Plenary Speakers
We are assembling a stellar cast of featured speakers - an eclectic mix of thinkers and doers from around the world.
Thursday, May 12, 8:30 a.m.
His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D.
Governor General of Canada
His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston became Canada’s 28th Governor General on October 1, 2010. Although his duties as the Queen’s representative in Canada are just beginning, His Excellency’s history of service to Canadian communities is long and distinguished.
His illustrious academic career has enriched many of Canada’s most celebrated universities, including Queen’s, McGill, and most recently Waterloo, where he served as President for 11 years.
During his drive to make Waterloo ‘Canada’s Knowledge Capital’ he promoted the Mennonite tradition of ‘coming together to accomplish what an individual cannot’ and was recognized as a leader in encouraging collaboration and innovation.
Source: The Governor General of Canada
His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston plenary sponsored by Research In Motion
Thursday, May 12, 12:30 p.m.
Nontombi Naomi Tutu
Human Rights Activist
The third child of Archbishop Desmond and Nomalizo Leah Tutu, Naomi Tutu grew up in apartheid South Africa and has dedicated her working life to tackling human rights issues.
A respected speaker, teacher, and author Naomi has served as a development consultant in West Africa, coordinated programs on Race and Gender at the African Gender Institute at the University of Cape Town and taught at several U.S. universities. She has led Truth and Reconciliation Workshops for groups dealing with conflict and is in the process of writing a book with Rose Bator called, I Don't Think of You as Black: Honest Conversations on Race and Racism.
Source: The American Program Bureau
Nontombi Naomi Tutu plenary sponsored by i3 Advisors Inc.
Thursday, May 12, 4:00 p.m.
President Bill Clinton
Founder William J. Clinton Foundation
42nd President of the United States
William Jefferson Clinton was the first Democratic president in six decades to be elected twice - first in 1992 and then in 1996. After leaving the White House, President Clinton established the William J. Clinton Foundation to strengthen the capacity of people in the United States and throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence.
The Foundation is tackling some of the most challenging issues facing our communities, including combating climate change, treating HIV/AIDS, fighting childhood obesity, promoting economic opportunity and creating sustainable development in Africa and other countries.
President Clinton is one of the most respected and inspiring philanthropists of our time, renowned for his tireless work on behalf of families and communities across the United States and around the world.
Source: The William J. Clinton Foundation
This speaking appearance is made possible by The Radcliffe Foundation. Established in 1997 by mining financier and philanthropist Frank Giustra, the Vancouver-based The Radcliffe Foundation supports a wide variety of international and local charities. Focusing on issues ranging from disaster relief, economic development and homelessness to offering children around the world hope for a better future, The Radcliffe Foundation has been contributing to improving livelihoods worldwide for over a decade. For many years, The Radcliffe Foundation has also been a strong supporter of the William J. Clinton Foundation (WJCF). The Radcliffe Foundation funds various programs within President Clinton’s foundation, such as the Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (CGSGI).
Friday, May 13, 8:30 a.m.
British Columbia's Brightest Thinkers
Our Breakfast Plenary on Friday, May 13 brings together BC's brightest thinkers around social innovation, positive social and environmental change, and sustainable practice. The panel, which will be moderated by Tania Carnegie (biography) of KPMG Vancouver, includes:
- Tamara Vrooman, CEO of Vancity, Canada's largest credit union. Tamara harnesses her community's strength, breadth and diversity to encourage growth and prosperity for the greater good. (biography)
- Janice Abbott, CEO of Atira Women's Resource Society. Janice, who was named the 2010 Social Entrepreneur of the Year, has dedicated her life to helping women and children experiencing violence and poverty. (info)
- Jim Fletcher, has over 30 years experience in venture capital. Jim has launched or funded over 50 companies in a variety of areas. He was a co-founder of BC Social Venture Partners in 2000. (biography PDF)
The British Columbia’s Brightest Thinkers Panel is sponsored by KPMG
Friday, May 13, 12 p.m.
William S. White
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Bill White's service to the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has spanned more than four decades. He joined the foundation in 1969 and has served at its president since 1976 and its chairman since 1988.
Based in the well-known community of Flint, Michigan, Mr. White currently serves on the boards of the Independent Sector, the European Foundation Centre, United States Sugar Corporation (chairman); and the Network of European Foundations for Innovative Cooperation. He is also a member of the Administrative Council of the Madariaga European Foundation.
In late 2010, the Community Foundation Network in the U.K. presented him with its first Beacon Award for Services to Community Philanthropy, and he in 2009 he was awarded the European Foundation Centre's first-ever Philanthropy Compass Prize, honouring outstanding contributions to the development of the European philanthropic sector.
Source: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Saturday, May 14, 9:15 a.m.
In Conversation with Monica Patten
Monica Patten has spent 17 years at the helm of Community Foundations of Canada (CFC), guiding it from an organization with 28 members from coast to coast to a national movement that unites more than 170 Canadian community foundations.
As the Canadian movement celebrates its 90th anniversary and Monica prepares to leave CFC for new adventures, we pause to examine the past and consider the future of community philanthropy here at home and around the world.
Featuring:
- Tim Brodhead, President and Chief Executive Officer, The J. W. McConnell Family Foundation (biography)
- Barry Gaberman, Chair, Global Fund for Community Foundations , former Senior Vice President Ford Foundation (biography)
- Monica Patten (biography)
Saturday, May 14, 12:30 p.m.
Michael Furdyk
Co-founder and Director of Technology
TakingITGlobal.org
Through TakingITGlobal.org, an online community for young people, Michael provides a platform for millions of youth in more than 200 countries to engage with social issues. He is a frequent speaker on engaging students and integrating technology and global perspectives into the classroom and Contribute magazine named Michael a top-10 tech revolutionary in philanthropy in 2008. Michael has been at the helm of several successful companies and was named one of Teen People’s “20 teens that will change the world.” He has shared his wisdom on youth engagement and bringing the power of technology to the non-profit sector at dozens of high-profile events, and in media ranging from The Oprah Winfrey Show to Time Magazine to USA Today.
Source: Taking IT Global
Michael Furdyk plenary sponsored by Birch Hill Equity Partners
