Resilience is about rising above life's challenges, pushing through adversity, and finding strength in the struggle. At Speaker Slam, you'll hear from speakers who have faced life's toughest moments, only to emerge stronger and more determined.
"Life doesn't get easier, we just get stronger." - Unknown
Join us on January 28th, 2025, live in Toronto at Lula Lounge, for Speaker Slam®, an unforgettable evening of courage, inspiration, and transformation, as 10 extraordinary speakers take the stage to share their powerful stories of Resilience.
Meet Your Resilience Speakers
Chris Atwell
Peak Performance Leadership Coach | Stouffville, Ontario, Canada
As a Peak Performance Leadership Coach and founder of Mindset-Conquest, Chris specializes in helping manufacturers' rep agency owners achieve peak performance, empowering them to lead with confidence, inspire high-performing teams, and create more free time in their lives. With 18+ years in sales and leadership across distribution and manufacturing, he brings a unique blend of industry-specific experience, strategic insight, and a relentless focus on growth.
Richie Keirouz
Self Development Coach, Fitness Advocate, Greenhouse Industry Expert | Leamington, Ontario, Canada
Richie is a self-development coach, greenhouse industry expert, and sales leader with over 25 years of experience driving growth in Controlled Environment Agriculture. As Vice President of Business Development for Topline Farms, he combines deep industry knowledge with a passion for sustainable agriculture. At 47, having recently won the Canadian National Bodybuilding Championship, Richie is living proof that resilience, discipline, and self-care can help you excel physically, mentally, and professionally.
"Speaker Slam is more than a competition. It's an opportunity to transform stories into impact."
Regula Fischer
Founder of Many Firsts, Transformation & Leadership Expert, Actress, Author, Artist | Zurich, 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. She hosts the Many Firsts Conversations podcast, delving into meaningful firsts from her guests' personal and professional lives.
Lauren Daniels
Psychotherapist, Trauma Therapist, EMDRIA Approved Consultant | Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, United States
Lauren Daniels is a Licensed Professional Therapist with a deep passion for helping others heal from trauma and adversity. With a personal history of overcoming mental health challenges, Lauren ultimately found hope through clinicians and four-legged beings who helped her believe in recovery. As a therapist since 2010, Lauren's mission is to offer hope, resilience, and support to others who are suffering.
"I am excited to participate so that by sharing my personal story I can help people understand that healing is possible."
June Svetlovsky
Finance Executive, Writer, Story Collector | Montreal, Quebec, Canada
June breathes life back into struggling businesses. Her work isn't just about balancing books, it's about creating opportunities, preserving livelihoods, and ensuring the survival of dreams. June's artistry lies in her ability to turn chaos into clarity, infuse numbers with narrative, and reframe obstacles as possibilities for growth. Her journey is chronicled on her website, "The Philosophical Accountant."
"What an honour to participate in Speaker Slam, an organization that elevates stories that remind us of who we are and why we are here!"
Jessica Swift
Mental Health Nurse, Mental Health Advocate | Selwyn, Ontario, Canada
Jessica Swift is a passionate Mental Health Nurse committed to raising awareness and providing compassionate care to those navigating mental health challenges. Having personally overcome mental health disorders as a youth and currently navigating complex grief and PTSD, Jessica is deeply connected to her mission to advocate for mental health awareness.
"You are enough and you are worthy of love and belonging."
Chantal McDougall
The Fairygodmother of Storytelling, Coach and Business Consultant | Nepean, Ontario, Canada
Chantal is The Fairygodmother of Storytelling. She helps women be themselves in their brand, life, and make their dreams come true. She does things differently in business, not following what others are doing, paving her own path and leading with her heart. Chantal holds a bachelor degree in Psychology with honours from the University of Ottawa and has worked with over 80 women all over the world.
"It's a dream come true to courageously tell my own story for the first time ever. I am ready to share my resilience and shine my light on the Speaker Slam stage!"
Deborah Fletcher
Author, Speaker, Coach | Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Deborah Fletcher is an experienced Learning & Development Specialist who has consulted with corporate clients to develop their performance management systems. For over 20 years Deborah has facilitated leadership skills training programs and provided ongoing coaching for management teams. As a sought-after presenter, Deborah brings her humour and energy to the podium and delivers dynamic, engaging sessions.
Merav Richter
3-Time Best-Selling Author, 2-Time TEDx Speaker, AVID Reader | Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
Merav Richter is the author of four award-winning books, a two-time TEDx Speaker, a coach with the Tony Robbins team, and the CEO of Maverick Productions Inc. Merav was fortunate to travel the world in her 27-year career in the airline industry. She combines her corporate experience with her commitment to helping speakers, coaches, consultants, and other rebels to use their voice and transform their lives.
Lyne Frank
Educator, Wellness Expert, and Professional Speaker | Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Lyne Frank is a passionate educator, wellness expert, and professional speaker bringing over two decades of experience to her work. She is the founder of Ignite in Community, a private group where over 1300 women gather to share, learn, and grow together. Her work has been featured on YourTV Niagara, CHCH, The Agenda on TVO, and CTV News.
Words of Wisdom Speaker
Lauren Pires
Invisible Disability Ambassador, PR & Media Lead | Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Lauren Pires is an award-winning inspirational speaker and advocate. Born with Central Core Disease, a rare neuromuscular disorder, Lauren defies physical limitations with boundless enthusiasm, resilience, and a spirit that inspires. As Canada's first Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) ambassador, Lauren became the first Canadian to receive their prestigious "But You LOOK Good" Inspiration Award in 2023. In November 2023, Lauren earned the title of #2 Inspirational Speaker of the Year at Speaker Slam's Grand Slam.
How the Competition Works
- 10 speakers deliver 5-minute prepared speeches on the theme.
- Judged by 4 industry experts.
- Prize package valued at up to $10,000, including $2000 in cash. Top 2 move on to Grand Slam.
- Speech Rules: Props allowed, music requiring technical setup not permitted. Exceeding 5:30 minutes results in point deductions, 1 point for every 5 seconds.
Judging Criteria (scored out of 100 points):
- Message Clarity (25 pts): Clear, concise, powerful, and meaningful messages.
- Storytelling (25 pts): Vivid, descriptive, captivating personal stories.
- Transformative (15 pts): Inspiring, impactful, and transformative for both speaker and audience.
- 'IT' Factor (15 pts): Star power, unique identity, and creativity.
- Entertaining (10 pts): Engaging and entertaining through props, humor, or performance.
- Presentation (10 pts): Effective body language, vocal variety, and authenticity.
Join us on January 28th and experience the power of resilience - the strength to rise again, no matter the odds.