On May 26th, 2026, ten speakers will take the stage at Lula Lounge in Toronto for The Road Less Traveled, a powerful night of bold choices, unexpected paths, and stories that defy convention.
These are the voices that didn’t follow the script. The ones who stepped away from what was expected and chose something different, something uncertain, but true to them.
Each story reflects a moment of decision: to pivot, to walk away, to begin again. To trust that the unconventional path could lead somewhere meaningful.
The winner will receive a prize package valued at up to $10,000, including $2,000 cash, along with a coveted spot at the 2026 Grand Slam: Inspirational Speaking Finals.
Angèle Lamothe
Transformational Speaker, Multi-time #1 Best-Selling Author, Empowerment coach - Ottawa, Ontario
Angèle Lamothe is a TEDx Speaker, multi-time #1 Best-Selling Author, Empowerment coach, and gratitude enthusiast who helps people reclaim their energy and master their mindset to create extraordinary lives. Her message is grounded in lived resilience shaped during some of the most challenging moments of her life, supporting her son through critical hospital stays. In those uncertain and defining times, she didn’t just endure, she transformed. She discovered that energy and mindset are the true drivers of how we experience life, no matter the circumstances. Today, she empowers audiences to turn challenges into breakthroughs, guiding them to move beyond survival, unlock quantum leaps, and lead extraordinary lives rooted in strength, clarity, and deep gratitude to create lasting transformation in every area of their lives. "I’m truly thrilled to stand on this incredible stage, using my story as a catalyst to empower others to rise, take ownership of their energy, and step boldly into the life they’re meant to lead."
Jackie Mirkopoulos
Founder, Speaker, Leadership Mentor, Philanthropist - Etobicoke, Ontario
Jackie Mirkopoulos believes that a radically better form of leadership is possible, one rooted in the deep relationship and integration of nature-centric systems, beginning with the body. As a leadership mentor, Jackie guides clients through her Whole-Systems Leadership framework, helping them build a strong connection with themselves, their teams, and the legacy they’re here to create. "My path has never been linear and I'm looking forward to sharing the range of my story in leadership at Speaker Slam."
Nadine Zeinoun
Emotional Intelligence Specialist, Master Certified Coach, Keynote speaker, President of the International Coaching Federation - Kanata, Ontario
Nadine Zeinoun, Master Certified Coach, is an award-winning Executive & Leadership Coach, keynote speaker, and President of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Ottawa Chapter. With over 15 years of leadership experience in the pharmaceutical industry and more than 3,000 coaching hours, she has worked with hundreds of leaders globally to build emotionally intelligent, high-performing teams. What makes Nadine’s voice truly powerful is her story. Growing up during the civil war in Lebanon, she witnessed division and conflict firsthand, an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to building trust, connection, and human-centered leadership. Today, Nadine combines deep expertise in emotional intelligence with real-world leadership experience to deliver engaging, practical, and transformative talks. Known for her warmth, authenticity, and actionable insights, she equips leaders to navigate change, strengthen relationships, and lead with clarity and purpose. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to help leaders reconnect with who they truly are so they can create thriving, trust-based cultures where people, and performance, flourish. “I don’t just speak to be heard—I speak to ignite something within people that changes how they lead, live, and connect.”
Armi De Francia
Bikeability Changemaker, Active Transportation Planner, Sustainable Mobility Speaker - Pickering, Ontario
Armi De Francia is an award-winning Active Transportation Planner and Sustainable Mobility Speaker. She is dedicated to improving transportation choices in car-dependent communities so that people have better access to opportunity, community, and environmental justice. For over ten years, Armi has contributed to projects improving walkability and bikeability in the GTHA and Montreal in the non-profit and public sectors. These projects include expanding walking and biking infrastructure, inclusive community engagement, active school travel, as well as leading a shared e-scooter and e-bike program. As a Sustainable Mobility Speaker, Armi equips sustainability enthusiasts to create more bike-friendly workplaces by collaborating with their municipality and community. Armi is a Registered Professional Planner and has a Master of Urban Planning from McGill University. "I don't think that people expect to have a sustainable transportation nerd in this space. But as an Active Transportation Planner, I truly feel called to this theme of the "Road less travelled". I am excited to share my story and hear others' stories as well. And I am truly grateful for the Speakerslam community and everything they taught me about the power of connecting with our stories."
Kenny Mikey
Motivational Comedian & Event Emcee - Florida, USA
Kenny Mikey is a Motivational Comedian on a mission to help people drop the act and be ridiculously themselves! An Emmy Award-winning children’s TV producer and former Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus clown, Kenny has spent over 25 years using humor, play, and high-energy interaction to help audiences break out of self-judgment and into real connection. Whether he’s teaching thousands of educators how to engage kids or lighting up a conference stage, Kenny proves that the moment you stop trying to look good…is the moment everything starts to click
Aanchal Vash
Sustainable Success Expert, Mental Health Speaker, Non-Profit Founder: Reach Out Together - Toronto, Ontario
Aanchal Vash is a globally recognized Sustainable Success Expert, Mental Health Speaker, and Founder of the Canadian nonprofit Reach Out Together, driving social change that bridges global systems with grassroots action. She designs and delivers mental health training, peer support programs, and community outreach initiatives that equip organizations, campuses, and cities to build safer, supportive environments for their people. After losing her older brother to malaria and her twin brother to suicide, Aanchal transformed her personal grief into a global movement for mental health education and support, mobilizing volunteers and lived-experience advocates across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Nigeria, Nicaragua, and the UAE. Through Reach Out Together, she has led workshops, campaigns, and direct outreach for underserved and unhoused communities, closing the gap between awareness and action. Aanchal is a best-selling author of five books including Ongoing Success and Wellbeing, sharing practical frameworks that help high-achievers pursue their goals in ways that are emotionally sustainable and mentally healthy. Her work and story have been featured by major media outlets, and she is regularly invited by organizations, universities, and government bodies to speak on mental health, sustainable success, and inclusive leadership. “If I’m being honest, stepping onto the Speaker Slam stage at the ten-year mark of my twin brother’s passing by suicide holds two realities for me. It represents ten years of grief and a kind of pain that can feel deeply isolating, and also ten years of choosing growth, choosing resilience, and committing to a path that is far from the norm. I’m grateful to stand alongside others who have also chosen the road less traveled.”
Victor Lopez
Inspirational speaker & Founder of Think Victorious movement - Ottawa, Ontario
Victor Lopez is a youth speaker and the founder of the Think Victorious movement, focused on helping students take ownership of their mindset and future. While still working full-time as a painter, Victor is building his message from real-life experience—not from theory or a finished success story. His journey reflects the same challenges many young people face today: doubt, pressure, and the temptation to settle. Instead of waiting for the “perfect moment,” he chose to take control of his path and create something meaningful. Through his talks, Victor challenges students to stop letting circumstances define them and start making decisions that align with who they want to become. His message is simple but powerful: your situation doesn’t control you—your mindset does. Known for his raw, relatable style, Victor connects with audiences by speaking with honesty, energy, and purpose. He isn’t just delivering a speech—he’s building a movement that encourages young people to think differently, act boldly, and live with intention. “I’m not here because I’m the most polished—I’m here because I’m the most committed to becoming who I said I’d be.”
Yvette Murray
Mental Health Caregiver Author, Advocate, Speaker, Facilitator - Tiny, Ontario
Yvette Murray is the author of The Mental Health Contagion™: Navigating Yourself Through a Loved One’s Mental Well-Being Decline. A psychotherapist (retired), Mental Health Caregiver Advocate, Keynote Speaker and Trainer. Yvette is a certified facilitator of the Mental Health First Aid Certification, an evidence-based program available in more than thirty countries around the world. She is also a mental health advocate, influencer, and keynote speaker for non-profit organizations, corporations, government agencies, institutions and individuals. Yvette, known as Canada's Mental Health Trainer, offers mental health workplace coaching, training and support in Mental Health Law. Yvette loves to travel worldwide sharing her empathy, mental health supports, skills and tools. You may bump into Yvette in book stores at one of her Author signings or hear her on podcast interviews where she shares the nitty gritty of what it takes to be in care of yourself while a loved one is going through a mental health condition. After all, YOU matter too! "I'm excited to open up the dialogue around mental health, get to the nitty gritty of the mental health caregiver challenges and what it takes to navigate a loved one's mental well-being decline."
Donna Murphy
Therapist, Animal Lover, Jungian Enthusiast - Calgary, Alberta
Donna Murphy, MSW and founder of Donna Murphy Counselling. Now semi retired after being disillusioned with the industry of counselling and working on a book that seeks to reveal that everyone has the power within to transform their own lives if they are willing to face themselves. Philosophy: You have to walk a path in order to light one.
Lilly White
Founder of Power Up Your Life, Founder of Breakfast with Soul & Podcast Host - Almonte, Ontario
Lilly White is a Canadian author, spiritual teacher, and intuitive guide whose work bridges the mystical and the practical. With a career spanning over 25 years, she has helped thousands of individuals reconnect with their intuition, understand their life through archetypal and astrological lenses, and step more fully into their authentic path. Her spiritual journey began in 1998 when she was first invited to teach an Angels workshop, an experience that opened the door to a lifelong exploration of metaphysics, archetypes, and intuitive development. Influenced by the teachings and studies with Caroline Myss, Lilly developed her own unique approach that weaves together archetypal insight, astrology, and deep intuitive knowing. Lilly is the creator of “Power Up Your Life, Tools for Intuitive Living,” a body of work designed to guide individuals out of the limitations of the mind and into the wisdom of the spirit. Known for her grounded yet playful style, she encourages others not to take life too seriously, while still honoring the depth of their soul’s journey. An accomplished author, Lilly has published multiple books across genres, including spiritual travel writing, poetry, and personal development. Her Bali trilogy, Into the Heart of Bali, Into the Belly of Bali, and Into the Spirit of Bali, captures not only the beauty of the island, but the profound spiritual teachings, rituals, and relationships that have shaped her life. She has been traveling to Bali regularly since 2003 and leads spiritual journeys there, offering participants an authentic and transformative experience. Beyond her writing, Lilly is also the founder of Breakfast with Soul, a long-running spiritual gathering that has brought community and connection to many since 2007, and co-host of the podcast Spiritual Speaking, where she explores intuitive insight and spiritual dialogue with guests and listeners alike. At the heart of everything she does is a simple message: you are already connected. Lilly’s work is here to help you remember.