SESSION SPEAKERS
Meet our session speakers for this year's conference! Whether it's to inspire, find purpose, create drive, or nurture passion, all our speakers will show you how to find your Ambition.
Kia Nurse debuted for Team Canada at the U-16 FIBA Americas Championship in 2011. After winning three straight Ontario high school championships, Nurse committed to play with the two-time defending NCAA champions University of Connecticut Huskies. In her first year at UConn she quickly took over a starting back court role and became a significant part of the team’s NCAA titles in 2015 and 2016, earning ACC Freshman of the Year honors in 2015.
Michel Chikwanine has overcome unimaginable pain and struggles. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Michel grew up amid the terror of the Great War of Africa. He witnessed the torture of his family and endured torture of his own. Much of his childhood was ravaged by the death and decay of a war and was forced to be a child soldier. Michel now inspires people to believe in their ability to make a difference and leaves audiences with a new perspective on life.
Kia Nurse
Michel Chikwanine
INSPIRE
Geronimo Henry attended the Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford, Ontario from 1942 to 1952. Mr. Henry found himself in a residential school at five years old. Years later, he had the number 48 and the word “survivor” tattooed on his right hand, a reminder of the time he was identified by that number. He has turned to teaching for relief. Now he guides tours at the Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford, Ontario weekly.
Becky Kellar was a member of the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team from 1997-2010 and has attended 4 Olympic Games. She is a three time Olympic Gold Medalist, and Olympic silver medalists and a four time World Champion. Becky was twice named top defenseman in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League. Becky is a graduate of Brown University and Wilfred Laurier University. She was later inducted into the Brown Sports Hall of Fame in 2005 and was named to Wilfred Laurier’s 100 Alumni of Achievement.
Geronimo Henry
Becky Kellar
PURPOSE
McKenzie is a second year Commerce student at Queen’s University. She is a recipient of the Governor General’s Award for highest average, the Rotary Club’s Academic Scholarship, and the Queen’s University’s Principal’s Scholarship. Outside of academics, her focus lies mainly in dance, having being trained and performed in conjunction with the National Ballet of Cuba, and lifeguarding.
Matthew is the Chancellor’s Scholarship recipient and second year student in Commerce at Queen’s University. He developed the LAQ initiative in 2014 to showcase academic excellence of students in the HCDSB. He is actively involved with soccer both within Queen’s as well as with the Oakville Soccer Club. He has received awards from the Oakville SC, Peel Halton SA, Ontario SA, Loran Scholars and Loyola SS.
McKenzie Harkness
Matthew Aslett
Spider Jones is a motivational speaker who is admired for his diligent work among youth. His inspirational life story “Out of the Darkness” reveals his rise from the inner-city projects of Detroit and Windsor. Spider was an elementary school dropout, but eventually returned to school at the age of thirty to become an honor student. Over the past 20 years, Spider has been given the opportunity to interview many notable celebrities. Spider was also heavily involved in the world of boxing.
Spider Jones
DRIVE
Joel Hilchey teaches sustainability at McMaster University, and he speaks at events across North America about leadership, success, and what holds people back. You’ll probably remember him as the speaker who plays with mousetraps, but his real skill is helping people change the world. As a leadership expert, Joel is an author, educator, and the founder of the Beanstalk Project – a youth leadership development company.
Brandon Love is a professional magician, an empowering motivational speaker, and a possibilities coach. He aims to help others discover their self-imposed limitations and unleash their creative abilities. For Brandon, unsticking minds is about more individual happiness, healthier personal and professional relationships, and achieving the impossible. Brandon’s fascination with learning led him to McMaster University where he completed an undergraduate degree studying philosophy and psychology