Speaker Slam®'s 9th Annual Grand Slam: Inspirational Speaking Finals
On November 22nd, 2025, Speaker Slam® will host its 9th Annual Grand Slam: Inspirational Speaking Finals at the CBC Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto. This is the most anticipated night of the year -- where the top 14 speakers of 2025 will step onto the stage to share their most powerful and transformative stories under this year's theme: Legacy.
The Theme: Legacy
This year's theme, Legacy, invites us to consider the mark we leave on the world. It's about more than accomplishments or accolades -- it's about the impact we make on others, the values we carry forward, and the stories that will live on long after we are gone.
The Road to the Grand Slam
Throughout 2025, Speaker Slam®, North America's largest inspirational speaking competition, hosted five thrilling qualifier competitions, each built around a unique theme. The top two speakers from each competition, along with four wildcard selections, have now earned their place at the Grand Slam. They will compete for the prestigious title of Inspirational Speaker of the Year, a $5,000 cash prize, and a prize package worth up to $50,000 -- PLUS the #1 speaker will get a book deal with sponsor partner Lucky Book Publishing, including a New York Times Square billboard feature (Valued at $20,000).
Here are the themes that defined the journey to this year's Grand Slam:
Resilience (January 28th, 2025) -- Showcasing the strength to rise above adversity.
No Risk, No Reward (March 25th, 2025) -- Inspiring stories of bold leaps and courageous choices.
The Power of No (May 27th, 2025) -- A celebration of boundaries and self-respect.
The Underdog (July 15th, 2025) -- Honoring those who defy expectations and fight against the odds.
Leaders (September 16th, 2025) -- Spotlighting voices of influence, impact, and empowerment.
Meet the 2025 Grand Slam Speakers
Jenni Cathcart
Award-winning Speaker and Innovation Catalyst
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Jenni Cathcart is an award-winning speaker and CEO of Lead Boldly, a consultancy that helps Fortune 500 companies scale innovation and effective change management to drive long-term growth. Over the past 20 years, Jenni honed her expertise working with Fortune 500 companies in financial services, insurance, energy and transportation. She holds an MBA from UC-Berkeley and is an ICF-certified coach and certified change manager.
Pat Doyle
Father, Entrepreneur, Storyteller, Community Builder
Pickering, Ontario, Canada
For over 30 years, Pat Doyle has understood that a company's greatest asset isn't its products or services -- it's its people. As the driving force behind Moments That Matter, Pat and his team use branded merchandise not just as giveaways, but as catalysts for meaningful experiences. Beyond the workplace, Pat is passionate about building strong communities where recognition fuels motivation and success is measured by the depth of connection.
Ivan Fredette
Men's Transformation & Leadership Expert, Resilience Speaker, Serial Entrepreneur
Fenwick, Ontario, Canada
Ivan Fredette is committed to helping leaders and fathers rise above adversity and lead lives of purpose, discipline, and integrity. After unimaginable loss, including the suicides of his cousin Tyler and sister Jenieveve, Ivan spent 17 years numbing the pain with alcohol before deciding on December 26th, 2020, to transform his life. He created Ironclad Brotherhood, a mentorship community for men, ARMOR Coaching for executives, and Safe Tree, a seven-figure tree care company.
"Courage isn't what you feel before facing fear. It's what you gain after."
Regula Fischer
Founder of Many Firsts, Transformation & Leadership Expert, Actress, Author, Artist
Zürich, Switzerland
Regula Fischer is a transformation and leadership expert with 20 years of experience in global organizations. As a coach, actress, author, and artist, she empowers teams and individuals to align their work and personal lives with their most ambitious goals. Regula is the founder of Many Firsts, a transformative lifestyle brand that inspires courage, curiosity, and creativity, and hosts the Many Firsts Conversations podcast.
Rimshah Ahmed
Keynote Speaker, Public Speaking Educator, Mental Health & Human Rights Advocate
Milton, Ontario, Canada
Rimshah Ahmed is a bold and distinctive voice in public speaking, spoken word, and advocacy. As a neurodivergent artist, mother of three, and champion for equity and mental health, she brings raw honesty, resilience, and grace to every stage. From the TEDxOntarioPublicService stage to Speaker Slam -- where she earned 3rd place -- Rimshah's storytelling cuts through noise and speaks directly to the heart. She's been featured on CBC Radio and Global News for her work in neurodiversity advocacy.
"Every time I raise my voice, I'm not recounting the past; I'm reshaping someone's future."
Patrick Morrison
Motivational Speaker, Mindset Coach and Ironman Triathlete
Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Patrick Morrison is an Ironman triathlete, coach, and speaker who believes that life's greatest victories come from simply showing up -- and then keeping on showing up. Having crossed the finish line of multiple Half Ironman races, Patrick knows firsthand the power of resilience, grit, and belief in the face of setbacks.
"Step one: showing up. Step two: keep showing up."
Charles Achampong
Executive in Residence, Bestselling Author and Keynote Speaker
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Charles Achampong teaches leaders and teams how to harness the power of pause, not just as a wellness tool, but as a performance strategy. With over 20 years of leadership experience across business, government, and philanthropy, he's led initiatives with organizations like the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Committee, Scotiabank, and the Ontario Trillium Foundation. His bestselling book, Around the World in Family Days, was inspired by a year-long global sabbatical with his wife and daughters.
"In an age of constant noise, pausing is the loudest statement you can make."
Inga Tkachenko Ramage
Public Speaker, Road Safety Advocate, Co-founder of Inga Educates
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Inga Tkachenko Ramage turned her personal trauma from a serious car crash into a powerful mission: to prevent accidents, educate communities, and support victims. In just one year, Inga Educates mobilized 150+ volunteers, organized 15+ major community events and distributed more than 1,250 free helmets to the public. Originally from Ukraine, Inga immigrated to Canada at 16 solo and graduated from the University of Waterloo with a double degree.
Bethelene Hart
Expert Early Childhood Educator, Award-winning Speaker and Author
Markdale, Ontario, Canada
Founder of Parenting By Hart, Bethelene is a Parenting & Childcare Expert with over 30 years of experience supporting families, educators, and schools. She is a Child and Family Behaviour Specialist and Author of 2 Children's Books that teach emotional literacy.
"The greatest gift we can give children and adults is validating their feelings and experience."
Robert Alexander
Finance and Business Executive, Entrepreneur, Aspiring Coach
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Robert Alexander is a dynamic Finance and Business Executive whose multifaceted passions span leadership, finance, fitness, and fashion. With a strong foundation in corporate strategy and financial management, Robert has built a reputation for driving growth, fostering innovation, and inspiring those around him to reach their full potential.
Michelle Weger
Productivity Expert, Resilience Speaker, AI & Business Automation Strategist
Ontario, Canada
Michelle Weger is a Productivity Expert, Resilience Speaker, and AI & Business Automation Strategist with over 14 years of proven success. Following her narcolepsy diagnosis in her early twenties, Michelle channeled that challenge into a driving force for business building. She founded Venture Creative Collective, which has generated millions of dollars in revenue. Her bestselling memoir, Don't Snooze Your Dreams, has topped charts in Canada and the United States. She travels the world alongside her Great Dane service dog Quinn.
"Limits aren't the end of your story. They're the leverage to write a better one."
Aanchal Vash
Mental Health Speaker, High Performance Wellness Expert, Author
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Aanchal Vash is a High-Performance Wellness Expert, Philanthropist, and Mental Health Speaker. After losing her older brother to malaria and her twin brother to suicide, she founded Reach Out Together, a registered Canadian nonprofit that has trained over 1,500 people in Mental Health First Aid, distributed survival kits across Toronto, Lagos, and Mumbai, and united volunteers on four continents. She is the author of five bestselling books including Ongoing Success and Wellbeing. Recognized among Canada's Top 40 Under 40 Emerging Leaders for Social Impact.
"Adversity doesn't define you. Your recovery plan does, and that plan becomes the legacy you leave behind."
Vivian Meraki
Parenting Expert, Founder of Unshakable Parenting, Award-winning Human Connection Speaker
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Vivian Meraki is a parenting expert, bestselling author, and award-winning keynote speaker who helps parents and leaders create secure connections that become their true legacy. With over 20 years of leadership experience spanning health-tech startups, Fortune 500 companies, and the United Nations, Vivian has built and led high-performing teams. Her debut book, Parenting Through Divorce, became a bestseller. She has been featured on Breakfast Television, CTV Your Morning, and CP24.
"You don't have to be perfect to leave a powerful legacy. You have to be present."
Patti Bevilacqua
Mindset Expert, Resilience Educator, Workplace Inclusion Advocate
Grand Forks, British Columbia, Canada
Dr. Patti Bevilacqua founded fearLESS with MS, a global community of 600+, and is an award-winning Speaker Slam competitor and Certified Inspirational Speaker. Named the Rise to Greater Heights 2025 Changemaker, Trailblazer, Visionary, and Leader of the Year, Patti also launched her debut book, MS doesn't define ME, during Disability Pride Month 2025.
"Your 'no' isn't the end of the road -- it's an invitation to detour and uncover opportunities you never knew existed."
How the Grand Slam Works
14 speakers deliver 5-minute prepared speeches on the theme, judged by 8 industry experts. At stake is a prize package worth up to $50,000, including a book deal with Lucky Book Publishing, media features, and the prestigious title of Inspirational Speaker of the Year.
Speech Rules: Props are allowed, but music requiring technical setup is not permitted. Exceeding 5:30 results in point deductions (1 point for every 5 seconds over).
Judging Criteria (scored out of 100 points):
Message Clarity (25 pts) | Storytelling (25 pts) | Transformative (15 pts) | 'IT' Factor (15 pts) | Entertaining (10 pts) | Presentation (10 pts)
Join us on November 22nd at the CBC Glenn Gould Studio for an unforgettable evening as these powerful voices take the stage to leave their legacy. Who will rise, inspire, and become the next Inspirational Speaker of the Year?