top of page

Speakers

Proud to bring inspirational speakers from across the region.

Dr. Michael Mehta is a Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies at TRU. He has held academic appointments at several other institutions before moving to Kamloops in 2010 & specializes on environmental and health risk issues, and in the field of renewable energy. He is the author of 5 books & more than 50 academic articles and book chapters. He has founded several non-profit organizations, owns the Sweet Spot Solar Company, & recently developed the Solar Compass at TRU, Canada's first solar road/path.

Dr. Michael Mehta

Katherine McParland

Katherine McParland is the founder & manager of 'A Way Home Kamloops,' movement to end youth homelessness, an issue close to her heart as she was once a homeless youth. Most recently, Katherine was appointed to the Federal government's Advisory Committee on Homelessness. Provincially, Katherine co-chairs the BC Network to End Youth Homelessness & is helping to lead the development of recommendations for a provincial plan. Furthering these feats, Katherine is integrating her learning as a Masters of Social Work Leadership student at the University of Calgary.

Alexandra Proctor

A passionate eco-entrepreneur, writer, speaker & healer, Alexandra Proctor holds sacred space for change with the awareness of each invested choice which co-creates our world. She lives her own unique truth, building conscious community, healthy soil & a biodynamic food forest on Made with Love Urban Permaculture Farm with her partner, Colin, their four children, international volunteers, interns, guests & landmates. Through madewithlove.ca, they lead the global food industry with an ethical approach to artisan groceries.

Tim Shoults

Tim Shoults is the Operations Manager for Aberdeen Publishing. Over the past 20 years, Tim has worked as a reporter, editor, publisher, group publisher, regional & divisional manager, & VP of Content and Audience Development with weekly & daily newspapers across Western Canada. Tim serves his community & industry on boards and organizations including the TRU Foundation, the National Newsmedia Council, the Chris Rose Therapy Centre for Autism Foundation & the Rotary Club of Kamloops. Tim is currently studying for his MBA.

Dr. Saira Sabzaali

Dr. Saira holds a Ph.D. in transpersonal psychology. She has been in private practice as a psychotherapist and workshop facilitator for over 10 years. As a Canadian Certified Counsellor with a special interest in the inner life and relationships, she bridges mainstream psychological principles with the deeper questions of value and meaning that allow people to come to terms with truth in their personal lives especially at key transformative decision points. In 2009, she published a book of poetry called Imprints on my Soul: Poetry in Search of the Beloved.

Jeffrey McNeil-Seymour

Jeffrey McNeil-Seymour is Tk'emlupsemc and 4th Gen. English Settler. In the current moment of the TRC Calls to Action, projects of Indigenization/ Reconciliation and the poignant & timely unsettling of LGBTQ Pride Parades internationally by Black Lives Matter, McNeil-Seymour unsettles allyship's first moment of encounter with "the real" work, and its inherent performances of settler colonial moves to innocence by, of and for exalted settler subjects. 

Heramb Vadalkar

Heramb is the founder of 2 web-based companies, Bitbox & EduFinWizards, and has over 7 years of experience providing financial planning & wealth management advice. He has conducted numerous training sessions that covered various aspects of investment education and financial literacy. He is extremely proud that during his previous job he reached over 400, 000 investors through these initiatives & was part of a team that conducted the largest stock mind competition for students in India. Currently he is a sessional lecturer at TRU. 

Yasir Ali Khan

A graduate student from Pakistan, undertaking a Master of Education, Yasir has a keen interest in the realm of human behavior, social dynamics & personal development. He has conducted a number of workshops centered around personal growth & communication skills. Yasir has an unquenchable thirst for acquiring and disseminating knowledge. His ultimate goal is to inspire others to push the boundaries of their own comforts, cultivate social congruence & become the truest and most authentic versions of themselves.

bottom of page