Jesse Harink

Keynote Speaker | Vancouver, British Columbia

Amazing Race Canada Winner & Event Host
Joy, Authenticity, Partnership & Workplace Culture Expert

Jesse Harink's Expertise: Workplace Culture, Storytelling, LGBTQ2S+, Presentation Skills, Trust Relationships, Business Leadership, Employee Engagement, Human Connection, Employee Retention, Teamwork, Resilience & Change and Happiness & Positivity.

Jesse Harink

About Speaker Jesse Harink

Jesse Harink is an event host, master of ceremonies, and the co winner of Amazing Race Canada Season Eleven. Based in Vancouver, Jesse Harink leads employee engagement at one of Canada's fastest growing technology companies and has spent nine years hosting the main stage at its flagship annual conference, where he has introduced keynote guests including Mel Robbins, Priya Parker, Esther Perel, James Clear, Seth Godin, Arianna Huffington, and Bryan Stevenson. Jesse Harink keynotes both solo and in partnership with his racing partner Jonathon Braun, blending storytelling, humour, and vulnerability to help organizations build cultures rooted in joy, authentic connection, and experiential design. Jesse Harink also serves on the board of the Health Initiative for Men in Vancouver.

Jesse Harink Biography

Jesse Harink is a keynote speaker, event host, and master of ceremonies. He keynotes both solo and alongside his racing partner Jonathon Braun, with whom he won Amazing Race Canada Season Eleven. Raised in Lacombe, Alberta, Jesse Harink grew up in a small town and came out at the age of thirteen. That decision shaped how he has approached every room since. In one of his first job interviews, a hiring manager looked at Jesse Harink and said the words: I do not hire gays. He walked out and decided his identity would never again be the thing he hid to land a role. Years later Jesse Harink listed drag queen on a cover letter and was offered the position. Authenticity, for him, became a daily practice rather than a slogan on a wall.

Jesse Harink performed internationally as the drag artist Gluttony until 2020 and hosted a weekly Vancouver show during those years. The stage taught him how to read a room in real time and bring an audience along with him. After four years at Apple, Jesse Harink moved into the legal technology world and has spent the past nine years building employee experience and engagement programs at one of Canada’s fastest growing companies. The work spans culture, recognition, internal events, and the kind of programming that makes a large organization feel small.

For nine consecutive years Jesse Harink has served as master of ceremonies at his company’s flagship annual conference, which now draws more than five thousand attendees each year. In that role he has shared the main stage with keynote guests including Mel Robbins, Priya Parker, Esther Perel, James Clear, Seth Godin, Arianna Huffington, and Bryan Stevenson. Jesse Harink hosted a live fireside conversation with author Priya Parker on the art of gathering, a format the conference has since used for its highest profile guests. The conversation reflected what he does best: making a guest feel at home on stage while drawing out what an audience came to hear.

In 2018 Jesse Harink lost his father, who left behind a letter that has become the emotional anchor of his keynote work. The line at the centre of it speaks to the beauty of dependency and the strength found in leaning on the people around you. Jesse Harink applied to Amazing Race Canada with his close friend Jonathon Braun, carrying that letter with him through the entire season. The two of them ran the race for their fathers, for each other, and for the joy they refused to put down.

Jesse Harink and Jonathon Braun became the first British Columbia team to win Amazing Race Canada, taking the Season Eleven title with four leg wins. The prize package included two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in cash, two new vehicles, and a trip around the world. Outside the keynote stage, Jesse Harink serves on the board of the Health Initiative for Men in Vancouver, where he channels his energy into community programming and mental wellness for men across British Columbia. Today Jesse Harink keynotes on joy as strategy, partnership under pressure, and designing experiences that people actually remember, available both solo and as a duo with Jonathon Braun.

 

Jesse Harink Topic Presentations

Jesse Harink From Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada delivers keynote presentations, workshops, fireside chats, moderated Q&A, and other presentation formats on a wide variety of topics. Each presentation is unique, customized and tailored for audiences, industries, conferences and event formats.

Have Fun and the Wins Will Come: Joy as the Engine, Not the Reward

Life is Enjoyable in How You Share It with People: The Beauty of Dependency

Bring Your Whole Self, for Real This Time: Authenticity as a Daily Decision

Designing Experiences People Actually Remember: Building Around Energy, Not Agendas

From the Stage to the Boardroom: Hosting Craft and Reading a Room in Real Time

Partnership Under Pressure: What Twenty One Days on a Race Taught About Teams That Last

On the Microphone: The Craft of Hosting Live Events

Interviews
Jesse Harink
  • Spoiler Alert! for the First Time, a Team from B.c. Wins the Amazing Race Canada
  • Interview with Jonathon and Jesse from the Amazing Race Canada
  • The Power of Joy': the Amazing Race Canada Winners Jesse and Jonathon Reflect on Their Journey
Podcasts
Jesse Harink
  • Clio Con Clips 2025: Jesse Harink & Nefra Macdonald: E01
  • Podcast Appearance with Jesse Harink and Jonathon Braun on the Amazing Race Canada Season Eleven Win
Articles
Jesse Harink
  • Allard Law Grad Takes Home the Top Prize on the Amazing Race Canada

Jesse Harink Speaking Testimonials

"No ClioCon would be complete without emcees Jesse Harink, internal global events lead, and Nefra Ann MacDonald, director of strategic engagement."

Bob Ambrogi

Founder of LawSites, columnist at Above the Law, host of the LawNext podcast
LawSites

"From the moment the absolutely fabulous Jesse Harink took to the stage at Clio Cloud, it was clear that this was not going to be just another snoozefest."

Deb Tesser

Director of Special Projects, Above the Law
Above the Law

You May Also Like

Dr. Janelle Abela

Dr. Janelle Abela

Culture Strategist | Communication, Leadership & Organizational Transformation

Dr. Janelle Abela

Speaker Topics

  • Workplace Culture
  • Communication
  • Leadership Development
  • Demographics & Workforce Trends
  • Employee Retention
  • Change Management
  • Psychological Safety
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Workforce Disruption & Job Security
Dr. Janelle Abela is a workforce strategist, researcher, and organizational culture expert who helps leaders solve today's most pressing...
Joanna Barclay

Joanna Barclay

Corporate Culture Change Expert And Mindful Conscious Leadership Consultant

Featured

Joanna Barclay

Speaker Topics

  • Adaptability & Agility
  • Business & Corporate
  • Business Growth
  • Business Leadership
  • Business Management
  • Change Management
  • Employee Retention
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Excellence & Success
Joanna Barclay is a global leadership expert, organizational culture consultant, and author specializing in conscious leadership, values...
Richard Bartrem

Richard Bartrem

Brand Strategy Leader & Former WestJet VP | Marketing, Culture & Leadership Expert

Featured

Richard Bartrem

Speaker Topics

  • Business Growth
  • Customer Service & Experience
  • Innovation & Creativity
  • Brand Strategy & Storytelling
  • Business Ethics & Values
  • Business Leadership
  • Public Relations & Media Training
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Customer Loyalty & Retention
Richard Bartrem is the former VP of Marketing Communications at West Jet, who is now a speaker and expert on leadership, brand, marketing &...
Dina Bell-Laroche

Dina Bell-Laroche

Business Leader & Leadership Coach | Designing Healthy Cultures | Grief & Loss Literacy

Dina Bell-Laroche

Speaker Topics

  • Business & Corporate
  • Business Growth
  • Leadership
  • Personal Leadership
  • Women's Leadership
  • Innovation & Creativity
  • Leadership Development
  • Peak Performance
  • Health & Wellness
Dina Bell-Laroche is a grief doula and death educator that has been advocating for grief and loss literacy since the death of her younger...
Eagle Blackbird

Eagle Blackbird

Indigenous Culture and Storytelling | Digital Education Expert

Eagle Blackbird

Speaker Topics

  • Indigenous
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Leadership Development
  • Leadership and Change
  • Self Improvement & Self Care
  • Resilience & Adversity
  • Resilience & Change
Eagle Blackbird is a content creator, educator, and advocate recognized for his engaging approach to sharing Indigenous culture online. A...
Walpole Island Walpole Island, Ontario
Tim Borys

Tim Borys

Workplace Performance Catalyst | Executive Coach | Mental & Physical Health Expert

Tim Borys

Speaker Topics

  • Mental Health
  • Health & Wellness
  • Adaptability & Agility
  • Inclusive Leadership
  • Burnout Prevention
  • Mindset & Goal Accomplishment
  • Resilience & Adversity
  • Future of Work
  • Consultants & Coaches
Tim Borys is a leadership, performance, and workplace wellbeing expert with more than two decades of experience helping organizations...
Jonathon Braun

Jonathon Braun

Amazing Race Canada Winner | Lawyer, Advocate & Resilience Expert

Jonathon Braun

Speaker Topics

  • Leadership and Change
  • Inclusive Leadership
  • Change Management
  • Teamwork
  • Resilience & Adversity
  • LGBTQ2S+
  • Belonging
  • Adaptability & Agility
  • Resilience & Change
Jonathon Braun is a lawyer, migrant rights advocate, and winner of Season 11 of The Amazing Race Canada. As Legal Director of the Migrant...
Jesse Harink and Jonathon Braun

Jesse Harink and Jonathon Braun

Amazing Race Canada Winners | Resilience, Teamwork & Authentic Leadership Experts

Jesse Harink and Jonathon Braun

Speaker Topics

  • Leadership
  • Leadership and Change
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Adaptability & Agility
  • Teamwork
  • Belonging
  • LGBTQ2S+
  • Resilience & Change
  • Mindset & Attitude
Jesse Harink and Jonathon Braun are winners of Season 11 of The Amazing Race Canada whose journey demonstrated the power of resilience,...
Jim Brayshaw

Jim Brayshaw

Mental & Emotional Health | Confidence | Workplace Culture & Psychological Safety

Jim Brayshaw

Speaker Topics

  • Mental Health
  • Workplace Culture
  • Psychological Safety
  • Burnout Prevention
  • Stress Management
  • Change Management
  • Happiness & Positivity
  • Mindset & Attitude
  • Suicide Prevention
Jim Brayshaw is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience as a firefighter, fire officer, medic, and educator. His expertise...
Mark Breslin

Mark Breslin

Canadian Comedy Icon, Entrepreneur And Author| Leadership, Workplace Culture & Communication Expert

Featured

Mark Breslin

Speaker Topics

  • Communication
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Humour in the Workplace
  • Influence & Negotiation
  • Business Leadership
  • Mindset & Goal Accomplishment
  • Personal Leadership
  • Purposeful Work
  • Public Relations & Media Training
Mark Breslin is a visionary in the Canadian comedy scene, significantly impacting the entertainment industry. Born in Toronto, Mark Breslin...
Devon Clunis

Devon Clunis

Former Winnipeg Chief of Police | Workplace Culture Diversity & Inclusion Expert

Featured

Devon Clunis

Speaker Topics

  • Strategic Thinking
  • Change Management
  • Transformation
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Influence & Negotiation
  • Racial Justice
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Inclusive Leadership
Devon Clunis is an international business and leadership consultant with extensive Executive Leadership experience. He was Chief of Police...
Dan Comiskey

Dan Comiskey

Fireproof Leadership | Industrial Safety Culture & Leadership Expert

Featured

Dan Comiskey

Speaker Topics

  • Psychological Safety
  • Burnout Prevention
  • Leadership Development
  • Work Life Balance
  • Health Performance
  • Self Improvement & Self Care
  • Mental Health
  • Leadership
Dan Comiskey is a two time Grey Cup Champion and former Canadian Football League veteran who spent 13 seasons developing under more than 40...

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jesse Harink known for and what is their expertise as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Jesse Harink is known for defined subject matter expertise based on professional experience and industry background. As a keynote speaker in Canada for conferences and conventions, their presentations align with organizational objectives and audience outcomes. Corporate keynote speakers in Canada are selected based on credibility, relevance, and practical application. Expertise alignment supports informed booking decisions. Read More

What topics does Jesse Harink speak on for conferences, conventions, corporate events, and annual general meetings in Canada?

Jesse Harink delivers keynote presentations on defined topic areas confirmed during booking. Canadian business speakers for corporate meetings in Canada align topic selection with event objectives and audience priorities. Conference speakers in Canada adapt messaging for conventions, trade shows, and summits. Topics are finalized prior to written confirmation. Read More

How do I know if Jesse Harink is the right fit for my audience, conference, convention, or AGM?

Jesse Harink is evaluated based on audience alignment, event objectives, and subject matter relevance. Event planners booking keynote speakers in Canada for corporate conferences review experience, delivery style, and industry context. Canadian business speakers for annual general meetings must align with program goals and audience expectations. Fit is clarified during the pre decision call. Read More

Where is Jesse Harink from and where do they speak across Canada?

Jesse Harink is from Vancouver, British Columbia and is available for events across Canada. Conference speakers in Canada frequently travel nationally with defined travel terms. Corporate keynote speakers coordinate scheduling through structured agreements. Availability is confirmed through formal inquiry. Read More

Is Jesse Harink available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, webinars, or hybrid events in Canada?

Jesse Harink is available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, corporate webinars, and hybrid events in Canada. Virtual keynote speakers in Canada deliver structured presentations adapted for remote audiences. Format, platform coordination, and timing are confirmed during booking. Virtual availability is documented through written agreement in Canada. Read More

Does Jesse Harink deliver keynote presentations, workshops, training sessions, breakout sessions, fireside chats, or panel discussions?

Jesse Harink may deliver keynote presentations as well as workshops and breakout sessions. Canadian business speakers for corporate training in Canada define session length and format during booking. Conference speakers may also participate in fireside chats or panel discussions depending on program design. Session formats are confirmed in writing. Read More

How do I contact Jesse Harink to check availability and begin the booking process in Canada?

Jesse Harink is contacted through Speakers Bureau of Canada to confirm availability and event details. Event planners and meeting planners typically schedule a pre decision call to clarify format, objectives, and scope. Booking begins once event requirements are defined. Written confirmation follows agreement execution. Read More

How do I book Jesse Harink for a conference, convention, trade show, summit, or corporate meeting in Canada?

Jesse Harink is booked through a structured agreement process confirming availability, fee structure, and logistics. Booking keynote speakers in Canada for conventions and trade shows includes written contracts and defined payment terms. Canadian business speakers for annual general meetings require scope confirmation before date holds convert to confirmed status. Booking is finalized upon agreement execution. Read More

How much does it cost to book Jesse Harink as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Jesse Harink keynote speaker fees depend on event type, audience size, format, and location. The cost to book a keynote speaker in Canada varies based on preparation scope and delivery structure. Corporate keynote speakers in Canada confirm fees through a booking agent and written agreement. Final pricing reflects defined scope and contract terms. Read More

Are there additional costs to hire Jesse Harink for a corporate event, convention, or trade show in Canada?

Additional costs to hire Jesse Harink may include travel expenses, extended sessions, workshops, meet and greets, emcee duties, or event host roles. Keynote speakers in Canada for business conventions often separate honorarium from travel and related logistics. Canadian business speakers confirm these components in writing before agreement execution. All additional costs are outlined contractually. Read More

How far in advance should I book Jesse Harink for a conference, convention, or business meeting in Canada?

Jesse Harink should be booked once event dates, location, and format are confirmed. Conference speakers in Canada often secure dates several months in advance. Corporate keynote speakers for annual general meetings may have limited availability during peak seasons. Early inquiry improves confirmation certainty. Read More

Is Jesse Harink represented by an agent in Canada and how is the agreement handled?

Jesse Harink is represented by Speakers Bureau of Canada for booking coordination and agreement management. Keynote speakers in Canada often work through an agency to formalize contracts and payment handling. Agent representation ensures structured communication between organizers and the speaker. Representation clarifies agreement terms before confirmation. Read More