TEDxULeth

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Brandy Old

  Agility Program Coordinator - Alumni

  Brandy Old is the Agility Manager at the University of Lethbridge. She’ll speak of one of the dirtiest words in our vocabulary, and perhaps one of the most important tools of success. That word is failure. Learning how to fail can teach us about success and how to make a difference.

• Eric Chang

  Entrepreneur - Alumni

  An entrepreneur since the age of 12, Eric Chang is a big believer in the power of creative, entrepreneurial problem solving to tackle some of life’s greatest challenges. In his talk, he will address how a common phrase “don’t give up” may not be as helpful as one would think. It creates a mental roadblock without providing solutions or relief to help a person moving forward and getting unstuck.

• Jeffery MacCormack

  Assistant Professor - Educational Psychology and Inclusion

  Dr. Jeffrey MacCormack is an assistant professor in the University of Lethbridge’s Faculty of Education. He’ll share his childhood experiences as a stutterer, along with the steps he takes when preparing to speak, which is a big part of his role as an educator. He advocates for stutterers within education, but also people with disabilities and differences more broadly. His big message is that students need to see teachers who model resilience and, more broadly, “easier” is not necessarily better.

• LaRae Smith

  BA. / BEd. Combined - Undergraduate Student

  A fourth-year student at the University of Lethbridge, LaRae Katie Smith is currently working towards completing her Bachelor of Arts with streams in English, history and linguistics, as well as her Bachelor of Education. In her presentation, Smith notes there are factors outside of the realm of control that everyone has to deal with. People living during the Great Depression didn't sign up for dust storms, and she didn't sign up for ADHD. In the end, those factors are determined by a “roll of the dice.”

• Robbin Derry and Saga Darnell

  Associate Professor - Policy and Strategy and Reed College (Portland) - Undergraduate Student

  As a business ethics professor at the University of Lethbridge’s Calgary campus, Robbin Derry is deeply interested in questions of social justice. Saga Darnell is an actor, singer, dancer, and playwright studying gender and performance at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. After Saga came out as non-binary in 2016, Saga and Robbin began a correspondence, chronicling their thoughts and understanding around transness and non-binary identity. These are a few of those letters between mother and child.

• Rosie Costen

  BSc. Neuroscience - Undergraduate Student

  A third-year neuroscience student at the University of Lethbridge, Rosie Costen focusses her attention on science, leadership and volunteering. Particularly passionate about disability advocacy and education, Costen lives with a chronic neurological disorder and mental health issues. She sees her education as a vehicle to helping others with neurological dysfunction.

• Sandra Lamouche

  First Nations Métis and Inuit Success Coordinator (Livingstone Range School Division) - Alumni

  Sandra Lamouche is a Cree mother, wife, hoop dancer and educator. The First Nations Métis and Inuit Success Coordinator for the Livingstone Range School Division, she helps educate teachers, staff and students on first Nations history, culture and ways of knowing. She uses hoop dance teachings to inspire others to live in balance and harmony with themselves, their friends and family, and with the environment.

• Shandi Bleiken

  Admin Support - Faculty of Arts and Science Advising

  Shandi Bleiken is a queer organizer and community activist in Lethbridge. The former president of OUTreach Southern Alberta and one of the leading voices behind #QueerKidsYQL, Shandi is a self-described relentless optimist who has dedicated her life to the undying belief that good will always win.

• Tisha Gilbert

  BFA. / BEd. Combined - Undergraduate Student

  After living through a difficult divorce, Tisha Gilbert, a single mother of three, decided to turn her passion for theatre into a career and is currently in her third year of a combined Bachelor of Fine Arts-Drama/Bachelor of Education program. When life gets hard it can be tough to find reasons to smile. More than that, it can feel as though you’ll never be happy again. Gilbert explains five simple steps to help regain happiness in the midst of trials.

• Uriel Karerwa

  BSc. Neuroscience - Undergraduate Student

  A neuroscience student at the University of Lethbridge, Karerwa is a radio programmer and writer and host of The Eclectic on CKXU radio. He’s used his studies to better understand his life experiences. Through storytelling, Karerwa will explain how applying concepts he learned in class can reignite one’s passion.