Topic: “Me and the Writing Life”. Born in the UK and emigrating to Canada as a teenager, Maureen has been a teacher, assistant dog trainer, a coat check girl (very briefly), and a psychotherapist. We know her better as the writer behind Murdoch Mysteries and Bomb Girls, her pair of very popular television series. She [...]
Topic: “Muslim Women in Canadian Society”. A member of The Order of Canada and recipient of an honorary Ph. D. (from Queen’s University School of Religion), Alia Hogben is the Executive Director of the Canadian Council for Muslim Women. She is a proponent of liberal, modernist practices in Islam and believes in interfaith understanding. The [...]
Topic: “Uprising: A New Age is Dawning for Every Mother’s Daughter”. Human rights activist, journalist, and award-winning author Sally Armstrong has covered stories about women and girls in zones of conflict all over the world. She has received many awards such as the Amnesty International Media Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Journalism [...]
Topic: The Impact of Domestic Violence on the Workplace Dr. Jaffe is the well-known Academic Director of the Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women and Children at Western and has spent over 30 years working to champion women and children victims of domestic violence. The Centre’s Community Director, Barb MacQuarrie, will co-present [...]
Topic: Music and the Brain: Why Rhythm Makes Us Move With many degrees and awards to her credit, Dr. Grahn brings her knowledge and experience in neuroscience, piano performance and the psychology of brain and mind to our podium. Her research is currently funded by the National Sciences and Engineering Council, Parkinson Society Canada, the [...]
Topic: Jest for the Health of It Dr. Shonk says he works hard to show that “there ain’t much fun in medicine but there is a lot of medicine in fun!” A retired Family Practice doctor with a special interest in Pediatrics and Palliative Care, Ken believes in using humour in stress management, relationships, parenting [...]
Topic: Music We Love at Christmas Michael Vanhevel is a 23-year-old “crooner” from Grand Bend. He has performed in Halifax, Sudbury, London, Cambridge, Niagara and Stratford and to sold-out houses at the Stratford Festival, The Victoria Playhouse, and several Drayton Entertainment venues. He is delighted to be back at Centennial Hall following his performance there [...]
Topic: Humanitarian Aid With Dignity A professional contracting engineer and an active humanitarian aid worker, Jeff has traveled and worked in over 180 countries. From East Africa to Cambodia to the Middle East to Afghanistan, he has spent years giving aid. Now he heads up TARA International, is a member of the board of the [...]
Topic: Operation Renaissance 15-01: A Look Back At Canada’s Disaster Assistance Response Team In Nepal. LCdr Kelly Williamson joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1996. She is currently the Senior Public Affairs Officer for Expeditionary Operations at Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC), the Lead CJOC Public Affairs Planner and Senior Public Affairs Officer for the [...]
Topic: A Royal Nanny: From Palaces to Private Life Born in London, Ontario, Jean Alice Rowcliffe has embraced decades of challenges and rare opportunities that have taken her to the United Kingdom, Europe and California. She graduated from the prestigious British Norland College to become nanny to the children of Their Royal Highnesses Prince and [...]
