Nancy Regan is a professional communicator whose dynamic career includes television and podcast hosting, emceeing, and presentation coaching.

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Nancy built her reputation as the highly rated host of CTV Atlantic’s Live at 5 for fifteen years. She also served as the national host of Good Morning Canada and That News Show on TVtropolis, and has interviewed some of the most well-known figures in the world, including Oprah, Madonna, Russell Crowe, Christopher Plummer, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Harrison Ford.

 

Nancy is also an actor, having appeared on stage at Halifax’s Neptune Theatre, and in television and film productions such as Haven, Trailer Park Boys, and Reversible Errors. From Showing Off to Showing Up is her first book.

Ambassador Dr. Andrise Bass is a global peace ambassador, diplomat, and public policy strategist committed to transforming ideas about peace into real action.

 

As Founder of the Institute of Public Policy and Diplomacy Research (IPPDR), she works with youth, civil society, and government leaders across more than fifty countries to build practical skills in diplomacy, conflict resolution, and leadership. Through initiatives such as the Global Youth Sustainability and Impact Leaders Program and international Youth Summits on Peace and a Sustainable Future, she encourages young people to understand how the United Nations, governments, and communities work so they can become informed policymakers and changemakers shaping a more peaceful world.

Paul MacKinnon has been the CEO of the Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC) since 2002. DHBC focuses on advocacy, beautification, marketing and communication, and membership engagement for its 1,700 member businesses in Eastern Canada’s largest city. He has served on numerous boards and currently sits on the International Downtown Association, Downtowns Atlantic Canada, and the Royal Nova Scotia Tattoo.

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He was Vice-Chair of the Urban Design Task Force, which oversaw the creation of the Downtown Plan in 2009, a catalyst for the revitalization of the city core. He is co-founder of the Art of City Building conference and Halifax International Fleet Week. Paul holds a Bachelor of Commerce and MBA from Dalhousie University, along with certifications in Leadership in Place Management (LPM) and Executive Presence and Influence from the Wharton School of Business. He is a frequent speaker on urban issues across Canada, the United States, and Europe.

Wyndolyn Brown is a Survivor, Advocate & Motivational Speaker, and transformational coach dedicated to empowering individuals impacted by intimate partner violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and gender-based violence.

 

She is the founder of Empowerment for Hope Society, where she develops trauma-informed programs, workshops, and retreats focused on healing and resilience. Wyndolyn is a Trauma-Informed Coach, Certified ASIST Facilitator, Certified Domestic Violence Facilitator, and Certified Child & Youth Care Worker.

 

She is also a Meditation and Wellness Coach and Sexual Assault Supporter. Through advocacy, education, and storytelling, she inspires survivors to reclaim their voice and transform pain into purpose.

Vaishali Sachdeva is a recent graduate of Saint Mary’s University, where she studied Entrepreneurship and Psychology. She has participated in over 40 pitch competitions and represented Canada internationally at the Enactus World Cup and the Hult Prize Global Accelerator.

She is an emerging entrepreneur focused on building purpose-driven ventures and turning ideas into real-world impact.

 

Beyond entrepreneurship, Vaishali is an artist and pageant titleholder, crowned the first Miss South Asian Gem Nova Scotia in 2023.

She brings strong storytelling skills to every stage she steps on and will make her television debut this year on Ocean Playground. Vaishali approaches every opportunity as a chance to connect, create, and make an impact.

Joe O’Connor is the CEO and Co-founder of Work Time Revolution, a global consulting and research firm focused on redesigning work models for the age of AI. He is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker on human-centered AI adoption, work redesign, and sustainable performance, and a leading voice on the future of work.

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He is the co-author of Do More in Four: Why It’s Time for a Shorter Workweek, published by Harvard Business Review Press in January 2026. He previously designed and led the world’s largest shorter workweek pilots, supporting hundreds of organizations and tens of thousands of employees across the US, Canada, UK, EU, and Australasia to reduce hours without sacrificing performance. He is also a former visiting research scholar at Cornell University.

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His work draws from more than a decade of leadership across purpose-driven organizations, think tanks, and labor movements, combining academic insight with practical experience to shape the future of work.

Sandra Tadros Guirguis is a Clinical Pharmacist, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP), and nationally recognized keynote speaker specializing in women’s health and whole-person wellness. As Founder and CEO of STG Wellness, she translates complex science into practical, evidence-based strategies that improve energy, focus, and long-term health, delivered through keynotes and workshops.

 

Sandra is the best-selling author of Embracing Abundance and has been featured on CTV, CP24, 100 Huntley Street, and various podcasts, radio shows, and health publications. Known for her engaging and practical approach, she helps high-performing individuals understand that strong performance requires optimal health, and equips them with evidence-based strategies they can apply for sustained energy, clarity, and long-term well-being.

Terrence Taylor is the founder of TALKS TOO MUCH and creator of NeuroNarrative, a system designed to make learning actually stick. As a retention designer, he works with leadership teams and organizations to reduce training loss and build measurable behavior change.

 

His approach blends immersive audio storytelling with structured reflection, turning passive learning into active, repeatable action. Drawing from education, entrepreneurship and lived experience, Terrence helps organizations move beyond one-time inspiration toward lasting impact. His work sits at the intersection of story, psychology and performance—bridging the gap between what people hear and what they actually do.

Ashwin Kutty is a globally recognized entrepreneur and leader focused on innovation in advertising, healthcare, and inclusive economic development. Born in India and raised in the UAE, he was educated in Canada, France, and the United States.

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He is the President and CEO of WeUsThem, an award-winning global advertising agency and consultancy serving clients including Nestlé, Lenovo, TELUS, USAID, and the Government of Canada. The company operates across six continents and has been recognized among Canada’s Top 10 Most Innovative Businesses.

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He is also President of HealthEMe, a digital health platform operating in seven countries that uses AI to improve access to care and health outcomes. Ashwin has served as Chair of the Downtown Halifax Business Commission and sits on multiple healthcare and nonprofit boards.

He is the recipient of several honours, including the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, and is widely recognized for his work in leadership, innovation, and community impact.

Titi Akinsanmi is a globally recognized authority on the digital economy, specializing in the intersection of public policy, emerging technology, and institutional governance. With over two decades of experience, including a decade as a senior leader at Google, she has helped shape regulatory frameworks for AI, data privacy, and digital infrastructure across international markets.

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At Google, she served as Global Lead for Generative AI Policy, translating complex technical systems into actionable policy strategies to support responsible innovation and deployment. She advises C-suite executives and heads of state and has worked across more than 50 jurisdictions, with deep expertise in emerging markets and multi-sector collaboration.

She serves on multiple boards, including Acces Employment Canada, the Yemi Shyllon Museum of Arts, and Junior Achievement Nigeria. Titi holds fellowships and advanced degrees in public policy and law, specializing in privacy and cybersecurity, and is a contributor to the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council.

Madusha is a Former CEO of a global organic and fair-trade food export company operating across Sri Lanka, Germany, and the United Kingdom. She became CEO at 31 and navigated a thousand-person organization before experiencing burnout at 33, which led her to move to Nova Scotia. She now runs a leadership consultancy and is building the Disconnection Lounge, the world's first commercially accessible digital detox space by the hour.

 

With an undergraduate degree in psychology and neuroscience from Acadia University and a master's from the University of St. Andrews, Madusha helps leaders and organizations navigate high-stakes decision-making and emotional intelligence.

David has occupied senior positions in social work practice and social housing in the UK. He ran a consultancy specialising in social work, housing and community health from 1994-2004. In 2004 he was headhunted for the James Robinson Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada from 2004-2009, in addition to being a fully tenured Professor of Social Work at the university.

 

During his time as Chair in Black Canadian Studies, Professor Divine assisted in acquiring over $3.8 million dollars in grant funding within 4 years.

David specialises in social work, race relations, social housing, diversity and inclusion. Through speaking engagements, coaching, consulting and research he works with clients to resolve complex and sensitive issues. As a collaborator, he pulls in subject matter experts when needed to assemble teams to tackle challenges.

 Ingrid Deon is the Founder and CEO of word-craft, an award-winning social media marketing agency based in rural Nova Scotia. As a former journalist who became a single mother living below the poverty line, Ingrid transformed adversity into opportunity, building a thriving business that has served national clients like Nestlé Canada, RBC and Manulife from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

 

She's a proud Acadian, President of the Conseil acadien de Par-en-Bas and a passionate advocate for creating career opportunities in rural communities. Ingrid holds a Bachelor of Journalism (Honours) from the University of King's College.

Michelle Weger is a resilience speaker, productivity expert and award winning tech CEO, recognized for transforming lived experience with narcolepsy into scalable business success. She is the founder of Venture Creative Collective, a website development, AI and automation agency that has generated millions in revenue and served hundreds of clients.

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Michelle Weger is the author of the bestselling book Don’t Snooze Your Dreams: Lessons from Life With Narcolepsy. Michelle is regularly featured on national broadcast media. She is one of the youngest ever 40 under 40 recipients and the Winner of Inspirational Speaker of the Year 2025.

Lauren Peveril is an author and undergraduate student at Mount Allison University. As a late-diagnosed individual, she pairs lived experience with her academic research on autism policy and lifespan supports.

 

She is the author of a children’s book on autism that is used as an educational resource and she is actively involved in public speaking, STEM outreach for children and student leadership. Lauren is passionate about challenging stigma and reducing barriers to diagnosis and support, advocating for more inclusive systems that allow neurodivergent individuals to thrive.

Roz Kennery (she/her) is a Part-time Comedian and a full-time trans woman. Based in Halifax, she has performed comedy across the country, finding joy in her lived experience as a trans person who came out well into her 30s (juggling parenting, a mortgage, and a second puberty all at the same time).

 

By day, she is a Vice President with Emdash, a creative agency that works exclusively with nonprofits, charities, and Indigenous organizations. Comedian & VP at Emdash

Vatsal Sood is a Public Speaking Coach and Keynote Speaker based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A former software developer, Vatsal took an unlikely path to the stage — one that began with a chaotic childhood, a silenced voice, and the slow discovery that safety, not bravery, is what gives people the ability to speak.

Today he helps entrepreneurs get on stages and get paid for it — by building the internal safety that makes powerful speaking possible. His work sits at the intersection of neuroscience, psychological safety and lived experience, delivered with the one tool he has relied on his whole life — laughter.

Frank Palermo is a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and the Canadian Institute of Planners, a Professor Emeritus at Dalhousie University, and Founder of the Cities and Environment Unit. He is also Co-founder of OSO planning + design, President of Rail Connects NS, and Chair of the Planning and Design Centre.

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He has held leadership roles at Dalhousie University as Director of the School of Planning and Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Planning. Frank has extensive experience working with the private sector and all levels of government on community planning, infrastructure, policy development, public engagement, and placemaking.

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His work includes Calgary’s Downtown and Inner-City Plan, Nova Scotia’s Sustainable Transportation Strategy, and contributions to national and international planning initiatives, including First Nations community planning models and Jordan’s National Urban Policy.

Beth Hayward is a pessimist who preaches hope. For twenty-five years she has walked alongside people through the moments that break everything open — diagnosis, death, divorce, shattered dreams — a professional witness to the moments when polite conversation stops working.

 

A minister, host of the podcast Souls in Soles, and public thinker, Beth brings fierce authenticity and hard-won wisdom to the questions most of us would rather not face.