Carrie Anton is a gold medal Paralympian from the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Summer Games in the sport of Goalball. She is also an Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame inductee.

She continually promotes equity as a coach, a volunteer, and an athlete in a variety of sports. Recreationally, she is involved in goalball, blind ice hockey, tennis, soccer, tandem cycling, skiing and much more. She enjoys her role in the community on various boards such as the Edmonton Sport Council and the Alberta Sports & Recreation Association for the Blind.
Professionally, Carrie has over 25 years experience as an assistive technology and accessibility specialist. Her passion lies in ensuring accessibility and she works on projects that advance and enhance quality experiences for people with disabilities in employment, education, sport and life.

Charmaine Hammond is a highly sought-after business keynote and workshop speaker, entrepreneur, author and educator who teaches and advocates the importance of developing trust, healthy relationships and collaboration in the workplace. She has helped clients in many industries build resilient and engaged workplaces, develop high trust/high accountability relationships, and solve workplace issues that get in the way of success and profitability. She is respected as a “no fluff” and “rich content” speaker who delivers tangible tools to step into action immediately.

Before committing herself to the speaking industry, she used to be a correctional officer. It was in her experience in dealing with difficult inmates, colleagues and challenging situations that Charmaine Hammond became passionate on developing strategies to help herself and others grow. She later worked in the mental health field as a counsellor, program manager and crisis responder. She went back to school to obtain a Master’s in Conflict Analysis & Management  and a B.A. in Social Development. She went on to obtain her Chartered Mediator and Conflict Management certificate from the Alberta Arbitration & Mediation Society.

Hammond is now one of Canada’s leading authorities on Conflict Management, Resilience and Workplace Wellness/Mental Health and Effective Communication. She understands the challenges that individuals and organizations face in today’s fast paced and fast changing working environments. Her humourous and inspirational presentations are packed with powerful and strategical insights on how to improve team synergy, leadership development and create a positive workplace culture.

Her presentations deliver a heartfelt approach with rich content, high energy humour, and expert storytelling that the audiences remember and talk about for years’ after the presentation. Her sessions inspire individuals to step into action and implement her strategies immediately following her presentation. She has a highly interactive speaking style which focuses on releasing the audiences from former misconceptions and assist them to identify problematic behaviours and habits within themselves and their team, so that they can grow and fulfill their full potential.

A fifth-generation entrepreneur, Cherry Rose lives and breathes what it means to create companies that matter. With 12 years of expertise in psychology, she has guided thousands through the trenches of mental health. A mentor for the Inc. Founders Project, she coaches CEOs on emotional resilience and moonshot leadership.

As the CEO of #realtalk, the mental health movement for the tech industry, she speaks on stages around the world. With 70+ champions across North America, CEOs pledge their most vulnerable stories.

A mental health authority, she has been featured in Forbes, Inc., and more. She teaches at the Schulich School of Business.

Olympic Silver Medalist, Cheryl Bernard is a dynamic and powerful keynote speaker. She draws from her business, non profit and sporting success to inspire audiences to achieve their maximum potential. She is an expert speaker and is in high demand as a presenter across Canada. Born in Grande Prairie, Bernard moved to Calgary as a young child and was raised at the curling rink, calling the former Northwest Curling Club in Crescent Heights her “babysitter.”

In her 20’s, she was founder, owner and president of a successful Calgary-based insurance agency for over a decade before focusing her attention on building an elite curling team. Cheryl learned early on that by creating a dynamic workplace culture that empowers the team helps flourish business results. She and her staff propelled the agency to 6 Million in sales in 11 years. At that time, Cheryl Bernard decided it was time to re-focus on curling, writing and fundraising. So she sold her agency to Western Union Insurance due to her wanting to focus on her passions and dreams. 

Cheryl Bernard is has a long list of curling accomplishments and awards. She was 43 when she won the silver medal as skip at the 2010 Vancouver Games. She is a four-time Alberta women’s champion, Canadian Runner-up, TSN Skins finalist and has maintained a top 5 status on the World Curling Tour for many years. Cheryl Bernard is now the president and chief executive officer of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame where she looks forward to bringing the work ethic and leadership skills she learned in sport to her new position at Winsport’s Canada Olympic Park.

Cheryl’s life changed when her father was given 6 months to live after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. Bernard was lucky to be able to devote most of her time to caring for her father and trying to find a cure. Sadly he passed away 2 years later. However, her father’s illness was the catalyst for her to create the annual “Curl for a Cure” in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Curl for a Cure helped raise over 1.3 million dollars in support of the CBCF.

Bernard has been an ambassador for the Alberta Children’s Hospital, the Toronto Sick Kids Hospital, Children’s Miracle Network, Dairy Queen, Miracle Treat Day, Goodwill Industries of Alberta, and World Vision Canada. She has also been the official spokesperson for the 2010 “Terry Fox Run”.

Cheryl Bernard also co-authored Between the Sheets -Creating Curling Champions, which describes the mental side of the game of curling. Bernard just recently published the second edition of the book entitled The Silver Lining. Cheryl delivers practical solutions and insights from her careers throughout her presentation. As an Olympic Silver Medalist, she will tell her story of determination and dealing with high pressure situations.

Bernard’s experience in business and sport has also seen her work as a corporate keynote speaker, sports ambassador and as a TSN broadcast analyst. As a result of her career accomplishments, charity work and her experiences, Cheryl brings a unique perspective to every event so that she can inspire and change individuals and organizations through her presentations.

In December 1984 Chief Clarence Louie was elected as the Chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band, part of the Okanagan Nation in south central British Columbia. Chief Clarence Louie has consistently emphasized economic development as a means to improve his people’s standard of living. Under his direction (20+ years), the Band has become a multi-faceted corporation that owns and manages nine businesses and employs hundreds of people. The Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corporation initiatives are to manage and provide strategic direction to the existing businesses. The OIBD also seeks out new economic opportunities.

Other achievements under Chief Clarence Louie’s tenure include the negotiated settlement of three Specific Land Claims. He also successfully negotiation of over 1,000 acres of lease developments. He also acquired hundreds of acres of land to add to the reserve. The Osoyoos Band also purchased a viable off-reserve businesses. Under his leadership the Ossoyos Band also provided financing of a major golf course development. He also facilitated the initiation of the Osoyoos Indian Taxation By-law.  Most noteworthy, Chief used profits from his business to the finance and build a new pre-school/daycare and grade school. He also helped to finance and construct a new Health Center and Social Services building and a 1st class Youth Centre.

The Osoyoos Indian Band has modeled not only sustainable business development, but also socio-economic development. Their mission and strategy is to improve the community’s social needs. Chief Clarence Louie’s constant message is that Socio-economic development is the foundation for First Nation self-reliance. First Nation communities need to become business minded and begin to create their own jobs and revenue sources, not just administer underfunded government programs. Each of our First Nations must take back their inherent and rightful place in the economy of their territory. Native people must therefore change their mindset from; Spending Money To Making Money.

As confirmation of the Osoyoos Indian Band’s commitment to business, the Band owns and operates nine businesses on the reserve. The Band owns and operates multiple vineyards, many retail stores and a construction company. In addition, they also own and operate a Readi-Mix company, a championship golf course, eco-tourism businesses and activities in the Forest Division. In 2002, the Band opened the first Aboriginal winery in North America-Nk’Mip Cellars. The winery is a joint venture with Vincor International.

Although economic development is the means to achieving self-sufficiency, Chief and Council continues to emphasize the importance of maintaining the Okanagan language and culture in all aspects of the band’s activities including business. The establishment of the Nk’Mip Desert& Cultural Center is a testament to this commitment of balancing business while investing time and money in culture. This eco-cultural center provides visitors an opportunity to experience the Okanagan culture. It also helps educate visitors to help them explore the desert lands that are a part of the traditional territory. The Nk’Mip Desert & Cultural Center is also an example of the continued growth of the band’s businesses.

Chief Louie believes that job creation and increasing business revenue in a responsible manner will bring back what he describes as, “our working culture, the self-supporting lifestyle of our ancestors”. First Nation leaders have a responsibility to incorporate First Nation’s language and culture in all socio-economic initiatives. This strategy is a means to improve and protect your First Nation’s heritage in Canada. Chief Louie played a key role in the successful negotiations to return “Spotted Lake,” to the Okanagan Nation. As a result, his people and visitors can now experience take pride in the lake and restore a part of First Nations culture.

A lifelong student of “Native American Studies”, Chief Clarence Louie shares his experiences with audiences through his keynote presentations. He conveys and teaches the best lessons learned throughout his experiences to Native peoples, Government and Corporate agencies across the world. His speaking style is a direct business smarts approach. Chief Clarence Louie believes that Aboriginal people and government must make Economic Development a priority. He conveys that self-sustaining job creation and business growth an everyday priority. A real decent paying job that provides real opportunity is the very best social program on any Rez!”

The Osoyoos Indian Band’s corporate motto is “In Business To Preserve Our Past By Strengthening Our Future”. Chief Clarence Louie has spoken at Native government and industry conferences in around the world. He is in high demand across Canada as a leader, consultant, educator, advocate and businessman.

Olympic gold medalist Alexandre Bilodeau first fell in love with freestyle skiing when he watched Jean-Luc Brassard compete in Lillehammer. Following in the footsteps of his idol, he became the top Canadian junior in freestyle at age 14. At age 17, he joined the national freestyle moguls team and went on to an astounding career through sheer hard work. In the 2008-2009 season, he won the world championship in dual moguls, as well as placing first in the World Cup. Nearly one year after his historic medal, he repeated the feat, grabbing the world champion title in the duals event.

Alexandre Bilodeau won the first gold medal on Canadian soil at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver with a spectacular final run. He threw a back double full on the first jump and followed it with an iron cross on the second. Together with the second fastest run of the night he scored 26.75 points to win the gold. With the gold he became the first Canadian to win a Gold Medal in a Canadian-hosted Olympics. After paring down his competition schedule to perfect his technique and concentrate on school, he made a convincing comeback for the 2012-2013 season, winning the World title in Norway and the National championship in Val-St-Côme, Quebec, both in parallel.

In February 2014 he defended his title and won another Gold medal in Sochi, Russia. Alongside his up-and-coming teammate Mikael Kingsbury, Alexandre Bilodeau pulled off a flawless final run and gave Canada its second gold-silver podium result of the games. Bilodeau became the first Canadian in history to win back-to-back gold medals in consecutive winter games. In March 2014 Alexander announced he would retire from competition at the end of the World Cup Season. Once his freestyle career officially comes to an end, Alexandre Bilodeau intends to pursue a career in business. With “dare to dream big” as his watchword, there is every reason to believe he will be just as successful there.

As an international lifestyle guru, Alnoor Damji aims to inspire, inform and intrigue the audience reach to greater heights in their career and life. Acclaimed career coach and workshop facilitator and coaching award winner, he loves life and ignites this passion in others through keynotes, workshops and coaching one-on-one or in teams.  Alnoor’s presentations are built upon a strong foundation of core beliefs: Diversity, Pluralism and Equality.

Peers and clients alike say that Alnoor Damji is thoughtful, creative, engaging facilitator that is very focused on a client or participant. He has an amazing ability to respectfully engage with people of very different experiences and perspectives including mature workers, newcomers and persons with diverse physical and developmental challenges. And to top it all off, he loves to laugh and use his humour to engage his audiences and make his sessions fun.

Alnoor Damji was awarded the Career Development Practitioner of the Yearby the Career Development Association of Alberta in2015. He is recipient of two Awards: 1) The Professional Business Service Award of the Okotoks Chamber of Commerce in 2012 and the Team Category, Business Service Award of the Okotoks Chamber of Commerce in 2011. Damji has a B. Management, Human Resources Major, University of Lethbridge, a Certificate, Living Life to The Full from the Canadian Mental Health Association of BC. He also an Associate, Retire to The Life You Design, Life Skills based on MBIT. Alnoo is also a Certified Personality Dimensions instructor.

Alnoor inspires individuals, teams and leaders to become more effective and productive at work and at home. He helps others gain set goals and gain focus to set out a plan to become who they want to be. Alnoor breaks down communication techniques and teaches audiences to deal with today’s diverse and fast pace workplace. Alnoor Damji provides practical and ready to use insights on how individuals and teams can improve productivity through effective communication and by fully understanding different personalities within any team environment.

Alvin’s story and his keynote presentations aim to inspire your people to stop seeing problems, and start seeing possibilities. Alvin Law is an Attitude Expert who uses his story to challenge and inspire audiences. He teaches them how to adapt to and embrace change, and recommit to their role in your organization. Alvin will use his story and his life to model adaptability, resilience and drive. By the end of Alvin Law’s presentations, audiences will value and develop skills for a positive outlook on life, so that they take ownership of their role and identify their mental blocks to develop a positive and productive attitudes for themselves and their team.

For Alvin Law, having no arms as a child was little more than an obstacle. Thankfully, his family taught him that through having a strong work ethic and a positive attitude that he could do anything and fulfill his dreams and aspirations. With a mission is to spark a worldwide Attitude Revolution, he uses his story to challenge and inspire people to rewrite the negative stories they tell themselves about themselves; to stop feeling like victims in their lives and get proactive; to stop making excuses and start making choices. Over 7,500 corporations, organizations and groups on five continents have used Alvin Law to ignite, engage and transform their people. On stage, he shares secrets to meeting—and conquering—life’s many challenges.

Alvin Law was born with no arms as a result of the Thalidomide drug. Overwhelmed with his tragic prognosis of a life void of quality or independence, his birth family abandoned Alvin as an infant. Thankfully, he was adopted by foster parents who nurtured him, teaching him to use his feet for hands. In doing so, they gave him the gift of freedom.

Alvin Law has been presenting his compelling life story to groups across Canada, the United States and around the globe since 1981. He is a broadcaster, fundraiser and musician. He has also worked for non-profit groups in advertising and public relations, the civil service. Alvin has even run for public office. Alvin Law is in demand to speak worldwide. He also gained recognition as one of Canada’s top five motivational speakers. Law is one of Canada’s most inspirational speakers and is in high demand worldwide for his presentations.

As a result of Alvin’s incredible story, his passion to help others and his captivating presentations, Alvin was inducted into the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers Hall of Fame. Law has spoken on five continents to over 2,000,000 people. He is the author of the bestselling book Alvin’s Laws of Life…5 Steps to Successfully Overcome Anything. Alvin demonstrates that nothing is impossible when we have a positive attitude, having the right people around us and a resilient work ethic.

Peak performance expert Andrew Haley has had his share of ups and downs. As a child Andrew had cancer twice and each time was given a 35% chance to survive. Even though he lost part of his right leg, Andrew never let it dictate his life. He is a living reminder that no matter what negative things may happen in your life, you can always try and turn it into something positive. Take control of your life and always try to learn and be better next time. We each have the power to be AMAZING. The only question is, are you ready to take it to the next level? Every audience can expect a powerful experience based on Andrew’s life and experiences. A talk that is tailored to each and every client.

Andrew’s real and inspiring views cover three decades of real-life in-the-trenches sport and personal experience. Andrew Haley appreciates and shares with his audience that being a champion and turning pressure into performance is a moment-to-moment choice and is able to relate and inspire each listener that success is more than title, tenure or position. Excellence is for everyone, everyday. It’s how we should live our life.

In his presentations, Hayley’s fusion of real-life stories and his conversational techniques connect with his audience at an intimate, intense and individual level. Andrew is a former world class World Record setting Paralympic swimmer having won, among other competitions, gold medals at the 1998 World Championships and the 2000 Paralympic games. Andrew Haley has served as his swim team’s captain and is a recognized leader in Paralympic sport. He continues to work with the best and brightest in the performance excellence field. In 2015, Andrew Haley was inducted into Swimming Canada’s Circle of Excellence and the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame. He is also a successful businessman who works for the Toronto Blue Jays. He continues to work with the best and brightest in the performance excellence field.

Andrew Haley also finds time to give back to his community. He is involved with the charity RIGHT TO PLAY and also visits schools in Ontario and his native Nova Scotia. In addition, he volunteers his time working with AthletesCAN, a national group that supports athletes. He looks forward to partnering with you in the future. Some companies that have partnered with Andrew include: HSBC, Re/Max, Manulife, Teva Pharmaceuticals, National Bank, Sun Life,

Ontario Ministry of Energy, Childhood Cancer Society, Xerox Canada, Four Seasons Hotel, and various conference to name a few.