Speaker Schedule

Tom, originally from Toronto, holds a Master’s Degree in Mathematics and  an MBA from York University. After moving to Vancouver in 1984, he  entered the film and entertainment industry at a pivotal time,  contributing to the growth of British Columbia’s now  multi-billion-dollar production sector. He co-founded Rainmaker Digital  Pictures Corporation in 1995, after leading Gastown Post & Transfer,  the largest post-production facility in Western Canada. Tom and his  team worked on major television series like 21 Jump Street, The X-Files,  and Millennium, as well as the Academy Award-winning film Legends of  the Fall. In 1996, he launched a business coaching practice,  specializing in strategic planning and leadership development across  entertainment and sports, while also teaching at the University of  British Columbia.

A passionate advocate for sports, community,  and digital innovation, Tom served for two decades on the board of the  B.C. Sports Hall of Fame & Museum. Over the past 25 years, he has  explored the impact of digital technology, most notably through his  long-running project Moments In Time—a nostalgic music storytelling  series that became both a weekly web feature and award-winning book. The  interactive book connects readers to classic songs via QR codes and is  housed in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2024, he released Moments  In Time 2.0, extending his tribute to artists of the 60s through 80s.  Known for his compelling stories and boundless enthusiasm, Tom continues  to share his insights through media appearances and a new interactive  road show on the cultural influence of rock & roll. 

What is generative AI and why do I need to know about it? This interactive talk will introduce you to generative artificial intelligence (AI) and will demonstrate simple, fun ways that you can use it in your everyday life.  We’ll discuss both the benefits and challenges of using generative AI.  You’ll leave with ideas and tools that you can implement right away after this meeting.

Sharon Lauricella is the inaugural Teaching Scholar in Residence at Ontario Tech University in Oshawa, Ontario. She holds a position as Full Professor in the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities and is a scholar of Communication and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Sharon holds a doctoral degree from the University of Cambridge (UK), a BA from Wheaton College (Massachusetts), and a Certificate in Higher Education Teaching from the Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning at Harvard University. Her research focuses on teaching with technology, mental health of undergraduate students, and the value of fun and play in higher education.

For more information  

www.sharonlauricella.com