About TEDx Toronto
Our 2011 conference theme was Redefinition. The idea behind this theme was to open up the possibility of new ways of defining ‘ideas worth spreading.’ Definitions impose a frame on the world, shaping communities, social and political structures, our relationships and ourselves.
We hope that the Talks from the day will challenge your definitions and perceptions and encourage you to start conversations and relationships with other Torontonians and passionate thinkers around the world.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxToronto, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxToronto event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.
About TED
TED is a non-profit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 25 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The annual TED Conference invites the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes. Their talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani,Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The annual TED Conference takes place in Long Beach, California, with simulcast in Palm Springs; TEDGlobal is held each year in Oxford, UK. TED’s media initiatives include TED.com, where new TEDTalks are posted daily, and the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as the ability for any TEDTalk to be translated by volunteers worldwide. TED has established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world are given the opportunity to put their wishes into action; TEDx, which offers individuals or groups a way to host local, self-organized events around the world, and the TEDFellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to become part of the TED community and, with its help, amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.
Meet the Team
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Dan Jacob
Co-Chair
A passionate marketer, event producer & entrepreneur, Dan has been organizing the TEDxToronto conference since it came to the city in 2009. He is Chief IDIA Guy at IDIA Events and Co-Producer of the upcoming Socialight Conference – Canada’s Ultimate Entrepreneurship & Leadership Event.
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Satish Kanwar
Co-Chair
Satish is an entrepreneur, geek and friend. He is the co-founder of Jet Cooper, a user experience design agency, as well as an active member of the startup, technology and non-profit community.
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Ryan Merkley
Co-Chair
Ryan is a new dad, writer, marketer, and political strategist. He is currently Chief Operating Officer of the Mozilla Foundation. He was a founding member of TEDxToronto.
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Darius Bashar
Programming Lead
Darius is a digital strategist and co-founder of dailychallenge.org. He works with brands and not-for-profits to help them engage and build meaningful communities online. When Darius is not blogging, tweeting or watching TED videos, he may be found enjoying a cold drink on a warm patio.
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Kerry McKibbin
Marketing Lead
An Account Director at doug & serge, Kerry is passionate about advertising of all mediums as well as TED, books and cheese. If she’s not on her BlackBerry or MacBook, you can probably find her in her kitchen, cooking up a storm.
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Afshin Mousavian
Sponsorship Lead
Fascinated by the impact created from sharing of good ideas, Afshin can’t help but love TED and everything about it. He’s currently the senior digital strategist at Sequentia Environics where he works with awesome people on ideas worth spreading.
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Lisa Pozhke
Logistics Lead
A true TED junkie, Lisa works in Corporate Marketing and is passionate about creating dynamic experiences. Lisa loves infographics, heritage buildings and brunch. Lisa believes in things created for and by everyone.
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Lynnette Visaya
PR Lead
Lynnette is an explorer on two wheels, and is the other half to an educator. Loving anything that evokes great conversations, she believes there’s always room for a good debate. She currently works as a Senior Account Executive at energi PR, Communications, Digital.