Janice Makokis, the youngest of the Makokis family, is an acting lawyer and consultant that is fresh from participating in legal matters relating to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Canada. Janice has Co-Chaired the North American Indigenous Peoples Caucus (NAIPC) at the United Nations on the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
She started her education by achieving a Bachelor of Arts the University of Alberta, graduating with First Class Honors in Native Studies (2005). She later went on to the University of Victoria achieving a Masters in Arts in Indigenous Governance (2010). Janice Makokis also attended the University of Ottawa (Faculty of Law), achieving a Bachelor of Laws (2010).
Before becoming a lawyer, Janice Makokis traveled extensively across Canada, including in the far North, researching the issues affecting indigenous people in Canada today. She continues to represent First Nation Communities by dedicating her work to implement strategies and policies to rebuild, instill and grow First Nation Communities within Canada and North America.
Janice is often called upon to help Indigenous leaders and communities as a consultant on legal and social issues that many communities and individuals face within and outside of the aboriginal community. She has also overcome many obstacles to arrive where she is today. Her drive and passion for real change within Canada has taken Janice Makokis on a path to become a leader, peaceful activist, mediator, teacher, consultant, and role model within and outside of her career. She now focuses her career as an advocate for aboriginal rights, education of the white population, social justice and acknowledgment for the past and current treatment of aboriginals today.
Janice Makokis represents real change for aboriginals and Canadians, that so many individuals and communities are seeking for. She also has extensively worked with youth throughout her career and expresses the same passion and responsibility to aboriginal youth as her brother James.
Janice Makokis’ life work will leave your group with new understandings, perspectives and commitments towards the advancement of First Nation Peoples in Canada, today and for the future.
As the author of The Unconscious Coach, naturotherapist and hypnotist, Jason Cyrus has dominated and transformed the field of stage hypnosis over the last decade with his unmatchable stage presence, unique style, positive attitude and charisma. In his wildly entertaining keynote presentation shows audience members how to achieve the unthinkable – and how you can put the scientific principles to work in your business and personal life.
Born in the small coal mining village of Minto, NB and son of country music legend the late Joey Knight, Jason Cyrus has always been loved for his big heart, quick wit, great sense of humour, family values and charismatic personality. Like a true Canadian boy, Jason has always had a love for hockey and combined this with talent and skill. During his hockey career, Jason played on AAA hockey teams and received many awards including MOST VALUABLE PLAYER and HIGHEST POINTS. His success led to an invitation to try out for a Junior A hockey team in Ontario. His hard work and dedication earned him a position on the team which led to many other opportunities.
Cyrus fostered his love for magic and hypnosis at a very young age and is now called “Canada’s Stage Hypnosis KING” by the country’s entertainment capital, Niagara Falls. He began touring major theatres/casinos in Canada and very quickly became one of the hottest tickets in town. Audiences were blown away and people came from everywhere, packing the theatres each and every year.
In 2016, he developed a very powerful keynote speech titled “Achieve the Unthinkable” combining entertainment with a message that is leaving corporate companies, high schools, professional organizations, trade agencies, universities and non-profit groups completely blown away. He shows how you can put scientific principles to work in your business and personal life by using the power of hypnosis, imagination and visualization. You will quickly find out why he is called the ACDC of speakers (“No one wants to go on after this guy” says Devin Harris of Investors Group) with his life changing message.
In addition to his stage shows, Cyrus is a certified Naturotherapist (Academy of Naturopaths and Naturotherapists of Canada), unconscious coach and clinical hypnotherapist (National Guild of Hypnotist). He is able to help his clients reach their true potential while enhancing and improving their lives. The success and popularity of his shows have increased his clientele as people travel from far to see him privately. Jason Cyrus enjoys all aspects of his career. He enjoys performing and speaking in front of large audiences, he also finds working on-on-one with clients very rewarding.
Here are some of his credentials:
- Naturotherapist (N.D.) with Academy of Naturopaths and Naturotherapists of Canada
- Member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS)
- Certified Hypnotist with the International Hypnosis Association
- Certified Hypnotist with the National Guild of Hypnotist
Jen Grant is an award nominated stand-up comedian as well as a dynamic key note speaker. Originally from Ottawa, Jen was honoured to be profiled in Ottawa Life Magazine as one of the top 25 People in the Capital. A story telling, observational style of comedian, Jen is both unique and relatable. She writes about life and she will have you laughing until you’re crying. Funny tears. Jen is a clean comic who is adaptable to any setting and is an excellent choice for any corporate function. Her ability to weave hilarious jokes with funny audience interaction is extraordinary.
As an accomplished comedian of 20 years, Jen has achieved virtually everything you can in the world of stand-up comedy in Canada. She has appeared on TV at every major comedy festival in the country including the Just for Laughs Festival, the Halifax and the Winnipeg Comedy Festival. She can also be heard on CBC‘s “The Debaters” and has her own TV special on The Comedy Network. One of her proudest achievements was when she performed for the Troops in the Middle East.
Jen was the first Canadian to reach the finals of the prestigious Boston Comedy Competition and was listed as one of the top five funniest people in Toronto by Toronto Life Magazine.
As a keynote speaker Jen is engaging, inspiring, entertaining and informative. The audience will leave with not only a message and tools to help inspire change in their lives but also with sore cheeks from laughing so hard. Now living just outside Ottawa, Jen has lived in New York City, Toronto and Vancouver. She is excited to have released her CD called “Nobody Likes Your Homemade Wine” It is available on iTunes. It’s really funny! You should buy it and listen to it. Or buy it for a friend who makes you homemade wine and you want them to get the hint. Other CDs – “Jokes That Kill” as well as “My Jokes are up here” Vol 1 and 2.
Jennifer Botterill is one of Canada’s most successful athletes, achieving Olympic glory on numerous occasions. A member of the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team for 14 years, Botterill attended four Olympic games, winning three gold medals and one silver medal. She was responsible for the assist that won gold at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. Embracing the chance to connect with audiences, Botterill shares valuable lessons she’s learned on the way to becoming a champion.
Botterill is a graduate of Harvard University and the only two-time winner of the Patty Kazmaier award, which honours the top player in women’s college hockey. She is also a five-time world champion and was twice named the most valuable player of the World Championship tournament.
Today, Botterill is an analyst for the NHL’s New York Islanders. She has also worked as a studio analyst for TSN, a hockey specialist with CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada, and a guest on TSN’s Off the Record. In 2014, Botterill was a sports commentator for CBC at the Sochi Winter Olympic Games.
Botteril has taken several leadership and mentorship roles within the sports community and the greater community at large. She has worked on projects for the International Olympic Committee and the International Ice Hockey Federal, and is currently an ambassador for Right to Play. She has also worked with charities such as the Special Olympics, Kidsport, Children’s Wish Foundation, SickKids Hospital, CanFund, Hockey Canada Foundation, and Canadian Cancer Society.
Botteril’s career is inspired by her family. Her father is a renowned sports psychologist, her mother competed in two Olympic Games as a speedskater, and her brother is a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins and is currently the general manager for the Buffalo Sabres.
Jennifer Buchanan is an certified Music Therapist (MTA), Past-President of the Canadian Association for Music Therapy and author. She is instrumental in the implementation of hundreds of music therapy programs with her company currently serving over 1800 clients through the efforts of her specialized team of musical therapists. Her nationally industry leading company has been thrice nominated for the Community Impact Award by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. Combining powerful personal stories, cutting-edge clinical research, and straightforward strategies Jennifer’s presentations provide a treasury of proven ways – including boosting morale and decreasing stress – to improve your organization’s well-being, even during the most difficult times
A trail blazer in the field of music therapy, Jennifer Buchanan is a popular keynote and workshop speaker who has spent over two decades inspiring audiences on how music fosters connections, focus, and feeling better. Bridging the gap between academic research in the area of music medicine and the public, Jennifer has spoken internationally to a wide variety of education, healthcare, government, small business and corporate audiences.
In addition to her extensive healthcare and education experience, Jennifer Buchanan has completed her MBA to continue growing her 25 year, award winning and social-purpose business that is based in partnerships, connections, and networks. She is a leading expert on using music to boost mood, increase productivity, and decrease stress. Jennifer brings in her experience, research and best practices for how to incorporate music and take advantage of its motivating and healing nature.
Jennifer Buchanan has been a sessional instructor and guest lecturer at universities and is frequently interviewed on radio or television or quoted in health care and popular magazines. She has appeared as a guest on numerous news and current affairs programs including Fox News Health, NBC, CBS, CBC Radio, CBC Television, CTV, Global TV, and has been featured in publications such as the Huffington Post, Chatelaine Magazine and Canadian Living. Jennifer Buchanan’s signature keynotes educate and inspire while enhancing a very memorable conference or event for all in attendance.
Jennifer Casa-Todd is a gifted speaker and workshop facilitator. She has been described as engaging, inspirational, knowledgeable, and passionate. She balances research, stories, and humour, with practical take-aways and hands-on opportunities for learning. She is currently a Teacher-Librarian in Aurora, Ontario Canada, and author of the book, Social LEADia, published by Dave Burgess Consulting. Before this, she spent six years at the District level as a Program Resource Teacher for Literacy and Literacy Consultant, respectively.
In my district-level role, Jennifer Casa-Todd has had the honor of working with teachers from Kindergarten to grade twelve in practically every subject area to integrate technology in the classroom, to support literacy, assessment, and differentiation, and to promote twenty-first century competencies. She has also had the privilege to write curriculum for the Ministry of Education of Ontario’s 21st Century Learning office as well as the Catholic Curriculum Corporation. She is a life-long learner currently studying at the University of Ontario, Institute of Technology with a focus on social media in education and Digital Citizenship.
Jennifer Casa-Todd is a wife and mom of two teens. Wearing her parent hat, she has been the co-chair as well as an active member of the Parent Council for over a decade, bringing parent and school communities together for a variety of issues. She has also worked closely with the Bully-Free Alliance of York Region with whom she initiated a panel discussion, “Fears, Cheers, and Unclears: Parenting in a Connected World.” Jennifer is also the lead organizer for the Digital Citizenship Summit, Canada happening in Fall of 2018.
Casa-Todd is the also the author of Social LEADia: Moving Students from Digital Citizenship to Digital Leadership. It is full of examples of students who are leveraging social media for good, and the teachers who are empowering them to do so. Teachers and Schools have banned and blocked social media for over a decade, and the results are only limiting ongoing learning opportunities and disconnecting teachers from students. It’s time for a new approach.
Jennifer Casa-Todd loves learning and connecting with other educators from across the globe, and is passionate about connecting students to each other and to the world. Technology has the potential to transform learning in ways we can only have imagined when we were in school! With awesome power, comes awesome responsibility too! She believes we need to think critically about issues of equity, access, privacy, and safety.
Jennifer Casa-Todd brings her experience as a teacher, consultant, student, and a parent to equip a variety of audiences to think differently about the power of technology and social media to transform learning experiences. She was honored to be mentioned as one of the Top 10 Newsmakers of the Year in Tech in 2016. She is passionate about showing teachers and students how they can use technology and social media to make the world a better place.
Since 2015, Jessica Correa and her team have been inspiring individuals and organizations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions through behavioural change. Her focus is to bring awareness to climeate change being everyone’s problem and responsibility, while being able to deliver practical insights on how to contribute to a greener planet. Originally from Oakville, Ontario, Jessica moved to Peterborough to begin her educational journey in Environmental Sciences/Studies and she then completed her Masters Degree in Sustainability Studies.
While attending university, Jessica Correa worked for Algonquin Provincial Park, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, and the County of Peterborough Waste Management Department. These summer employment opportunities deepened her understanding of environmental issues and inspired her to search for and develop creative solutions.
Her app, Random Acts of Green® (RAOG) is a part of a Canadian social enterprise with a mission to educate and empower people to participate in sustainable behaviours that reduce greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change. They provide tools and incentives to help individuals and organizations perform and celebrate green actions for change.
Jessica Correa is a highly self-motivated individual with strong communication skills, powerful insights and on a mission to create awareness and actions to reduce climate change any way possible. Her mission is to disprove thinking that one person cannot make a difference for the planet and that small changes to add up. She considers herself an eternally optimistic, goal-oriented, and bubbly extroverted individual, proud half marathoner, talented public speaker, and ‘enviropreneur’.
Jim Harris is a one of North America’s foremost management consultants, authors and thinkers on disruptive innovation, leadership, innovation, organizational change, future trends and mitigating risk. Association Magazine ranked him as one of the nation’s top-ten speakers. As a management consultant, Jim Harris speaks internationally and conducts strategic planning sessions with executive teams. He focuses on many of the most pressing issues in business, including:
- Future Trends and Disruptive Innovation
- Collaborative Leadership, Stakeholder Engagement
- Innovation and Creativity
- Leading Organizational Change
- Creating Learning Organization as well as Big Data & CRM.
Jim Harris also offers workshops on Strategic planning amid complexity, Disruptive Innovation and Creating a Common Mission/Vision. A staggering 88% of CEOs say innovation is important to growing their top line and increasing profitability, according to a study by Leger Marketing in conjunction with The Globe and Mail. Yet only 33% of CEOs are happy with the current results they are achieving. These future trends presentations focus on how to drive growth and profitability.
Jim Harris has worked extensively with the health care sector, government, financial services, retailers, and professional services firms.As a management consultant, he works with leading businesses, Fortune 500 companies, and organizations aspiring to join these ranks. For several years Harris represented the Covey Leadership Center in Canada, teaching Dr. Stephen Covey’s work, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. He was also one of the first seven Canadians personally trained by Al Gore to present the slide show for An Inconvenient Truth. Jim Harris is a catalyst for conversation and change. He excels at leading people to new ways of thinking – making productive, profitable change possible. His sessions are highly informative, thought-provoking, interactive, and lots of fun!
George Ayee has over 25 years’ experience in leadership, change and transformation, organizational development, talent management, sales and marketing. He has carried out assignments in Africa, Europe and North America. George’s experience in working with leaders, professionals from various industries and organizations led him to conclude that successful change and transformation is a precondition for business results. He believes that when leaders change, their results change; and when organizations change their culture and collective paradigms, maximum results will be the outcome.
George Ayee is a bestselling author, transformation speaker, coach and trainer. He helps his clients to unleash the full power of change and transformation for optimal results. George’s passionate, inspirational, and high energy call for action liberates and engages his clients and audiences for effective action, change and transformation. His electrifying seminars on Leading Successful Change and Transformation; Resilience in Change; Transformational Leadership for Optimal Results motivates his audience to take immediate action to achieve their vision, objectives and goals.
George Ayee has a Doctorate in Business Administration, MBA International Business, BSc Finance/Accounting and decades of experience helping leaders achieve their goals. He works with world-class companies, oil and gas, financial institutions, non-profits, government institutions and professionals. Ayee inspires change and transformation in professionals and business organizations for maximum results. As a consultant and speaker George Ayee is sought after by companies and financial institutions, as well as non-profit and government institutions.
George Ayee’s Approach
George Ayee has dedicated his life to helping professionals and leaders to successfully navigate change and transformation faster and successfully. He has developed result oriented strategies for his clients to achieve the following:
- Build trust with their teams for successful change
- Achieve Return on Investment and business outcomes from change initiatives
- Engage with key stakeholders for commitment to business transformation
- Facilitate and remove the roadblocks to successful change
- Leaders develop concrete action plans for successful change and
- Sustain the change for maximum results
Georgette Reed has had a keen interest in Sport, Fitness, Health and Wellness all of her life. She is a former Olympic athlete and is a certified track and field and strength and conditioning coach. She has over 43 years of competition and experience under her belt in the sports of athletics, bobsleigh, swimming and water polo. Georgette now puts all of the knowledge and expertise to good use as the Health and Wellness Coordinator for Edmonton Fire Rescue Services and Mental Health First Aid, Psychological First Aid and R2MR (first responder) instructor for the City of Edmonton. She holds a MA in Coaching Sciences, a BPE in Physical Education and a BA in Communications and is a mental health first aid instructor for the City of Edmonton.
During her athletic career, Georgette Reed represented Canada in the Olympic Games, the World Athletics Championships, the World Bobsleigh Championships, the Pan American Games, the Commonwealth Games and many other international events. As a competitor, Georgette won 17 national titles (15 in the shot put and two discus titles). Upon retiring from competing, Georgette was the head cross country and track and field coach for the University of Alberta for 10 years. As a result of her education and competitive experience, she was able to develop provincial, national and international champions. Georgette also mentored/coached Special Olympics Athletes.
Reed’s presentations are inspirational and genuine. Her enthusiasm and optimism shine through her as she shares the positive lessons, values and virtues of sport. Through relevant and humourous anecdotes, Georgette Reed demonstrates and brings to life the trials and tribulations of her sporting life and how they have influenced the way that Georgette Reed deals with the challenges of everyday life that she faces today. She also incorporates practical solutions from her experience as a consultant in dealing with home or workplace health and wellness challenges.
Georgette Reed’s presentations motivate audience members to frame an individual vision to overcome obstacles and barriers in order to succeed in whatever they decide to accomplish. Her presentations are transformational. It will present attendees with the opportunity to alter their own destiny through hard work and perseverance.