SPEAKERS
Brett Finlay
Dr. B. Brett Finlay is a Professor in the Michael Smith Laboratories, and the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Microbiology and Immunology at the University of British Columbia. He obtained a B.Sc. (Honors) in Biochemistry at the University of Alberta, where he also did his Ph.D. (1986) and his post-doctoral studies were performed at the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at Stanford University. In 1989, he joined UBC in the Biotechnology Laboratory. Dr. Finlay’s research interests are focussed on host-microbe interactions. He has been at the forefront of this field studying host-pathogen interactions, and publishing over 460 papers. He is well recognized internationally for his work, and has won several prestigious awards including the CIHR Distinguished Investigator, the Michael Smith Health Research Prize, the Canadian Killam Health Sciences Prize, the Flavelle Medal of the Royal Society, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Prix Galien, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, is a Member of the German National Academy of Sciences and is the UBC Peter Wall Distinguished Professor. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and Order of British Columbia. He is a Founding Director and Senior Fellow of CIFAR’s Microbes and Humans.
Scott Jones
Scott Jones is a writer, critic, and TV host from New York City. He’s been as an expatriate in Canada since 2009, and is looking forward to becoming a Canadian citizen this year. He has an MFA in Poetry, and once aspired to be a tenured English professor on a snowy college campus in either 1. Maine or, [second choice] 2. Vermont.
Bill Richardson
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Bill Richardson is a writer. For many years, he was a host for CBC Radio One and Two. His most recent book is a collection of poems about getting old. The First Little Bastard to Call Me Gramps was published by House of Anansi Press. He lives in Vancouver, population 605,000, and in Holmfield, Manitoba, population 14.
Eran Sudds
Eran Sudds is a photographer, writer, mama, and postpartum depression survivor. She is the founder of the Good Mother Project, an online community of moms having real conversations about motherhood, and is passionate about making sure other mothers and mothers-to-be know how amazing they are, as both moms and women. In her spare time, she also wears many other hats: singer, music-arranger, Sound of Music enthusiast, micro-manager, traveller, French-speaker, dreamer, wine-drinker, and risk-taker. She also loves spending time with her two favourite guys – her almost-three-year-old son Henry, and her relentlessly supportive husband, Justin.
Farzana Jaffer Jeraj
FARZANA instills and empowers companies and their employees through her perspectives on self-actualization, confidence in the workplace and sharing how to ‘Cheat at Meditation’.
FARZANA is a keynote speaker, coach and best selling author. She is a leading expert in the field of applied neuroplasticity, hypnosis and hypnotherapy. With over 18 years in the field of self-development, FARZANA is respected as a leader in the motivational community.
Professional actors, executives and athletes in the NHL, NFL, FIFA and The Masters regard her as their best-kept secret.
FARZANA’S studies include neurology, communication, an undergraduate degree in psychology, negotiation, mediation and hypnotherapy, which followed her pursuit of certifications in coaching, NLP (neuro-linguistic programming), trance therapy and meditation.
In 2016, Farzana released the first book of a series, I Cheat at Meditation, Zen in 60 seconds.
Kedrick James
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Kedrick James is a poet, spoken word artist, musician, visual artist and teacher. He works as a Senior Instructor in the Department of Language and Literacy Education at the University of British Columbia, where he teaches teachers and researches automation of literacy, literate networks and history of transmediation. Before academia, he worked as a festival director, publisher, performance artist, as well as being a founder of the Church of Pointless Hysteria, a Vancouver Downtown East Side art space. He loves animals and is a collector a rare small press publications and vinyl records. He recently released his second lp, Fluke Audio, which was funded by the Canada Council for the Arts. He and his partner own a ranch in the Kootenay Boundary country of BC’s southern interior, where they spend their free time.
Trevor Stokes
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Trevor Stokes has been working with vulnerable youth for over 20 years. In every school he’s taught at, he’s based his teaching practice on a few core values: high expectations; commitment; mental toughness; passion and fun. This formula has proven very successful, in particular at the Streetfront Alternative Program where he’s taught for the past 16 years.
In those 16 years, Streetfront has become a world leader in motivating and inspiring youth to push themselves to heights never thought possible. Their internationally recognized marathon program is the hallmark of their efforts.
Trevor spends his non-teaching time coaching at Britannia Secondary (cross country; senior girl’s basketball and ultimate Frisbee), coaching his own 3 boy’s sports teams and enjoying life.
Robert Sung
A 4th generation Canadian, Bob has a passion for culinary arts & history. He attended the Univ. of Hawaii (Business Admin.) and the Dubrulle Culinary Institute for Professional Chef Training. His personal and business life has revolved around the food & hospitality industry. His main focus is to educate and entertain from a culinary & cultural approach. Bob is Co-Chair of the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC, a member of the Vancouver Chinatown Revitalization Committee and an advisor to the Asian Heritage Month Society.
GALLERY