Our Speakers

As a biochemist turned freelance web designer and developer at Molecularcode, Alex now uses WordPress to create fun and interesting websites, frequently perusing the WordPress Plugin repository in search of those little nuggets of gold. Having been so well supported by the WordPress community at the beginning of her new career, she enjoys sharing the knowledge she has acquired with other people passionate about populating the web with clean, functional websites. Alex is also a huge 3D Printing enthusiast and enjoys sharing her love of the technology with anyone who will listen.

Amy is a writer, photographer, musician and a geek of many trades.

Having grown up in a musically oriented family, Amy has spent the majority of her life in the periphery of the music industry, and this likely influences her writing – about the life and times of band Torrent (www.torrentband.com), a classic/AOR rock band.

Ariadni Athanassiadis is an attorney advising entrepreneurs and professionals about their opportunities to make their expertise, innovations and creativity work for their enterprises and the communities they serve.  Drawing upon her combined experience in science, the arts, teaching and business, she established Kyma Professional Corporation to focus on custom intellectual property solutions for small to medium size enterprises. In the community, Ariadni teaches part-time at the University of Ottawa, and is active in the Women’s Business Network, the Ottawa Chapter for Women in Science and Engineering and the Algonquin College Marketing and Management Studies Advisory Committee.

Brendan Sera-Shriar a.k.a. digibomb

Brendan Sera-Shriar has been an interactive designer, developer, college and university professor, community manager, author, consultant, and professional speaker at some of the largest corporations and festivals in the world, including Microsoft, Mozilla Firefox, Sun Microsystems, WordCamp, BlogWorld, SXSW and more. His work has also appeared in TechCrunch, TechVibes, WordPress TV, and a host of other blogs. He was also featured in the October 2012 issue of Marketing Magazine.

Not only does Brendan help others build their businesses he has also founded a few himself, including StartupBump, Creer Magazine, and PressWork just to name a few.

Despite being known best for his work as a WordPress designer, developer, and WordCamp speaker and organizer, Brendan’s best communications skills lie in his ability to help organizations understand how they can build communities around their products and services.  thebrendans.com, @digibomb

A newspaper reporter by trade, Christoph left the newspaper industry in 2007 to research, write and produce training videos for the U.S. financial services industry. He then started a community news site and currently works as a communications executive in the nonprofit sector.

His career has focused on helping organizations tell their stories in authentic and meaningful ways. He uses and teaches brand and traditional journalism as well as content marketing techniques in the pursuit of great stories.

Until recently he helped United Way of East Central Iowa tell its stories in an authentic way through a multi-channel content delivery strategy that engages all of United Way’s key audiences. In April, he started at MedTouch where he works with hospitals across the U.S. on digital strategies.

He lives in Marion, Iowa, USA, with his wife and their daughter.

Elida is slightly obsessed with creating delightful user experiences and determining the best way to do just about anything. She has been WordPressing since 2006. This is her second WordCamp appearance, having spoken last year on ‘Essentials for a Solid WordPress Foundation’. She has 15 years’ experience spanning commercial photography, digital media, design, fine arts and teaching. By day, Elida is a UX Designer at Sid Lee, an acclaimed creative agency based in Montreal. By night, she enjoys sampling fine liquids such as new world wines, craft beers and gourmet balsamics.

Gregory is Co-Owner of Alternative Hosting, an Ottawa based web hosting provider. When not helping new clients get setup with web hosting, or performing WordPress maintenance for his clients, Gregory enjoys spending time with his wife and pack of Chihuauas. With over 20 years experience in network and server support, Gregory has seen almost everything (including grilled cheese in the VCR and cookies in the CD-ROM)

Jasmine is a WordPress evangelist who enjoys helping people share their most important stories and ideas. She loves teaching and regularly contributes as both an instructor and a mentor to The Ottawa WordPress Group and Ladies Learning Code . This is her second year as a WordCamp Ottawa organizer, and if you’ve ever engaged with @wpottawa on Twitter, you were most likely talking to her.

Jasmine is a freelance web specialist, consultant, and trainer. Her work experience includes government, small businesses, arts groups, and non-profits.  She also volunteers for the non-profit, The Forget for a Moment Foundation, as the VP of Communications and Webmaster.

She is passionate about digital communications, social media and web design. Jasmine also works as a teacher and a freelance web/graphic designer. She welcomes tweets @jasmineVesque.

Jordan Quintal is a successful Online Multipreneur, a seasoned Web Developer, as well as a WordPress Contributor and Community Member. Jordan is the current President at The Genius Web Media Inc. that was founded in 2007, and he has over 15 years of web development experience. His skill, intelligence,  and ambition have allowed him and his company to flourish in a very competitive Media market.