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Conquering Uncertainty with Tenacity – Katie Bender
At the age of 24, after being trained as a professional gymnast and as an aerial skier, Katie moved away from the world of skiing to California to study. She wasn’t gone long however, as she began work on her four-year project “The Will to Fly”, an amazing film capturing the struggles and conquests of Lydia Lassila’s journey in the Olympics. The film is now studied within high schools, TAFE courses, and used as a leadership and motivational tool for corporate groups and sports teams. Katie Bender is a former professional athlete, independent producer and documentary filmmaker. At a young age she took up gymnastics, training tirelessly until the age…
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Flexibility is the Future of Feminism – Annie Dean & Anna Auerbach
Although 57% of college graduates are women, there are more CEOs named John than all female CEOs put together, and only 19% of seats in the House and Senate are held by women. Understanding that this inequity is a direct result of antiquated working structures developed specifically with men in mind, Dean and Auerbach launched Werk, a marketplace of flexible work opportunities for ambitious women. Listen to their impassioned explanation of why keeping and advancing women in the workforce matters. Dean and Auerbach recognized that women could not possibly “do it all” or “have it all” in work environments that were not designed for their success. In 2016, they launched…
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Do You Know How You Want To Die?
Ashley Evdokimo discusses the importance of Advance Directives and stresses the point of having the conversation earlier rather than later. We have been conditioned to see the end of life as something that isn’t a part of life – and that needs to change. An Advance Directive is a great way to START the conversation about end of life care, and Ashley encourages each and every one of you to STOP waiting to have these conversations. Ashley Evdokimo is an MBA student at UNR working for St. Mary’s Hospice. She strives to inspire the people around her everyday and has certainly inspired us with her talk on death and dying,…
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Teaching for 21st Century
Have you ever wondered what it is like to not only teach, but to teach in a way that impacts your students? Have you had relationships with your fellow students and teachers? With our virtual world in the 21st century, how can we maintain these elements while opening borders, exchanging ideas and starting companies? Karin has a solution or two that might help change the trajectory of teaching forever… Karin is very fortunate in that the things she is passionate about are also the things that pay her bills. Namely, creating experiences people love, constant learning, and bringing people together with a shared goal. She has 10+ years of design…
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Does it Matter? Validation
In her talk, Ethel shares how the support of her parents has played a role in her success. She also speaks about her struggle with external validation from some mentors and how internal validation is important for greatness. Ethel Cofieis the CEO of Edel Technology Consulting. Named one of the Top 5 Women impacting IT in Africa, Ethel Cofie is CEO and Founder of EDEL Technology Consulting, an IT Consulting and Digital Products Company in West Africa who was recently named IT Consulting Firm of the year by the Telecoms and IT Industry. She is also Founder of Women in Tech Africa, a Mandela Fellow for President Obama’s Young African…
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From Angry Peacemaker to Heart Leader – Erica Ford
Erica Ford has helped radically transform communities surrounding urban youth across NYC from one of violence to peace. Here she speaks to her personal realization that we can’t stop the violence around us if we don’t create peace within. ERICA FORD is the CEO and Founder of LIFE Camp, dedicated to reducing violence among young New Yorkers and creating a culture of peace. LIFE Camp incorporates best practices in youth violence prevention/intervention, as well as providing programs such as I Love My Life Campaign to reinforce self-esteem and respect for life among teens and young adults. Urban Yogis, and other holistic approaches, connect and mobilize youth to prevent and heal…
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Everybody is Useful – Liz Powers
Liz Powers has worked with individuals who are homeless and disabled for the last decade. She is the co-founder and Chief Happiness Spreader at ArtLifting, a business that empowers artists who are homeless and disabled. She is a serial social entrepreneur who has received multiple grants and awards for her work. She was awarded the “Unsung Heroine Award” in the Massachusetts State House and the Mayor Walsh’s ONEin3 Award for the top impact by a young professional in Boston. Liz has an AB, cum laude, from Harvard College and MSc from the University of Edinburgh. Her impact has been featured on the TODAY Show, New York Times, CBS, ABC, Washington…
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Could you live without a smartphone? | Anastasia Dedyukhina
Anastasia Dedyukhina ditched her smartphone, together with her senior international career in digital marketing, when she realized how dependent she had become on the gadget. Today she acts as a business mentor, supporting ethical tech startups, and runs Consciously Digital, helping companies and individuals be more productive and less stressed in an age of digital distraction. In her talk, Anastasia will explain why we feel the uncontrollable urge to check our smartphones all the time and share the valuable lessons she learned and the tips that helped her find the balance between her online and offline life. Having worked for 12+ years in senior digital marketing positions for global…
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#VirtualTeacher – Hannah Boon
Learning a language is not simply about the rules of language. The greatest teacher is culture and Hannah argues that the internet is a game-changer that brings world culture and language learning to you with a few clicks on your laptop. Hannah Boon is a grade 11 French Immersion student from Sentinel Secondary School. She is deeply passionate about language education and youth advocacy, both of which are interests that have led her to be involved in various organizations. As an active member of the North Shore community, Hannah strives to promote youth initiatives and education by being a regional manager for Kindlers Society, a council member on West Vancouver…
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Taking Flight | Antonia Wysong
How did this pilot get her wings back? Henry Ford said, “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that a plane takes off against the wind, and not with it.” Antonia Wysong currently holds the position of Assistant Chief Pilot for Delta Air Lines in Atlanta, Georgia. She holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate, and is rated for B757, B767, CL65 and DC9 with Commercial privileges for both Airplane Single/Multiengine Land, and Airplane Multiengine Sea. She also holds Advanced Ground Instructor and Certified Flight Instructor Licenses. She has a BA in Business and Finance from London University, and a degree in International Culinary Arts, and a Masters in…
