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PROBUS Club of Durham West- HOME
- SPEAKERS
2026 Speakers |
JULY SPEAKER |
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We are all African: Can Scientific Proof of our Commonality Save Us? Dr. Christopher DiCarlo is a philosopher, educator, and author. He is the Principal and Founder of Critical Thinking Solutions, a consulting business for individuals, corporations, and not-for-profits in both the private and public sectors. He currently holds the position of Senior Advisor at Convergence Analysis – an international organization focusing on AI Risk and Governance. Dr. DiCarlo is the Ethics Chair for the Canadian Mental Health Association (Waterloo/Wellington) and is also a lifetime member of Humanist Canada and an Expert Advisor for the Centre for Inquiry Canada. He often teaches at The Life Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University and is a past Visiting Research Scholar at Harvard University in the Department of Anthropology and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Dr. DiCarlo has won several awards including TV Ontario’s Big Ideas Best Lecturer in Ontario Award and Canada’s Humanist of the Year. Dr. DiCarlo has been invited to speak at numerous national and international conferences and written many peer-reviewed scholarly papers ranging from bioethics to cognitive evolution. He is the author of several books and his best-seller: How to Become a Really Good Pain in the Ass: A Critical Thinker’s Guide to Asking the Right Questions, was released by Prometheus Books as a 2nd Edition to mark its 10th-year anniversary. His book: So You Think You Can Think: Tools for Intelligent Conversations and Getting Along was published by Rowman and Littlefield and was released in June of 2020. And his current book from Prometheus Books, was released early in 2025, and is called: Building a God: The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and the Race to Control It. Dr. DiCarlo also hosts a niche podcast called: All Thinks Considered in which he engages in free and open discussion about current, important issues with world thought leaders, politicians, and entertainers through the lens of Critical Thinking and Ethical Reasoning. For a short video, click the following link, https://youtu.be/ZsAfvEL0omQ?si=4qYpKS1zR3sV2gid |
June Speaker - Rob Stimpson In November 2014 Rob Stimpson had the privilege of being part of the Centenary voyage of Ernest Shackleton’s ill fated 1914 Trans Antarctic journey. He worked as the expedition photographer on the ship, the Sergei Vavilov. Rob is originally from the town of Hudson, Quebec. He is a professional photographer and artist. Rob has achieved international publication, award-winning photographs and a penchant for wilderness. He started out as a photographer’s assistance in Basel, Switzerland and has photographed for Ontario Tourism, Parks Canada, Ontario Parksand many organizations supporting tourism. Over the last 20 years Rob explored and photographed many remote and wilderness areas including Antarctica, the Arctic, Northwest Territories as well as Greenland. In October 2012 Rob was elected into the Royal Canadian Geographical Society’s College of Fellows and in 2016 The Globe and Mail and Lexus profiled him along with nine other artists. He co-authored ‘An Artists and Photographers Guide to Wild Ontario’ and has been a contributor for a number of published books. An avid teacher, Rob taught photography part time at Fleming College for 15 years and has moved over to Loyalist College. He writes for northern tourism organizations and maintains his photographic gallery in Lake of Bays. In 2023, he was selected by Destination Canada and profiled with 13 Canadians. His work has been exhibited at the Algonquin Art Centre in Algonquin Park, Coles Art Market in Huntsville; his latest work, Polar Shift was exhibited at TIFF Lightbox on King Street in Toronto. For more information on Rob Stimpson click here. |
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May Speaker - Raven Murphy An engaging experience that leaves you recharged, inspired and ready to see nature in a whole new way). In Native tradition it is believed that the Raven is one of our Creators most valued messengers. A bird of mysticism, magic, shape shifting and creation with a unique ability to navigate through darkness and into light – as does the woman behind this name. As a proud Annishinabe (First Nations) woman, Raven wholeheartedly shares her experiences and the wisdom of her Ancestors by way of The Medicine Wheel that bridges us to the ancient understandings of interconnectedness and re-establishes our earthconnection. “When we surrender to the peace and tranquility of what Nature holds for us, we are gifted with the ability to Hear More, Feel More and Be More. It is through this personal experience with Nature that we gain Clarity, Confidence and Conviction to treasure ourselves and All of Our Relations in a way that ultimately leads us to a peaceful, playful and passionate life.” Through a wide variety of workshops, day retreats, school visitations and guest appearances Raven’s ability to accelerate awareness and enthusiasm in others coupled with her passion for life and is undoubtedly contagious. As a Dynamic Speaker, Visionary, Author, Musician and Teacher Raven continues to assist, inspire and encourage others in a Natural world of Beauty, Grace and Possibility. For more information on Raven Murphy click here. |
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April Speaker - Dr. Sharon Cohen Dr. Sharon Cohen is a behavioural neurologist and the medical director of Toronto Memory Program, a community-based medical facility which she established in 1996 for the purpose of enhancing diagnosis and treatment for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. Her memory clinic and dementia research site are among the most active in Canada. Dr. Cohen has over 30 years of experience in clinical research and has been a site PI for over 180 pharmacological trials in dementia, including phase 1 trials. She represents Canada on international advisory boards and steering committees and is a consultant to a wide range of stakeholders including government organizations and patient advocacy groups. She is a frequent lecturer and contributes to media events including those on medical ethics. She is known for her advocacy of individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. Despite academic and hospital appointments, Dr. Cohen has always chosen to practice in the community, in keeping with her belief that dementia care and clinical research are best offered in the real-world setting. For more information on Dr. Cohen and her background, Click Here. |
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March Speaker - Lianne Harris Lianne was a former Social Studies/History Resource Specialist Consultant with the Toronto District School Board and curriculum advisor for Upper Canada College, having taught over 100,000 teachers and students. Some of her initiatives have been indexing the Freedman Bureau Records for the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., and curriculum development and business start-ups in India. In 2003, she was selected by W.O.M.A.D. as one of Toronto’s Women of Influence, and in 2009 was invited to be a contributing author of the Canadian best-seller business/self-help book, 'The Power of Women United'. Appearing on TV and being interviewed on the radio many times, she is always happy to have a live or virtual audience. |  |
Few historical figures ensnare the imagination in the same way that pirates do. The Caribbean’s Golden Age of Piracy, 1650-1720, will introduce us to some of the most famous pirates who ever lived and their surprising activities that upended the world. Beyond the rum, the talking parrots, and swabbing decks, let’s cast away, mates, and explore ‘Pirates and Plunder’! For more information on Lianne and her background, Click Here. |
February - No Speaker We will not have a speaker at this meeting; instead, attendees will participate in a “Trivia Group Challenge”. We will form small groups and record answers on a group answer sheet. There will be several rounds of questions with topics for everyone, and be assured, there will be one or two laughs! |
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Janaury Speaker - John Robert Arnone For more information on John, click here. |
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For a summary of our 2025 Speakers Click Here For a summary of our 2024 Speakers Click Here |