How do we ensure that we tell more authentic stories in our media, especially on behalf of groups that don't normally command sustained media attention? One of the world’s most respected and recognized journalists, Zain Verjee has worked as a CNN International anchor, reporter, and interviewer. She is also the co-founder of aKoma, Africa’s premier digital storytelling platform, representing authentic African stories in the media.

In a world rife with extremism acts, how do we help change things when that next extremist might well be our neighbour and look exactly like us? A Professor in the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, and the Director of the Centre on Hate, Bias and Extremism. Dr. Perry has made substantial contributions to the limited scholarship on hate crime in Canada, including work on anti-Muslim violence, hate crime against LGBTQ communities, the community impacts of hate crime, and right wing extremism in Canada.

A cardiac surgeon and scientist at the University of Calgary, Dr. Fedak is committed to the innovation and translation of new surgical therapies for patients with advanced heart disease. He has pioneered several novel surgical techniques, and leads a collaborative research effort with Northwestern University to better understand risk prediction around heart disease.

Have you ever had to make a decision? Well, then someone has been trying to figure out how you make them, so they can better persuade you to act in a certain way. Stephen is an innovator, pushing the bounds of what is possible. Best known as one of Canada’s leading political strategists, he played a leadership role in the rise of Calgary’s now world-famous Mayor Naheed Nenshi, and currently navigates better decision-making in a number of realms through his professional firm, QED Marketing.

How did we come to see the world as revolving around us as humans, versus understanding ourselves to be part of a bigger natural order? Elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2005 in the discipline of philosophy and ethics, Dr. Drury’s lifelong exploration of the history of western thought and political and religious philosophy makes her an insightful observer on today’s political environment in the U.S. and elsewhere.

How do we keep alive a navigational tradition that helps to define us as humans? Before there was the compass and GPS, there was the art and craft of navigating by the sun, stars, water, and wind. Based in the UK, Tristan is “The Natural Navigator” and has led expeditions on five continents, helping to inspire new generations to retain this timeless set of navigational skills and natural understanding.

Amid the controversy of U.S. Supreme Court nominations that highlight the challenges of defining the truth in public allegations of misconduct, what are the ethical and moral responsibilities of those watching and commenting in the public sphere? Twice named one of Canada’s 25 most influential lawyers, Alice Woolley can be considered one of Canada’s pre-eminent scholars in legal ethics and lawyer regulation.  The author of over 40 scholarly articles, including several books which she has written or edited, Woolley’s work has been relied upon by the Supreme Court of Canada, lower courts and regulators of the legal profession.

A powerful fusion of traditional Flamenco influences combined with traditional Latin American tunes and Mexican, Cuban, and Canadian jazz, Notas de 4 performances are intense, edgy, energetic, and inspiring.