Every Speaker Slam® competition brings a new lineup of voices to the stage. On September 27, 2017 at Remix Lounge, Toronto, 8 speakers competed on the theme of The Road Less Traveled.
Meet the speakers below. See how the night ended in the results.
Michelle Emson
1st Place at The Road Less Traveled 2017
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to step into their true authentic selves, claim their power, and live the life they deserve, without being bound by outdated social constructs of gender, identity, and sexuality.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.
Ande Clumpus
2nd Place at The Road Less Traveled 2017
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.
Kyle Guthro
3rd Place at The Road Less Traveled 2017
Kyle Guthro is a certified Real Estate Investment Advisor who specializes in mentoring his clients on how to create wealth through real estate. Kyle has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Today's Bride and CBS This Morning. When Kyle is not fulfilling his passion in real estate he enjoys traveling, snowboarding, hockey, golfing and any other outdoor activities. Kyle is actively involved in the Big Brother program, Happy Tails Rescue Agency and Habitat for Humanity.
Hailey Patry
#1 Bestselling Author & Happiness Coach
Hailey Patry, #1 International Best Selling Author, Speaker, Facilitator and Happiness Coach! As a survivor of rape, abuse, cancer, severe depression and so much more, Hailey is a Happiness and Resiliency Trainer, teaching you in a matter of hours how to triumph over tragedies, experience total freedom from past hurts and unleash your power to live your best life now and manifest your dream future ongoingly. After everything she has endured, she is one of the happiest people you will ever meet and she will be YOUR guide back to happiness and full power. Learn about her survive and thrive methods, so that you too can be completely unencumbered, empowered, ‘un-messable-with’ and HAPPY! She has spoken for over 500,000 people and coached over 1000 individuals live. She has thousands of online students in 106 countries around the world. Formerly a single mother, and a recovered “I’m not good enough” girl, she has built a multi-million-dollar business, is happily married, mother of three and one strong lady! She is on a mission to spread happiness and healing, and help you create your HERO story. As a speaker, author, coach and facilitator, Hailey’s happiness is contagious. Spend even a bit of time with her and you will notice an immediate lift in your spirits. She will show you your fastest path, on your way back to happiness. Hailey is the founder of The Lifted Lid…”Life Uncapped” and a Master Coach of Radical Living and Radical Forgiveness.
Dana Pharant
Master Healer, Life Strategist
Dana Pharant is a transformational coach who uses dynamic tools for rapid change, her kick-ass energy and ability to perceive, pinpoint and pop the problem limiting you, your body or your business while having fun. Bringing her past as a Dominatrix to move entrepreneurs to claim their Inner Dominatrix to step into their Bold, Sexy, Fun-filled lives.
Nancy Osborne
Founder I GOT THIS Unlocking Your Instincts, Speaker, Workshop Facilitator
Nancy Osborne is the founder of I GOT THIS, Unlocking Your Instincts. She shares her stories with other women inspiring them to embrace their power, overcome their fears and step into the confidence that ensures their voices are both heard and respected. She joined the Canadian military in the mid 70’s at the age of 17, and was among the first women ever in a previously male-only branch. Thus began 40 years of being the first and often only woman in some of the biggest boy’s clubs in the world. This included being recruited by the United Nations to support humanitarian operations in the most culturally misogynistic and dangerous places in the world. Nancy will laughingly tell you that it’s not always easy to be heard over so much testosterone, yet, she has always made sure that she was both heard and respected and wants the same for all women.
Ali Manek
Humanitarian, Aspiring Politician
I’m a passionate humanitarian, a published author, and have had a successful career in Charity, Marketing and Business. I've travelled to 50+ countries implementing charitable initiatives helping people after disasters. I focus on helping empower marginalized communities, groups and individuals. As the founder of www.ourvillage.org, I have been apart of building 5 orphanages, 13 schools, numerous water wells and distributed thousands of dollars worth of aid and resources around the world.
Mohsin Cheema
Writer, Life Coach, Inspirational Speaker
Mohsin studied business at Wilfrid Laurier University and specialized in accounting, pursuing his CPA designation. After graduating, Mohsin worked at a n accounting firm, auditing financial institutions and insurance companies. After feeling like he was missing something from his life, he left his job not knowing what the next steps would be. While working with a breakthrough coach, Mohsin developed his core values and vowed to create a life that would reflect this new moral code. He began expressing his view on life and work through his blog and speaking to others. His biggest goal is to spread the message of authenticity, becoming comfortable with uncertainty, and conquering your fears.