Be Unforgettable: The 2026 Leaders to Watch
Fifty-five leaders entered the 2026 Speaker Slam® Brand Builder Competition. After weeks of building, refining and voting, ten reached the Top 10, and on Saturday, May 9, 2026, they pitched live at the virtual finals. Three earned the title of Leader to Watch.
The competition is built around clarity. Each finalist brought a positioning statement that says who they serve and what problem they solve, the unique insights behind their thought leadership, and a two-minute pitch that pulls it all together.
"These three women didn't just deliver strong presentations. They delivered clarity, confidence and star power!" co-founder Rina Rovinelli wrote after the finals. "These women understood the real assignment: don't just be visible, be unforgettable."
1st Place: Stacey Laviolette
Author & Creator, My Friend Toothy®
Stacey took Gold, earning the 2026 Leader to Watch title alongside Karen and Sofranie.
2nd Place: Karen Craggs-Milne
Inclusive Leadership Expert
Karen took Silver with a brand centred on inclusive leadership.
3rd Place: Sofranie Trencia
Keynote Speaker & Mindset Coach
Sofranie took Bronze, completing the 2026 class of Leaders to Watch.
Rina described all three brands as "personal, powerful, and deeply differentiated," and added a note for every finalist: "visibility takes courage. Claiming your voice takes courage."
Meet the Judges Who Made It All Happen
- Andrea Reindl, Founder, Legacy Creative, Brand Strategist for Authors
- Keka DasGupta, Founder, Art of Lifeing, Award-Winning Brand Strategist
- Marty Dickinson, CEO, Here Next Year, Founder, Speakers Speak LIVE
- Shawn Quintero, Scale Strategist, Personal Brand Advisor
Prizes donated:
- Shawn Quintero: "Monetizing your personal brand," a 90-minute 1:1 intensive valued at $3,000, for each of the top three
Compete in the Brand Builder Competition
The Brand Builder Competition runs every spring and fall, and entry is free. The next competition is in October. See the full results on the 2026 Brand Builder Competition page, and meet the panel in Meet Your Judges for the Brand Builder Competition 2026.