Sonia Funk is an Employee Wellness Analyst & Strategist, Corporate Keynote Speaker and Nutritional Therapist, with over 15 years of international experience in the wellness industry. She understands that employees are overwhelmed with their own day-to-day lives as it is, and that it can become a challenge to keep up with personal and professional lives, while maintaining health.

She has travelled the world as both student and teacher. Her super-powers include outrageous common sense and a willingness to ask the hard questions, which allow for easier answers. Sonia’s questions cut through all the misinformation, fads and clichés around wellness and mental health. She gives her audience courage to find a better question that can help them understand the real reasons why they are struggling. With this awareness and the tools she provides, real change for wellbeing becomes possible.

Sonia is a regular consultant, facilitator and regular guest on radio talk-shows and podcasts. Her unique collaborative healthcare events in her community, and her partnership with the local Co-op Grocery stores, have seen her in the media regularly. Over the years she naturally evolved into a corporate speaker, keynoting the City of Morden’s Mental Health Week in 2019 and speaking on brain health and nutritional psychiatry at Manitoba Safety Service’s conference in early 2020.

Her genius lies in her insightful and strategic telling of the human story behind the issue at hand. Funk understands that your employees are overwhelmed with their own day- to-day lives as it is. They are not interested in feel-good challenges for their nutrition, walking, or drinking more water, which have only about a 10% participation rate. She also knows that a one-time “lunch-and-learn,” which doesn’t offer employees a perception shift nor immediately usable tools, doesn’t even get in the first ear anymore.

Sonia Funk is a heart centered and funny professional that always brings the big picture to the table. Effortlessly flooding the room with the feeling of empathy and non-judgement, she invites a perception shift in the participants. To her, this is the fundamental first step to lift the apathy and fear that keeps people stuck. Sonia’s presentations are psychologically crafted in a way that allow her to effectively communicate life changing information and awareness. Her experience as an effective coach and therapist translates into her ability to relay useful tools and tips, that are relevant to everyone.

Sonia Funk provides employees powerful insights into the ‘Why’ and the ‘How’ of improving all aspects of their nutrition and wellbeing. Combining keen observational skills with an unusual and uplifting common sense, Sonia Funk has an extraordinary talent for identifying and explaining the root causes of productivity-draining ailments such as fatigue, digestive issues, chronic illness, stress, anxiety and depression. What’s more? Her approach is heart-centred and her calls to action are full of empathy and realism.

Gayathri Shukla is a dynamic, thought-provoking speaker who inspires individuals to rise to their personal and collective potential. She is the Founder of a social enterprise, where she masterfully harnesses the power of storytelling to help diverse teams discover their unique strengths, while building skills in empathy. She is known for her keen ability to see issues from different perspectives, and unearth creative solutions for business leaders and professionals.

A Professional Engineer with over 17 years experience in the energy sector, Gayathri Shulka started her career in Fort McMurray, Alberta. As one of the few Indo-Canadian women working in an industrial environment, she honed the practice of navigating diversity early-on. She stood-out not only for her exceptional technical contributions, but also for re-inventing her skills multiple times throughout her career. After building hands-on experience in her technology discipline, she pivoted into project management and led the schedule integration efforts for Fort Hills, a $17B greenfield oil sands facility. The safe and timely start-up of this facility was seen as an industry first.

Gayathri Shulka also obtained an Executive MBA program at Queen’s University, while simultaneously balancing her duties as a full-time employee and a parent of young kids. In her MBA project, she focused on how to unleash innovation by tapping into the wisdom of stakeholders’ lived experiences and stories. This work was recognized at Suncor’s executive levels and informed the creation of a new transformation department. Gayathri most recently spearheaded digital strategy and innovation programs within this department, which has resulted in game-changing operational improvements for the Mining workforce.

In her personal life, Gayathri is a proud mom to two school-aged kids and an active volunteer in the community. She serves on the Board of Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association. An accomplished Toastmaster, she presents regularly at community and campus events. She has also led Suncor’s Diversity and Inclusion Initiative as Co-Chair, curating networking and educational opportunities for over 150 members. Gayathri is passionate about championing women in STEAM professions and building cross-cultural connections. Having lived in 3 countries by the age of 15, and traveling extensively to many others, she has developed a deeply personal sense of global citizenship and interconnectedness.

In essence, Gayathri Shulka doesn’t just speak about resilience – she is its genuine embodiment. Her unique blend of skills and story is sure to delight anyone seeking to make bold, positive change.

From humble beginnings to a championship quarterback who played professional football for 20 years, Anthony Calvillo has a story to tell that will inspire and motivate your team. Anthony Calvillo is an experienced keynote speaker who can relate to everyone with his humility and down-to-earth nature while he shares the lessons he has learned from football and in life. He is a champion, coach, teammate, husband, father, cancer-survivor and gentleman and each of those roles helps him connect to people on different levels.

Anthony Calvillo is a Canadian Football League icon with the Montreal Allouettes. He is the all-time professional football passing yards leader and first in all-time CFL passing yards. In his career, he has passed for over 70,000 yards and is one of four professional quarterbacks to have completed over 400 touchdown passes. He won three Grey Cup championships in 2002, 2009, and 2010, being named the Grey Cup Most Valuable Player in 2002. He has won the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player Award three times, in 2003, 2008, and 2009.

Anthony started his Canadian Football League career in 1994 with the US expansion Las Vegas Posse. After the Posse folded a year later, Calvillo was selected first overall by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the dispersal draft. While in Hamilton, Calvillo served as a backup quarterback to players such as Steve Taylor and Matt Dunigan.  In 1998, Calvillo signed as a free agent with the Montreal Alouettes, where over 16 seasons he became one of the most outstanding CFL quarterbacks in history.

Anthony Calvillo is a motivational speaker who shares his story to audiences across Canada. Anthony’s life is a testament to a life of facing adversity, raising the bar and making changes along the way to succeed in life, both personally and professionally. The numbers, statistics and accomplishments speak for themselves. But, he is more than just the numbers; he is hard-working and driven, yet down-to-earth, and humble – a true leader.

Anthony has always placed great importance into giving back to the community. His own life was changed by people stepping up and giving their time, their energy and their passion to make a difference and to better their communities. Giving back continues to be an important part of his mission in life.

Vince Poscente is one of the most in-demand keynote speakers today. His expertise on accelerating extraordinary goals is based on tools to be more resilient and how to overcome obstacles. When you bounce back stronger than ever confidence and the fun quotient goes up. Vince’s client list includes world class organizations dedicated to being bigger and better. When employees and entrepreneurs handle setbacks, supersede obstacles and are more focused – record setting results happen faster than expected. Vince knows first-hand how innovation, persistence fearlessness play in your future success. He speaks from experience. His foundation is with proven tools. Where does Vince Poscente’s “Be Extraordinary” expertise come from?

Vince Poscente is a recreational skier, Vince to Olympic athlete in just four short years. He was awarded winning sales and marketing executive with the world’s largest real estate investment service. He is a Masters Organizational Management & award winning business owner. He is one of only four people on the planet as Canadian and USA Hall of Fame Speaker. He is a New York Times bestselling author of eight books. (Including The Age of Speed) He is a leader and participant on six Himalayan Expeditions. 

What are your teams’ challenges? An uncertain economy? Negative attitudes? Competition? Lower productivity?  Vince is the #1 go-to guy for taking a team and teaching them how to sell more, lead better and produce more. Vince will help you move past obstacles and create the success you, and your team, want and deserve. Vince Poscente has practical tools to change how your team handles crisis. Problems. Competition. And change.  Without understanding resiliency and the absolute importance it plays on everything and everyone—your team will not have the skills they need to overcome the things that will inevitably stand in their way. 

Your people will talk about Randy Taylor for years to come. He is a master at helping others see their true potential to tap into what has always been there. His story is remarkable. His ability to connect with audiences and create lasting change is truly extraordinary. Extensive study for nearly 40 years into the science of human behaviour has allowed him to become one of the nations leading experts in human potential and leadership. Having escaped poverty, parent alcoholism and life on the streets Randy was able to overcome incredible odds. Beginning at age 28 he launched a 20- year career that propelled him to the very top in Canadian broadcasting at CFRB 1010 and as the host of Summit of Life on Global Television.

Sixteen years ago Randy left broadcasting to form Taylormadeleadership. What he brings to his profession every day include the mix of a great personal story, an original philosophy, the ability to inspire, the skills of a master storyteller combining powerful imagery and humor, decades of study and long term measurable results. In addition to his speaking engagements he has developed two dynamic new leadership and personal development programs called “The Winner Within” and “Elevate”. These programs have received national accreditation from seven of the largest companies in Canada.

Sharon Koifman is obsessed about remote leadership. After years in the web hosting industry, he started DistantJob in 2009 as the first remote recruitment agency aimed at disrupting the way companies hire. Since then, Sharon Koifman has studied and researched not only how to operate remote businesses but how to create an amazing work culture, one where people love to come to work. Sharon Koifman has dedicated his mind to finding ways – through systems and processes, services and tools – to bridge the gap between the faces in the monitor and the people in the real world.

This culminated with him becoming the author of Surviving Remote Work, an in-depth guide for both managers and employees on how to navigate the fast-growing world of remote work. Surviving Remote Work debuted in November 2020 as a #1 Amazon bestseller in its category. Sharon Koifman’s company has also launched a highly successful podcast interviewing leaders from to tech companies about the ins and outs of remote work (fast approaching 150 episodes), and will soon debut a new media company called Think Remote.

Now, we are an unprecedented time in history. A global pandemic has changed the way billions of us live and work. CEOs and workers who used to operate out of a central office suddenly find themselves working remotely, trying to be productive and content in an environment they’re not used to occupying. Sharon Koifman is the perfect guide to lead thousands of companies through these trying times, as he and his company are changing the way we think about remote.

Justin Orfus is professionally trained public speaker that brings a high level of professionalism, energy and engagement to any event he is hosting. Starting from hosting magic shows in his basement for neighbours at 6 years old, Justin has always thrived being in front of an audience. For summer jobs as a teenager, he worked as a Camp Counsellor teaching campers to host radio shows on the local camp station. His education includes Radio Broadcasting at Humber College, A communications degree from Carleton University and Stand Up/Comedic Improv at The Second City. He is also a certified public speaker with Toastmasters International.

After a successful run in the broadcasting industry at TSN and The Score, Justin Orfus transitioned to hosting live events. His big break came with the Toronto Maple Leafs. They hired him to be their first male “In Game Host” at the Air Canada Centre. Justin performed on the jumbo-tron in front of 20,000 screaming Leaf fans for over 4 years. Following this he transitioned into corporate events hosting opportunities where he represented brands such as Nike, Coke and Mattel on stage at high impact activations. Recently, Justin has branched into Weddings and Special Events performing as a MC/host for clients on their big day. Standing at 6’8, Justin’s friendly and warm-hearted presence makes him a client favourite each time he jumps on the mic!

Florence K Riley is a Canadian pop singer and songwriter from Quebec, who performs material in English, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. Since the release of her debut album Live at Lion D’Or in 2005, Florence K Riley has continually earned accolades for her wide-ranging musical approach. Two of her albums, Bossa Blue (2006) and La Historia De Lola (2008) won Félix Awards for ‘World Music Album of the Year’, while her first Christmas opus Havana Angels – recorded in Cuba – was a huge smash in 2010. In 2013, this incredible artist, who can speak and sing fluently in four languages (French, English, Spanish and Italian), returned with I’m Leaving You, made in Los Angeles with legendary producer/bassist Larry Klein.

The album garnered Florence K her first JUNO nomination for ‘Breakthrough Artist of the Year’, as well as an ADISQ award nomination for ‘Best Anglophone Album of the Year’. She subsequently released five more albums, selling a total of 250 000 records to this day. She is now the host of the weekly  CBC Music/CBC Radio show “C’est Formidable!” while completing her Master’s degree in Mental Health and her prerequisites to enter the PhD in the University of Montreal neuropsychology program next year to become a clinical practitioner. It is near the end of 2011, at the peak of a promising artistic career, the young mother of a little girl was introduced, unwillingly, to chronic insomnia, anxiety and, subsequently, deep depression. This period of her life, which she referred to as “the abyss”, led her to hospitalization, then to the long road to recovery and, finally, after receiving a diagnosis of type II bipolarity, to a state of balance.

In 2015, she released her first book, Buena Vida, in which she tells the story of her experience of mental illness. The book became a best-selling, with more than 25 000 copies sold within a few months only. Since then, Florence K chooses to use her personal experience to help raise awareness about mental health, a cause to which she devotes much of her time. Florence Riley was recognized in November 2017 by the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) as one of 150 Canadian leaders in mental health. As an ambassador for Bell’s Let’s Talk campaign, she gives nationwide conferences where she shares her story open-heartedly, offering her perspective on mental health in today’s society. Whether with the Canadian Armed Forces, with the college and university community, within businesses, the medical field, community resource centers, mental health prevention associations, or in the music industry, her testimony touches the heart of her audiences and contributes greatly to the breaking of taboos and demystification of mental health issues.

In the Spring of 2019, Florence K presented a prized radio-documentary, The Hole Inside, on the air of CBC Radio, in which she shared her story and talked about what her day to day life is with a type II bipolarity disorder. In 2020, she hosted the TV show “Vivre en Funambule”, interviewing specialists about mental episode. The 6-episodes series was aired on Savoir Media. Because she strongly believes that the time has come to overcome society’s standing prejudices and taboos around mental health issues, she offers today to share her story and vision of mental health, through an open-hearted testimony. After all, we are never as alone as we may be led to believe.

It was the spring of 1994. Corey Hirsch was just 21 years old and had just backstopped Canada to a silver medal at the Olympics and was now a roster member of the New York Rangers on the way to the Stanley Cup Final. It should have been the time of his life. Should have been, but it wasn’t. Corey’s brain was on fire, wracked with deep, dark, intrusive thoughts. He +called his mother and begged her to come to New York to help. His Mom had never been to New York, but rather than looking forward to the sights of the city, she was terrified of what was waiting for her. He took her to see the city from the top of the Empire State Building.

They stood on the observation deck 102 floors above the streets and looked out at New York for a few moments. While his Mother was looking out at the horizon, Corey Hirsch turned and looked directly at his mother. He said… “I wish I could jump.” A few weeks later, the New York Rangers won the Stanley Cup, their first in 54 years. Corey would fulfill a childhood dream by drinking champagne from the Stanley Cup. A few weeks after that, he would try to take his own life. Corey Hirsch is a former NHL Goaltender, NHL Goaltending Coach, and Olympic Silver Medalist. He is an engaging speaker and host, that educates, motivates, and inspires his audience. He gives hope to those struggling with their mental health as he makes it ok to not be ok.

Corey Hirsch was drafted by the New York Rangers in 1991 and was an active roster member of the 1994 New York Rangers Stanley Cup Championship team. Traded to Vancouver in 1995, he played in over 100 NHL games, making stops in Nashville, Washington and Dallas. During his early years in the NHL, Corey suffered with severe panic attacks and depression. Due to the stigma, Corey hid his struggles in the NHL for more than 3 years, and once made an attempt on his own life. He finally reached out to a team trainer, was diagnosed with OCD, and got the help he needed. Today Corey is thriving. He has 3 children, and is the NHL broadcaster for the Vancouver Canucks. Corey Hirsch has since dedicated his life to mental health and advocating to end the stigma.