Keynote Speakers

Kwame Osei

Kwame was born in Ghana but raised in a community within Toronto called Rexdale, which is known for low-income housing, high drugs, violence and gang rates. Kwame’s environment created a low-expectations narrative for him. Kwame’s mindset as a teen was “expect the worst and hope for the best” This perspective on life led to Kwame getting into trouble with the law. Through sports, Kwame was able to change his mindset and escape the negative narrative. Since then he has earned two University Degrees and became a teacher. He has 10 years of teaching experience in a High School and a Prison. Kwame played professional football in the CFL and has coached at multiple levels in Canada including Queen’s University. Kwame is currently the Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Nikki Ray Media. Kwame is an entrepreneur, author and Amazing Race Canada cast member. He has a passion for public speaking and particularly loves to speak to youth, as he strives to be the person he needed when he was young.

Cara Filler

Cara Filler is Driven to Inspire. For the past 22 years, Cara has shared her powerful positive leadership and prevention programs with more than 2.5 million people in 5 countries. She has become one of the most sought after female motivational speakers in her ﬁeld. She empowers students, teachers, parents and complete strangers to make everyday choices count. Why? Because if it causes just ONE person to care more, speak up and stand out – IT’S ALL WORTH IT!

Ian Tyson

For 35+ years, Ian Tyson has been entertaining and inspiring audiences across North America to realize their potential, and seek happiness in life. Ian’s high-octane presentations are sure to keep any audience in stitches and leave them with words and thoughts to live by. Combining hilarious and heart warming story telling, observational humour and meaningful life lessons; his assembly programs are always on point.

He is one of North America's top inspirational speakers, and has spoken at hundreds of schools, TEDx, and dozens of conferences about teaching optimism, resilience and kindness. Ian's book, "Hooray For Everything! The Optimist Manifesto" is an insightful collection of stories, and ideas about finding and keeping positivity. Also an avid home cook, who brings his positivity to the kitchen and was featured on the Food Network Canada show “Wall of Chefs” in 2020, and created an online cooking show of his own during lockdown called "The Confined Kitchen".

Liz Gleadle

Liz Gleadle had her Olympic debut in London in 2012 when she became the first Canadian woman to qualify for an Olympic javelin final since 1968. Liz Gleadle inspired and surprised many in qualifying for the London 2012 Olympic Games: Liz Gleadle broke the Canadian Record to qualify after being hit in the leg by a 16-pound men's hammer. Not only was Liz Gleadle the first Canadian woman to qualify for an Olympics in javelin since 1968 but is the only one to make an Olympic Final. Liz Gleadle is known for her transformative high-performance habits and engaging storyteller.

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