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YOU-NIQUE!
OCTOBER 12th 2024 SIAMSA TIRE THEATRE
Stage Session #1 - 10am - 12pm
CORRIE BLOCK |
Love at Work - Empathy and Leadership
Dr. Corrie Jonn Block has turned his ADHD into a polymath superpower. He’s an internationally recognized speaker, top-tier Executive Coach, and expert in Business Strategy, Organizational Behavior, and Leadership. He’s Professor of Strategic Management at Monarch Business School, Switzerland, a Member of the Forbes Coaches Council, and a Certified Master Neuroplastician. His bestselling books include Spartan CEO and Love@Work. He’s also got 5 kids, advocates for green energy and poverty relief, and jumps out of airplanes for fun.
DONAL O'SHEA | Understanding Obesity
Qualified in medicine from University College Dublin in 1989 and then moved to Hammersmith Hospital in London. Completed research with Professor Sir Stephen Bloom on how the brain controls appetite. Moved to current position in 1999 establishing 2 hospital based multidisciplinary treatment teams for the management of adult obesity and gender dysphoria. Is a member of the Department of Health Policy group on obesity and chaired a group carrying out a health impact assessment on the potential benefits and harms of a tax on sugar sweetened drinks. Has presented the EU Ministers for Health and the Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the importance of prevention of childhood obesity. Has specific research interests in obesity and gender and has published over 250 research papers. He is currently the National lead for management of Obesity with the Health Service Executive and advisor to WHO Europe on prevention and treatment of obesity.
LAURA DALY | Without You
Award-winning choreographer Laura Daly began her dance journey at just five years old, igniting a passion that has fueled an impressive career both as a professional performer and educator. Laura has taught in a variety of stage schools and dance schools, along with various primary and secondary schools. She has completed various performer and teacher examinations, from the International Dance Teachers Association, to the Irish Board of Speech and Drama musical theatre branch.
Laura’s career highlights include performing in numerous showcases across Ireland, and she has been chosen on many occasions to represent the power of dance in international festivals and campaigns, promoting the arts in Ireland. Her achievements also include winning multiple dance competitions as her time as a dancer and teacher, as well as training under a host of industry professionals. Most recently, Laura was honored to join award-winning choreographer Dane Bates' company for INSPIRO 5 in Liverpool, being one of just 35 dancers selected worldwide.
In 2021, Laura’s passion for teaching and her belief in the transformative power of dance led her to establish her own studio, LD DANCE. She believes that dance is one of the most powerful outlets for emotional expression. Through her passionate teaching, Laura's mission is to inspire creativity, a deep love for dance, and an unshakable sense of self-belief in each of her dancers. She is committed to giving young people the opportunity to express themselves through the art of dance, empowering them to find their unique voice and thrive both on and off the stage.
Laura’s career highlights include performing in numerous showcases across Ireland, and she has been chosen on many occasions to represent the power of dance in international festivals and campaigns, promoting the arts in Ireland. Her achievements also include winning multiple dance competitions as her time as a dancer and teacher, as well as training under a host of industry professionals. Most recently, Laura was honored to join award-winning choreographer Dane Bates' company for INSPIRO 5 in Liverpool, being one of just 35 dancers selected worldwide.
In 2021, Laura’s passion for teaching and her belief in the transformative power of dance led her to establish her own studio, LD DANCE. She believes that dance is one of the most powerful outlets for emotional expression. Through her passionate teaching, Laura's mission is to inspire creativity, a deep love for dance, and an unshakable sense of self-belief in each of her dancers. She is committed to giving young people the opportunity to express themselves through the art of dance, empowering them to find their unique voice and thrive both on and off the stage.
POOJA PAUL | A Cognitive Scientist's Guide to Climate Action
Dr. Pooja Paul is a Cognitive Scientist-turned-Climate Entrepreneur on a mission to leverage her expertise on human behavior in the fight to curb a quickly warming planet. Dr. Paul received her PhD from Harvard University in 2018, and subsequently completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford. She left the academy in late 2020 to use her scientific training to help accelerate the transition towards lower-impact lifestyles urgently needed to have a chance of meeting our 2030 Paris Agreement Goals. She is the Founder of Habitable Earth, a VC-backed company that uses the best insights on human behavior and motivation – borrowing both from academia and the world of gaming – to make planet-friendly lifestyle choices easy, fun, and rewarding for the new global majority of climate-conscious consumers. She sits on the advisory board of a UK non-profit and likes to spend her free time hiking in nature with her canine sidekick.
RUNE HJARNO RASMUSSEN | Animist Knowledge in Northern Europe
Rune is a Danish Historian of Religion. He applies current anthropology to open an indigenous perspective on the cultural heritage of majority populations. Like indigenous groups, majority “white” people have in their culture knowledge of connectedness with nature in their culture. Such knowledge can be a way of sensitizing large populations to be less destructive to nature.
Rune has lived and worked in many countries and interacted with many different peoples from around the world. He works to bring perspectives from these cultures home to Northern Europe. When you think of Nordic culture in the same way as a vodou priestess think about her culture, then you open your own heritage in a completely new way.
Rune now works as a public intellectual from an online platform. He is a passionate communicator who has written books on “Nordic Animism”, anchored cultural events and produced scholarship.
Rune has lived and worked in many countries and interacted with many different peoples from around the world. He works to bring perspectives from these cultures home to Northern Europe. When you think of Nordic culture in the same way as a vodou priestess think about her culture, then you open your own heritage in a completely new way.
Rune now works as a public intellectual from an online platform. He is a passionate communicator who has written books on “Nordic Animism”, anchored cultural events and produced scholarship.
SARA MORRISSEY TUCKER | Exhilaration: Is Happiness Worth the Risk?
Sara is passionate about being human. She is driven by the exploration of the experiences, communication and activities that make us thriving humans. Having studied the intersection of language and technology through her BSc in Applied Computational Linguistics from DCU, she further investigated its application by completing a PhD on Data-Driven Machine Translation for Sign Languages. In parallel, as a yoga teacher for the past 20 years, Sara has explored the practices of interpersonal communication and tested the capabilities of human bodies and minds. More recently, in her role as Research Fellow at MTU Kerry, Sara investigates how digital technology such as immersive virtual reality can be employed to develop and enhance the most effective and enjoyable human experiences.
Stage Session #2 - 1pm - 2:30pm
BOB FERGUSON | What’s in an Engineer's Head?
As an engineer Bob endured many bad presentations. Some of them were his!
Bob started his own development path to improve his public speaking. In the process he won three national speech championships and represented the UK & Ireland at the World Public Speaking Championship.
He also had 20-years’ experience in the space industry working on the European missions to Mars and Mercury during which he had to communicate complex concepts and information to a wide variety of audiences.
The marriage of the two paths led to Bob’s passionate interest in the way that technical experts could communicate to get their message over with confidence, clarity, and impact so that they’re heard, understood and valued.
He would often see his very bright colleague’s struggle to explain what’s in their head, to their peers and senior managers, and searched for ways they could improve.
In his talk he’ll explain how he thinks we can all do it better.
Bob started his own development path to improve his public speaking. In the process he won three national speech championships and represented the UK & Ireland at the World Public Speaking Championship.
He also had 20-years’ experience in the space industry working on the European missions to Mars and Mercury during which he had to communicate complex concepts and information to a wide variety of audiences.
The marriage of the two paths led to Bob’s passionate interest in the way that technical experts could communicate to get their message over with confidence, clarity, and impact so that they’re heard, understood and valued.
He would often see his very bright colleague’s struggle to explain what’s in their head, to their peers and senior managers, and searched for ways they could improve.
In his talk he’ll explain how he thinks we can all do it better.
DONAGH HENNEBRY | Take deep breaths Daddy!
Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention
After running away to sea at 17, Donagh returned to education in his mid 20’s, completing a B.SocSc and later a M.SocSc. Over the past twenty years Donagh has worked with the Traveller Community, young people involved in the criminal justice system, youth mental health and suicide prevention. He has also worked as a lecturer with Sacred Heart University.
For the past five years Donagh has coordinated Connecting for Life for the HSE in Kerry. Connecting for Life is Ireland’s National Strategy to Reduce Suicide. Donagh believes that everyone should try to look after their mental health just as we do our physical and dental health and he was one of the founders of the Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest.
After running away to sea at 17, Donagh returned to education in his mid 20’s, completing a B.SocSc and later a M.SocSc. Over the past twenty years Donagh has worked with the Traveller Community, young people involved in the criminal justice system, youth mental health and suicide prevention. He has also worked as a lecturer with Sacred Heart University.
For the past five years Donagh has coordinated Connecting for Life for the HSE in Kerry. Connecting for Life is Ireland’s National Strategy to Reduce Suicide. Donagh believes that everyone should try to look after their mental health just as we do our physical and dental health and he was one of the founders of the Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest.
KERRY WHITE | The road less travelled to motherhood
Kerry White is a Wellbeing Coach & Facilitator. She has been inspiring people in the workplace to be happier, healthier, and more resilient, for almost two decades. She began this work at the World Health Organization in Geneva, where she worked for many years. It was here at WHO that Kerry developed a keen interest in the mind/body connection and led innovative wellbeing sessions to help staff stay well. Over the past 20 years, Kerry has trained as a Shiatsu Therapist, Yoga Teacher, and Life & Executive Coach. Blending the ancient mind/body practices of shiatsu, yoga and meditation, with modern coaching tools and insights, Kerry’s sessions are an effective way to support people in any workplace.
Since returning home to Ireland, Kerry has brought her unique sessions to 100’s of top corporates and organisations, spanning every sector. A keynote wellbeing speaker at many high-level corporate events, Kerry is known for her accessible, engaging, and practical approach. Kerry also supports women contemplating a non-conventional path to motherhood. Kerry understands the challenges involved in making hard decisions in life - she gave birth to her daughter at 49, having made the tough, but rewarding decision, to pursue solo motherhood, through double donation.In her TedX talk, Kerry hopes to inspire the listener to have the courage to take the path less travelled, to find and follow their own truth in life, challenging as this may be. She believes that ultimately it can be the most rewarding and life-changing thing we can do.
Since returning home to Ireland, Kerry has brought her unique sessions to 100’s of top corporates and organisations, spanning every sector. A keynote wellbeing speaker at many high-level corporate events, Kerry is known for her accessible, engaging, and practical approach. Kerry also supports women contemplating a non-conventional path to motherhood. Kerry understands the challenges involved in making hard decisions in life - she gave birth to her daughter at 49, having made the tough, but rewarding decision, to pursue solo motherhood, through double donation.In her TedX talk, Kerry hopes to inspire the listener to have the courage to take the path less travelled, to find and follow their own truth in life, challenging as this may be. She believes that ultimately it can be the most rewarding and life-changing thing we can do.
META OSBORNE | Saving the World with One Welfare Education
Meta grew up on a studfarm, studied veterinary medicine, practised as an equine vet for 40 years and with her husband developed a stud farm in Ireland breeding winning racehorses.
In the racing world she was often asked about possible welfare issues. Not knowing much of anything about the subject, despite her training, she went back to college to study for a Masters in Animal Welfare, using Systems Thinking in her dissertation looking at broodmare welfare..
No one condones cruelty to animals, but good welfare for animals is more than just good husbandry, and appropriate veterinary care. What are the animals telling us about their needs, their wants and their relationship with us? Human-animal relationships are complex and solutions are not always binary. We need to be comfortable with the questions and not just push for the answer.
Meta has recently co-launched a podcast Changing Rein that explores the questions around horse sport and its sustainability into the future.
She works with groups using Systems Mapping to explore complex interrelationships in systems ranging from equine parasite control to the choice of a family pet. She also serves as a guest lecturer in Animal Welfare at University College Dublin.
In the racing world she was often asked about possible welfare issues. Not knowing much of anything about the subject, despite her training, she went back to college to study for a Masters in Animal Welfare, using Systems Thinking in her dissertation looking at broodmare welfare..
No one condones cruelty to animals, but good welfare for animals is more than just good husbandry, and appropriate veterinary care. What are the animals telling us about their needs, their wants and their relationship with us? Human-animal relationships are complex and solutions are not always binary. We need to be comfortable with the questions and not just push for the answer.
Meta has recently co-launched a podcast Changing Rein that explores the questions around horse sport and its sustainability into the future.
She works with groups using Systems Mapping to explore complex interrelationships in systems ranging from equine parasite control to the choice of a family pet. She also serves as a guest lecturer in Animal Welfare at University College Dublin.
ROBERT KELLY | Small Steps to inspired Heart Health
Dr Robert Kelly is an Intervention Cardiologist and Lifestyle Medicine Physician who has combined these areas to deliver a holistic approach to heart health.
His purpose is to prevent heart disease helping people to live a long and happy life.
He is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, a Senior Lecturer in Lifestyle Medicine. He teaches at Faculty of Positive Psychology at RCSI Dublin. He is a co-founder of the Irish Society of Lifestyle Medicine and a board member of The European Society of Lifestyle Medicine. He is a Fellow of Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine, American College of Cardiology, Royal College of Physicians in Ireland, European Society of Cardiology. He has an MBA from Henley Business School.
He runs Cardiology clinics daily and coaches patients and colleagues on how to improve their health using mindset and habits tools.
These programs have helped over 100 patients to release weight, improve exercise, lower stress, sleep better, stop smoking and find more energy and vitality to enjoy life and live longer. Several patients have been able to reduce their medications as well.
He is the author of forthcoming books “Whole Heart Health” and co-author of “Unlocking Success -tales of resilience, innovation and growth” with Jack Canfield.
Robert lives in Dublin, Ireland. He enjoys family time with his wife Lorna and three children, dog Holly, playing golf, padel tennis, walking, travel and socialising with friends.
His purpose is to prevent heart disease helping people to live a long and happy life.
He is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, a Senior Lecturer in Lifestyle Medicine. He teaches at Faculty of Positive Psychology at RCSI Dublin. He is a co-founder of the Irish Society of Lifestyle Medicine and a board member of The European Society of Lifestyle Medicine. He is a Fellow of Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine, American College of Cardiology, Royal College of Physicians in Ireland, European Society of Cardiology. He has an MBA from Henley Business School.
He runs Cardiology clinics daily and coaches patients and colleagues on how to improve their health using mindset and habits tools.
These programs have helped over 100 patients to release weight, improve exercise, lower stress, sleep better, stop smoking and find more energy and vitality to enjoy life and live longer. Several patients have been able to reduce their medications as well.
He is the author of forthcoming books “Whole Heart Health” and co-author of “Unlocking Success -tales of resilience, innovation and growth” with Jack Canfield.
Robert lives in Dublin, Ireland. He enjoys family time with his wife Lorna and three children, dog Holly, playing golf, padel tennis, walking, travel and socialising with friends.
TANYA O | Falling
Tanya O' is an Irish born artist-songwriter with vast experience within the music industry. Her haunting voice and deep lyrics have saw her build up a steady following. She is an accomplished singer and pianist and has performed on the Irish and Canadian music circuit for over 10 years and has supported internationally acclaimed Acts throughout her years including Walking on Cars , JLS , The Riptide Movement, Britains Got Talent winners Twist & Pulse and many Acts in Toronto including Fin Fury.
Tanya is known for writing songs laced with emotional lyrics based on her own personal experiences. She has worked with artists and record labels in Ireland, the U.K, United States and Canada over the past decade and has gained most of her compositional experience through her time spent in studios in Ireland, North America and the U.K.
She has just released her second single of the year called ‘Let your fire burn’ and has more original music releases coming out later this year.
Tanya is known for writing songs laced with emotional lyrics based on her own personal experiences. She has worked with artists and record labels in Ireland, the U.K, United States and Canada over the past decade and has gained most of her compositional experience through her time spent in studios in Ireland, North America and the U.K.
She has just released her second single of the year called ‘Let your fire burn’ and has more original music releases coming out later this year.
Stage Session #3 - 4pm - 5:30pm
A YOU-NIQUE MOMENT!
AIDEEN FINNEGAN | How to Pivot When Feeling Stuck
Aideen Finnegan is an award winning broadcaster and podcaster. She is a journalist with The Irish Times and former reporter with Newstalk. Her previous career in radio involved everything from producing a talk show, to reporting from the four corners of Ireland, to presenting alongside Shane Coleman and Ciara Kelly on Newstalk. She now works as a podcast producer with The Irish Times; involved in putting together its daily current affairs podcast, In The News, and occasionally presenting its female-focused show, The Women’s Podcast. Her own podcast called How to Pivot – about radical career transitions - scooped silver at the 2022 Irish Podcast Awards.
DAVE OSH | Breaking free of Cultural Conditioning
Dave Osh is a transformative catalyst who helps leadership teams become highly effective in hyper complexity. His purpose is to evolve leadership potential so that together, we create a ripple effect of unity in the world.
As the CEO of Varlinx, Dave leads wide-scale leadership transformation programs in global companies. Over the past decade, he has worked with the world's top developmental psychologists, integrating adult development theories into a practical framework for transforming individuals, teams, and organizations.
Previously, Dave served as CEO of Qnet, leading thousands of employees in 34 countries. He is the author of “Outgrow Middle Management - Accelerate Your Climb to the Top”, the forthcoming book “Evolved - CEO Potential in a New Complex World”, and the newsletter “Potential Development”.
Dave lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. He enjoys playing guitar, skiing, hiking, working out, and ‘parenting’ three grown children and three cats.
As the CEO of Varlinx, Dave leads wide-scale leadership transformation programs in global companies. Over the past decade, he has worked with the world's top developmental psychologists, integrating adult development theories into a practical framework for transforming individuals, teams, and organizations.
Previously, Dave served as CEO of Qnet, leading thousands of employees in 34 countries. He is the author of “Outgrow Middle Management - Accelerate Your Climb to the Top”, the forthcoming book “Evolved - CEO Potential in a New Complex World”, and the newsletter “Potential Development”.
Dave lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. He enjoys playing guitar, skiing, hiking, working out, and ‘parenting’ three grown children and three cats.
JOSEPH ROMM | Storytelling Secrets from Shakespeare and Taylor Swift
Joe was named by Rolling Stone as one of 100 "people who are reinventing America" in 2009. He has a Ph.D. in physics from MIT, is on the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania, and is a leading expert on climate solutions, communication, and storytelling.
Time magazine called him "The Web's most influential climate-change blogger" and named him "Hero of the Environment″ for his work at the Climate Progress blog he founded. Over 13 years, Joe published over 2000 blog posts and wrote thousands of headlines. The real-time feedback he received in terms of headline click-through rate, time on page, likes, shares, tweets, and comments helped him test the best storytelling strategies to see which ones went viral.
CNN host Van Jones has called Joe "the communicator's communicator." He is the author of ten books, including "How to Go Viral and Reach Millions" and "Language Intelligence: Lessons on Persuasion from Jesus, Shakespeare, Lincoln, and Lady Gaga." Van Jones said of the latter book, "This book changed my life, and it can change yours, too. Joe Romm understands the secrets of persuasion and messaging, and he has distilled them into this must-read book."
Time magazine called him "The Web's most influential climate-change blogger" and named him "Hero of the Environment″ for his work at the Climate Progress blog he founded. Over 13 years, Joe published over 2000 blog posts and wrote thousands of headlines. The real-time feedback he received in terms of headline click-through rate, time on page, likes, shares, tweets, and comments helped him test the best storytelling strategies to see which ones went viral.
CNN host Van Jones has called Joe "the communicator's communicator." He is the author of ten books, including "How to Go Viral and Reach Millions" and "Language Intelligence: Lessons on Persuasion from Jesus, Shakespeare, Lincoln, and Lady Gaga." Van Jones said of the latter book, "This book changed my life, and it can change yours, too. Joe Romm understands the secrets of persuasion and messaging, and he has distilled them into this must-read book."
LEONARD SKINNER | How many true loves are out there for you?
Leonard is an author, educator, and doctoral researcher in philosophy. His writing has earned him a nomination for the Mountbatten best book award (Escape Under Sail, Adlard Coles), and his philosophical research focuses on relational love through an ethical lens.
Having grown up in Ireland’s southwest, Leonard has lived off-grid on land and at sea for more than a decade and continues to practice sustainable living from his home in the Galician hills.
Having grown up in Ireland’s southwest, Leonard has lived off-grid on land and at sea for more than a decade and continues to practice sustainable living from his home in the Galician hills.
RACHEL CURRAN | Find your Inner GPS
Rachel is a master coach, facilitator, podcast host, and co-founder of The B.O.L.D. Method with over 7 years of experience.
She spent the first decade of her career working within international Investment Banks and Wealth firms based across both London and New York, and now specialises in supporting high-achieving women helping them get out of their heads so they can make clear decisions, stop people-pleasing, trust their intuition and powerfully lead.
Rachel integrates Somatic work, NLP, Human Psychology, Masculine & Feminine energy, Breathwork, and Mindfulness into her coaching for sustainable change.
A regular contributor to CIO.com, Rachel has been featured on various podcasts and as a guest speaker at retreats across the US and Canada.
Rachel believes that the more unapologetic you can show up in the workplace, relationships and life, the bigger the benefit for all.
She spent the first decade of her career working within international Investment Banks and Wealth firms based across both London and New York, and now specialises in supporting high-achieving women helping them get out of their heads so they can make clear decisions, stop people-pleasing, trust their intuition and powerfully lead.
Rachel integrates Somatic work, NLP, Human Psychology, Masculine & Feminine energy, Breathwork, and Mindfulness into her coaching for sustainable change.
A regular contributor to CIO.com, Rachel has been featured on various podcasts and as a guest speaker at retreats across the US and Canada.
Rachel believes that the more unapologetic you can show up in the workplace, relationships and life, the bigger the benefit for all.
Stage Session #4 - 7pm - 8:30pm
BREDA O'DWYER | The Entrepreneurial Suitcase
Breda is Head of Department of Organisation and Professional Development at MTU and Head of The Cantillon Academy. She is author of The ELMS Model – Entrepreneurial Leadership Mindset and promoter of eudaimonic entrepreneurial well-being. Through her work and publications Breda continues to enable interdisciplinary conversations, learning and research; empowering professionals in academia, practice, and public policy to work innovatively and intuitively alongside each other. Breda believe in the power of conversations, role modelling, storytelling, learning through life’s experiences and simply knowing who you are!
At Cantillon we connect minds through our different fora, we empower minds through the application of innovative learning practice, and we ignite curiosity as we explore different research opportunities that allow us to get know the self to reach our optimum potential.
At Cantillon we connect minds through our different fora, we empower minds through the application of innovative learning practice, and we ignite curiosity as we explore different research opportunities that allow us to get know the self to reach our optimum potential.
CLARE MCKENNA | When the Health Message Gets Unhealthy
Clare McKenna has worked as a broadcast journalist in TV & radio for over 20 years, mainly in the area of lifestyle and current affairs. A regular face on Virgin Media television she presented and anchored on Ireland AM, The Elaine Show and as a reporter on Midweek. She has also worked extensively in radio starting her career on Dublin’s Spin1038 and their afternoon talk show where she and her cohost won Gold for Best Speech programme at the Radio Awards. She then worked at Today FM before moving to Newstalk where she remains presenting the health and wellness show Alive and Kicking. This turned a personal passion into a profession as Clare has always had a keen interest in personal development and wellbeing. Clare qualified as an integrative health coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition last year and hosts wellness events in person and online with her business Nourish Yourself.
COURTNEY FAE LONG | Money and Sex: The Surprising Connection
Courtney Fae Long, MSW, LC, CHt, is a leading-edge Sexuality Educator and Author who has been teaching for 25 years. Courtney holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW), Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology (B.A.), and certificates in Sexuality Education and Sex Therapy from the University of Michigan, USA.
Courtney teaches adults how to make magic in the bedroom, enhancing their happiness, health, confidence, and creativity. With a light and joyful approach grounded in scientific research, she empowers individuals to feel happy, turned on, and abundant in all areas of life, from love and intimacy to business, career, and financial success.
Courtney lives in Phoenix, Arizona in the United States. She offers an online school and retreats at https://courtneyfaelong.com
Courtney teaches adults how to make magic in the bedroom, enhancing their happiness, health, confidence, and creativity. With a light and joyful approach grounded in scientific research, she empowers individuals to feel happy, turned on, and abundant in all areas of life, from love and intimacy to business, career, and financial success.
Courtney lives in Phoenix, Arizona in the United States. She offers an online school and retreats at https://courtneyfaelong.com
