Speakers
The following is an overview of our speakers at this year's conference.
DAVID MILLER
While Nations Talk, Cities Act:
A passionate and hopeful presentation on the signification actions undertaken to address climate change by the largest global cities. David Miller is the Managing Director of the C40 Centre for Urban Climate Policy and Economy – a global network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities that are united in action to confront the climate crisis.
Mr. Miller was Mayor of Toronto from 2003 to 2010. Under his leadership, the city became widely admired internationally for its environmental leadership, economic strength and social integration. He is a leading advocate for the creation of sustainable urban economies. Mr. Miller has held a variety of public and private positions, including President and CEO of the World Wildlife Fund Canada and has served as Future of Cities Global Fellow at Polytechnic Institute of New York University. He is the author of Solved, how the great cities of the world are fixing the climate crisis (University of Toronto Press).
David Miller is a Harvard-trained economist and professionally is a lawyer. He and his wife, lawyer Jill Arthur, are the parents of two children.
Safia Ibrahim
From childhood polio survivor to vaccination advocate
Safia Ibrahim was only a year old, living in her birth country of Somalia, when she contracted polio. For Safia, surviving polio was a miracle but not without challenges, as she was left paralyzed from the waist down. When she was 8 years old – after an outbreak of civil war – Safia emigrated to Canada as a refugee, gaining access to full health care and was given her first set of leg braces and crutches. As an adult, after having three of her own children, Safia decided to harness her experiences as a polio survivor to speak out about the necessity of vaccination and ensure that no child would endure the same experiences she went through, and has become a vocal advocate for the immunization of all children. Safia currently works as a Public Engagement Manager at Results Canada and lives in Ottawa with her young family.
Empowering families dealing with mental health challenges
Tracy Schmitt:
Disarming Limits: No Mountain high enough or Ocean deep enough.
The Unstoppable Tracy Schmitt. was the 1st four-way amputee to climb the Himalayan Mountains. She sails tall ships in the Atlantic, scuba dives, and is a Bronze medalist alpine skier. Oprah Magazine shared her story as a Quest for the Gold World Cup Sailor -- sailing against able-bodied men. Now in 2024, a #1 International Award-Winning Business Leader and MegaSpeaker in over 40 countries, on multiple TedXs, a TV and Podcast HOST, a #1 Bestselling Author, whose forward is written by Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul, and Canada’s Hall of Fame inductee who has over 100 million viral video views, a BEd, and MBA. Tracy is clearly our expert on Disarming Limiting Beliefs.
Paul Saltzman
In 1968, he learned meditation at the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram in India, an experience that changed his life. There, he photographed the Beatles, Mia Farrow, Donovan, Mike Love and others. His photo of the group has become iconic.
In 1968-69 he assisted in the birth of a new film format as second-unit director and production manager of the first IMAX film, produced for the Osaka 1970 World's Fair. In 1969, he attended the Woodstock Music Festival, later producing a Leonard Cohen concert tour.
In 2000, Viking Penguin released Paul's first book, The Beatles in Rishikesh, a record of his time there. His most recent feature documentary, Meeting the Beatles in India, was executive produced by David Lynch and narrated by Morgan Freeman.
River Christie-White
Hoops for Hoop – Celebrating Indigenous culture through Dance.
River Christie-White is a 22-year-old Indigenous Hoop Dancer from the Oneida Nation of the Thames. Diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum, he’s the founder of Hoops for Hope, an organization that promotes Autism awareness, anti-bullying, suicide prevention, cultural and disability inclusion vs. acceptance, as well as the lack of support for Indigenous children and families with special needs. River received the 2017 Diversity, Race Relations and Inclusivity Award for Youth/Young Adults from the City of London River and has been recognized for his work to build inclusive
communities across Turtle Island. River is a student in the Professional Music Program at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Blanket-making and Homelessness – not just an urban problem
*** a hands-on session
In Alliston, just a short drive from the site of our conference, you’ll find S.H.I.F.T. "Support and Hope for Individuals and Families Today”. The agency provides safe and welcoming overnight shelter accommodations, meals and supports to those experiencing or at-risk of homelessness and/or food insecurity, with its outreach workers covering a large rural area in South Simcoe. You’ll hear their story from SHIFT’s Candace Gordon, and help finish some blankets that are destined for the shelter.
The session will be led by Past DG and Toronto Sunrise Rotarian Mary Lou Harrison.
Feeding Thorncliffe: How a group of urban farmers is helping provide food security for the residents of a concrete village right in their own backyard.
Thorncliffe park is a diverse community over 35,000 people, making it one of Toronto’s most-densely populated neighborhoods. Amidst its hi-rises, resident Michelle Delaney and her team have been leading a sustainable urban farming project since 2011. Thorncliffe Park Urban Farmers provide fruits and vegetables for the community, along with environment stewardship and education for people of all ages. She’ll be joined by pollination expert Najeeb Siddiqi, who has
helped turn unused lawn space into beautiful pollinator gardens full of flora native to Ontario. Hear their amazing story and pick up some tips for your own garden project.
Outdoor Breakout session -- Wellness Break with Paige
Why DEI: Imagining a world where everyone feels included and that they belong!
What kind of change could we create when everyone sits at the same table, voices are amplified, and the best ideas are shared? Join the conversation about exploring the magic that happens when we create spaces for diverse identities to participate, contribute, and make change for a better world.
Shauna Moore is a proud member of the Whitby Sunrise Rotary Club and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lead at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. She is passionate about building inclusive communities where people can be their best, authentic selves.
Youth in the Truth and Reconciliation process
environmental sustainability, and the preservation of Indigenous traditions. By bridging cultural divides and promoting dialogue, Y2Y equips the next generation to work collaboratively towards a more inclusive and sustainable future.
“This experience was a real eye opener, the elders I got to meet were incredible and the stories they had to share were extraordinary and inspired me to make changes in my community. ”
