Every Speaker Slam® competition brings a new lineup of voices to the stage. On January 29, 2019 at Lula Lounge, Toronto, 10 speakers competed on the theme of Catalyst.
Meet the speakers below. See how the night ended in the results.
Marlon Shaw
1st Place at Catalyst 2019
Marlon Shaw is a TEDx coach, an International speaker, certified speaking coach, a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) and contributing author of the book “Thought Leaders, Visionaries and Influencers”. As the founder of Speak and Grow Your Business™, Marlon specializes in helping entrepreneurs and business professionals use speaking as a marketing strategy to standout as the Go-to-Expert, attract more clients and grow their business. His mission is to empower 100,000 entrepreneurs globally to take control of their business success.
Hassan Wadi
2nd Place at Catalyst 2019
Hassan Wadi is a fitness expert, speaker and philanthropist. As a Personal Trainer, he has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Fitness Professionals in Canada from Canfitpro. Within Toastmasters, he is currently the President of a corporate club and has been a successful Speech Contest Champion. As a philanthropist, he is the founder of the "families in need" annual fundraiser, raising more than $50k to the poor. He is very involved with charitable activities in his local mosque including his notable initiatives of distributing clothing to those in need and feeding the homeless.
Alexis Dean
3rd Place at Catalyst 2019
“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” When Alexis was building her first business she wanted to know more incredible female entrepreneurs making a big impact in the world. When she couldn’t find the community she was looking for, she built it, and Dovetail was born. Alexis is the Lead Steward of Dovetail, a global community on a mission to advance female entrepreneurship through generosity, collaboration, education, and unforgettable shared experiences. Prior to launching Dovetail, Alexis worked around the globe as a facilitator, educator, and adventure travel guide.
Paula Morand
Business Growth Coach, Award winning Entrepreneur, Community Builder
Paula Morand is a leadership building, revenue boosting, strategy expanding keynote speaker, author and visionary. This dreaming big and being bold expert brings her vibrant energy, humour and wisdom to ignite individuals, organizations and communities to lead change, growth and impact in a more bold fashion. 25 years, 27,000 clients, 36 countries, 16 books. Former radio personality and 11x award winning entrepreneur.
Ken Hall
Comedic Actor, Improviser, Teacher
Ken Hall is a Canadian Comedy Award Winner (Best Breakout Artist) and multiple CCA award nominee. Ken is also is one-half of the critically acclaimed comedic duo 2-MAN NO-SHOW with Isaac Kessler. Ken has appeared in numerous film and television roles including two seasons on TBS’s hit series PEOPLE OF EARTH and has appeared as a guest on CONAN. He has had the pleasure to work for CIRQUE DE SOLEIL and will appear in the Netflix series THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY and the new Netflix feature film POLAR. Ken teaches improv, clown and public speaking at The Second City in Toronto.
Courtney McLeod
Coach, Innovator, Funspert
Courtney is a certified coach through The Coaches Training Institute (CTI) and is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coach Federation (ICF). She helps women develop and live their own version of a kick-ass life. She loves getting women to experience things they never thought possible. She is the proud founder of the Kick-Ass Ladies group which brings amazing like-minded positive women together to connect, grow, and have fun adventures together (like axe throwing, circus school, velcro walls, spraying each other with champagne like we are pro sports team, etc). She loves to play & have fun!
Krista Rowan
Health and Wellness Coach, Certified Nutritional Practitioner, Best Selling Author
After leaving a 20 year Corporate career in Technology, Krista pursued her passion in holistic health and began her second career as a Wellness Coach, Nutritionist, Speaker, Educator and Author. From a place of experience and understanding rooted in her own health challenges, Krista knows that great Quality of Life is both essential, and possible with the right tools and knowledge! An advocate of personal health empowerment, Krista guides her clients through improvements in mindset, nutrition, and lifestyle. She is particularly keen in the stress-inflammation connection.
Renee John
Advocate, Mother & Volunteer
Renee John is a tenured professional, Leader, and lifelong learner committed to living her truth, sharing her story, and finding her purpose in this thing called LIFE. She is authentic, transparent, passionate, vocal, and could never be confused with a shrinking violet. An avid traveller, music is her drug and the dance floor is her sanctuary. Committed to giving back Renee volunteers as a Child Mentor with Durham Childrens Aid and as a Crisis Responder with Durham Victim Services. As a proud mother of a teenage son, Renee can be found on baseball fields or basketball courts across Canada and the U.S. cheering him on as his #1 Fan.
Julian Brass
Anxiety Expert, Founder of Notable & Notable Awards
Julian was the founder of Notable.ca, the first online publication exclusively created for millennials. Notable began as a true “bootstrapped start-up” but with perseverance, belief, and dedication has grown into one of the most recognized online brands and authorities in the country. Julian is outspoken about inspiring those around him to live a notable life, one full of personal growth, professional development, and unique experiences.
Katia Millar
Connection Catalyst, Shift Disturber, Global Citizen
Katia is a visibility coach & strategist supporting purpose-driven entrepreneurs in creating an aligned online presence that feels good from the inside out. Katia has lived in 3 continents and travelled the world. In 2008 she took the single most important journey when she made the decision to transform her own life to one of meaning and purpose. Always a strong advocate of truth and real connection, Katia is highly averse to sugar-coating in all its forms (bad for your teeth & life). She's a cool mama and a bon vivant who's almost always dreaming about her next adventure.