused her lifelong passions together to create engaging and innovative philanthropy. By giving fashion a purpose and applying creativity to development work, Peake is tilting the landscape of generosity and pioneering a new type of fundraising model, one that is both dynamic and inspiring.
Jay DeMerit: From the quiet streets of a small mid-western town in the US to the raucous stadiums of the English Premier League and 2010 World Cup, Jay DeMerit's rise to football prominence is a story of remarkable triumph. With the recent announcement of his retirement, the former captain of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC is set to embark on an unfamiliar journey as he leaves behind the game that has left such a profound mark on his current identity.
"We are thrilled to have Victor, Treana and Jay take the stage to share ideas and challenge perspectives in connection with this year's theme, TILT," said TEDxVancouver president Jordan Kallman in a press release. "Speakers at TEDxVancouver are handpicked for their ability to provoke conversation, as well as new ways of thinking that will empower others to move outside of their comfort zone to do incredible things."
In true TED tradition, each speaker is challenged to offer their audience an idea worth sharing in "the talk of a lifetime" in 18 minutes or less.
TEDxVancouver is one of the longest running TEDx events in the world. This year's theme, TILT, is a concept that challenges the status-quo and the engrained patterns of the human psyche. Attendees can expect an inspiring, thought-provoking program designed to awaken curiosity and shift perspectives.
Returning for its fifth edition, TEDxVancouver will take place at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Oct. 18 and TEDxVancouver organizers will continue to reveal this year's full speaker lineup over the coming weeks. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale in early September.
