Mark Henick, Gabrielle Scrimshaw, Deborah S. Berlin-Romalis, and Mark Bowden are the first four speakers selected to at TedxToronto.

TEDxToronto has revealed a first look at the lineup for this September conference presenting a panel of thinkers and doers who believe in the power for one individual to make change. This year’s program, themed “The Choices We Make,” will bring together experts on the idea that personal and professional choices alter the fate of our lives and our communities in the fields of science, business, health, and otherwise. The four selected so far bring in different perspectives based on the power of choice: one is an mental health advocate, one is a founder of a not-for-profit for aboriginal professionals, one is a clinical social worker who seeks to help and treat women, and one is an expert in human behaviour and body language. Impressive stuff.

This year’s conference will be held on September 26th at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. TEDx, an independantly organized experience program that engages live speakers, and small group discussion to spread ideas and spark new ones.

TEDxToronto is also now taking applications for conference delegates. They’re looking for enthusastic, passionate applicants who want to share their knowledge beyond the bounds of the conference and that plan to be in attendance at the event. Read more and apply to become a TEDxToronto delegate can be found here. 

Bios courtesy of TEDxToronto:

Mark Henick: Mark is a mental health advocate. Informed by his direct experience with the health care system, Mark has authored commentaries on issues relating to mental health for major newspapers across Canada and the United States. His undergraduate degree is in Psychology and Philosophy, with a graduate degree in Child Development. At 22, he became the youngest person elected to president of a Canadian Mental Health Association provincial division. Currently, he is the youngest member of the board of directors for the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Gabrielle Scrimshaw: Gabrielle is a young professional with a passion to create social impact. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Gabrielle is a member of the Hatchet Lake First Nation. She has studied international business and policy in Australasia, Asia, the Americas and Europe. Gabrielle became the youngest associate accepted into one of Canada’s most competitive post-graduate finance programs. Recently Gabrielle co-founded a national not-for-profit organization for aboriginal professionals and was named the 2013 First Nations Youth Achiever by Indspire.

Deborah S. Berlin-Romalis: Debbie works as a clinical social worker in the Division of Haematology/Oncology, with the Stem Cell Transplant Program and the Paediatric Brain Tumour Program at Sick Kids Hospital. During her years of academic training at Ryerson University and the University of Toronto, she provided crisis intervention and counselling services to women and children at many group homes, women’s shelters, and halfway houses across Toronto. Debbie also facilitates groups for women at Sheena’s Place, a community agency providing support to those with eating disorders, and related issues. 

Mark Bowden: Mark is an expert in human behaviour and body language. Mark gives keynote speeches worldwide on persuasive verbal and nonverbal language and communication structures to stand out, win trust and profit when you speak. Mark’s publications are bestselling Winning Body Language (McGraw Hill 2010); Winning Body Language for Sales Professionals (MH 2012); and Tame the Primitive Brain (Wiley 2013). Mark is also the creator of TRUTHPLANEâ„¢, a communication training company and unique methodology for anyone who has to communicate to an audience with impact.

More Toronto speakers will be announced later this month and in August.