How do we know when the status quo is no longer working? What does it take for us to see that the current model needs to be redesigned? For Jay Gosselin it took 12,000 heartbreaking conversations with students to fully understand how badly our model for educational transitions needs to be overhauled.

The purpose of government is to improve the lives of people. We can not be a Blockbuster government serving a Netflix citizenry. Scott Brison is happiest when thinking ahead, driving change and breaking boundaries.

Make the world a better place. A very personal story of a parking lot, the Tetra Society of Canada, ComputerWise and a customized software tool.

“Ill-informed masses put democracies at risk!” Redesigning how to engage youth is crucial for the future of our country. Catherine Cano challenges Generation Z and Millennials to get more involved to build their own democracy.

The world’s economic powers are shifting. Find out how the West needs to wake up and change its game in order to protect its Innovation Advantage and preserve its economic strength. Amy is a passionate speaker, consultant, author and corporate instructor of Stanford University professional development courses, as well as her own workshops. With a unique and engaging style, she lectures on topics including innovation, sales, marketing, global competitiveness and China. Amy has worked with over 50 countries and at companies such as Cisco, Apple, Visa, Nationwide, Capital One, SAP, Bell Canada and AT&T. Notably, she led a CEO-sponsored global competitive sales support program at Cisco Systems, the catalyst for her current practice. She has also led business development initiatives with the World Bank. Notably, she led a CEO-sponsored global competitive sales support program at Cisco Systems, the catalyst for her current practice. Amy poured her experience and desire to influence change into her book, The China Factor: Leveraging Emerging Business Strategies to Compete, Grow and Win in the New Global Economy.

The path to reconciliation between Canada and its Indigenous Peoples begins with mutual respect, and conservation and celebration of culture. In 2014, Perry Bellegarde was elected National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations following a long a career championing the rights of First Nation people. Originally from Little Black Bear First Nation in Treaty 4 Territory, National Chief Bellegarde has held the roles of Councillor, Chief, Tribal Chair, and Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and Saskatchewan Regional Chief. National Chief Bellegarde is the recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal (2012), the Saskatchewan Medal (2005), the Queen’s Jubilee Medal (2002) and the Confederation Medal (1992). He has been honoured by several Chiefs and Elders who have acknowledged him as their adopted son, and he honoured them by carrying their teachings forward as he works toward full realization of self-determination for First Nations peoples and a shared nation-to-nation vision for a more just and inclusive Canada.

A journey of song and growth paving the way for the next 150 years. Craig is a Canadian singer-songwriter. Known throughout Canada, Craig is developing a following throughout North America and into Europe. With guitar in hand, Craig can turn any setting into an intimate affair. Infusing his music and lyrics with a uncompromising humanism rarely seen in today’s production-heavy climate. Craig Cardiff builds landscapes of sound using live digital loops, bringing the room to a hush. Edged, folk, beautiful, melancholy and left leaning, one song breaks your heart, and the next one puts it back together.

A message to Canadians: be loud, proud and tell your story, or risk being forgotten. Inspired by the Hopi American Indian proverb, “Those who tell the stories rule the world”, Melanie’s passion lies in telling fascinating stories on multiple platforms and connecting with people. As the Director of Content and Engagement at Canada 2020, Melanie has turned this passion into a career, leading the independent, progressive think thank’s content creation and social media initiatives. She is also a digital communications instructor at Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication focusing on social media and storytelling in the digital age.

Are charity donors at the root of poverty? Please, stop giving to (bad) charities and learn how to truly support those in need. In 2000, Allan Brown made a radical mid-life shift by selling his IT consulting firm in order to fully dedicate himself to international development work. Today, Allan is the International Director and Founder of Compasio Relief & Development, an organization that seeks to love, protect and empower those who are vulnerable. From responding first-hand to the devastation of the 2004 Asian tsunami, to pioneering sustainable programs for victims of trafficking and abuse in high-risk refugee populations, Allan provides insights into the good, the bad and the ugly of development and charitable response. Allan has recently returned to Canada after 15 years abroad overseeing work among displaced ethnic minority communities on the Thailand-Myanmar border.

Social media has made people significantly more vulnerable to sexual violence and abuse. It causes us to question whether Black Mirror is a reflection of the world we live in today. Dillon Black is a gender-nonconforming anti-violence activist meets tech feminist media-maker who is passionate about changing the Internet, challenging cyberviolence, and empowering young women and LGBTQ youth. Dillon believes the greatest challenge the internet faces today is the issue of violence and abuse. Dillon works tirelessly to end violence against women with the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women. Dillon has spent the last 5 years studying and challenging rape culture on campuses and online with the support of Status of Women Canada. Recently, Dillon was appointed by the Honourable Minister Patty Hajdu to the Government of Canada’s Advisory Council to Help Shape the Federal Strategy on Gender-Based Violence as the Cyberviolence and LGBTQQI2S expert.

Innovation in the next 150 years is rooted in the connected economy. John Weigelt spends most of his days looking at the future. As the National Technology Officer for Microsoft Canada, John has the unique role of looking ahead 3-5 years and working at the intersection of innovative technology to determine how it impacts strategic policy and business decisions. In this role, Mr. Weigelt helps business and governments innovate with technology while avoiding the unintended consequences that might arise. He leads Canadian outreach for a variety of technology policies, including: Economic Development, Privacy, Security, Government 3.0, Accessibility, Environmental Sustainability and Interoperability.