Theme: Paradoxes in Play

This year’s theme, “Paradoxes in Play” is all about contradictions in our everyday lives that reveal truths, lessons, and knowledge…
Life doesn’t always make sense—but what if that was its greatest strength? What happens when risk and safety, technology and humanity, logic and emotion collide? You will certainly find the answer through this TEDx event, where you will be invited to embrace the unexpected, challenge the obvious, and find meaning in the tension between seemingly opposites.

Marianopolis College
4873 Westmount Ave
Westmount, Quebec, H3Y 1X9
Canada

Ahmed Mekallach

Founder & CEO of Myte Group, Digital Innovator

Ahmed Mekallach is an engineer and digital innovator with deep roots in the construction industry. After completing Health Sciences at Marianopolis and earning a degree in Civil Engineering from Polytechnique Montréal, Ahmed spent nearly a decade transforming construction processes at Supermetal, North America’s largest steel manufacturer. Throughout his tenure, Ahmed rapidly advanced through roles such as Field Engineer, Project Manager, Director of Sales and Estimates, and Director of Special Projects, consistently focused on integrating cutting-edge technology to streamline complex processes. His passion for process engineering and digital transformation culminated on March 14 2023, when OpenAI released GPT-4, prompting him to launch Myte Group. Today, as founder and CEO of Myte Group Inc., Ahmed empowers businesses and individuals to harness the transformative potential of digital intelligence, reshaping workflows and redefining efficiency.

Denis Dariotis

Founder and CEO of GoQuant, Entrepreneur, Quantitative Trader

Denis Dariotis is an entrepreneur who's on a mission to reshape the future of finance. As the Founder and CEO of GoQuant, Denis is pioneering new ways for technology to make financial markets more efficient, transparent, and accessible. But his work goes beyond just numbers and algorithms — it’s about challenging outdated systems, embracing innovation, and thinking boldly about what comes next. Today, Denis brings us a glimpse into a world where speed meets strategy, and where the future of finance is being rewritten in real time.

Kelly Lee

Canadian actress, Stunt Performer, Director, Photographer

Kelly Lee is a Canadian actress. She made her big screen debut alongside Jason Clarke in Pet Sematary (2019), lent her voice to the Netflix feature film, Once Upon a Crime (2023), and has starred in international commercial campaigns for major brands. A multifaceted performer known for her bright energy and dry humour, Kelly has also showcased her skills in directing, photography, and stunt performance.

Liana Cusmano

Spoken Word Artist, Writer, Editor, Arts Educator

Liana Cusmano (they/them) was the 2018, 2019 and 2023 Montreal Slam Champion and runner-up in the 2019 Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Championship. Their first novel, Catch & Release (2022), was published by Guernica Editions. They were also a 2022 finalist for the QWF Spoken Word Prize and the winner of the 2024 Society Pages Poetry Contest. They are currently Fiction Editor at carte blanche and Associate Editor at Accenti Magazine. They have led workshops for writers of all ages and levels of experience through Youth Fusion, ELAN, QWF, the Repertoire culture-éducation, and PIV (Poetry In Voice),as Director of Communications. They have offered writing and editing mentorships through the Association of Italian Canadian Writers and the carte blanche magazine Fresh Pages Initiative. Liana has been a guest speaker and performer at various universities, conferences and literary festivals across the globe. An open, inclusive and intersectional approach is at the core of their practice.

Nate Roy

PhD student of Neuroscience, Founder of Cortex Flex Inc., Professional athlete

Nate Roy is a neuroscientist, athlete, and leader in mental health and performance education. As a PhD researcher at McGill University, he investigates the neurobiological foundations of resilience and adaptation. A former NCAA Division 1 football player, he is now an aspiring Winter Olympian in the sport of bobsled. As the founder of Cortex Flex Inc., he combines his athletic and scientific expertise to lead a global educational program that promotes neuropsychological wellness in teens through the lens of sports performance. A dynamic mentor and public speaker, Nate is dedicated to translating neuroscience into actionable strategies, empowering individuals and teams to rewire their minds for peak performance and lasting well-being.

Vyke Ajemian

Health Science Student at Marianopolis, Armenian-Canadian

Vyke Ajemian is an Armenian-Canadian student aspiring to become a doctor. He graduated as valedictorian and student body president from École Arménienne Sourp Hagop in 2024, and is now a first-year Honours Health Science student at Marianopolis College. Vyke plays the piano, tutors elementary school students, and volunteered as a camp counselor at Camp Vanadzor in Armenia in the past summer. He is an active member of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), having participated in rallies and spoken at the Montreal Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide in 2024. He also co-hosts AYF Montreal-Laval’s official podcast, “Artsakank,” meaning "echo" in Armenian.