Elia Saikaly: Adventurer, filmmaker and humanitarian

Meet Elia Saikaly. He is a Canadian social entrepreneur whose award winning films, global adventures and dynamic public engagement initiatives inspire others to live their most meaningful life and spark positive world change. He recently led an initiative with his organization, FindingLife, along with help from students across Eastern Ontario. Together, they built a well in Nepal for children in need and helped build a school for orphaned children in Kathmandu.

Elia and his Expedition 2010 team will set out on March 27 for what promises to be a truly epic adventure to climb the highest mountain on earth — Mount Everest. The two-month expedition begins in Katmandu, and on the way to Everest base camp, the team will visit ChildHaven and schools in Nepal. Using lots of high tech gear, Elia and the team will share the entire experience with thousands of youth in classrooms across Canada. Students and teachers will check in the Expedition's progress every day and even be able to speak with Elia occasionally via satellite phone. Children in more than 140 schools are also assisting Elia with fundraising efforts to build a Childhaven International home in India. Expedition 2010 culminates with a summit of Mount Everest in late May.

Once an actor, model, and muchmusic reporter, Elia is no stranger to being in front of the camera. He is the new Adventurer on an Innovative new non-profit Web channel called WIGUP (When I grow Up), the Media Mentor for Kids launching in the Spring of 2010. Elia is also the adventurer in a new bilingual television series featuring Canada's 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites called La part du Monde. The 15-part series is scheduled to air in September 2010.

When not behind the camera, as an inspirational speaker, Elia brings his intense passion for filmmaking, storytelling and adventure to the stage and shares his extraordinary adventures and breathtaking images and video from some of the most spectacular places on earth.

Elia currently lives in Ottawa, Canada.