In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

White Rock Playhouse Theatre
1532 Johnston Road
White Rock, British Columbia, V4B 3Z7
Canada

Carina Xiao

Carina is a grade 10 student at Semiahmoo Secondary in Surrey, British Columbia who is passionate about the environment and the ways that our emissions are having an impact on the ecosystem in Semiahmoo Bay. Having finished her AP curriculum in grade 9, Carina used some of her scientific knowledge to conduct experiments around the Semiahmoo Bay area to see how our water quality and water pH levels are affected by emissions. She will be sharing a message on how she thinks we can address climate change together as a community.

David Young

David Young is Chief Executive Officer at SOURCES. David was born in Korbecke, Germany and arrived in Canada as an infant. He has lived all over Canada, including New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. David holds a BA from Trent University, majoring in English and Politics. About 10 years later and after working in Community and Social Services for a number of years, David completed a Bachelor of Social Work with a focus on Community Development. After working at the Catholic Children’s Aid Society in Toronto, David moved to Golden, BC and began a career as a social worker with the Ministry of Human Resources. As David’s career progressed he was involved in a variety of areas including Income Assistance, Child and Youth Mental Health, Youth Justice, Early Childhood Development, Community Living and Autism Services, Addictions Treatment, Public Health, Child Welfare, Family Services and Adoption. He later became the Director of Child & Family Services of BC as well as the Director of Adoption for BC and was appointed the Assistant Deputy Minister of Child & Family Services. After leaving the government, David became the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs in Ottawa. This opportunity allowed David to learn about and engage with community programs throughout Canada, leading him to SOURCES in 2008. Believe it or not our CEO’s greatest passion is for the work he does here at SOURCES! David’s says that “it is difficult not be passionate about the kind of engagement our staff have in helping people find their way in life.” However, David does pursue a variety of passions. When he is not working David is reading, listening to music, traveling, skiing, running and spending time with his 4 kids and grandkids.

Elaine Cheung

Elaine holds a deep passion for the White Rock community, where she both resides and works. Actively engaged with various city committees and groups, she dedicates her efforts to enhancing White Rock’s appeal as a vibrant destination for living, working, and recreation. In October 2022, Elaine successfully ran for a seat on the White Rock Council. To stay updated on her community initiatives, you can follow her at https://meforwhiterock.com. Elaine also serves as the co-founder of Hilarapy, a well-known comedy therapy group formerly known as Addictive Comedy, established in 2015. In her role, she oversees the daily operations of the company and manages the production of both filmed and live events organized by Hilarapy each year. The group received the prestigious Business of the Year – Supporter of the Arts award in both 2019 and 2022, with Elaine herself being a finalist for The Business Owner of the Year in 2020. For more information, you can visit their website at https://hilarapy.com. Elaine's journey of overcoming rheumatoid arthritis is a testament to the transformative power of addressing and overcoming limiting beliefs. For years, I struggled with the debilitating effects of this chronic condition, which significantly impacted my quality of life. Traditional treatments provided little relief, leaving me searching for a deeper understanding and solution.

Lenore Rattray

Lenore has been dealt a number of challenges in her life and yet continues to push forward. One of her most powerful stories centres around what it took to not only survive but also carry the impact of the trauma from a high profile event in1992. She is a podcaster, speaker, advocate, entrepreneur and mom to a teenage girl. Lenore has a powerful story to tell.

Mike Freedman

Mike is a local White Rock resident and a dynamic speaker and trainer who has travelled a unique path to become an expert in a novel field. He’s written a book about his adventures and can draw anyone in with his charming and witty storytelling. He went from being a kid with learning disabilities to working at Home Depot and future shop, to an audiophile expert in both audio and home automation as well as sales and training. Mike's TEDx Talk centres around taking back control in our daily life.

Stacey Olson-Steele

Stacey has spent her career teaching all ages from kindergarten to adults in business suits. Now, as a corporate training facilitator, she helps organizations collaborate, communicate, and engage turning Monday morning blues into Monday morning whoo-hoos! She received book smarts from the University of Calgary, Western University, and Royal Roads University, developed perseverance from years as an underachieving GenX'er, and enjoys life as an entrepreneur and a single mom sandwiched in a multi-generational household. Stacey connects to her audiences through engaging stories, perspective-shifting research and insightful reflection about our world and how we can create a positive future for all.

Yian Rao

Yian is a highschool student at Semiahoo. Passionate about finding solutions to his community's challenges, Yian launched a bike sharing program for his highschool at Semiahmoo Secondary to find innovative ways to drive change.