Every Speaker Slam® competition brings a new lineup of voices to the stage. On November 21, 2017 at Lula Lounge, Toronto, 14 speakers competed on the theme of Inspiration, the year-end finals, for the title of Inspirational Speaker of the Year.
Meet the speakers below. See how the night ended in the results.
Jozé Piranian
#1 Inspirational Speaker of the Year, 2017
Jozé Piranian is a lifelong stutterer on the mission of destroying his fears one stage at a time. From avoiding speaking at all cost until just a few years ago to actively embracing the challenge, Jozé's journey is one of self-acceptance, paradigm shift and tenacious perseverance. While at McGill University, Jozé joined the debating club where he broke out of his thick shell and participated in tournaments. In order to overcome his fear of public speaking, he joined Toastmasters International; he still attends the meetings on a weekly basis in Toronto. Unwilling to stop there, Jozé has even started doing stand-up comedy, where he combines his passion for comedy with his drive to master public speaking. Jozé is a "Yes Man" - his recurring experience with adversity gave him the insight that fear is merely an indication that we must say YES and...just do it. If we are afraid of something, it probably means that doing it would tremendously benefit our personal growth. Whether it's public speaking, stand-up comedy or interacting with strangers, Jozé is deeply motivated to continuously self-improve while eliminating self-limiting beliefs, pushing his boundaries and meeting amazing people along the way. An avid traveler, Jozé has lived in four countries and stutters in six languages.
Jonathan Andrews
Speaker & Mental Health Advocate
Jonathan is a two time public speaking champion, the president of CSI Pitchmasters, Director of Area 71 for Toastmasters, The Founder of the 5am Hustle and A fellow member with Venture for Canada. His mission is to passionately share his voice and personal experience to impact the lives of students across Canada. As an advocate for those suffering with mental health challenges he wants to help eliminate the stigma, and show Canada's youth how to find progression through their depression.
Ande Clumpus
2015 Toastmasters GTA Champion
Ande is a Communications Manager at an investment bank in Toronto. He was the 2015 Toastmasters GTA Champion and competed in the semi-finals of the World Championship of Public Speaking in Las Vegas. Outside of work, Ande is Lead Organizer of the Toronto Pride Parade and puts on very silly Christmas plays at his church every year.
Ted Lyberogiannis
Professional Engineer, Toastmasters World Championship Semi-Finalist
Ted is a Professional Engineer who works as a manager at an electrical utility in Toronto. Upon graduating with an engineering degree in 2004, he realized that his technical abilities would be of little use if he was unable to communicate effectively. Shortly after graduating, he began practicing his public speaking by joining a local Toastmasters club at his work. He is now an experienced Toastmaster who has competed at the Semi-Finals of the World Championships of Public Speaking on two occasions - most recently placing 3rd in his Semi-Final this past August in Washington, DC. He has delivered talks to dozens of different audiences including the National Job Fair, students at the University of Toronto and the Water Environment Association of Ontario. He is a firm believer in the power of communication and that anyone can become a good public speaker if they practice enough.
Joyce Dias
Transformational Speaker and Trainer, Empowerment Mentor, Technology Tamer, Team Whisperer
Joyce Dias is a Professional Consultant and Team Whisperer who helps individuals, teams and companies achieve outstanding results in a high morale culture. Joyce believes that what transforms a person to achieve extraordinary success is a combination of leveraging unique personal strengths, interpersonal influence and the ability to connect with people at a heart to heart level. Joyce has worked with multinational companies and teams around the world. She has led Worldwide Youth Leadership Initiatives, participated in Leadership Transformation in several countries, sat on Leadership Award Panels and Advisory Councils and has trained and spoken on stages to large audiences of thousands representing up to 148 different countries. Joyce is an award winning consultant, a certified team and business coach and a sought after transformational keynote speaker and trainer.
Michelle Emson
Speaker, Entrepreneur, Web Guru, International LGBTQI Activist, Award-winning documentary filmmaker
Michelle Emson is a keynote speaker, entrepreneur, LGBTQI human rights activist, workshop facilitator, and documentary filmmaker. An openly-out transgender woman, Michelle is currently living and working from her base in beautiful Muskoka, Ontario, Canada. Michelle firmly believes that one is never too old, nor too young, to step into their true authentic selves, claim their power, and live the life they deserve, without being bound by outdated social constructs of gender, identity, and sexuality. Her advocacy work, activism, public speaking, and workshops, all serve to raise awareness of transgender people, from across the gender spectrum and around the world, and the issues that they face on their journey. An international human rights documentary filmmaker, Michelle’s first documentary film, co-produced with her partner and Ukrainian human rights activist Olena Semenova, “Pride of Ukraine (2015)” premiered at the Canadian Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine and shared the struggle to hold a peaceful Pride march in the capital. From the first attempt to hold a March of Equality in 2012, KyivPride has become a symbol of determination and persistence to push back against systemic homophobia in Ukraine. At the first successful march, in 2013, only 100 participants were permitted by the authorities, and they marched just 300 metres whilst surrounded by more than 1,600 police in riot gear to protect them from the homophobic protestors. Michelle and Olena went on to create KyivPride Canada, a non-governmental organization(NGO) whose missions is to bridge the gap between the Ukrainian diaspora in Canada and the LGBTQ communities in both countries. Michelle’s second film “Transgender Life in Slovenia(2016)”, which won Best Film (Audience Choice) at the 2016 Ljubljana International LGBT Film Festival, explored the lived experiences of 10 transgender and gender non-binary people from across the country. It provides an interesting insight into the challenges that face transgender people and offers a touching and engaging view into their daily lives and struggles. The film continues to be screened at festivals across the world. “If we can learn to accept, and love, our own uniqueness then just maybe we can come to love, and respect, the uniqueness of others.” A strikingly simple concept if we all start from the point that we are all, simply, human beings. She owns and operates Sanctuary Studios Inc., a social enterprise that provides web design and digital marketing services to its clients, supports LGBTQI activism, and produces human rights documentary films. The Studio seeks to employ talented LGBTQI, and particularly trans* identified, people, world-wide, who are unable to secure employment due to discrimination, fear, and prejudice. Michelle was selected as a Finalist for the 2017 Mompreneurs® Momentum Award in Canada. Mompreneurs® is a nationwide organization of almost 20,000 female entrepreneurs. The nomination recognized Michelle’s work as both an entrepreneur with Sanctuary Studios, and as a human rights activist. Michelle believes that “When Passion meets Purpose, then amazing things can happen”; she believes in her Passion and has found her Purpose.
Rhea Anne
Growth-Mindset Practitioner, Blogger
Having gone through a shift from “The template 9-5”, it took a significant turn of events for Rhea to take a step back, get grounded and connect to herself again. Rhea’s mindset of never wanting to wonder “what if”, has led her journey to many discoveries of what she doesn’t want in order to receive clarity of what she does want; ultimately creating the pathway for her to discover her true self. Throughout her exploration, her intention continues to honor the Spirit, Body and Mind connection so that in turn she creates a purposeful life to serve others as the greatest version of herself. Today, she continues to build upon her mission to support others that are going through transitions in life via a holistic approach, with growth-mindset as the catalyst to transition from one chapter to the next. Rhea is passionate about creative expression and shares her journey and life lessons via video blogs and journal entries through her social media pages.
Julia Katsivo
Entrepreneur, Focus Coach
Julia serves coaches, speakers, and direct marketers 0 - 3 years in business with mindset, sales, and marketing strategies. She helps them focus on what they need to do so that they can make more money in 60 to 90 days. As a speaker, Julia motivates and engages her audience to take responsibility for their dreams. She shows them how to create powerful visions and execute exciting plans while applying diligence and focus.
Armin Shafee
Founder of Elite Speakers Academy, Award-Winning Public Speaker, Peak Performance Coach
Almost dying at the age of 18, Armin Shafee was REBORN and made life-altering decisions to change his environment and career path. His near death experience lead him to realize the secrets to living a fulfilled life and so he started his journey of learning all about human behavior, psychology, and patterns so that he can change his own habits. As he learned from the best in the world, he studied all the personal sciences on how to produce greatness in his life, and now has successfully manifested his dream life and is helping others learn how to master theirs through the science of personal power. He is an award-winning public speaker, the official Peak performance coach of the largest sales team in Canada for combined insurance, certified speaking trainer and is the founder of Elite Speakers Academy.
Brandon Schiafone
Speaker, Coach, Facilitator
Brandon Schiafone is one, of about 1000, people in known medical history to be born with Alstrom Syndrome. At a young age, this genetic condition took his eyesight and a good portion of his hearing. However, Brandon refused to allow his disability to be the defining attribute of his life. Turning his losses into strengths, Brandon graduated with an honours bachelor in media communications from the University of Guelph-Humber and took little time shaping his future. Now, during the day, Brandon teaches youth, with disabilities, the skills needed to be an effective member of the workforce. He is also one half of the dynamic duo that hosts Momondays Aurora--a speaking event where people come to share personal, purposeful stories that have shaped their perspective on life and made them into who they are today.
Happie Micha Edwards
Entrepreneur, Lifestyle-Blogger, Positive Development Partner
I love smiling.. I am a Toronto-based Lifestyle Blogger, Entrepreneur, & Positive Developement Partner (PDP). The Happie Lifestyle; is my where I share inspirational videos about life and express my love for cooking, fashion, hospitality and personal growth. I am an influencer of positive living in everyday life and all over social media
Michael Orrett
Toastmaster, Husband, Father of 3
Michael Orrett started his public speaking in 2011 with Toastmasters International. He is the 2012 District 60 Humurous speech contest winner, the 2013 District 86 Humurous speech contest winner and the 2013 District 60 International Speech contest runner up. He is an advocate for personal development and is always reading self-help books looking for growth opportunities. He hopes to use his public speaking experience along with his personal development knowledge to mentor others in a similar situation. Michael also likes to keep active, spending his time at the gym and running when the weather permits. When Michael decides to take a break from his personal goals, he aims to visit as much of the world as he possibly can.
Aseel El-Baba
Financial Planner, Motivational Speaker, Author
Born and raised in war torn south Lebanon, Aseel came with her family to Canada looking for a better life. Aseel has always been so passionate about helping others and adding value to society. She aims to inspire people around the world to embrace their authenticity and get real so they can offer their best version of themselves. She recently started a women empowerment podcast called Get Real With Aseel and hopes to inspire at least one person a day.
Shontelle Dubois
Entrepeneur, Certified Personal Trainer, 30 Day Transformation Specialist
If you think that giving up is a option and you cant go any further, let me introduce you to Ms. Shontelle Dubois. She is a woman that does not allow the challenges and obstacles that life has thrown at her keep her down. Her goal oriented mindset and hardworking ethic allowed her to save up enough money to open up her own fitness studio from training in the stairwells for one year in Toronto's most troubled neighbourhoods. Shontelle is so incredibly caring that when her clients struggled cooking their meals to stay consistent with their customized meal plans, she cooked her clients meals for them which received raving reviews and the great taste started capturing the interests of non clients. Quickly, cooking meal preps turned into a business all on it's own and she opened Dubois' Kitchen. Shontelle is the embodyment of dertermination and pure will power coupled with a beautiful caring nature thus spawning her slogan "..bcause I care". She has received the civilian humanitarian award from the mayors office in 2014, she received the Role model award from these of Commons 2016, and two consecutive New Business Awards from the Peabo Awards 2016/2016.