TEDxSFU 2022 Speakers

Thriving Through Turbulent Times
Prerana Gambhir (She/Her)
Social Entrepreneur, Product Manager
Prerana is a social entrepreneur, engineer and risk-taker whose primary focus has always been to take her work to the edge of her technological abilities for the public good. She immigrated to Canada as a child and has since lived in over 5 cities across the US, UK, and Canada. Prerana is currently working in big tech as a product manager while continuing to scale her own start-up which uses a decentralized drone-based system to prevent the losses inflicted by wildfires.
Automation for All
Roshan Noronha (He/Him)
Automation Scientist
Roshan Noronha is an Automation Scientist working at the intersection of genomics, data science and robotics. He received an Associate's degree in Bioinformatics from Langara College and completed his BSc in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at SFU. His time at both institutions highlighted the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to science. From running his own research lab to speaking and coaching at TEDx events, he draws from a variety of experiences to create a positive impact in his community.
Blind Sighted
Anne Mok (She/Her)
Blind Storyteller
Anne is a Creator, Advocate, Blogger, Entrepreneur, Digital Storyteller and Speaker. Through vision and storytelling Anne draws her audience in emotionally to build a connected and inclusive community with the sighted and visually impaired community. She focuses on seeing beauty with purpose while providing education and awareness and creating accessible content. For Anne, her vision to inspire a barrier-free world with a clear vision and purpose to live to your full potential is her Reflection from the valuable lessons of life's journey.
Passionately carving an unlikely legal career - Animal Law Lawyer
Rebeka Breder (She/Her)
Animal Law Lawyer
Rebeka Breder is an Animal Law lawyer, who has always been deeply passionate about fighting for nonhuman animals in and out of court. Her unique legal career is devoted exclusively to animal law. Rebeka takes on only those cases that can help individual animals or can set positive legal precedents. Rebeka was awarded by her peers as one of Canada’s “Top 25 Most Influential” lawyers and one of the “Best Lawyers” (Canada). She has also taught animal law as an adjunct professor in law schools, and she is a regular media commentator.
How to network with confidence, even when it feels nerve-wracking or uncomfortable
Precious Ile (She/Her)
Co-Founder and Partner, Impact Plus Consulting
Precious Ile is a community builder, storyteller, and management consultant. She focuses on cultivating genuine relationships with her personal and professional connections - which is the heart of networking. She has a unique ability to spark authentic conversations with just anyone she meets. To Precious, reflection centres on taking a moment to embrace your unique journey including the positive and challenging life experiences. It's about being you, listening for transferrable learnings from your experiences, and finding connections in your story and the stories of the people you meet.
Wrongful Convictions: A Life Sentence
Pamela Glatt (She/Her)
Educator/ Criminal Law
Pam is a lawyer and criminologist by training, an educator and advocate by passion. Always a ball of energy, Pam thrives on empowering others to think critically about everything and anything. To Pam, the idea of “reflection” is rooted in our ability to think critically, be compassionate, and drive impactful change. For the past decade she has been teaching about wrongful convictions at leading universities across Canada, and she has made it her goal to incorporate wrongful convictions into every course she teaches. Pam advocates for a holistic approach to wrongful convictions beyond the impact on our criminal justice system, with more focus on the human impact. She is fiercely passionate about changing how we understand wrongful convictions and prioritizing the wrongfully convicted themselves as humans and individuals first.
The Unexpected Promise of a Drama Classroom
Paul Falkowski (He/Him)
Drama Educator (Entertainer turned Educator)
Paul Falkowski is an Entertainer turned Educator. Prior to teaching, he spent a decade entertaining audiences through educational tours, cross-country marketing campaigns, and even on Top 40 radio airwaves. Paul now teaches Drama and English to high school students in BC Canada, and often finds himself intermixing the same lessons while leading meditations for non-profits and outdoor festivals. He is passionate about getting people to step into their personal power as speakers, leaders, and human beings.
The Heartbeat of Infertility
Efe Fruci (She/Her)
Executive Director, Founder of Odihi Foundation and Entrepreneur
Efe Fruci is the founder and executive director of the Odihi Foundation, a nonprofit organization aiming to build confidence and unleash the fullest potential in women worldwide. Her ultimate goal is to use her decade-long experience as a professional career and confidence coach, scientist, CEO, speaker, and author to equip women of all walks of life with the tools to succeed and thrive with greatness. She also holds a degree in Biomedical Science and Health Sciences from Oxford and a degree in Nursing/Midwifery, which secured her seat at the STEM table and set the bar for other prominent Black women.