TEDxUNF

Speakers

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

• Chuck Furey

  VP Business Development, Government Relations and Canadians Admissions for GUS Medical and Veterinary Schools

  Chuck Fuery’s ability to motivate and lead others, his skill at project management, and his enthusiastic commitment to customer engagement have driven his success in leveraging excellence in both government and the private sector. He won five consecutive elections in Newfoundland and Labrador over his 16 years in public office. He served as a Cabinet Minister from 1989 to 2000 with responsibility for economic development, mines and energy, tourism, culture and recreation. Chuck sat on the Planning and Priorities Committee of Cabinet for 10 years and chaired the Economic Development Committee of Cabinet. After retiring from political life, he served from 2006-2007 as the province's Chief Electoral Officer and Ethics Commissioner. Chuck is currently VP Business Development, Government Relations and Canadians Admissions for GUS Medical and Veterinary Schools.

• Cyndi McLeod

  CEO of Global University Systems

  Cyndi McLeod is an award-winning global education leader recognized for her visionary approach to international collaboration, digital transformation, brand development, and transnational education. Recipient of the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal for her service to Canada through international education and an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration for Educational Leadership, she has dedicated over three decades to advancing the transformative power of education across continents. As CEO of Global University Systems (GUS) North America, Cyndi leads a dynamic network of institutions including University Canada West (UCW) and the University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF), both designed to deliver industry relevant programs aligned with global economic diversification and human capital development. A passionate advocate for equity and empowerment, she co-founded Global Women in Education (GLOW Ed) to advance women’s leadership across the sector.

• Dan Bordenave

  CEO of the Niagara Falls Innovation Hub

  Daniel (Dan) Bordenave is a Canadian entrepreneur, inventor, and community leader recognized for advancing health technology and driving innovation-led economic growth. He is the founder and CEO of BISEP Innovations, a medical device company behind the ARMM (Ambulation, Retraining, and Mobility Mechanism), a groundbreaking device designed to help patients safely practice walking and transfers by connecting to a wheelchair—enhancing independence while preserving dignity throughout the rehabilitation process. Dan holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology (Honours) and a Master of Science in Applied Health Sciences. His frontline experience in long-term care and hospital settings revealed critical gaps in mobility rehabilitation, motivating him to develop practical, patient-centered solutions that improve outcomes for individuals with mobility impairments. In addition to leading BISEP Innovations, Dan serves as CEO of the Niagara Falls Innovation Hub.

• David Gray

  University of Niagara Falls - Provost and Vice-President

  David Gray, a native of Cornwall, England, came to the University of Niagara Falls Canada in the role of Provost and Vice-President, Academic from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. He was named President and Vice-Chancellor in September 2025. David holds a degree in Marine Biology from the University College of North Wales in Bangor, United Kingdom and a PhD in Zoology from Rhodes University in South Africa. Throughout the last 20 years, he has served in several senior leadership roles at academic institutions across the United Kingdom and in Canada. He was the inaugural Dean and Campus Principal of the Faculty of Agriculture at Dalhousie University, where he played a pivotal role in the development of its Agricultural Campus. In 2022, David was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medal for services to higher education in Canada.

• Hassan Baz Chamas

  Associate Dean, Master of Computer Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence, Master of Data Analytics, UNF Faculty

  Hassan Baz Chamas is a distinguished academic and consultant specializing in data analytics and operations management. He holds a PhD in Information and Operations Management from the University of Bradford, having also earned his MSc from the same institution. His foundational studies were completed at the Lebanese American University, where he obtained his BS. Hassan has made significant contributions to the academic community, particularly in the realm of data science. He previously served as the chairperson for the Data Science Department at the Lebanese University, where he supervised numerous graduate projects and theses. His expertise encompasses operations management and data analytics, areas in which he has both taught and conducted extensive research. Throughout his career, Hassan has worked on numerous consultancy projects across Oman, Lebanon, and the UAE, applying his knowledge to solve real-world problems and advance the field of data science.

• Heba El-Kamshoushy

  Assistant professor in the University of Niagara Falls

  A visual designer, researcher, and educator, Heba El-Kamshoushy is deeply interested in how design shapes the way we see, interpret, and interact with the world around us. She currently teaches in the Master of Arts in Digital Media and Global Communications program at the University of Niagara Falls Canada, where she works with students exploring the intersection of media, technology, and communication. Her work focuses on visual communication, user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design, and the evolving relationship between design and digital technologies. Alongside her academic work, she has also worked as a graphic and visual designer on projects ranging from branding and wayfinding systems to digital media communication and advertising. These experiences shaped her interest in how design goes far beyond aesthetics, it guides attention, shapes meaning, and quietly influences how people interpret the world around them.

• Holly Kaiser

  Educational Developer in the Centre for Teaching Excellence at the University of Niagara Falls Canada

  Holly Kaiser is an Educational Developer in the Centre for Teaching Excellence at the University of Niagara Falls Canada, where she works with faculty to design meaningful learning experiences and strengthen curriculum alignment across programs. Her work focuses on ensuring that learning outcomes, teaching strategies, and assessments work together to support deeper and more coherent student learning. Holly holds a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Her research examines how different generations communicate and collaborate in hybrid work environments, exploring how generational perspectives shape expectations, communication styles, and workplace relationships as organizations navigate evolving models of remote and hybrid work. Before entering higher education, Holly worked in sales and strategic marketing, leading initiatives in market analysis, customer experience, and digital transformation.

• Jim Diodati

  Mayor of the City of Niagara Falls

  Mayor of the City of Niagara Falls, Canada, and a life-long entrepreneur Mayor Jim Diodati brings his own style of ‘politainment’ as a dynamic, cutting-edge leader. He has been known to blaze a trail where there wasn’t one before and has reinvented what it has meant to be mayor.

• Patty Zakaria

  Associate Professor at the University of Niagara Falls Canada

  Patty Zakaria is an Associate Professor at the University of Niagara Falls Canada, Data Scientist, and researcher working at the intersection of governance, anti-corruption, and AI security and safety. With over 20 years of experience across industry and academia, her work focuses on how data systems shape institutional accountability, market behavior, and public trust. Her research examines corruption dynamics, institutional resilience, digital governance, and the security implications of emerging technologies. She studies how algorithmic systems, data architectures, and policy frameworks can either reinforce structural blind spots or create more transparent and resilient institutions. Her forthcoming edited volume with Routledge explores structural barriers and scalable solutions for women-led enterprises in the Global South.

• Purva Sharma

  Associate Professor at University of Niagara Falls

  Professor Purva Sharma is a seasoned academician with over 16 years of combined experience across higher education and industry. She holds a PhD in Marketing and Corporate Strategy and brings a strategic, globally attuned perspective to business education and professional development. Purva’s academic practice is grounded in inclusive pedagogy and experiential learning. Through her teaching and curriculum development, she emphasizes applied learning, encouraging students to critically engage with real-world challenges and develop solutions that are both innovative and ethically responsible. Over the course of her career, Purva has worked closely with interdisciplinary academic teams as well as internal and external stakeholders to design programs and courses that remain aligned with evolving industry needs. Her curriculum development work integrates insights from marketing strategy, digital innovation, and consumer psychology.