Ryan Perez

Keynote Speaker | Calgary, Alberta

Disability Justice Advocate & Innovation Strategist
Neurodivergence & Systems Thinking Expert

Ryan Perez's Expertise: Disability, Neurodiversity, Inclusive Leadership, Digital transformation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Future of Work, Strategic Thinking, Organizational Change, Change Management, Disruption Management, Resilience & Change and Accessibility.

Ryan Perez

About Speaker Ryan Perez

Ryan Perez is a Black, autistic speaker, disability justice advocate, and the founder of Bow Tie Kreative, a Calgary digital agency he has run since 2013. Diagnosed autistic and ADHD at 40, after twice experiencing homelessness, he built the Second Brain a personal knowledge graph now 446,628 nodes deep and turned it into two published books, a novel, and a manual on turning pain into projects. Raw, funny, and unwilling to soften either, Ryan Perez speaks on neurodivergence, disability justice, and the systems that fail people first, reaching 300,000+ followers and 89.6 million documented impressions across four platforms.

Digital Stem Cell Introduction | Ryan Perez

Digital Stem Cell Introduction | Ryan Perez

Why My Voice Matters | Digital Stem Cell

Why My Voice Matters | Digital Stem Cell

The Radical Truth About Invisible Disabilities You Need to Hear

The Radical Truth About Invisible Disabilities You Need to Hear

Fatherhood | Digital Stem Cell

Fatherhood | Digital Stem Cell

Ryan Perez Biography

Ryan Perez is a Black, autistic keynote speaker, disability justice advocate, and the founder of Bow Tie Kreative, a Calgary digital agency he has run since 2013. Diagnosed autistic, ADHD and dyslexic at 40 eleven days before his forty-first birthday, he had spent four decades being read as defiant instead of distressed. He speaks on neurodivergence, disability justice, and the systems that fail people first, and his central argument is built from evidence rather than theory: every system has someone it fails first, and that person is holding the specification for whatever version of it nobody has built yet.

Ryan Perez has been homeless twice. Between diagnoses and eviction notices, he built the Second Brain, a personal knowledge graph now 446,628 nodes deep, and used it to turn twenty years of lived experience into a body of published work: two books, a novel, and a manual. Social media Uncensored and I’m Autistic, Bich! are the books raw and unapologetic, written the way he actually talks; Frozen by Light is the novel; Turn Your Pain Into Projects, released in 2026, is the manual a 234-page build guide for converting recurring pain into shippable work, not a resilience memoir. Alongside his own work, he founded and continues to run Bow Tie Kreative, a Calgary digital agency now in its second decade of client work.

On stage, Ryan Perez runs two tracks. Track one is lived experience: neurodivergence, disability justice, and what a room owes the people it was never built for, delivered in presentations like Pain Into Projects and Disability Justice, Beyond Accommodation. Track two is systems and intelligence: the Second Brain, the Digital Stem Cell Process a structured method for enumerating alternatives instead of brainstorming them and what a small team can realistically automate this quarter, delivered in presentations like Invisible Constraints and The Connected Brain. He opens with the joke before he opens the wound “Does it look like I have autism? Because people say — oh no, you don’t have autism” then spends the next forty minutes proving the room wrong about both.

In 2005, at 22, Ryan Perez became the first-ever recipient of the Western Legacy Award for Youth, created by the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede to mark Alberta’s provincial centennial one of only three awards given at the inaugural ceremony. His content has since reached 89.6 million documented impressions across 300,000+ followers on four platforms, with a peak engagement rate of 17.92% on a single post. Ryan Perez has spoken for organizations including CAMH, Empire Life, and Saskatchewan Blue Cross, delivered a keynote at the Community Now! Mental Health Summit while he was still unhoused, and briefed Alberta’s Premier through the Alberta Enterprise Group.

Ryan Perez does not hold a formal post-secondary credential; the Second Brain and the Digital Stem Cell Process are self developed systems, built and tested against his own lived experience rather than acquired through institutional training. Ryan Perez hosts the Hustle Zone podcast, where he interviews guests on turning adversity into forward motion, and continues to run Bow Tie Kreative’s client work from Calgary.

Ryan Perez does not speak about how any of this felt. He speaks about what it exposed with the same rawness and humour he’s known for that the margin is where the next version comes from, and that the people a system fails first are usually the ones holding the blueprint for what actually needs to be built next. Ryan Perez is based in Calgary, Alberta, and travels anywhere a room is ready to have that conversation.

Ryan Perez Topic Presentations

Ryan Perez From Calgary, Alberta, Canada delivers keynote presentations, workshops, fireside chats, moderated Q&A, and other presentation formats on a wide variety of topics. Each presentation is unique, customized and tailored for audiences, industries, conferences and event formats.

Invisible Constraints: What Your Most Marginalized Users Reveal About Your Next Innovation

Pain into Projects: A Build Manual for Converting What Hurts into What Ships

The Connected Brain: What Happens When You Map Everything

Disability Justice, Beyond Accommodation: Design Starts at the Margin, Not the Compliance Checklist

Books
Ryan Perez
  • Pathway to the Heart
  • Social Media Uncensored: Explore the Naked Truth About Social Media to Help You Go Viral
  • I’m Autistic, Bich!: the Fight to Be Your Authentic Self in a World That Demands Your Silence and
  • Frozen by Light: a Deer Caught Between Steel and Snow
Interviews
Ryan Perez
  • Blackout Tuesday a Movement to Support People of Color
  • Calgary Web Design Company Empowers Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
  • Real Talks with Nav Ryan Perez Introduction
Podcasts
Ryan Perez
  • The Journey of Digital Stem Cell from Rapper to Autistic Father
  • Creating a Strong Brand How to Meet Customer Expectations
  • From Navy Counselor to Alteregoat Founder: a Father's Journey

Ryan Perez Speaking Testimonials

"Ryan Perez is undeniably a rising force, not only within the neurodivergent community but on a global scale. His multifaceted contributions are lighting the way for countless individuals, and I am genuinely grateful to have him within our network, serving as a valuable resource, and dare I say, a friend with whom we can grow."

Clarice Turner

"I am both a member and an advocate of neurodivergence and the amount of competence Ryan Perez demonstrated around the topic was second to none. In addition, there were a lot of “bridging the gap” moments that I was enlightened on the correlation of the topic of neurodivergence and systemic racism."

Steven J Pope

"Ryan Perez was a phenomenal speaker with a message that comes directly from the heart. He spoke about inclusion within an intersectional framework, which made it relevant for any marginalized community looking for inspiration and validation. His passion makes his public speaking highly engaging and entertaining, so no one will be falling asleep in the back row."

Ty McKinney

"Ryan Perez is super engaging. He is a voice for neurodivergent people. Cross that out. He’s a voice for people. I really appreciate Ryan passionately sharing his heart and experiences. The world is a better place with Ryan in it, speaking up."

Britton Ledingham

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ryan Perez known for and what is their expertise as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Ryan Perez is known for defined subject matter expertise based on professional experience and industry background. As a keynote speaker in Canada for conferences and conventions, their presentations align with organizational objectives and audience outcomes. Corporate keynote speakers in Canada are selected based on credibility, relevance, and practical application. Expertise alignment supports informed booking decisions. Read More

What topics does Ryan Perez speak on for conferences, conventions, corporate events, and annual general meetings in Canada?

Ryan Perez delivers keynote presentations on defined topic areas confirmed during booking. Canadian business speakers for corporate meetings in Canada align topic selection with event objectives and audience priorities. Conference speakers in Canada adapt messaging for conventions, trade shows, and summits. Topics are finalized prior to written confirmation. Read More

How do I know if Ryan Perez is the right fit for my audience, conference, convention, or AGM?

Ryan Perez is evaluated based on audience alignment, event objectives, and subject matter relevance. Event planners booking keynote speakers in Canada for corporate conferences review experience, delivery style, and industry context. Canadian business speakers for annual general meetings must align with program goals and audience expectations. Fit is clarified during the pre decision call. Read More

Where is Ryan Perez from and where do they speak across Canada?

Ryan Perez is from Calgary, Alberta and is available for events across Canada. Conference speakers in Canada frequently travel nationally with defined travel terms. Corporate keynote speakers coordinate scheduling through structured agreements. Availability is confirmed through formal inquiry. Read More

Is Ryan Perez available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, webinars, or hybrid events in Canada?

Ryan Perez is available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, corporate webinars, and hybrid events in Canada. Virtual keynote speakers in Canada deliver structured presentations adapted for remote audiences. Format, platform coordination, and timing are confirmed during booking. Virtual availability is documented through written agreement in Canada. Read More

Does Ryan Perez deliver keynote presentations, workshops, training sessions, breakout sessions, fireside chats, or panel discussions?

Ryan Perez may deliver keynote presentations as well as workshops and breakout sessions. Canadian business speakers for corporate training in Canada define session length and format during booking. Conference speakers may also participate in fireside chats or panel discussions depending on program design. Session formats are confirmed in writing. Read More

How do I contact Ryan Perez to check availability and begin the booking process in Canada?

Ryan Perez is contacted through Speakers Bureau of Canada to confirm availability and event details. Event planners and meeting planners typically schedule a pre decision call to clarify format, objectives, and scope. Booking begins once event requirements are defined. Written confirmation follows agreement execution. Read More

How do I book Ryan Perez for a conference, convention, trade show, summit, or corporate meeting in Canada?

Ryan Perez is booked through a structured agreement process confirming availability, fee structure, and logistics. Booking keynote speakers in Canada for conventions and trade shows includes written contracts and defined payment terms. Canadian business speakers for annual general meetings require scope confirmation before date holds convert to confirmed status. Booking is finalized upon agreement execution. Read More

How much does it cost to book Ryan Perez as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Ryan Perez keynote speaker fees depend on event type, audience size, format, and location. The cost to book a keynote speaker in Canada varies based on preparation scope and delivery structure. Corporate keynote speakers in Canada confirm fees through a booking agent and written agreement. Final pricing reflects defined scope and contract terms. Read More

Are there additional costs to hire Ryan Perez for a corporate event, convention, or trade show in Canada?

Additional costs to hire Ryan Perez may include travel expenses, extended sessions, workshops, meet and greets, emcee duties, or event host roles. Keynote speakers in Canada for business conventions often separate honorarium from travel and related logistics. Canadian business speakers confirm these components in writing before agreement execution. All additional costs are outlined contractually. Read More

How far in advance should I book Ryan Perez for a conference, convention, or business meeting in Canada?

Ryan Perez should be booked once event dates, location, and format are confirmed. Conference speakers in Canada often secure dates several months in advance. Corporate keynote speakers for annual general meetings may have limited availability during peak seasons. Early inquiry improves confirmation certainty. Read More

Is Ryan Perez represented by an agent in Canada and how is the agreement handled?

Ryan Perez is represented by Speakers Bureau of Canada for booking coordination and agreement management. Keynote speakers in Canada often work through an agency to formalize contracts and payment handling. Agent representation ensures structured communication between organizers and the speaker. Representation clarifies agreement terms before confirmation. Read More