Faris Mahoon Siddiqui

The TEDxOshawa team embodies everything the Creative Influencers award stands for: leveraging creative platforms, powerful storytelling, and community-driven media to inspire positive transformation across the Durham Region.

Established as an independent, volunteer-led, non-profit initiative, TEDxOshawa was created with a bold, long-term vision: to build a sustainable, recurring cultural stage right in the heart of Oshawa.

Instead of letting local talent, groundbreaking ideas, and diverse perspectives go unnoticed, lead organizers Faris Mahoon Siddiqui and Chad Andress—alongside a dedicated team of volunteers—have cultivated a vibrant ecosystem that connects local thinkers, artists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.

They deserve this award because they do not just host a single day of speeches; they actively influence and elevate the creative and intellectual landscape of Durham Region.

By curating compelling narrative stages, fostering cross-cultural dialogue, and spotlighting local stories, the TEDxOshawa team empowers everyday community members to share their voices globally while driving real, grassroots inspiration locally.

Built a Permanent Regional Platform: Successfully established TEDxOshawa as a premier, recurring non-profit platform for innovation and public discourse in Durham Region, providing a global-standard stage for local voices at venues like the historic Biltmore Theatre.

Comprehensive Free Speaker Mentorship: Developed and delivered a rigorous, multi-month speaker development and training program—provided entirely free of charge—equipping local leaders, students, and advocates with high-level storytelling, public speaking, and presentation skills.

Championing Local & Diverse Storytelling: Curated high-impact annual conferences including themes like "Shaping Tomorrow: Connecting Cultures, Ideas, and Innovations that give a platform to diverse topics, ranging from mental health and emotional connection to technological innovation and social advocacy.

Fostering Cross-Sector Collaboration: Uniting post-secondary institutions (such as Durham College and Ontario Tech University), local business owners, non-profits, and media outlets through volunteerism and strategic sponsorships to strengthen the civic and creative infrastructure of Oshawa.100%

Volunteer-Driven Impact: Built a purely community-backed operational model where all organizers, partners, and speakers donate their time and resources to ensure accessible educational and creative inspiration for attendees.