THE GIFT OF FAILURE: HOW DISCOMFORT SHAPES SUCCESS

Drawing from her experiences of overcoming childhood trauma, surviving breast cancer, and helping her family navigate challenges like autism and mental health struggles, Shannon illuminates the transformative power of embracing failure and turning setbacks into opportunities for building resilience.

She shares her journey of constantly running from failure, only to realize that it wasn’t failure itself she was avoiding, but discomfort. Through heartfelt personal stories and insights gained from years of working with teens, Shannon challenges us to confront discomfort directly, allowing us to grow and unlock our greatest contributions to the world.

BIOGRAPHY

Shannon is a passionate and sought-after thought leader dedicated to reshaping the future of education.  As a health and family wellness coach, nutritionist, motivational speaker, and creator of Toolbox Tuesdays, Shannon inspires others to discover their strengths and realize their gifts.

A survivor of childhood abuse, breast cancer, and the challenges of supporting a family through anxiety, autism, anorexia, and trauma, Shannon knows firsthand what it takes to uncover "The Magic Inside", and is committed to making a positive impact in the world by sharing her passion for life.

Shannon lives in Courtenay on Vancouver Island, where she enjoys cold plunges, sunsets, paddle boarding, forest walks, dancing, and homeschooling her 16-year-old twins.

BREAKING THE CYCLE: TERMINATING QUICK FIXES AND HALF-ASSES

Is the environment a priority for you? If not, let me convince you otherwise. On October 26, I will be taking you through the epic highs and lows of environmentalism, the 101 on how to level up your life, and how leaning in could result in the secret to happiness you have been searching for day to day.

BIOGRAPHY

Ruby is from California and fun fact she once faced a wildfire and came out with singed eyebrows. Other than her love for Hamilton, she immerses herself in environmental justice as BEAT captain at school (Brentwood Environmental Action Team). She’s not a fan of bell peppers but is a fan of her two sweet brothers Noah and Max and cats Poppy and Chip who always support her. She owes her success to her charisma, impressive vertical jump, and her amazing, hardworking parents who she is endlessly indebted to. She hopes you feel inspired by her TEDTalk.

FOLLOWING YOUR INNER VOICE; WHY YOU NEED TO TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS

Kennedy’s talk emphasizes understanding the value of our instincts and their power over the outcome of our lives. She wishes for the audience to gain greater trust in themselves and to be able to advocate for their beliefs. In this grounding talk, you will learn how small beliefs and actions can create significant impacts on overarching life experiences.

BIOGRAPHY

From San Francisco, California, Kennedy Peterson is a keen debater and neuroscience enthusiast. As co-captain of both the Brentwood Debate program and the Research Action and Innovation in Neuroscience club, Kennedy can be found engaging in vivid discussions with her peers or scanning students’ brain waves. In her spare time, she often watches her favorite show, The Office, or chats over coffee with her friends. 

MIND OVER MILES: THE SECRET TO ACHIEVING THE IMPOSSIBLE

Collin shares his journey from avoiding discomfort to embracing extreme endurance challenges, including running 18.5 hours from Vancouver to Whistler and his upcoming goal of completing seven marathons across seven continents in seven days on November 15th. Through powerful stories of resilience, he reveals how finding a deeper purpose and setting non-negotiable commitments can push us beyond our limits and unlock our true potential.

BIOGRAPHY

Collin Zwickel is an accomplished investment advisor and avid runner from Vancouver who brings the same energy to his business and athletic pursuits. With 15 years of experience as a Portfolio and wealth Advisor at RBC Dominion Securities, Collin excels at leading his team and serving his clients. Outside of work, his passions for running, skiing, and giving back drive him forward.

Now, he’s preparing for his biggest challenge yet: becoming the youngest Canadian to run seven marathons on seven continents in seven days as part of The Great World Race. He’s doing it for charity, raising funds through his foundation, Happy Kids, to support children in need. During his last fitness challenge, running 122 KM from Vancouver to Whistler he raised 77 thousand dollars for local children's charities.

Collin’s a big believer in giving back, volunteering with organizations like Habitat for Humanity and the Vancouver Native Housing Society. His experiences in business and sport make him an inspiring speaker on topics like perseverance, leadership, and the importance of community.

WHY WOULD ANYONE PAY MORE THAN $3M FOR A PICTURE OF A MONKEY? 

Shunsuke will first explain the concept of NFTs, before delving into  why people need to keep their eyes on this technology.

BIOGRAPHY

I'm a Gade 12 Ellis House student. I have a deep passion for technology, especially blockchain technology. Three years ago, I founded my own organization, which utilizes blockchain to support artists. I believe that blockchain technology is the future and has immense potential to revolutionize various industries.

THE FUTURE OF ARCHITECTURE: BIOPHILIA AND CLIMATE CHANGE

The future of Architecture: Biophilia and Climate Change explores the relationship between our understanding of aesthetics and how we will use these tools to create a climate responsive architecture. 

Specifically, how the tools used by corporations to track our eyes and reactions to products, social media and environments can be put to use in creating built environments that will have positive neurological responses- creating beautiful places that sooth and heal.  Importantly, these tools can be used to create climate responsive architecture- passive and net zero homes- that can accomplish the goal of creating carbon neutral or even carbon positive structures. The talk will describe in broad terms how this can be accomplished and will feature the speaker’s own personal experience in overcoming the hurdles associated with creating a new form of architecture. 

BIOGRAPHY

Cedric holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and a Masters degree in Architecture from the University of British Columbia, where he also taught as an assistant professor in the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. He worked for the architect Daniel Liebeskind and Müller Knippscheld Wehburg Landscape Architects in Berlin, Germany after graduating. He has served on design review committees for the District of West Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver. He is now an Accredited Passivhaus designer, pioneering sustainability and low-energy design in Vancouver. Cedric’s other interests include rowing and sailing; he was a member of the 1992 Barcelona Canadian Olympic Rowing Team, and served as commodore of The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club in 2023. Sports and teamwork are a critical parts of his work and family life, with a particular interest in performance in the built environment. 

HARNESSING POSITIVITY

Preston Curtis's talk shows just how important it is to be happy and optimistic in your everyday life. Life is hard and can sometimes get you in a rut, so giving yourself the ability to be happy throughout every situation is necessary. He has many experiences that have nearly sent him to an early death, so he will be sharing just how valuable life truly is and that you should enjoy every minute.

BIOGRAPHY

From Denver, Colorado, Preston Curtis enjoys studying psychology and is a varsity rower. A first year student who has done everything they can to become as engaged as possible. He loves to spend as much time as he can hanging out with friends while also trying to experience everything possible. Whether it be competitive tennis or water polo, life is too short not to try it all. He firmly believes that hard work and a smile on your face are key to achieving our goals, both in rowing and in life.

PASSION PROJECTS - WHEN A YOUTH AND A PARENT OR MENTOR COLLABORATE

Could special bonds be created that strengthen society? Could the projects positively impact our communities, nations, and world? In “What happens when a youth and a parent or mentor collaborate on a passion project?” Greg Scott and his daughter Hali draw upon their past decade of annual busking adventures to raise money and awareness for local causes, and how their dad & daughter efforts snowballed into the creation of a foundation that is encouraging Canadian youth and parent/mentor teams to take on their own initiatives – initiatives that might change their lives or the lives of people around them. While visiting schools and parent-teacher organizations throughout British Columbia this past winter to talk about their foundation and available youth bursaries, the duo put further actions behind their words by becoming the first ever to ski all the lift-serviced ski areas in British Columbia in the same single winter – 44 ski areas in 44 days. Their unique journey together offers insights into their mantra that small change can make a big difference, and they hope to challenge you on the infinite possibilities of what difference you will make next. 

BIOGRAPHY

Greg Scott and Hali Scott-Smith are the co-founders of the Tidbits of Change Foundation

In 2012, what began as the small notion of a dad and his 11-year-old daughter’s annual busking adventures together has through the years raised attention and thousands of dollars for a variety of great causes such as: the Oregon Humane Society, Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, Drought Relief for the San Diego Farm Bureau, The Alberta Avalanche Rescue Dog Association, Ocean Legacy Foundation, The Shoebox Project.

Their efforts have snowballed into a bigger concept - a foundation that focuses on encouraging youth and their parents/mentors to collaborate on their own passion projects. 

Greg Scott is an alumnus of UBC and the University of Alberta, a speaker, and an entrepreneur with a multifarious background in the ski industry, board games, tiny houses, and the hospitality industry.  He is the author of ‘The Cycle of Life’ - a fifteen-year coast-to-coast cycling adventure with his son.

Hali ScottSmith is an alumnus of Quest University Canada. She has worked extensively in hospitality management and is invested in uncovering how happiness can be sustainable. She is an avid traveller and is currently absorbed in taking in as much ‘new’ as possible.