Meet Our 2020-2021 Executive Team
Anthony Ha, Chair
“Hi everyone! My name is Anthony Ha, and I am a fourth-year McGill student studying Anatomy and Cell Biology. I am excited to chair the TEDxMcGill Team this year, and I hope to share my passion for TEDx and their "ideas worth spreading". One TED talk that I really liked was "What I learned from 100 days of rejection by Jia Jiang". Everyone fears rejection. Often times, it makes us doubt what we are able to do without knowing the actual reason. For 100 days, Jiang explores this phenomenon and tries to find the reason why he gets rejected. On a more personal note, during this years pandemic, I have spent my time completing a research project, teaching orgo, and playing Among Us.”
Alex Benlolo, Chief of Staff
“Hi everyone! My name is Alex, and I'm a U2 student studying Computer Science in the faculty of Science. I'm really excited to be this years Chief of Staff, and love collaborating with the hardworking TEDxMcGill 2021 exec team! I recently listened to a TED talk called "Your Brain Hallucinates Your Conscious Reality" by Anil Seth, and found it very interesting as he discusses why we are, in fact, the only determiner of our happiness and self-worth. I can't wait for this years virtual event!”
Emma Girodet, VP
Finance
“Hey everyone! I’m Emma Girodet and I am a third-year student in Finance and International Business. I’m very happy to be part of the exec team as VP Finance during this crazy year and to organize the first ever online TEDxMcGill. One of my favorite TED talk is “Georges Balanchine: why we care about his ballets” by Heather Watts, where she explains how this Russian immigrant brought a new form of ballet in America, using traditional technique and twisting it to create a modernistic look. I think this relates well to this year’s “embracing the unknown” theme, you shouldn’t be scared to innovate and disturb the norm!”
Julie Aung Ko, VP Communications
“Hi everyone! My name is Julie, and I am a U3 student pursuing a major in Strategic Management and a concentration in Information Systems - IT for business. I am really excited to be VP Communications for TEDxMcGill this year. I can’t wait to help organize this great event for you guys! My favourite TED talk is “Moral Behavior in animals.” by Frans de Waal. I find this TED talk insightful and would recommend you watching it. Every time I watch it, I laugh and find it even more interesting. I’m looking forward to hearing this year’s speakers view on the theme “Embracing the Unknown”.”
Elizabeth Varkovetski, VP Communications
“Hi everyone! My name is Elizabeth and I am a fourth year student pursuing Honours Political Science. This is my first year on the TEDxMcGill exec team and I hope that I can help build up the passion for TEDx within the McGill community. My favourite TED talk is one by James Veitch, “This is what happens when you reply to spam emails”. I think that Veitch offers a positive outlook on a mundane, often annoying, experience that we all have, and that is why I have rewatched this TED talk hundreds of times, trying to embody his positive outlook toward my own mundane experiences.”
An Vuong, VP Sponsorship
“Hello everyone! My name is An Vuong and I am a M.Sc student studying Biophysics. I am excited to join the TEDxMcGill executive this year to share my passion for TED talks and hope to bring about impactful and exciting new discussions. My favourite TED talk: “Is the world getting better or worse? A look at the numbers” - was given by Steven Pinker in 2018. Although the answers to questions concerning the state of our post-pandemic world still remain highly uncertain, I am hopeful and optimistic that our society as a whole will come out stronger and more united than before.”
Shirley Xu,
VP Sponsorship
“Hi everyone! My name is Shirley and I’m a U1 McGill student studying Biology and Economics. I’m excited to explore this year’s theme “Embracing the Unknown” with our guest speakers and you all. I find this topic very interesting and relevant, especially given the current pandemic that has altered so many aspects of our society and lives. One TEDx that I recommend is “The Danger of A Single Story” by Chimamanda Adichie. I look forward to seeing you at TEDxMcGill2020/21!”
Sofia Tchamova, VP Logistics
“Hello, My name is Sofia and I am in my second year at McGill studying Economics/Industrial Relations. I have been watching TED talks for as long as I can remember so I am really excited to now plan a TEDx event! My favourite TED talk is “Everything is Connected” by Tom Chi. Tom started studying astrophysics at 15 to better understand how the universe worked but he actually ended up finding his answers through studying people. It turns out, they are much harder to understand.”
Benny Habiyambere, VP Logistics
“Hey everyone! My name is Benny Habiyambere and I am a fourth year student pursuing Chemistry and pharmacology. I am sure that being a part of the executive this year will provide me with a much more in depth view of what goes into the preparation and planning of the TEDx talks we know and love. My favourite TED talk is titled “Looking for a job? Highlight your ability, not experience.” Chen shares some new thinking on how job seekers can make themselves more attractive -- and why employers should look for ability over credentials.”