Jesse Thistle is a Métis-Cree Ph.D. Candidate in the History program and Assistant Professor at York University, Toronto. Currently, he is working on theories of the intergenerational and historical trauma of the Métis people. Jesse’s work involves reflections on his own previous struggles with addiction and homelessness and has been recognized as having a wide impact on both the scholarly community and the greater public.
Brian is a teacher, learner, thinker, author, problem solver and question asker. I speak professionally on the topics of 21st century education, assessment and evaluation and have given three TEDx talks on education reform.
In high performance business situations, the human mind and body have to work together for ultimate results. Dr. Greg Wells is a health and high performance expert who, as a scientist and physiologist, has dedicated his career to making the science of human limits understandable and actionable. In his informative and engaging keynotes, Wells draws parallels between elite athletes and top executives to help business leaders perform at the highest level, even when under the most extreme circumstances.
Described as “inspirational, passionate & changing lives”, Susan Agrios teaches and guides thousands of people from all corners of the world on their fitness, yoga and mindfulness journeys. Susan gives kids, teens and adults tools to lead healthier lives. The positive physical, mental, emotional and social results are profound.
What does the future hold for Canada? Are our institutions and economy at odds with rapid technological and cultural change? Are we keeping up? From business to government to media, disruption is here. Technology and media expert Jesse Brown explains the challenging shifts ahead, and how to stay on top of them.
Allan Kehler is one of Canada’s most impactful presenters to professionals in education and to their beneficiaries – youth and young adults. Educators and students across Canada have benefited from his engaging presentations on prevention and wellness. His comprehensive approach touches on many critical topics today – including mental illness, suicide, stress and various wellness concepts.
Sam Demma is an entrepreneur, youth coach, and keynote speaker. He co-founded the volunteer organization PickWaste, created the High Performing Student, delivered two TEDx Talks, and is a Board Director of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers.
Dr Michael Marshall, MBBS, MRCPsych, PgDip (Mental Health Law), CCT (Psychiatry), is a psychiatrist with a special interest in transgender and 2SLGBTQ+ health and wellness. Dr Marshall is a clinician at heart and has been engaged with various projects related to the wellness of the trans community. He is an advocate for the provision of good care and speaks widely on the systems that exist to inadvertently exclude the transgender community and in particular Black trans identities.
Beloved comedian Jessica Holmes has been a perennial favourite on Royal Canadian Air Farce for 15 years, and has brought the house down opening for giants such as Ellen DeGeneres, Russell Peters, Jerry Seinfeld, and Oprah Winfrey. Her hilarious take on life’s challenges as well as her unique knack for skewering celebrities (including Nikki Minaj and Celine Dion) have audiences in stitches. Her customized emcee and entertainment presentations — which include motivation and wellness — are always a hit.
Over the past 15 years, Dr. Jody Carrington has assessed, treated, educated and empowered some of our most vulnerable and precious souls on the planet. She is a child psychologist by trade, but Jody rarely treats kids. The answer lies, she believes, in the people who hold them. Especially when kids have experienced trauma, that’s when they need big people the most. Some of her favourites include educators, parents, first responders, and foster parents. Jody has shifted the way they think and feel about the holy work that they do.
Susan Carter holds a B.Ed. from the University of Regina and has taught in four provinces. In 1993 she decided to act upon a long-time dream of doing stand up comedy – and was pleasantly surprised to find that people were willing to pay her for it! Her husband did all the housework, fed the cat, and managed their one teenager so that Susan could teach and dabble in comedy.
Peter Katz is a JUNO Award and Canadian Screen Award-nominated singer-songwriter who has spent the past 15 years touring internationally, sharing the stage and studio with legendary musicians and releasing five albums. A gifted storyteller, Katz infuses his presentations with songs which inspire audiences to create their own path, overcome obstacles, and find success in whatever they desire.
Dr. Mario Trono is an Associate Professor at Mount Royal University. He has been seen and heard on CBC, CTV, CLT, The History Channel, and W Network. His presentations highlight how K-12 teaching gets represented in film, TV, and online. The talks focus on teacher identities, student perceptions, community relations, and political support in relation to the vast array of teacher images on the media landscape today.
Stuart Myers is the world’s only funny, inspirational, motivational keynote speaker who loves to ‘positively traumatize™’ audiences. On 863+ conference stages located across North America, Australia and Europe, delegates enjoy fits of laughter while learning how to become Unstoppable and turn mental health into mental wealth. Living with Tourettes is a daily challenge of anxiousness, depression, and uncontrollable twitching. Faced with a lifetime of disability, Stuart made a powerful choice to direct his life toward a joyful and Unstoppable life—dedicating his life’s purpose to helping countless others overcome their own challenges and fears.