Sami Jo Small

Keynote Speaker | Toronto, Ontario

Gold Medal Winning Goalie with the Canadian Women's Olympic Hockey Team

Sami Jo Small Expertise Adaptability & Agility, Health & Wellness, Stress Management, Burnout Prevention, Nutrition & Fitness, Work Life Balance, Health Performance and Mindset & Goal Accomplishment.

Sami Jo Small

About Sami Jo Small

Sami Jo Small is a multi-sport athlete, a three-time Olympian, and a five-time world champion goalie for the Canadian national women’s ice hockey team. Sami Jo Small uses storytelling to exemplify many aspects of developing more successful teams & leave the audience with concrete ways to support the people & the teams around them through her message.

Sami Jo Small Videos

Sami Jo Small (Team Canada) Commercial

Sami Jo Small, Olympian, Professional Speaker

The Role You Play, an Interview with Sami Jo Small

Sami Jo Small on Prime Time Sports with Bob Mccown (april 1, 2019)

Sami Jo Small Shares Stories About Her Time on Canada’s National Wom

Sami Jo Small Interviews & Podcasts

SAMI JO SMALL BIOGRAPHY

Sami Jo has been speaking professionally since she started with the National Team in 1997. When many of her teammates shied away from the microphone, Sami Jo was quick to share stories about the team. Sami Jo has honed her message about teamwork after more than 20 years in the industry using stories from one of Canada’s most successful teams, the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team. A team then won 4 straight Olympic Gold medals over 20 years. She delves into the personalities on the team and her thoughts on what makes strong teammates and ultimately successful as a team. With her learnings, she has shown audiences all over the world that,

“In life, you don’t always get to choose the role you play, but you always get to choose how you play it.”

Sami Jo has earned the highest designation as a speaking professional, the CSP (Certified Speaking professional) of which there are only just over 500 worldwide and only a handful of former athletes. She began her career as a 13-year-old winning her local Manitoba French-speaking contest, the “Concours D’Art Oratoire” giving a speech on Manon Rhéaume, the first women to play in the NHL. Sami Jo won despite having broken a tooth in half that morning playing sports in the gym. She parlayed that into a role as school president, then class valedictorian, always loving to be at the front of the room.

Her career really began in the industry after earning her degree from Stanford University in the Mechanical Engineer school while focusing on product design. Despite an engineering degree in Silicon Valley in the 90’s, Sami choose to move to Toronto to become a full-time hockey player. She supplemented her hockey income (very little) by doing speaking events and the rest is history.

She’s been speaking professionally for more than 20 years, serving on the board of the Canadian Association of professional speakers and mentoring other Olympic athletes as they transition into the business of speaking.

Sami Jo Small Topic Presentations

Sami Jo Small Toronto, Ontario, 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.

Playing the Role

It's Not About the Medal

Dynamic Duo

Teamwork and Change

Sami Jo Small Books & Articles

Sami Jo Small Speaking Testimonials

"Sami Jo Small kicked off our seminar with an energetic and inspirational keynote on how to beat the odds and achieve success despite adversity. Her remarks could not have been more tailored to our seminar’s theme, and our clients were thoroughly engaged and motivated during her speech. Sami Jo was very professional on and off the stage with our clients, partners and colleagues."

C. RICHARD DONNELLY

Global Principal Consultant
Dams and Waterpower Hatch

"We kicked off our multi-day company offsite with Sami Jo Small’s terrific keynote speech, and days later the team was still talking about how inspired and moved they were by her story. Sami Jo’s message put everyone in the right frame of mind to tackle goals as a team, and her warmth and down-to-earth attitude set the tone for a positive, productive meeting."

SUSAN CATTO

Head of Content & Publishing
Canada Travelzoo

"Sami Jo was awesome and exceeded our expectations. She is very real, compassionate, delightful and inspirational. You could feel the buzz in the room following her keynote address."

LOIS IRVINE

Community Development Coordinator
North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation

"The power of belonging to a team really shone through as Sami Jo shared her life challenges. I’ve seen a lot of speakers and few compared with what she delivered. The speech was well constructed and Sami Jo connected with the audience during her delivery. I was most impressed by her vulnerability and sharing of the not-so-glamorous struggle in making a decision to put the needs of the team ahead of her own. Sami Jo moved me to tears through her authenticity. The message was powerful. I recommend Sami Jo Small as a professional keynote speaker."

CONNIE BIRD

Life is Sales

"We were honoured to have Sami Jo and Billy join us as our special guest speakers during our annual national dealer tour. Their stories on how to keep fighting through adversity and reaching your goals were very touching and made everyone remember the power of resilience. Their professionalism and going the extra step to sign autographs and speak with our teams, right until the last guest had left, was something that I’ll never forget. I would recommend all corporations looking to re-invigorate the spirit or cultures of their organizations have Sami Jo and Billy speak – their words will truly make a difference."

BENJAMIN H LEE

Senior Manager, Marketing and Sales
Nissan Canada Finance

You May Also Like

Meghan Agosta

Meghan Agosta

Olympic Champion & Police Constable | Leadership, Teamwork & Resilience Expert

Meghan Agosta

Speaker Topics

  • Leadership
  • Leadership and Change
  • Peak Performance
  • Teamwork
  • Resilience & Change
  • Adaptability & Agility
  • Burnout Prevention
  • Olympians & Olympics
  • First Responders
Meghan Agosta is an Olympic gold medallist with the Canadian women's hockey team, competing in four Olympic Winter Games. Renowned for her...
Dr. Shahana Alibhai

Dr. Shahana Alibhai

Women's Health & Emotional Resilience | Mental Health, Menopause & Burnout Recovery

Featured

Dr. Shahana Alibhai

Speaker Topics

  • Mental Health
  • Health & Wellness
  • Health Performance
  • Resilience & Adversity
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Change Management
  • Burnout Prevention
  • Medical & Healthcare
  • Healthcare Innnovation
Dr. Shahana Alibhai is a TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and leading voice in emotional health. A family physician and Medical Director...
Dr. Chitra Anand

Dr. Chitra Anand

Innovation Speaker | Award Winning Communications & Marketing Executive

Dr. Chitra Anand

Speaker Topics

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Change Management
  • Communication
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Health & Wellness
  • Business Technology
  • Intrapreneurship
Dr. Chitra Anand is an award-winning communications and marketing executive with over two decades of leadership in the tech sector,...
Adera Angelucci

Adera Angelucci

Award-Winning Producer | Director | #1 Best-Selling Author | Speaker

Adera Angelucci

Speaker Topics

  • Digital & Social Media Marketing
  • Brand Strategy & Storytelling
  • Leadership
  • Leadership and Change
  • Excellence & Success
  • Women In Business
  • Resilience & Adversity
  • Change Management
Adera Angelucci is an Award-Winning Host, Director and Producer. She's also a video and marketing coach to passionate, purpose-driven...
Jerome Blake

Jerome Blake

Elite Sprinter & Olympic Medalist | Peak Performance | Teamwork | Field Champion

Jerome Blake

Speaker Topics

  • Leadership
  • Leadership and Change
  • Leadership Development
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Personal Leadership
  • Teamwork
  • Peak Performance
  • Employee Engagement
  • Employee Management
Jerome Blake is a prominent Canadian sprinter renowned for his impressive track and field achievements. Notably, he won a silver medal in...
Mark Breslin

Mark Breslin

Mark Breslin | Canadian Comedy Icon | Renowned Speaker | Entrepreneur | Author

Featured

Mark Breslin

Speaker Topics

  • Communication
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Humour in the Workplace
  • Influence & Negotiation
  • Business Leadership
  • Mindset & Goal Accomplishment
  • Personal Leadership
  • Purposeful Work
  • Public Relations & Media Training
Mark Breslin is a visionary in the Canadian comedy scene, significantly impacting the entertainment industry. Born in Toronto, Mark Breslin...
Peter Brown

Peter Brown

Award Winning Radio Host | Master of Ceremonies And Awards Host Expert

Featured

Peter Brown

Speaker Topics

  • Business & Corporate
  • Business Growth
  • Excellence & Success
  • Humour in the Workplace
  • Innovation & Creativity
  • Mental Health
  • Self Improvement & Self Care
  • Happiness & Positivity
Peter Brown enjoyed a successful 25-year career as a CBC Radio host and producer, including stints hosting CBC Edmonton’s afternoon show...
Edmonton Edmonton, Alberta
Dr. Elizabeth Cannon

Dr. Elizabeth Cannon

Award Winning Engineer & Women in Business | Leadership and Digital Innovation Expert

Featured

Dr. Elizabeth Cannon

Speaker Topics

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Big Data & Analytics
  • Business & Corporate
  • Business Growth
  • Business Leadership
  • Business Management
  • Business Technology
  • Disruptive Innovation
  • Corporations & Businesses
Dr. Elizabeth Cannon is a renowned motivational speaker and respected leadership authority whose trailblazing expertise in Geomatics...
Calgary Calgary, Alberta
Jennifer Casa-Todd

Jennifer Casa-Todd

Award-Winning Educator | Digital Citizenship | Social Media Literacy Expert

Jennifer Casa-Todd

Speaker Topics

  • Digital & Social Media Marketing
  • Business & Corporate
  • Business Growth
  • Change Management
  • Communication
  • Disruptive Innovation
  • Leadership
  • Leadership and Change
  • Organizational Change
Jennifer Casa-Todd is an award-winning educator, keynote speaker, Google for Education Champion, and author specialising in digital...
Fotini Copeland

Fotini Copeland

Award-Winning Consultan | Leadership Presence | Personal Branding Expert

Fotini Copeland

Speaker Topics

  • Business & Corporate
  • Brand Strategy & Storytelling
  • Innovation & Creativity
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Communication
  • Leadership
  • Digital & Social Media Marketing
  • Corporations & Businesses
Fotini Copeland is a sought-after speaker, advisor, and personal branding expert who helps individuals and organisations elevate their...
Jon Cornish

Jon Cornish

Canadian Football Hall of Famer And CFA Charterholder

Featured

Jon Cornish

Speaker Topics

  • Leadership and Change
  • Business Leadership
  • Adaptability & Agility
  • Workplace Culture
  • Peak Performance
  • Teamwork
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Athletes & Sports
  • Belonging
Jon Cornish, a Canadian Football Hall of Famer, spent nine legendary years playing for the Calgary Stampeders, amassing impressive...
Calgary Calgary, Alberta
Sam Effah

Sam Effah

Canadian Sprint Champion | Brand Marketing & Leadership Expert

Featured

Sam Effah

Speaker Topics

  • Public Relations & Media Training
  • Nutrition & Fitness
  • Presentation Skills
  • Health & Wellness
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Talent Management
Sam Effah is a two-time Canadian 100m champion and record-holding sprinter recognized as “The Fastest Man in Canadian University...
Calgary Calgary, Alberta

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sami Jo Small known for and what is their expertise as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Sami Jo Small 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 Sami Jo Small speak on for conferences, conventions, corporate events, and annual general meetings in Canada?

Sami Jo Small 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 Sami Jo Small is the right fit for my audience, conference, convention, or AGM?

Sami Jo Small 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 Sami Jo Small from and where do they speak across Canada?

Sami Jo Small is from Toronto, Ontario 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 Sami Jo Small available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, webinars, or hybrid events in Canada?

Sami Jo Small 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 Sami Jo Small deliver keynote presentations, workshops, training sessions, breakout sessions, fireside chats, or panel discussions?

Sami Jo Small 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 Sami Jo Small to check availability and begin the booking process in Canada?

Sami Jo Small 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 Sami Jo Small for a conference, convention, trade show, summit, or corporate meeting in Canada?

Sami Jo Small 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 Sami Jo Small as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Sami Jo Small 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 Sami Jo Small for a corporate event, convention, or trade show in Canada?

Additional costs to hire Sami Jo Small 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 Sami Jo Small for a conference, convention, or business meeting in Canada?

Sami Jo Small 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 Sami Jo Small represented by an agent in Canada and how is the agreement handled?

Sami Jo Small 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