Every Speaker Slam® competition brings a new lineup of voices to the stage. On November 20, 2019 at Lyric Theatre, Toronto, 14 speakers competed on the theme of Conquered, 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.
Dang Nguyen
#1 Inspirational Speaker of the Year, 2019
After 15 years of failed entrepreneurial endeavors, Dang has finally found success being an Amazon seller. He is now using his knowledge and experience to help others escape the rat race by teaching them how to make money selling physical products on Amazon. Though Dang loves money, he is realizing more and more that friendship is a stronger currency. Dang does not take himself too seriously in life, and believes you shouldn't either. =D
Nesh Pillay
#2 Inspirational Speaker of the Year, 2019
Nesh is a values-driven entrepreneur, marketer and writer who hopes to never find herself on Dateline or Candid Camera. Born in South Africa at the peak of apartheid, Nesh has always been hyper-aware of disparities spurned by racial, cultural and gender variances. Everything she does both is driven by the desire to close this gap. The world is Nesh's stage but when she's not performing, she can be found teaching her three-year-old butt jokes.
Blake Fly
#3 Inspirational Speaker of the Year, 2019
Blake is a huge fan of the Ninja Turtles, is heavily lactose intolerant and believes that appreciation is rocket fuel for building a beautiful life and business. Blake is the Co-Founder of “My Life Online,” an education company that teaches kids to be safe, smart and kind online. He also founded “Project Finished,” a virtual coworking experience for entrepreneurs worldwide that helps them finish their most important project in 20 days. Blake’s family means the world to him and his partner, Emily, is the girl he plans to cook Kraft Dinner for over the next 75 years
Carol Schulte
Entrepreneur, Speaker, Brāv Expert
Founder of The BRĀV Institute, Carol has worked with hundreds of individuals & organizations to get their brāv on. Whether it be asking for a promotion or climbing Kilimanjaro, she’s committed to getting you out of your comfort zone and into your brave zone. Carol has lived in 16 countries, shaved her head, bungee jumped in her birthday suit, and is as passionate about volunteering and triathlons as she is her serious carpool karaoke game!
Shirin Ariff
Mother, Writer, Speaker, Poet, Coach
Shirin is an inspirational speaker, author, and life coach committed to helping women find their strength. After braving immigration to Canada and surviving thyroid cancer, Shirin understands adversity. Despite the lemons that life handed her, she dug deep and found resilience. Today, she empowers other women to become their own North Stars. No matter what struggle you’re facing, you have the power within yourself to overcome it. Through her three mediums- speaking, writing, and coaching- Shirin relates to women who are feeling defeated. Her motivational guidance teaches women to cultivate their inner strength and believe in themselves.
Nkechi Nwafor-Robinson
I.T. Executive, Pro Athlete, Inspirational Speaker
Known for her unrelenting energy, Nkechi's presence is dynamic, powerful and empowering. Nkechi is an aspiring entrepreneur, author, bodybuilding pro athlete and inspirational speaker, but that's not all. Nkechi is a Technology Executive at TD Bank Group and a graduate of Concordia University, holding a B.Sc degree in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science. Passionate about people, Nkechi founded Empowered in My Skin, an organization, whose events helps people realize and maximize their fullest potential.
Tal Shaish
Couples Counselor, Speaker & Author
Tal Shaish is a couples' counselor, an author and a speaker. She helps couples and families create and maintain healthy and happy relationships. She does it through counseling, workshops and lectures. Her latest enterprise is Dynamic Educational Workshops to parents, teenagers and educators on topics like: online dangers, peer pressure and healthy relationships. She is happily married to Joseph and a mother to gorgeous twins: Jonny and Lia. She likes talking and talking and talking
Jovana Borojevic
Self-Love Advocate, Body Positivity Influencer
Over the past three years, Jovana has lost 100+ lbs and gained back control of her physical and mental health. She has fought to recover from binge eating disorder, fatty liver disease, and to build a strong, positive relationship with her body by focusing on the power of the mind and love. Jovana encourages people to take back control of their lives and to learn to love their bodies at every stage of life's journey.
Mike Shoreman
Inspirational Speaker, Community Leader, Stand Up Paddle Boarding Warrior
Meet Aquaman! Mike is a former professional stand up paddle boarding coach with Paddle Canada. He's coached hundreds of students in front of the Toronto skyline and is the water safety media expert for the Canadian Safe Boating Council. As an inspirational speaker Mike speaks powerfully and from the heart. Sharing his life experiences, he encourages people to become the best versions of themselves and reminds people that their voices matter.
Vanessa Jass
Lawyer, Author & Entrepreneur
Vanessa Jass is a successful lawyer and came from humble beginnings and an abusive childhood. At 17 she was thrown out of her parents’ home and ended up in a horrific situation as a victim of domestic human trafficking. At 18, her roommate and friend Kelly was murdered. Vanessa was forced to identify her. After escaping with close calls with death, Vanessa was able to leave that violent life behind. A secret for many years, 27 years had passed. She believed that she survived and suffered for a reason that She soon discovered; it was time to tell her story.
Malcolm Hooper
Entrepreneur, Speaker & Athlete
Malcolm is a third year business student at Durham College, and captain of the provincial champions Durham College men's rugby team. He is a hard working student athlete looking for a career in marketing or sales. Malcolm has a message that he wants to share after winning his college's speed speech competition as he begins his journey as an entrepreneur.
Gaby Mammone
MS Ambassador, Kindness Advocate, Social Entrepreneur, Diversity & Inclusion Trainer
Gaby with one "b" is recognized as an advocacy leader in the charitable and not-for-profit sectors. She is the founder of a movement called #BeAwareBeKind, encouraging others to look for opportunities to be kind. Gaby supports the welfare of others by fundraising and planning awareness events; it’s no surprise that her company is appropriately named, Kind Projects. She loves a hot cup of apple cider, orange gerbera daisies and plays a serious game of monopoly.
Marlon Shaw
TEDx Coach, Inspirational Speaker, Certified Speaking Coach
Marlon Shaw is a TEDx coach, speaker, entrepreneurial speaking coach and lifelong learner. As the founder of Speak and Grow Your Business™ and the creator of the Entrepreneurial Speaking Blueprint, Marlon specializes in helping entrepreneurs and business professionals use speaking as a marketing strategy to standout from the competition, grow their influence and attract more clients. His mission is to empower 1,000,000 entrepreneurs globally to speak with confidence and grow their business.
Parul Bansal
Artist, Urban Advocate, Real Estate Entrepreneur
Parul functions at the intersection of art, city building and storytelling. She is the founder of Anda Residency, an artist residency which focuses on creating art around the urban dialogue and a means for creative placemaking. She has a deep desire to connect people to themselves and each other by creating and holding spaces for community. Parul doesn’t shy away from off-beat ideas and authenticity is a quality that she does not compromise on.