TEDxCapilanoU 2025: Stepping into the Unknown
On April 25, the Capilano University Alumni Association (CUAA) and the Faculty of Fine & Applied Arts hosted TEDxCapilanoU 2025, bringing together speakers under the theme “Stepping into the Unknown.” Held at BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts on CapU’s main campus in North Vancouver, the event welcomed students, alumni, employees and community members for an evening of thought-provoking talks and personal stories.
The evening was headlined by award-winning filmmaker, author and CapU alumna Dianne Whelan, whose keynote address reflected on her six-year solo journey across the Trans Canada Trail—an expedition documented in her acclaimed film 500 Days in the Wild. Whelan, a graduate of CapU’s first documentary film program two decades ago, described the opportunity to return and speak as a full-circle moment. Her talk, Stepping into the Unknown, centred on how stepping into the unknown can be a pathway to living an authentic life.
“I hope the audience feels inspired and that something I share lands in their heart like a seed in a garden,” Whelan said.
Joining Whelan were five additional speakers who shared diverse perspectives and insights.
Ramin Shadmehr, dean of the Faculty of Fine & Applied Arts and a technology entrepreneur, offered a compelling case for embracing unpredictability in his talk, The Beautiful Chaos of the Unknown. He explained how uncertainty can be a fertile ground for innovation in education, design and leadership.
Early childhood educator Ashleigh Davies encouraged educators to rethink classroom discomfort in her talk, Embracing Tensions in Education. Davies emphasized that leaning into discomfort rather than avoiding it can lead to deeper learning and more authentic connections between students and teachers.
Filmmaker Zoran Dragelj shared how creative risks, setbacks and constraints have fuelled his artistic growth. In his talk, In Motion: Art, Uncertainty and the Beauty, Dragelj illustrated how unpredictable paths often lead to the most meaningful and impactful creative achievements.
Kristine Thody, a seasoned leadership coach with more than two decades of global experience, delivered Shattering the Myth of a Straight Path in Life and Career. Her message encouraged attendees to welcome uncertainty and deviation as essential elements of personal and professional evolution.
CapU alumna Sophia Kara explored the internal struggles of self-doubt and impostor syndrome and how these challenges have ultimately shaped her growth and confidence in her talk Redirection, Resilience and Reinvention.
TEDxCapilanoU 2025 also had a financial impact, raising over $2,000 through ticket sales for the CUAA Excellence Award, which supports third- and fourth-year students preparing to transition into their careers.
All presentations are available to watch online.
Submitted by: Communications