Our Speakers
This year’s speakers bring bold ideas shaped by experience, curiosity, and purpose. Each talk explores change; how it begins, how it’s challenged, and how it reshapes the way we see the world.
Together, these voices reflect the spirit of REBORN: renewal, growth, and the courage to think differently.
Ben Newling
Ben Newling explores how scientific ideas take shape once they are shared openly. His work focuses on curiosity, learning, and the power of making complex concepts accessible beyond the classroom.
Professor of Physics at UNB
Camilla Drost
Camilla Drost brings a perspective shaped by curiosity, research, and creativity. She is passionate about exploring complex ideas, bridging technical thinking with human experience, and sharing knowledge in ways that connect beyond the lab.
Graduate Chemical Engineering Student at UNB
Candi Rose
Candi Rose explores what it means to let go of what no longer fits and step into a more authentic sense of self. Her work centers on growth, healing, and the courage it takes to begin again.
Investor, Speaker and Author
Drashtant Varma
Drashtant Varma explores the role of leadership, advocacy, and representation in shaping inclusive public spaces. His experiences in policy and student leadership reflect a commitment to amplifying voices, driving meaningful change, and engaging communities with purpose.
Undergraduate Student in Business Administration
Earl Hoeg
Earl Hoeg focuses on helping people bring their best selves to work by building self-awareness, trust, and meaningful connection. His work explores how understanding ourselves and others can shape healthier workplaces and more human ways of working.
CEO and Founder, PeopleFirst
Hanna Bordage
Hanna Bordage explores the intersection of science, health, and resilience through both research and lived experience. Her perspective centers on understanding the brain, the body, and the capacity to grow through challenge.
Undergraduate Student in Psychology - Biology
Julie Cafley
Julie Cafley explores how ideas, leadership, and collaboration shape meaningful change across communities and institutions. Her work focuses on connecting people, perspectives, and purpose to build more engaged, forward-looking systems.
Executive Director of Catalyst Canada
Nicole Paquet
Nicole Paquet helps leaders and organizations navigate disruption with clarity and confidence. She is the author of Thriving Through Change: A Guide for Catalytic Leaders and is passionate about reframing change as an opportunity for growth rather than something to endure. At TEDxUNB Reborn, Nicole shares an idea that has shaped her life and work—inviting audiences to see change as something we can all thrive through, not just survive.
Change strategist, facilitator, and speaker
Terri-Ann Richards
Terri-Ann Richards explores the role of courage in building meaningful success and lasting fulfillment. Through her work as an author, podcast host, and community builder, she focuses on helping individuals lead with intention, confidence, and purpose.
Author, Speaker and Entrepreneur
Yan Simard
Yan Simard explores how innovation, technology, and leadership intersect to shape the way organizations grow and adapt. His work focuses on turning ideas into scalable solutions across industries, while navigating change in fast-moving digital environments.
Chief Executive Officer at Kognitiv Spark