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OSLC Spirit Leader running the Student lead sessions.
NOVEMBER 5-7, 2023
SHERATON FALLSVIEW, NIAGARA FALLS ONTARIO
For the last 44 years, the Ontario Student Leadership Conference has been the marquee event for youth in the province. OSLC is the largest and longest multi-day Leadership Conference in Canada. Each year, we bring together the country's largest group of speakers to teach, entertain, and inspire.
We believe
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Leadership is not about bite-sized lessons.
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We want to train you beyond cheering for a change!
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You have the talent, the dedication, and the will to make a difference.
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You are the future of our country and we want to inspire you to do MORE!
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Being a leader is a lifestyle, a choice. A place that is extraordinary!
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You have it in you to ignite the leader within.
OSLC 2023 SCHEDULE
- COMING SOON -
OSLC 2023 SPEAKERS
- COMING SOON -
PAST OSLC SPEAKERS
Cara Filler
Cara is a compelling author, entrepreneur and North America’s leading youth motivational speaker on peer pressure, building resiliency, risk taking and traffic safety. With more than 1700 assemblies delivered, Cara has inspired 2 million young lives around the world.
Cara believes that it is not the events that happen in our lives that make us who we are, but the meaning we give to those events that control the steering wheel of our lives.
The road hasn’t always been ‘easy’ for Cara. The day before her 18th birthday, Cara’s world was devastated and forever changed when her identical twin sister, Mairin, was killed in a high speed car crash. From that day forward, Cara committed to helping others put life and its challenges in perspective. She encourages everyone no matter your age to listen to your inner voice, stand up to a bully, get out of a speeding car, take the keys from a friend who has been drinking, ask for help or make a hard decision. It could save a life!!
She’s an incredible storyteller, a bad dancer, and totally unashamed to make a fool of herself. Cara remembers what it’s like to be a student, what it’s like not to fit in, what it’s like to lose someone you love, and what it’s like to want something better for yourself and the world.
Cara believes that it is not the events that happen in our lives that make us who we are, but the meaning we give to those events that control the steering wheel of our lives.
The road hasn’t always been ‘easy’ for Cara. The day before her 18th birthday, Cara’s world was devastated and forever changed when her identical twin sister, Mairin, was killed in a high speed car crash. From that day forward, Cara committed to helping others put life and its challenges in perspective. She encourages everyone no matter your age to listen to your inner voice, stand up to a bully, get out of a speeding car, take the keys from a friend who has been drinking, ask for help or make a hard decision. It could save a life!!
She’s an incredible storyteller, a bad dancer, and totally unashamed to make a fool of herself. Cara remembers what it’s like to be a student, what it’s like not to fit in, what it’s like to lose someone you love, and what it’s like to want something better for yourself and the world.
Ian Tyson
For 30+ years, Ian Tyson has been entertaining and inspiring audiences across North America to realize their potential, and seek happiness in life. Ian’s high-octane presentations are sure to keep any audience in stitches and leave them with words and thoughts to live by. Combining hilarious and heart warming story telling, observational humour and meaningful life lessons; his assembly programs are always on point.
He is one of North America's top inspirational speakers, and has spoken at hundreds of schools, TEDx, and dozens of conferences about teaching optimism, resilience and kindness. Ian's book, "Hooray For Everything! The Optimist Manifesto" is an insightful collection of stories, and ideas about finding and keeping positivity. Also an avid home cook, who brings his positivity to the kitchen and was featured on the Food Network Canada show “Wall of Chefs” in 2020, and created an online cooking show of his own during lockdown called "The Confined Kitchen".
He is one of North America's top inspirational speakers, and has spoken at hundreds of schools, TEDx, and dozens of conferences about teaching optimism, resilience and kindness. Ian's book, "Hooray For Everything! The Optimist Manifesto" is an insightful collection of stories, and ideas about finding and keeping positivity. Also an avid home cook, who brings his positivity to the kitchen and was featured on the Food Network Canada show “Wall of Chefs” in 2020, and created an online cooking show of his own during lockdown called "The Confined Kitchen".
Phil Boyte
Phil is passionate about creating amazing school culture. He has spoken to thousands of schools across North America, empowering both students and educators to transform their campus’ climate. Phil’s dynamic and transformative message to youth and adults enhances the quality of life for each individual, school, and community.
As a motivational speaker, keynote, consultant, husband, father, and friend, Phil aims to be a force of enthusiasm and encouragement in the world. He is the founder of Learning for Living and the creator of programs such as Link Crew, WEB, and Breaking Down the Walls, and wrote the book School Culture By Design.
Phil brings a dynamic and relationship centric approach to programs to encourage engagement and inspire belonging!
As a motivational speaker, keynote, consultant, husband, father, and friend, Phil aims to be a force of enthusiasm and encouragement in the world. He is the founder of Learning for Living and the creator of programs such as Link Crew, WEB, and Breaking Down the Walls, and wrote the book School Culture By Design.
Phil brings a dynamic and relationship centric approach to programs to encourage engagement and inspire belonging!
Molly Kennedy
Molly Kennedy is an award-winning, international youth resilience speaker, author and Ironman triathlete.
Molly grew up in a dysfunctional family with addiction, divorce, abuse, neglect, abandonment, suffered from an eating disorder, was suicidal and a runaway at 15 years old.
She ‘walks the walk’ when it comes to resiliency, grit and perseverance.
Molly’s presentation empowers teens to get UP when life knocks them down. They learn to leave the excuses behind and develop a resilient mindset to create a successful and fulfilling life.
Her enthusiasm, sense of humor and gut-level honesty inspires teens and young adults to believe in themselves and know that everything is possible. Molly shares her story so teens can re-write theirs.
Her heart’s work is to inspire teens across the country to develop a resilient mindset that breeds confidence and success.
SHOWCASE:
Creating the Champion Within: How to get UP when life knocks you down
Molly’s presentation will empower you to get UNstuck from any challenge or transition life throws at you. You’ll learn practical, user friendly strategies applicable to every aspect of life. This is NOT a one and done presentation! It will stick to your ribs!
Her enthusiasm, vulnerability, sense of humor and gut-level honesty will inspire you to believe in yourself and create the champion within YOU!
WORKSHOP:
Dude, I'm Awesome!
This high energy and interactive workshop will help teens become better leaders by embracing the importance of knowing they are valuable, have a purpose and they matter!
Your students will:
- Learn to validate from within
- Improve their self-talk and mindset
- Increase self-confidence
Molly grew up in a dysfunctional family with addiction, divorce, abuse, neglect, abandonment, suffered from an eating disorder, was suicidal and a runaway at 15 years old.
She ‘walks the walk’ when it comes to resiliency, grit and perseverance.
Molly’s presentation empowers teens to get UP when life knocks them down. They learn to leave the excuses behind and develop a resilient mindset to create a successful and fulfilling life.
Her enthusiasm, sense of humor and gut-level honesty inspires teens and young adults to believe in themselves and know that everything is possible. Molly shares her story so teens can re-write theirs.
Her heart’s work is to inspire teens across the country to develop a resilient mindset that breeds confidence and success.
SHOWCASE:
Creating the Champion Within: How to get UP when life knocks you down
Molly’s presentation will empower you to get UNstuck from any challenge or transition life throws at you. You’ll learn practical, user friendly strategies applicable to every aspect of life. This is NOT a one and done presentation! It will stick to your ribs!
Her enthusiasm, vulnerability, sense of humor and gut-level honesty will inspire you to believe in yourself and create the champion within YOU!
WORKSHOP:
Dude, I'm Awesome!
This high energy and interactive workshop will help teens become better leaders by embracing the importance of knowing they are valuable, have a purpose and they matter!
Your students will:
- Learn to validate from within
- Improve their self-talk and mindset
- Increase self-confidence
Jeff A.D. Martin
Jeff A.D. Martin is a soul-stirring, thought-provoking, highly requested transformational speaker, who has been using his platform to inspire people from around the world.
Much of Jeff’s love for people can be attributed to his years of involvement as a community advocate, a mentor and also to his 15+ years of experience in Law Enforcement. Jeff has worked as a police officer and in various investigative roles. He is a youth communication specialist, with over 1000 forensic interviews with children.
Jeff is also an author of two critically acclaimed books. A City of Toronto best-selling children’s book, “Brothers from the 6/ Sisters from the 6: Role Models in my Community”, and an Amazon best selling personal development book, “KNew Me: 10 Men, 10 Stories of Perseverance”.
Jeff is an award-winning professional speaker, a certified coach, University of Guelph certified leadership professional, Harvard University certificate recipient for public speaking, Diversity & Inclusion Trainer from Ashton College and the curator of Inspire Legacy Company Online Academy, where he teaches the art of public speaking and student character development.
With his career and life experiences, coupled with his benevolence and passion to inspire, Jeff A.D. Martin shares his gift of purpose in efforts to help others find their true potential.
SHOWCASE:
I AM WORTH IT, I AM ENOUGH!
One of Jeff’s favorite keynote topics is about finding self-worth and believing in who you are. Jeff shares personal stories of difficulty, but more importantly, how he was able to overcome it. Jeff also shares the importance of using self-affirmation.
WORKSHOP:
DO YOU SEE ME, DO YOU HEAR ME, DO I MATTER TO YOU?
Many people do not recognize that although we are all different in gender, skin complexion, religion etc, as human beings, the only difference between any one of us, on a microscopic level is 0.01%. This means we are more alike than not. The sad part is people are being bullied, discriminated against and even killed over the difference of 0.01%. Jeff focuses on the power of inclusion and embracing diversity.
Much of Jeff’s love for people can be attributed to his years of involvement as a community advocate, a mentor and also to his 15+ years of experience in Law Enforcement. Jeff has worked as a police officer and in various investigative roles. He is a youth communication specialist, with over 1000 forensic interviews with children.
Jeff is also an author of two critically acclaimed books. A City of Toronto best-selling children’s book, “Brothers from the 6/ Sisters from the 6: Role Models in my Community”, and an Amazon best selling personal development book, “KNew Me: 10 Men, 10 Stories of Perseverance”.
Jeff is an award-winning professional speaker, a certified coach, University of Guelph certified leadership professional, Harvard University certificate recipient for public speaking, Diversity & Inclusion Trainer from Ashton College and the curator of Inspire Legacy Company Online Academy, where he teaches the art of public speaking and student character development.
With his career and life experiences, coupled with his benevolence and passion to inspire, Jeff A.D. Martin shares his gift of purpose in efforts to help others find their true potential.
SHOWCASE:
I AM WORTH IT, I AM ENOUGH!
One of Jeff’s favorite keynote topics is about finding self-worth and believing in who you are. Jeff shares personal stories of difficulty, but more importantly, how he was able to overcome it. Jeff also shares the importance of using self-affirmation.
WORKSHOP:
DO YOU SEE ME, DO YOU HEAR ME, DO I MATTER TO YOU?
Many people do not recognize that although we are all different in gender, skin complexion, religion etc, as human beings, the only difference between any one of us, on a microscopic level is 0.01%. This means we are more alike than not. The sad part is people are being bullied, discriminated against and even killed over the difference of 0.01%. Jeff focuses on the power of inclusion and embracing diversity.
Andy Thibodeau
Andy Thibodeau was called “Mr. School Spirit” by King’s College at Western University when they named him alumni of the year in 2014. This passion for leadership and school spirit started in elementary school when Andy successfully ran for student council Vice President. He won the election because no one ran against him! From organizing dances in grade 8, pep rallies in high school and orientation week in University, Andy’s enthusiasm for youth leadership led to his unique career of inspiring students and staff across the continent.
Since 1992, Andy has delivered thousands of fun inspirational presentations to schools and conferences across North America. Over two million people have seen him speak in all 10 Canadian provinces, the Yukon and 40 US states.
Andy attended elementary and secondary school with the OSLC conference coordinator, Stu Saunders. He has been blessed to speak at every OSLC since 1992 and is one of the very few speakers to have keynoted every provincial leadership conference!
Andy lives in his hometown of London with his wife and two daughters. He has his History degree on the dean’s honour list from King’s College at Western University. Andy empowers student leaders because he was always an active student leader: Student Council VP in elementary school, Student Council President at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary, and Orientation Week coordinator in University. A highlight of Stu and his student leadership careers was when Much Music named their high school the “Most Spirited School in Canada” while he was president and Stu was Student Events Coordinator.
WORKSHOPS
1. "The Look" Bounces off me! Dealing Positively with Negativity in Student Activities.
We have all seen it when we are in a leadership role ... someone gives us the "look" of disapproval and we feel our enthusiasm for leadership fade a little. In this hilarious and life-changing workshop, Andy gives you effective strategies on handling negativity; dealing with rejection; having the courage to be an example of good decisions; maintaining enthusiasm; effective appreciation; communicating care; and improving school climate. A high-energy program based on Andy’s experience as a student leader and a community building speaker since 1992.
2. “Rallies that Rock, Assemblies that Amaze.” Ideas and Inspiration to Create Memorable Student Gatherings!
During the 1988 to 1989 year at Laurier Secondary School in London, our conference founder Stu Saunders and his friend Andy Thibodeau were student council executives. Together they organized a year of student activities, assemblies and pep rallies that had them named by Much Music (Canada’s MTV) as the most spirited school in Canada.
Andy shares the ideas and strategies behind the ten rallies and assemblies they organized that year. His insights are complimented by new lessons from the thousands of schools he has visited since 1992. This session will transform the way you, your leaders, and your school staff will view assemblies, pep rallies and student gatherings! Promotion, planning, and execution insights will be shared!
3. "CAN I COUNT ON YOU?" - Building Your Reliability to Lead Yourself and Others
Execution of ideas is the number one challenge for students in school. This session will immediately improve the ability of leaders to work together, improve their organization skills, decrease stress, and execute ideas into action and activities!
This session addresses the concepts of time management from a unique perspective. Trust is the foundation for loving families, fun friendships, spirited students' councils, successful businesses, and effective leaders. Yet people earn the trust of another by being reliable. Andy offers useful and immediately applicable advice for improving reliability. Through his insights, he demonstrates how increased reliability improves one's time management, creates successful events, and inspires TRUST in leaders!
With all students, student leaders and staff balancing their time between school, family and work commitments, this program can transform how your team organizes their priorities and gets activities accomplished!
Resources and insights on Event planning and time management will be shared.
“Making Care Contagious” – Improving School Spirit and Student Leadership.
The concluding program will tie together the previous three sessions. School Spirit is caring, but how do leaders make this care contagious? Andy has developed 5 Habits that form the core of all successful student leadership activities. This hilarious and high-energy workshop gives hands-on advice on working effectively with school staff; improving event promotion and attendance; creative communication; and initiating inclusion.
Follow Andy's 5 Habits to "get your care, out there!"
Since 1992, Andy has delivered thousands of fun inspirational presentations to schools and conferences across North America. Over two million people have seen him speak in all 10 Canadian provinces, the Yukon and 40 US states.
Andy attended elementary and secondary school with the OSLC conference coordinator, Stu Saunders. He has been blessed to speak at every OSLC since 1992 and is one of the very few speakers to have keynoted every provincial leadership conference!
Andy lives in his hometown of London with his wife and two daughters. He has his History degree on the dean’s honour list from King’s College at Western University. Andy empowers student leaders because he was always an active student leader: Student Council VP in elementary school, Student Council President at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary, and Orientation Week coordinator in University. A highlight of Stu and his student leadership careers was when Much Music named their high school the “Most Spirited School in Canada” while he was president and Stu was Student Events Coordinator.
WORKSHOPS
1. "The Look" Bounces off me! Dealing Positively with Negativity in Student Activities.
We have all seen it when we are in a leadership role ... someone gives us the "look" of disapproval and we feel our enthusiasm for leadership fade a little. In this hilarious and life-changing workshop, Andy gives you effective strategies on handling negativity; dealing with rejection; having the courage to be an example of good decisions; maintaining enthusiasm; effective appreciation; communicating care; and improving school climate. A high-energy program based on Andy’s experience as a student leader and a community building speaker since 1992.
2. “Rallies that Rock, Assemblies that Amaze.” Ideas and Inspiration to Create Memorable Student Gatherings!
During the 1988 to 1989 year at Laurier Secondary School in London, our conference founder Stu Saunders and his friend Andy Thibodeau were student council executives. Together they organized a year of student activities, assemblies and pep rallies that had them named by Much Music (Canada’s MTV) as the most spirited school in Canada.
Andy shares the ideas and strategies behind the ten rallies and assemblies they organized that year. His insights are complimented by new lessons from the thousands of schools he has visited since 1992. This session will transform the way you, your leaders, and your school staff will view assemblies, pep rallies and student gatherings! Promotion, planning, and execution insights will be shared!
3. "CAN I COUNT ON YOU?" - Building Your Reliability to Lead Yourself and Others
Execution of ideas is the number one challenge for students in school. This session will immediately improve the ability of leaders to work together, improve their organization skills, decrease stress, and execute ideas into action and activities!
This session addresses the concepts of time management from a unique perspective. Trust is the foundation for loving families, fun friendships, spirited students' councils, successful businesses, and effective leaders. Yet people earn the trust of another by being reliable. Andy offers useful and immediately applicable advice for improving reliability. Through his insights, he demonstrates how increased reliability improves one's time management, creates successful events, and inspires TRUST in leaders!
With all students, student leaders and staff balancing their time between school, family and work commitments, this program can transform how your team organizes their priorities and gets activities accomplished!
Resources and insights on Event planning and time management will be shared.
“Making Care Contagious” – Improving School Spirit and Student Leadership.
The concluding program will tie together the previous three sessions. School Spirit is caring, but how do leaders make this care contagious? Andy has developed 5 Habits that form the core of all successful student leadership activities. This hilarious and high-energy workshop gives hands-on advice on working effectively with school staff; improving event promotion and attendance; creative communication; and initiating inclusion.
Follow Andy's 5 Habits to "get your care, out there!"
Ash Baer
Brandon Love
Brandon Love is a professional speaker and inspirational wizard who awakens people to their possibilities. He has been speaking and performing for 10+ years to audiences across North America. He is also the co-author of Brainsprouting: How to Become Fearlessly Creative & Have Better Ideas More Often.
He has spent most of his adult life learning about possibilities and what it takes to create them.
After falling in love with magic and the art of achieving the impossible from a young age, Brandon began to wonder about all the ways we’ve sold ourselves short. What other things do we call “impossible” that are actually just waiting for a creative solution to become “possible”?
As a result of this quest to uncover the secrets of our limitless potential, Brandon has also formally studied education, psychology, philosophy, hypnosis, and yoga. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS), and is a proud member of the Academy of Magical Arts at the World Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, California.
He’s on a mission to help people create new possibilities, and is convinced that we’re all so much more capable than we think.
WORKSHOP
How to Make Magic: Tapping into the Power of Possibilities Thinking
What would you do if you could make magic? Would you solve problems? Manifest your dreams? Transform your schools, communities, and change the world?
While many enjoy the entertainment of a good magic trick, there’s much more than meets the eye. Magicians are experts at manipulating our perceptions, and their illusions can teach us valuable lessons about how we think, learn, and create.
Brandon Love has been practicing and performing magic for 30 years and in this awe-inspiring presentation he’ll share the most practical and powerful lessons he’s learned about our magic-making minds. Applying just a few of these insights will help you be a better problem solver, build stronger relationships, and tap into your fullest potential as a leader and changemaker.
More specifically, you’ll:
- Discover the sneaky ways your super smart brain is actually holding you back from success (and what you can do about it)
- Learn the simple practices of Possibilities Thinking in order to accelerate your growth immediately
- Open your eyes to a collection of talents and abilities you didn’t know you had, just waiting for you to develop them
- Experience your (perhaps forgotten) creative genius, and use it to solve critical problems
- Wake up to your own magical abilities, and develop a vision for how you’ll use these tools to your advantage
He has spent most of his adult life learning about possibilities and what it takes to create them.
After falling in love with magic and the art of achieving the impossible from a young age, Brandon began to wonder about all the ways we’ve sold ourselves short. What other things do we call “impossible” that are actually just waiting for a creative solution to become “possible”?
As a result of this quest to uncover the secrets of our limitless potential, Brandon has also formally studied education, psychology, philosophy, hypnosis, and yoga. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS), and is a proud member of the Academy of Magical Arts at the World Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, California.
He’s on a mission to help people create new possibilities, and is convinced that we’re all so much more capable than we think.
WORKSHOP
How to Make Magic: Tapping into the Power of Possibilities Thinking
What would you do if you could make magic? Would you solve problems? Manifest your dreams? Transform your schools, communities, and change the world?
While many enjoy the entertainment of a good magic trick, there’s much more than meets the eye. Magicians are experts at manipulating our perceptions, and their illusions can teach us valuable lessons about how we think, learn, and create.
Brandon Love has been practicing and performing magic for 30 years and in this awe-inspiring presentation he’ll share the most practical and powerful lessons he’s learned about our magic-making minds. Applying just a few of these insights will help you be a better problem solver, build stronger relationships, and tap into your fullest potential as a leader and changemaker.
More specifically, you’ll:
- Discover the sneaky ways your super smart brain is actually holding you back from success (and what you can do about it)
- Learn the simple practices of Possibilities Thinking in order to accelerate your growth immediately
- Open your eyes to a collection of talents and abilities you didn’t know you had, just waiting for you to develop them
- Experience your (perhaps forgotten) creative genius, and use it to solve critical problems
- Wake up to your own magical abilities, and develop a vision for how you’ll use these tools to your advantage
Carla Cuglietta
Carla Cuglietta is a Canadian born educator, consultant, humanitarian and keynote speaker. Over the last 22 years she has been involved in global leadership and change projects in Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, China, Laos, India, Sierra Leone and Uganda.
Carla is the Executive Director and Co-founder of YoungLeaders.World, an international non-profit organization whose aim is to help young people understand that leadership is a mindset, not a status. She is also a principal consultant with IN.FORM Series. To date, Carla has trained over 12,500 people worldwide and has spoken over a hundred thousand more through her keynote speaking tours.
Carla has been awarded the Canadian Prime Minister's Certificate of Achievement, the University of Alberta Alumni of Distinction for her leadership work. In addition, she has been awarded the YWCA Woman of Distinction and the Lions Club International Award for her leadership and humanitarian work around the world.
WORKSHOP
Making Your School's Vision Come to Life.
A busy student leadership team is not always an effective one. Learn how to understand if the vision for your school aligns with the projects you take on as a group.
Students will leave this session with a clear understanding of how to shape a vision for your school, assess what you need to start doing, think about what you need to stop doing, and commit to what you should continue doing to making that vision come to life. If you come in feeling busy and overwhelmed, you will leave feeling clear and focused.
Carla is the Executive Director and Co-founder of YoungLeaders.World, an international non-profit organization whose aim is to help young people understand that leadership is a mindset, not a status. She is also a principal consultant with IN.FORM Series. To date, Carla has trained over 12,500 people worldwide and has spoken over a hundred thousand more through her keynote speaking tours.
Carla has been awarded the Canadian Prime Minister's Certificate of Achievement, the University of Alberta Alumni of Distinction for her leadership work. In addition, she has been awarded the YWCA Woman of Distinction and the Lions Club International Award for her leadership and humanitarian work around the world.
WORKSHOP
Making Your School's Vision Come to Life.
A busy student leadership team is not always an effective one. Learn how to understand if the vision for your school aligns with the projects you take on as a group.
Students will leave this session with a clear understanding of how to shape a vision for your school, assess what you need to start doing, think about what you need to stop doing, and commit to what you should continue doing to making that vision come to life. If you come in feeling busy and overwhelmed, you will leave feeling clear and focused.
Cody Deaner
At the age of 5, Cody had one goal… to one day wrestle in the same ring as his childhood heroes and become a professional wrestler. Cody grew up in a small, secluded, rural town with a population of less than 200 people. Cody strived to dream BIG despite coming from a small place and being told that his dream was an impossible one. Despite many obstacles, Cody eventually achieved his dream and wrestled in the same ring as his favourite childhood wrestlers. Eventually, Cody experienced major adversity when his childhood dream was cut short from the unlikeliest of people & Cody had to decide whether to focus on the negative or positive in his life.
Cody chose to remain positive and today, Cody wrestles around the world with IMPACT Wrestling and is seen in 150 million homes in 120 countries worldwide. He also travels around the globe sharing his story and journey to help inspire others.
Cody’s story involves overcoming adversity, setting goals, focusing on the positive rather than the negative, striving to be a positive influence in your community, and putting in the work in order to achieve your dreams. He speaks about the power of positivity and perseverance. His goal now is to focus on being a positive influence and tells stories of the power of positivity, getting involved with and raising thousands of dollars for numerous charities through his "Giv'er for Charity" campaign, being a positive influence to his four children, and doing so all while wrestling alongside his childhood wrestling heroes.
Cody dares people to dream BIG… because he definitely did… and he still does.
WORKSHOP
THE POWER OF INFLUENCE
Many youth today are striving to be “influencers.” They want to increase their digital presence and have more followers. Cody forces youth to think about who is truly in their “sphere of influence” and encourages youth to focus on the quality of their human interactions, rather than the quantity of their digital ones. In this workshop, Cody talks about the cycle of influence. Whether we are influenced by positive or negative forces, we can choose to continue that cycle or change it.
Cody tells stories of the negative influences on his life at a very young age and the people who came alongside him to help change the trajectory of his life in a positive way forever. He tells engaging tales from his wrestling career that have influenced his life as a father and a man. Cody tells personal stories of special connections he's made with his wrestling fans and his decision to be a positive influence in his community through his charity campaign - "Giv'er for Charity."
Viewers take away the realization that they all have the power to influence those around them. It's up to them whether they want to be a positive or negative influence in the world. Cody encourages all youth to choose the power of positive influence.
Cody chose to remain positive and today, Cody wrestles around the world with IMPACT Wrestling and is seen in 150 million homes in 120 countries worldwide. He also travels around the globe sharing his story and journey to help inspire others.
Cody’s story involves overcoming adversity, setting goals, focusing on the positive rather than the negative, striving to be a positive influence in your community, and putting in the work in order to achieve your dreams. He speaks about the power of positivity and perseverance. His goal now is to focus on being a positive influence and tells stories of the power of positivity, getting involved with and raising thousands of dollars for numerous charities through his "Giv'er for Charity" campaign, being a positive influence to his four children, and doing so all while wrestling alongside his childhood wrestling heroes.
Cody dares people to dream BIG… because he definitely did… and he still does.
WORKSHOP
THE POWER OF INFLUENCE
Many youth today are striving to be “influencers.” They want to increase their digital presence and have more followers. Cody forces youth to think about who is truly in their “sphere of influence” and encourages youth to focus on the quality of their human interactions, rather than the quantity of their digital ones. In this workshop, Cody talks about the cycle of influence. Whether we are influenced by positive or negative forces, we can choose to continue that cycle or change it.
Cody tells stories of the negative influences on his life at a very young age and the people who came alongside him to help change the trajectory of his life in a positive way forever. He tells engaging tales from his wrestling career that have influenced his life as a father and a man. Cody tells personal stories of special connections he's made with his wrestling fans and his decision to be a positive influence in his community through his charity campaign - "Giv'er for Charity."
Viewers take away the realization that they all have the power to influence those around them. It's up to them whether they want to be a positive or negative influence in the world. Cody encourages all youth to choose the power of positive influence.
Dillon Mendes
Dillon Mendes is an alumnus of the Top 35 under 35 global changemaker awards, the co-founder of the social enterprise, PickWaste (featured on CBC, CTV, and CityNews), and a TEDx & youth speaker. Over the past five years, Dillon has travelled across North America, speaking to thousands of students about community impact and student leadership.
Dillon is also a strategy consultant at Deloitte Canada and has previously worked in growth at DarwinAI, and management consulting at KPMG.
Professional life aside, Dillon enjoys playing spikeball, strength training, and eating sushi.
WORKSHOP
Creating a Positive School Culture
Many young people struggle to believe that they can make a difference in their community and create a positive school culture. In this keynote, Dillon shares three major lessons he has learned over the past number of years regarding creating a positive environment. Firstly, the importance for young people to be their true authentic selves in a society that promotes herd behaviour. Secondly, Dillon showcases the power of what can happen when a community comes together to achieve a common goal. Lastly, he helps young people understand that individuals thrive off belonging and connection. Dillon uses storytelling, humour, and motivation in this workshop to drive these points home and educate students in a fun and engaging way.
Dillon is also a strategy consultant at Deloitte Canada and has previously worked in growth at DarwinAI, and management consulting at KPMG.
Professional life aside, Dillon enjoys playing spikeball, strength training, and eating sushi.
WORKSHOP
Creating a Positive School Culture
Many young people struggle to believe that they can make a difference in their community and create a positive school culture. In this keynote, Dillon shares three major lessons he has learned over the past number of years regarding creating a positive environment. Firstly, the importance for young people to be their true authentic selves in a society that promotes herd behaviour. Secondly, Dillon showcases the power of what can happen when a community comes together to achieve a common goal. Lastly, he helps young people understand that individuals thrive off belonging and connection. Dillon uses storytelling, humour, and motivation in this workshop to drive these points home and educate students in a fun and engaging way.
Jeff Gerber
Joel Hilchey
Joel Hilchey is a keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and university educator. Whether creating unforgettable spectacles on the stage, writing books, or leading his creative team of education reformers, his job is always the same: to help people see beyond the bothersome limits of what is and imagine a better way.
Joel teaches engineering at McMaster University, where he was named one of the Top 150+ Alumni. He is an amateur juggler, he has written three books, formerly chaired the board of the world-renowned Hamilton Children’s Choir, and he sang for 10 years in (arguably) Canada’s best barbershop quartet. He recently started taking circus classes, and he also loves to travel, cook, do yoga, and taste exotic foods, but that stuff is just for fun.
WORKSHOP
The Best Career for You
If you're like most students, you feel a lot of pressure to have life all figured out by the time you graduate. So good news - you don't have to have it figured out! Joel was an engineer. Now he's a juggler. Come have some fun and discover how to create your own unique path.
Joel teaches engineering at McMaster University, where he was named one of the Top 150+ Alumni. He is an amateur juggler, he has written three books, formerly chaired the board of the world-renowned Hamilton Children’s Choir, and he sang for 10 years in (arguably) Canada’s best barbershop quartet. He recently started taking circus classes, and he also loves to travel, cook, do yoga, and taste exotic foods, but that stuff is just for fun.
WORKSHOP
The Best Career for You
If you're like most students, you feel a lot of pressure to have life all figured out by the time you graduate. So good news - you don't have to have it figured out! Joel was an engineer. Now he's a juggler. Come have some fun and discover how to create your own unique path.
Mark Black
Mark Black is a Heart and Double-Lung Transplant Recipient – turned – 4- Time Marathon Runner. A resilience expert, coach, and author, Mark helps people “Break Through” their limitations and his coaching programs provide clients the tools to transform your adversity into your competitive advantage.
Mark doesn’t just teach resilience, he embodies it. Born with a life-threatening heart defect, Mark underwent two open-heart surgeries before the age of one. He battled his condition and its limitations for twenty-two years until he was forced to deal with the biggest obstacle of his young life. His doctor informed him that his heart was failing, and without a rare and dangerous heart and double-lung transplant, he would not see his 25th birthday.
In 2002, Mark was fortunate that a suitable donor was found. He not only survived the surgery, but less than 3 years later, Mark became the only man in history to run a marathon with someone else’s heart and lungs. Then he did it, three more times.
WORKSHOP
"Do the Hard Thing"
We often tell students to do “the right thing” and so they should, but Mark has discovered the path to achieving anything of meaning is also to “do the hard thing.” We live in a world where convenience and ease are valued more highly than determination and grit. When students believe that better means easier they risk missing out on some of the best parts of life.
In this thought-provoking and inspiring program; Mark shares how the best things in his life came out of what initially seemed like terrible situations. Students learn practical strategies for reframing their challenges and embracing their flaws to become the best version of themselves.
Key Take-Aways:
Your results are created by your decisions. If you don’t like your results; change your decisions.
The more we avoid our challenges, the bigger and scarier they become. The best way to deal with your problems is to face them head-on.
Action creates results: it is great to dream and to have a positive attitude, but unless you DO something, nothing will change.
The most successful people are also the most determined: If you never quit, you won’t always win, but you will never truly lose.
Mark doesn’t just teach resilience, he embodies it. Born with a life-threatening heart defect, Mark underwent two open-heart surgeries before the age of one. He battled his condition and its limitations for twenty-two years until he was forced to deal with the biggest obstacle of his young life. His doctor informed him that his heart was failing, and without a rare and dangerous heart and double-lung transplant, he would not see his 25th birthday.
In 2002, Mark was fortunate that a suitable donor was found. He not only survived the surgery, but less than 3 years later, Mark became the only man in history to run a marathon with someone else’s heart and lungs. Then he did it, three more times.
WORKSHOP
"Do the Hard Thing"
We often tell students to do “the right thing” and so they should, but Mark has discovered the path to achieving anything of meaning is also to “do the hard thing.” We live in a world where convenience and ease are valued more highly than determination and grit. When students believe that better means easier they risk missing out on some of the best parts of life.
In this thought-provoking and inspiring program; Mark shares how the best things in his life came out of what initially seemed like terrible situations. Students learn practical strategies for reframing their challenges and embracing their flaws to become the best version of themselves.
Key Take-Aways:
Your results are created by your decisions. If you don’t like your results; change your decisions.
The more we avoid our challenges, the bigger and scarier they become. The best way to deal with your problems is to face them head-on.
Action creates results: it is great to dream and to have a positive attitude, but unless you DO something, nothing will change.
The most successful people are also the most determined: If you never quit, you won’t always win, but you will never truly lose.
Nick Foley
Nick Foley is driven to investigate and maximize efficiencies, getting and staying energized while fostering a pragmatic approach to resilience.
In 2015, Nick cycled across Canada to raise money and awareness in an effort called “Move for Inclusion.” On that 8,321-kilometer successful journey, he learned a lot about himself and tested his limits.
Nick’s focus these days is how to help people become their best-self through consistent practices he designed and implemented in his own life. He helps his clients become better versions of themselves to the benefit of their teams and families.
Nick is has completed his Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Guelph Lang School of Business.
He is the proud father of Brynn and Welles, from whom he has learned more than he ever thought imaginable.
WORKSHOP
How Do You Want to Be Remembered?
Young people are faced with decisions every day. This anti-hate keynote address speaks about the importance of asking ourselves the question, “How do I want to be remembered?” Students will garner an understanding of how the decisions we make have a profound effect on our lives long after they are made and acted upon. This message is illustrated through real life stories that will leave the audience laughing as well as thinking about the legacy they are creating. This presentation illustrates that inclusion without bias is what will fundamentally contribute to eradicating hate. Nick pulls from the life lessons he learned while cycling 8312 km from Victoria BC to St John’s NFLND on his Move for Inclusion journey to raise awareness about Inclusion. Nick shares with the audience that if ‘your why for doing something is big enough, then the how you do it will always show up.’ The audience will garner an understanding that when you decide to do, you have decided to live to your fullest capacity.
In 2015, Nick cycled across Canada to raise money and awareness in an effort called “Move for Inclusion.” On that 8,321-kilometer successful journey, he learned a lot about himself and tested his limits.
Nick’s focus these days is how to help people become their best-self through consistent practices he designed and implemented in his own life. He helps his clients become better versions of themselves to the benefit of their teams and families.
Nick is has completed his Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Guelph Lang School of Business.
He is the proud father of Brynn and Welles, from whom he has learned more than he ever thought imaginable.
WORKSHOP
How Do You Want to Be Remembered?
Young people are faced with decisions every day. This anti-hate keynote address speaks about the importance of asking ourselves the question, “How do I want to be remembered?” Students will garner an understanding of how the decisions we make have a profound effect on our lives long after they are made and acted upon. This message is illustrated through real life stories that will leave the audience laughing as well as thinking about the legacy they are creating. This presentation illustrates that inclusion without bias is what will fundamentally contribute to eradicating hate. Nick pulls from the life lessons he learned while cycling 8312 km from Victoria BC to St John’s NFLND on his Move for Inclusion journey to raise awareness about Inclusion. Nick shares with the audience that if ‘your why for doing something is big enough, then the how you do it will always show up.’ The audience will garner an understanding that when you decide to do, you have decided to live to your fullest capacity.