The 2025 Grand Slam: A Night of Legacy, Triumph, and Unforgettable Stories
The CBC Glenn Gould Studio was alive with emotion as fourteen of the year's most powerful speakers stepped onto the Grand Slam stage, each one ready to deliver their most important message yet. This annual championship is the pinnacle of the Speaker Slam season, where the best of the best return to compete for the title of Inspirational Speaker of the Year.
The night was a celebration of resilience, visibility, healing, and undeniable heart. Every finalist delivered a message worthy of the Grand Slam stage, making it an incredibly tough decision for our judges.
Meet Your Grand Slam Champions
1st Place: Michelle Weger
Productivity Expert, Resilience Speaker, Tech CEO
Speech: "Your Wake-Up Call"
Michelle took the stage in a stunning green gown with her service dog, Quinn, faithfully by her side. What followed was a courageous and beautifully delivered message that brought visibility to Narcolepsy and challenged assumptions about disability and possibility. Her blend of vulnerability, advocacy, and storytelling captivated the entire room and earned her the coveted title of Inspirational Speaker of the Year.
Prizes Won:
- Speaker Slam: $3000 Cash Prize
- Gordon Breault: Speaking Career Booster including one free corporate speaking gig up to $5,000, gift credit card for branding and marketing ($500), and one-hour elite coaching session (Valued at $6,000)
- Breanna Xavier-Carter: Spotlight Strategy Mentorship: A four-session personalized media coaching program (Value: $3,000)
- Jacqueline Clements: 3-Hour Legacy Mentorship Experience (Valued at $3,000)
- Anne Marie Perrault: AMP Talent Group Representation & Brand Package including website design, bio rewrite, and media pitch deck (Total Value: $3,000)
- Kat McMorrow: Mentorship package with 3 mentorship sessions and directional support (Value: $3,000)
- Angie Seth: Elite Media Training Package: Four two-hour one-on-one sessions (Value: $7,500)
- Evan Carmichael: The "Believe" YouTube Coaching Experience: 60-minute coaching and interview filmed at his Toronto studio, featured on his YouTube channel (3M+ subscribers)
- Stu McLaren: The Membership Freedom Experience: Full year of Membership.io software plus The Membership Experience Self-Study Program (Valued at $6,667)
- Lucky Book Publishing: Book deal and New York Times Square Billboard (Valued at $20,000)
2nd Place: Charles Achampong
Executive in Residence, Bestselling Author and Keynote Speaker
Speech: "The Story They'll Tell"
Charles delivered a commanding and emotionally grounded message about loss, identity, and the invisible stories we carry. His presence, authenticity, and storytelling mastery earned him a deeply deserved second-place win.
Prizes Won:
- Speaker Slam: $1500 Cash Prize
- Gordon Breault: Media Kit Booster (Value: $1,000)
- Breanna Xavier-Carter: The Media Accelerator Mentorship (Value: $2,000)
- Jacqueline Clements: 2-Hour Public Speaking with Purpose Mentorship (Valued at $2,000)
- Anne Marie Perrault: AMP Talent Group Representation & Branding Package (Value: $2,850)
- Kat McMorrow: Mentorship package with 2 sessions (Value: $2,000)
- Angie Seth: Media Readiness Mentorship Session (Valued at $1,000)
- Evan Carmichael: The "Believe" YouTube Coaching Experience
- Stu McLaren: The Membership Freedom Experience (Valued at $6,667)
3rd Place: Rimshah Ahmed
Public Speaking Educator, Mental Health & Human Rights Advocate
Speech: "My Voice, My Legacy"
Rimshah brought fire, heart, and clarity to the stage with a message about reclaiming your worth. Her performance was dynamic, poised, and deeply impactful, securing her a well-earned third-place finish.
Prizes Won:
- Speaker Slam: $500 Cash Prize
- Gordon Breault: Career Coaching & Consultation ($500)
- Breanna Xavier-Carter: The Visibility Mentorship (Value: $1,000)
- Jacqueline Clements: 1-Hour Speaker Clarity Session (Valued at $1,000)
- Anne Marie Perrault: AMP Talent Group Representation & Branding (Value: $1,500)
- Kat McMorrow: Mentorship package with 2 sessions (Value: $2,000)
- Angie Seth: Media Readiness Mentorship Session (Valued at $1,000)
- Evan Carmichael: The "Believe" YouTube Coaching Experience
- Stu McLaren: The Membership Freedom Experience (Valued at $6,667)
Meet the Judges Who Made It All Happen
- Gordon Breault - CEO and Co-Founder of the Speakers Bureau of Canada
- Breanna Xavier-Carter - Journalist and Storyteller
- Jacqueline Clements - TV Host and Producer
- Anne Marie Perrault - Award-winning CEO, AMP Talent Group
- Kat McMorrow - CBC Journalist
- Angie Seth - Award-winning Journalist
- Evan Carmichael - YouTuber and Entrepreneur (3M+ subscribers)
- Stu McLaren - Membership Expert and Entrepreneur
Their wisdom, warmth, and generosity provided invaluable feedback and life-changing opportunities for the competitors.
Words of Wisdom Speaker: Lucky Book Publishing
Samantha and Simar graced the stage with a story that left the audience uplifted and inspired. Our Speaker Slam partners will be working with winner Michelle Weger, awarding her a book deal and New York Times Square Billboard worth $20,000.
Passion Speedshare Spotlight
Our Passion Speedshare speakers lit up the room with quick, memorable stories that added depth and energy to the night. Their courage and creativity perfectly complemented the Grand Slam stage.
What's Next?
We close this season on a high but the momentum isn't slowing down. Our first competition of the new year is Against All Odds, happening in January 2026.