Fred Keating has a long and multi-faceted career in theatre, radio, TV and film in character roles and as an awards host, master of ceremonies, corporate trainer, motivational speaker and podcast producer/host. While on contract as a Visiting Lecturer at University of Alberta (1976-1977), Fred Keating was one of the founding cast members of Edmonton’s Catalyst Theatre, performing the characters he created in many of the dramatic vignettes used in various CBC Television Specials. This structured improv work came in handy when SCTV cast Fred in six episodes allowing him to work with John Candy, Eugene Levy and others in the troupe.

Fred also produced and hosted a weekly province-wide radio show on CKUA called Centre Stage interviewing local and national artists. He worked as Host/Writer/Producer for many independent production companies and broadcasters and incorporated Lindisfarne Productions Inc. with offices in Edmonton AB and Maple Ridge BC, Canada. Fred Keating also received the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005 for his work within Alberta’s media and broadcasting industries.

Fred’s 170 nationwide TV segments of Superchannel’s “Mailbag” and “Movieweek” introduced Canada to Pay-TV. Fred has co-produced and co-hosted 125 audio podcasts of “Monetizing Your Creativity”. On his new podcast series, “Fred Keating & Friends”, he interviews Dr. Jane Goodall, as he has hosted several of her live presentations in Canada.

Fred has played principal roles 30 feature films and over 100 television series. Dubbed Canada’s “Massacre of Ceremonies”, he’s become a familiar “Roastmaster” at national and international conferences, corporate affairs and special events.

Fred keeps programming and speakers on track, uses appropriate and relevant humour on the fly, and reinforces the event’s themes and desired learning outcomes. He offers clients customized keynotes, “roasts”, musical pieces, and scripts to enhance the event programming. His high energy humour keeps audiences on their toes ensuring a successful event for everyone involved.

Gabriel Filippi was imprisoned in an icy cave, at an altitude of over 18,000 feet, tent and sleeping bag left behind at the last camp site with only two days of rations left. The ascent had been stopped short for four days by an unexpected storm. In the darkness a beacon of hope broke through the mental combat of survival. Reaching a summit now takes on a new meaning. Coming back weakened and yet stronger, Gabriel realized that any summit can be reached, but only by the most determined mindsets.

Mountaineering is a living philosophy that changes and develops at the whim of each climb. Every trial has its own lessons to teach. The summit becomes the justification to push yourself harder. Gabriel Filippi became an expert on perseverance, managing risk, anticipating change, staying focused, and setting the right priorities. The challenges climbers confront on a mountain are the same ones that businesses face everyday; situations where giving up is not an option.

Every organization has to manage its growth, prepare for the next step, reach forward and grasp it. New challenges become the driver of success. Leaving your comfort zone is the only way to gain the most precious rewards. After 50 years of dealing with his aquaphobia, Gabriel Filippi faced the unimaginable, he signed up for an Ironman triathlon without even knowing how to swim and completed it successfully. This experience led to an understanding that every success, great or small, carries valuable lessons.

Filippi believes that the success of larger projects depends on the cooperation of the participants. It’s imperative to capitalize on the strengths of everyone to guide a heart transplant patient to the top of Mont Blanc. The summit was the point of convergence of each participant’s contrasting expertise. Relying on innovation to adapt to a situation in constant flux. In business, you obey the law of the jungle. On a mountain expedition, you live it. Gabriel Filippi became the first Quebecer to climb both faces of Everest. He believes that in order to accomplish your goals, you have to think outside of the box.

Growing also means managing failure. Every ordeal is another opportunity to grapple with adversity, to learn to play with it rather than against it. When you lose a friend on the mountain, you either get back up and continue or lie down and die with him. Finding the strength not to give up and to make the right choices. Extreme situations magnify the impact of every action. When survival is on the line, every decision comes into sharp focus.

Gabriel Filippi’s presentation demonstrates that the key elements to success are passion, adapting to change, teamwork, hard work and preparation. These elements allow one to complete a specific project or climb the world’s highest peaks. To keep your blue sky in focus, you need the right tools and know to use of them at the right moment. Gabriel Filippi gladly shares his secrets to success during his presentations with targeted examples that are relevant for your business or organization. He draws on his management experience and adapts these skills to his high-altitude adventures.

Gabriel Filippi addresses the business world through the mountain aided by breathtaking video clips and pictures. You will see that the challenges in mountaineering are the same you face everyday. His on-stage energy can move mountains! You will be inspired to summit your own mountain whether on the professional or personal front. Join the many businesses that have asked Gabriel Filippi to motivate, inspire or empower their employees.

Career Highlights:

• Everest summited (May 30th, 2005).
• November 25, 2005, the Government of Canada recognized his Everest ascent.
• June 09, 2006, the Government of Québec recognized his Everest ascent.
• Climbed 6 of the Seven Summits Crown (highest summit on each of the seven continents): Mt Everest (Asia), Mt McKinley (North America), Mt Aconcagua (South America), Mt Kilimanjaro (Africa), Mt Elbrus (Europe) and Carstensz Pyramid (Oceania).
• World Premiere: In 2003, as the expedition leader of the LifeLine Expedition, he took a heart transplant patient to the top of Mont Blanc (France). Upon his return, he travelled across Canada, motivating employees of pharmaceutical corporations. To this day, his inspirational story is said to motivate the medical community toward teamwork and overcoming obstacles. Furthermore, his involvement in this cause has created hope for patients awaiting a heart transplant. A documentary has been produced and broadcasted on public television.
• International Eco-Challenge Race (August 2005): This extreme endurance event is an international competition where athletes are challenged both physically and emotionally to the maximum of their capabilities. For three days, a team of four mountain bikers (on road, unbeaten paths, technical trails), swim, canoe, climb, rappel, trek, navigate with maps and compass, jump cliffs, run and more.
• Writing – Filippi’s story has been published in a book entitled ‘La montagne à portée de voix’ (XYZ Publisher) and he’s the co-author of The Escapist: Cheating Death on the World’s Highest Mountains
• Raising Awareness – Through conferences and media interviews, he created public awareness for cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy and organ donation, to name a few.
• Philanthropy – Actively involved in humanitarian projects across the world such as the BabuChiri Foundation, Ad Astra Foundation and the Feed the Children program.
• Keen Eye – Member of the jury at the Montreal International Adventure Film Festival 2005 and has also to his credited numerous breathtaking pictures.

Gair Maxwell didn’t follow a safe or conventional path to get where he is today. He comes from humble roots.  Once unemployed, Gair re-invented himself to become an internationally-recognized author, speaker and entrepreneur. Gair’s story is one of going from flat broke to flat out successful. Gair has earned many national awards for his work and presentations. He has shared conference stages with business superstars such as Richard Branson and Gene Simmons.

Gair Maxwell has worked with some of the world’s most dynamic companies, such as Mitsubishi and the Apple Specialist Marketing Group and named as the 2012 “Canadian Speaker of the Year” by TEC Canada, the country’s largest CEO organization. Gair was part of the adjunct faculty at The world famous Wizard Academy out of Austin, Texas. Maxwell is also affiliated with several marketing firms in different parts of North America. Gair plays a strong role with many companies to work on helping them sharpen their message and anchor their story.

Gair Maxwell’s counter-intuitive theories on “Branding With Distinction” for some independent business owners applied his formulas and grew their enterprises 10-fold over a 5-year period. He is also the bestselling author of the critically acclaimed book, Nuts, Bolts And A Few Loose Screws. Gair Maxwell was a former broadcaster. He interviewed more than 10,000 people in 30,000 broadcasts in his two-decade radio and television career.

Maxwell has delivered over 1,000 keynotes, seminars and workshops all over North America. His audiences range from associations, governments, businesses, and nonprofits. His can tailor his strategies to equally apply individuals, leaders, teams, large corporations or small businesses to experience growth and profitability while keeping costs low. An obsessive and curious researcher, Gair Maxwell customizes all of his programs for each individual audience. He is constantly updating his material by staying on top of industry trends. Through a detailed pre-program interview, Gair Maxwell aligns your organization’s values, challenges and needs with his content and philosophy.

Dr. Ganz Ferrance holds a Ph.D. in Psychology. He has been in the business of helping individuals, couples, families and organizations reduce their stress, improve their relationships and enjoy more success for over 20 years. One of his first jobs was working with distressed and at risk youth in inner city Chicago. He has also worked in schools and other organizations in northern communities. Dr. Ferrance also appears regularly in the radio and television, as an expert relating to psychology.

Dr. Ganz Ferrance is a favorite of the media and has had many interviews with The Edmonton Journal, CBC Radio, Good Morning Canada, and CTV News. He is has also been a regular “Health and Lifestyle” panel expert on Alberta Primetime for over three years and has been presenting a monthly segment on CTV’s Noon Show for the past seven years. He gets a kick out of seeing people be their best and presents his information in a straightforward, down-to-earth, no-nonsense way that he calls his “Tweed-free” approach to psychology.

Dr. Ganz Ferrance holds a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and an M.A. in Developmental and Educational Psychology from Andrews University in Michigan. He is the former Public Education Coordinator as well as the former Vice-President of the Psychologist’s Association of Alberta. Dr. Ganz enjoys sharing how people can get more “mileage” from their lives.

Dr. Ganz believes that we are all a work in progress and that true change takes place from the inside out. The change you and your team will experience under the support and objective guidance provided by Dr. Ganz and will result in a core change allowing you to live life functioning at your optimal level. Ganz Ferrance’s easygoing, friendly and humourous approach makes you fee at home, comfortable and trustworthy.

Dr. Ganz Ferrance is a dynamic researcher, coach and speaker. Dr. Ganz’s work goes beyond the keynote as he is committed to assisting others through his hard work and dedication in Psychology. He can present his topics in relation to health, cyber bullying, change management, resiliency, health & wellness, mental health, stress management, personal & professional growth, relationship management, parenting, workplace culture, healthcare and many other topics. Dr. Ganz Ferrance provides tailored keynotes and workshops to meet the desired learning outcomes of your audience.

Gary McDougall is a retired police officer who served with the Calgary Police Service for 25 years.  For the last nine years of his career he was a member of the Hostage and Crisis Negotiation Team.

Gary McDougall served as both a Team Leader and Training Coordinator for the Calgary Hostage Negotiation team and was a frequent Instructor at the National Canadian Police College in Ottawa, delivering both basic and advanced hostage/crisis negotiations courses to police officers from across North America.

Additionally, McDougall served as an Instructor at the FBI Training Academy in Virginia, assisting in the training of new FBI Hostage Negotiators. After retiring from law enforcement in 2006, he became a frequent presenter at hostage and crisis negotiation conferences and seminars and is an internationally recognized subject matter expert in the area of negotiations, having presented at over 70 conferences across North America in the past decade.

Gary McDougall is currently a Lead Instructor for an organization called the National Tactical Officer’s Association, and travels throughout North America teaching both Introductory and Advanced training courses in Hostage and Crisis Negotiation strategies and techniques. He has parlayed the experiences he gained through his hostage negotiation career into the corporate world and now applies those training concepts into the presentations he offers. He specializes in the area of interpersonal conflict and engaging in conversations and interactions with difficult people. Additionally, he offers presentations in the areas of interest-based negotiation strategies, workplace violence, situational awareness to enhance employee safety and constructive conflict management.

Gary McDougall is a certified Mediator and holds a Certificate in Mediation and Negotiation, receiving that certification through the Alberta Mediation and Arbitration Society and the University of Calgary. He also holds a Certificate in Personnel Management through the University of Calgary. He received the Senior Police Administration Certification while serving with the Calgary Police Service. He is also the holder of the Alberta Centennial Police Service Medal as well as the Canadian Long Service Medal for his commitment to law enforcement in Alberta.

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.

Gobinder Gill is a #1 Best Selling Author on Amazon – “Achieving Prosperity through Diversity.” He trains companies in the art of Diversity and Cultural Sensitivity to bring greater harmony, productivity and profitability in the workplace. He has worked in many facets of the media dealing with diversity issues. His experiences cover all facets of radio, television, film and print.

Gobinder was a reporter for CBC television, contributed freelance articles for the Vancouver Sun and wrote a weekly syndicated multicultural column for the Metro Valley Newspapers. As a journalist, he interviewed high profile personalities including Mother Teresa. In 2013, he spoke at the TEDx Stanley Park Diversity: Evolution of the Unthinkable. He was also featured in the Canadian Immigrant magazine. In addition to appearing in films and television commercials, Gobinder Gill has worked as a Set Dresser on such shows as Dr. Doolittle, Air Buddies and Psych.

Gobinder’s purpose and passion is to motivate and inspire others to embrace our differences and similarities. Gill teaches his clients to make a shift in their attitudes toward others by approaching them with the recognition that we are all different, gifted and follow different journeys – and that there is much we can learn from each other. His approach is always positive. He also urges businesses, CEOs, HR personnel, managers and supervisors to view Diversity in the Workplace as a business opportunity and not as a hindrance. Gobinder holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Richmond, B.C.

Everyone is gifted, but not everyone realizes their gift and leads a fulfilling life. Many fail to recognize their true purpose and passion in life. One of the main culprits is that people begin to believe the false labels stuck onto them by their family, friends and society. Over time they begin to shackle themselves with these labels. This stunts their potential to fulfill their dreams and aspirations and they become prisoners of these labels.

Gobinder Gill, himself, was once labelled as stupid, ugly and one who would amount to nothing. As an immigrant orphan child he endured more obstacles in life more than one can imagine: he suffered all kinds of abuse and racial prejudice, ate from garbage cans, weighed 61 pounds at the age of 13 and had no jacket in minus 30 degree winters. However, Gobinder Gill refused to believe the naysayers who said he wouldn’t amount to anything.  Gill followed his passion and built a distinguished career in the broadcasting industry where he found himself once again facing prejudice and naysayers.

Gobinder Gill looks at the fundamental flaws we all face and offers practical tools and techniques to free yourself from self-imprisonment.  He offers private consultations, public speaking engagements, seminars and workshops.

Grant Ainsley is a keynote, workshop and training facilitator on the topics of leadership communication, public relations, media relations and social media solutions. Grant Ainsley has worked with politicians, CEO’s, association leaders and people from dozens of professions to make them better communicators. Whether he was preparing them for interviews with the news media, or to speak to board members and staff, he has used the knowledge gained over the past 40 years to make them better at saying the right thing at the right time. Grant Ainsley is an award-winning journalist and public relations professional from Edmonton. He has interviewed Wayne Gretzky, John Candy, Jean Chretien, Rick Hansen and many other news makers. He entertains audiences with some great stories that illustrate the necessary steps every company needs to take to protect and enhance their brand.

Grant Ainsley is the author of The Honest Spin Doctor, a book that provides a road map to effective media relations for people who speak to the news media and the companies they work for. Ainsley speaks about the need for organizations of all sizes to be more concerned about their corporate brand and to be aware of the impact on it, should something go wrong. He talks about how companies need to change to take the necessary steps to protect their brands before bad things happen to them. Just as importantly, he talks about the need for companies and their leaders to learn how to react and what to say, if they do find themselves in the media for the wrong reasons. He preaches why taking responsibility, being organized and showing you’re real are the most important things in any crisis. With the impact of social media and other forms of technology, the stakes are higher than ever for companies and their leaders. Grant Ainsley’s sessions provide vital information for leaders of all kinds to protect their companies, brands and their futures.

Ainsley spent 15 years in the news media in Edmonton as a radio news anchor, talk show host and reporter.  He then served as a spokesperson for the City of Edmonton, commenting on issues related to roadway construction, waste management and water quality and conservation. He also spoke on behalf of the Alberta’s $12 billion housing industry as CEO of the Alberta branch of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association. Grant Ainsley lives in Edmonton with his wife Deborah and their four children.

 

Born and raised in the NWT, Greg Hopf is a member of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. Once Greg received his post-secondary education in Alberta. Greg went on to successfully manage a tourism Hunting and fishing lodge in the NWT where the focus was on Authentic Aboriginal experiences.
The Aboriginal Sport Circle of the NWT is where Greg has spent over 10 years of his time, it was here that he built an organization that is community focused and driving. To this day there are thousands of community members that have and continue to benefit from new programs and sport structure that is community based.
Greg left the North and moved his family to Kelowna, BC in 2016 where he is now responsible for developing a cultural tourism strategy for two organizations in partnership: Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and Indigenous Tourism British Columbia. Greg lead the successful bid to host the 8th Annual International Indigenous Tourism Conference in Kelowna November 12-15, 2019 in Kelowna, BC. It is the largest Indigenous Tourism Conference in the world.
While doing this job, he and his business partner Frank Antoine started an Indigenous Tourism business called Moccasin Trails. Together they grew the business into an award-winning tourism company. Receiving the tourism business of the year award for the All Nations Trust company this past September in Kamloops. Their company is founded and deeply rooted into Sharing Indigenous Culture to guests from around the world in a respectful way where Indigenous Protocol is followed. Moccasin Trails is only in its second year of business.
Today Greg resides in West Kelowna with his Wife Sharon Hopf and two children, Keaton and Presley.