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.
Graham Neil (Bachelor of Journalism, Bachelor of Sports Management) is a popular, charismatic international award winning Senior Television Reporter at CTV Edmonton. He has over 25 years experience in the broadcast industry, covering everything from city politics to arts & entertainment. Graham Neil is the recipient of a prestigious Edward R. Murrow Journalism Award, and his reports have been featured on CTV National News, E! Talk, Canada AM, and CNN. Some of his most memorable interviews include those with Tom Cruise, U2’s Bono and Robin Williams.
Graham Neil’s colourful career has taken him from interviewing celebrities on the Hollywood Red Carpet, to performing stand-up at major comedy clubs across western Canada. He has performed with Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond), Dave Couiler (Full House) and Gilbert Gottfried (Alladin). Graham Neil’s love for comedy and community inspired him to launch the ATB Edmonton Comedy Festival and local hit Foodie festival, BaconFest YEG.
Combining business savvy with quick wit, Graham Neil has also lead numerous corporate and educational workshops, and MC’d an impressive list of events: Major HR and financial conferences and conventions; charity fundraisers and award shows; galas and roasts with CEO’s, professional athletes and industry leaders; and government and VIP events, including an evening with the Prime Minister of Canada.
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.
Guy Felicella spent three decades in the grips of addiction and homelessness, surviving multiple life-threatening infections, several public health crises and six overdoses.
Today Guy is a qualified expert who devotes his time and career to public speaking, advising the Province of BC on the opioid crisis, advocating to reduce the stigma of harm reduction and educating students on addiction.
Guy has been featured in the media including, but not limited to, The Today Show on NBC, CTV Vancouver and two TEDx Talks. Guy attends secondary and post-secondary institutions to education students on the realities of addiction. In addition to that, he currently speaks at conferences, symposiums and workshops for different organizations as a harm reduction advocate, addiction specialist and inspirational speaker.
Eddie LeMoine, a Canadian-born international renowned author, keynote speaker, seminar leader and corporate trainer. He specializes in leadership, employee engagement, stress management, safety and the psychology of success. His presentations are full inspiring stories. He easily connects with audiences through his great sense of humor and genuine care for people. Eddie LeMoine uses his speaking ability to motivate and inspire individuals all over the world. LeMoine’s unprecedented success is due to his powerful ability to close the gap between business results and personal development. He inspires greatness in corporations by inspiring greatness in individuals.
With innovation and creativity, Eddie LeMoine moves people towards brilliance—and the results are immediate. As a result, his presentations contain rich with content that leave audience members energized and with the tools they need to implement change in both their work and personal lives.
Eddie LeMoine has an uncanny ability to touch the hearts and minds of people around the globe. His audiences represent 83 countries and his speeches have been translated into five languages. His bestselling book,” Bring About What You Think About” helps readers understand that changing the way they think can absolutely change their lives. Furthermore, it teaches the importance of matching your thoughts to your emotions and how to embrace change. As a result, his book has become a must read for many companies across the country.
In addition to his success as an author, Eddie is the 2017 TEC Canada speaker of the year. TEC Canada is a business leadership group that expands business minds, businesses and community contribution. TEC Canada offers a peer advisory board for business leaders supported by one-to-one coaching, expert speakers, fast-paced learning and global networking. Because he works closely with TEC Canada, Eddie LeMoine coaches and facilitates many of Canada’s top business leaders to innovate their companies through his practical solutions for workforce and individual success.
In addition to his presentations, Eddie LeMoine also want to make sure the audience has an amazing learning experience. That experience should go beyond the stage. To help organizations for the long term, every member of an Eddie LeMoine audiences will receive a three-month complimentary pass to Eddie’s online training community!
Elaine Allison, (CSP) is known as a Customer Care Advocate and is an international keynote speaker; trainer, consultant and author of the bestselling book The Velvet Hammer: PowHERful Leadership Lessons for Women Who Don’t Golf.
Elaine is passionate on transforming companies and organizations via modern customer service strategies to be number one in their industry. You can expect happier customers who return more often, recommend you to all their friends, higher revenues, a larger share of the market, and a stronger company. With extremely successful results in helping organizations become #1 in Customer Care – Elaine delivers powerful keynotes and learning programs that have an impact on audiences. They leave with techniques in their back pocket that can be used immediately.
Elaine Allison has insider knowledge and experience in both customer service skills and unique training methods to ensure learning takes place and the techniques taught are used immediately. For many years, she was on the front lines facing the toughest customers on the planet, day in, day out. It forced Allison to innovate and optimize my methods and approaches to turn every angry customer and hopeless crisis into a win for the company.
And given that today’s consumer shares their experience via online reviews and social media as well as checks on these reviews before making a purchase, it’s never been more important for companies to upgrade their the customer facing employee skills to remain competitive. Her strategies and solutions are based on meeting the high expectations of today’s consumer in a competitive market. Elaine Allsion has worked with sales leaders and their employees at over hundreds of companies and organizations in North America.
Elaine Allison has been featured on ABC World News, Global TV, The Globe and Mail and many networks, newspapers, and radio shows across North America. Her hands-on experience, real life stories and illustrations of what we encounter daily helps audiences consider all their options and apply immediate solutions. Over the years, Elaine has developed training and keynotes for such industries as travel, trades, finance, insurance, military, corrections, police, retail, food services, media, technology, healthcare. Elaine Allison’s messages are universal and are tailored to your needs. Elaine Allison has enthralled audiences from coast to coast in both the United States, Canada and globally with her lively presentations and affable style. She was also the recipient of the 2002 Visions of Excellence – Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Elaine Froese (CSP), is a lifelong farmer. Every day, she uses her background in conflict resolution and communication to help fellow growers and ranchers face make-or-break issues head on – so they can focus on the business of farming. Starting with 4-H presentations in Manitoba at age nine and moving on to audiences today in Mexico, Australia and beyond, she has always understood that communication is the key to building trust and understanding, especially when your family members are your business partners.
Elaine is a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, and an award-winning author of two books: Planting the Seed of Hope: A Celebration of Prairie Life and Do the Tough Things Right. She currently writes a regular agricultural column for Grainews for 20 years, and previously appeared on Canada’s national AgVision TV. Elaine Froese is also member of the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors
Elaine Froese has personally experienced the stresses and frustrations that only families in today’s agriculture climate understand. Froese has seen it all, heard it all, and survived it all — from buying the in-laws’ farm, the isolation of farm life, a sudden illness or death in the family, and every crisis you can imagine. She has given families worldwide the practical tools they need to save their marriages, hold onto their farms and gain some much-needed peace of mind.
Elaine Froese hates it when people say “she must be busy.” As a certified coach from the Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara, Elaine has amazing strategies for mapping out a great way to live intentionally and make conscious choices. She removed “all hurriedness from her life” after a serious bout of post-partum depression. Her empathy for mental health is widely appreciated by her audiences as she confronts the true challenge of self care which is not selfish. As a depression survivor, Elaine Froese places a high priority on staying healthy.
She knows it is never a quick fix project, but an ongoing process of choosing what is most important to you in the present season of your life. More than 600 families have received her personal coaching advice, along with thousands more who have attended her keynote presentations on emotionally complicated topics -and walked away with life-changing results. If you want relief from uncomfortable discussions about roles and responsibilities, arguments over ownership and succession agreements, and procrastination on planning for the future, there are several ways to put Elaine Froese’s expertise to work for you.