Audience: Educators/Staff

Andy Thibodeau

IMPACT Presentations - School Spirit, Leadership Training, Encouragement

Topics: College and Career Prep, Improving Social Climate and School Culture, Leadership Development, Motivation and Inspiration, School Spirit and Involvement, Team-Building
Audiences: Corporate, Educators/Staff, Elementary, Faith-Based, Middle/High School, University/College
Book Speaker Read Biography

WORKSHOPS
AND TOPICS

My assemblies are flexible from 30 to 90 minutes. Energizers and interactive games are part of ALL programs! I will get my audience standing every 20 minutes to keep up the energy and interaction!

The most unique quality of my presentations is that your school or organization’s events, activities, and accomplishments are incorporated into the presentation. I will promote upcoming activities while offering recognition and praise for past events. Money spent on my programs can be considered an investment in more successful future activities! Plus, all your leadership groups and their advisors will appreciate a speaker that mentions their accomplishments!

“Get Your Hand UP!” – SCHOOL ASSEMBLY for Grades 6 to 12.

On the first day of high school, I was 6 foot and 115 pounds. My #1 enemy … the wind! I tried out for the Junior football team and on the second day of school I experienced the failure of being cut. This hilarious and inspiring program encourages your students to have an attitude of “Pick Me, Pick Me”! Fight the fear of failure and be the student that “Gets Your Hand UP” to answer questions, ask questions, and volunteer. School is about balancing learning and having fun!

Work ethic, School Spirit, Self-Confidence, Resiliency, and Volunteerism are the key themes of this assembly.

My assemblies are flexible from 30 to 90 minutes. Energizers and interactive games are part of ALL programs! I will get my audience standing every 20 minutes to keep up the energy and interaction!

“Share your Care” – SCHOOL ASSEMBLY for grades 1 to 12.

What was my criteria to ask Leica to dance at my first dance in grade 7? That she was hot? That she was cool? No! Hot and cool are temperatures and not characteristics. My criteria was, “will she say no … nicely?!” Her kindness and character were why I asked her to dance! What would she say? This moving and comedic story about self-confidence and compassion will have everyone in your audience relating to my journey from shy grade 6 to high school grad. My message: Care about yourself, your friends, family, school, and community! My top 3 examples of care: Show up. Participate. Listen. A special version is available for grades 1 to 5.

Themes of Community Service, Inclusion, Kindness, School Spirit, Self-Confidence, Bullying Awareness are woven into the program.

My assemblies are flexible from 30 to 90 minutes. Energizers and interactive games are part of ALL programs! I will get my audience standing every 20 minutes to keep up the energy and interaction!

“Get Your Hand UP GRADS!” – GRADE 12 KEYNOTE & GRAD RETREAT

A special grade 12-focused version of my “Get Your Hand UP’ assembly, focusing on enjoying the final year of school, being an example of leadership for the younger grades, and successfully preparing for life after high school. Perfect for grad retreats and second semester visits. Adjustable from 45 minutes to a half day or full day retreat.

My assemblies are flexible from 30 to 90 minutes. Energizers and interactive games are part of ALL programs! I will get my audience standing every 20 minutes to keep up the energy and interaction!

“Initiate Inclusion by Invitation” – Andy’s Three “I’s” of Building Community. SCHOOL ASSEMBLY or LEADERSHIP KEYNOTE for grades 7 to 12.

Inclusion is “Seeing differences, without seeing the difference.”

Inclusion is at the forefront of all schools’ goals. For 10 months in 2018-19, my family had three young women from Congo live with us until their housing situation was settled. The ongoing experience of being “Uncle Andrew” to new Canadians from Africa is hilarious, powerful, and insightful.  When you initiate inclusion by invitation, my family’s experience shows that the rewards go both ways – blessing the giver and receiver! From this experience, my work at the King’s College Peace Camp, and working for 9 months in 2020 at Costco, I offer perspective to the following challenges: How can you initiate inclusion? What limits our courage to invite? How can one maintain enthusiasm for invitation and leadership when negative experiences and rejection challenge us in our schools and community? Include, invite, and lead by initiating!

Keynote themes: Inclusion, Appreciation of Differences, Self-confidence, Communication Skills, Team Building, Community Service.

My assemblies are flexible from 30 to 90 minutes. Energizers and interactive games are part of ALL programs! I will get my audience standing every 20 minutes to keep up the energy and interaction!

"The Look" Bounces off me! Dealing Positively with Negativity – STUDENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Keynote for grades 6-12.

We have all seen it when we are in a leadership role … someone gives us the “look” of disapproval and we feel our enthusiasm for leadership fade a little. A hilarious and life-changing keynote where I give your leaders effective strategies on dealing with negativity while inspiring care.  As a leader in my teens, when I learned to not let the negative judgement of others change ME, that CHANGED ME! I remind leaders that, “Care is contagious, but as a leader, it has to start with ME!”  From my own school and community leadership experiences, I offer realistic, easy-to-implement insights that will motivate you and your team!

This has been my leadership conference keynote shared hundreds of times at regional, provincial, and state events across the continent.

My assemblies are flexible from 30 to 90 minutes. Energizers and interactive games are part of ALL programs! I will get my audience standing every 20 minutes to keep up the energy and interaction!

“Making Care Contagious!” – Andy’s Habits of Successful Student Leaders.

Care is Contagious, but as a LEADER, it must start with ME! Lessons learned from being a grade 8 student council VP, a high school student president, and the orientation coordinator of my university. A powerful student leadership program that can run from 1 to 3 hours on improving communication and event marketing, handling rejection and negativity, being an example of good decisions and promoting inclusion!

My workshops are flexible from 30 to 120 minutes. ALL workshops are for grades 6 to 12. Programs are available for school or conference settings. All programs have versions designed for school staff!

“Can I Count on You?”  – Improving Your Reliability to Lead Yourself and Others.

Execution of ideas is the number one challenge for young people in organizing themselves and others. This session will immediately improve the ability of your team to work together and improve their organization skills. For students and school staff!  As a retreat, it can be a Co-Op/Workplace training program in Organization, Leadership and Time Management. A great PD program for school staff!

My workshops are flexible from 30 to 120 minutes. ALL workshops are for grades 6 to 12. Programs are available for school or conference settings. All programs have versions designed for school staff!

“Initiate Inclusion by Invitation” – Andy’s Three “I’s” of Building Community.

A leadership workshop version of my program on Inclusion. Leaders are the first “I” – Initiate. Leaders start the conversation, extend invitation, learn about barriers to inclusion, and work with others to find solutions!

My workshops are flexible from 30 to 120 minutes. ALL workshops are for grades 6 to 12. Programs are available for school or conference settings. All programs have versions designed for school staff!

“Get Your Hand Up”, “Can I Count On You? Improving Your Reliability” and “Initiating Inclusion by Invitation” Presentations. SHSM/Co-Op/Workplace Training Workshops Versions

Looking for a high-energy, interactive, and educational method for your SHSM/Co-Op students to get their hours and experience in workplace skills and leadership training? I have developed workplace skills versions of three of my presentations. Presentations length can be from one hour to a full day. Any size of audience. 

Complements your Workplace training needs in teaching your students Organization, Leadership and Time Management skills. 

It includes insights from my 9 months at Costco in 2020! I was a 50-year-old “retail rookie” being trained by people half my age! You learn a lot about your work ethic packing groceries during the tense times of April 2020 or pushing shopping carts in 35-degree Celsius heat!  

My workshops are flexible from 30 to 120 minutes. ALL workshops are for grades 6 to 12. Programs are available for school or conference settings. All programs have versions designed for school staff!

“The Impact of Educators” – An Appreciation Keynote or Workshop For ALL School Staff.

My 30 to 60-minute program to inspire and entertain your school’s staff at a PD session or educator conference. In the fall of grade 9, I received a letter inviting me to attend a “potential test” for track and field. That letter from Coach and Teacher Don Young changed my life!

When booking Andy for your school, consider organizing an after-school staff meeting so he can share this powerful program. Its length is flexible to your needs, from 20 minutes to 1 hour.

Also available as a one to two-hour Professional Development session!

“The IMPACT of the Advisor” – Two Options for Advisors and Leadership Teachers

Both “Making Care Contagious” and “Can I Count on You?” are available as adult advisor workshops.  Each of these presentations empowers adult leaders to support their students when they return to school.  Perfect for staff only workshops at leadership conferences.

In “Making Care Contagious”, Andy shares numerous activities and events that schools can run that support the 5 Habits.  “Can I Count on You?” will give adult advisors the tools to keep their team organized.  In addition, both programs are an empowering reminder to adult advisors about the difference they make inspiring youth leaders.  These workshops can each run from 30 to 120 minutes.

Testimonials

Speaker Testimonials

“I just finished watching your presentation. I’m literally typing this on my phone through the tears that are flowing freely down my cheeks. You got me, friend. I’m so very excited for our delegates to become part of your powerful and important message. Thank you for caring so much and for sharing your care with the Ohio Association of Student Leaders.”

Ohio Association of Student Leaders, 2020 Summer Camp

“You’re already getting rave reviews, bringing humour and joy to our kids during a trying time! THANK YOU! Eva (our littlest) is in grade one and she thinks you’re pretty darn funny!”

Maggie Savage, Parent Council, Westmount Elementary, Peterborough ON

“Thank you! You have made an impact among our students. Both presentations were well received. We had done a small debrief near the end of the day and you had a major impact. Students loved you suggesting to turn on their cameras and doing the energizers. It got them out of their chairs. Your messages transcend their stay at our college and will follow them for years to come.”

Bill Mahon, Student Activities Advisor, John Abbott College, Montreal

“Everyone loved the strong story at the end about the value of education and the far-reaching impact it has on individuals (and our society)! You are most definitely a passionate promoter of public education! It was a very energized presentation”

Jeff Pratt, CPA, CMA, Associate Director of Education & Treasurer, Thames Valley District School Board

“I just finished watching your presentation. I’m literally typing this on my phone through the tears that are flowing freely down my cheeks. You got me, friend. I’m so very excited for our delegates to become part of your powerful and important message. Thank you for caring so much and for sharing your care with the Ohio Association of Student Leaders.”

Ohio Association of Student Leaders, 2020 Summer Camp
More Information

REQUEST TO BOOK Andy Thibodeau

If comfortable, please use a personal email as many school boards have blocked external emails.

Dillon Mendes

Entrepreneur and Strategy Consultant

Topics: College and Career Prep, Entrepreneurship, Improving Social Climate and School Culture, Motivation and Inspiration, Social Impact
Audiences: Corporate, Educators/Staff, Elementary, Faith-Based, Middle/High School, Parents, University/College
Book Speaker Read Biography

WORKSHOPS
AND TOPICS

Creating a Positive Impact-Driven Culture - Youth Keynote

Ideal for: School Assembly, Keynote Address, Leadership or Business Conference, Welcome Back Event

Overview: Many young people struggle to believe they can make a difference in their school community and create a positive school culture. In this keynote, Dillon shares three major lessons he has learned over the past number of years regarding making an impact. Firstly, the importance for young people to be their true authentic selves in a society that promotes herd behaviour. Secondly, Dillon showcases the power of what can happen when a community comes together to achieve a common goal. Lastly, he helps young people understand that individuals thrive off belonging and connection. Dillon uses storytelling, humour, and motivation in this keynote to drive these points home and educate students in a fun and engaging way.

Key Takeaways:

  • Learn how to start making a difference in their communities
  • Recognize that authenticity, belonging, and connection is the foundation of community engagement
  • Learn the necessity to seek discomfort to grow as an individual
  • Understand the power young students can have on their community

Crafting your Pathway - Youth, Parent Keynote

Ideal for: School Assembly, Keynote Address, SHSM, Careers Conference

Overview: Given the vast amount of post-secondary options young people have, a large percentage of teenagers struggle to believe they can find their place in our society after high school. In this keynote, Dillon shares lessons he has learned over the past number of years regarding pathway discernment. Firstly, young people should choose the correct path for themselves instead of satisfying other people’s opinions. Secondly, Dillon shares the necessity for students to set an aim in their life to attain, as that is what can give life meaning. Lastly, he shares the need for each student to feel a sense of belonging in their community regardless of their path. This keynote is filled with personal anecdotes, research, and humour!

Key Takeaways:

  • Seek clarity when choosing potential post-secondary pathways
  • Gain perspective and relieve some of the stresses of post-secondary discernment
  • Understand the importance of being a part of a community after graduation
  • Realizing that choosing the correct path comes down to trying and doing different jobs as opposed to reading/pondering

The Ambitious New Hire - Corporate Keynote

Ideal for: Intern Orientation, New Hire Onboarding, Keynote Address, Leadership or Business Conference

Overview: When Dillon studied finance at the University of Waterloo, he completed 3 coop terms working in Advisory at Deloitte, Technology Consulting at KPMG, and Growth and Operations at DarwinAI. After graduating from the University of Waterloo, he was hired as a Strategy Consultant at Monitor Deloitte. When working at each company, Dillon always tried to move the needle by challenging the status quo using his entrepreneurial background. In this keynote, Dillon shares the importance for new hires to become intrapreneurs and challenge the status quo, build a mindset of resilience, and always bring new ideas to the table, regardless of their position/tenure.

Key Takeaways:

  • Be empowered to share new perspectives and challenge the status quo
  • Understand that leadership is not a status, but an action
  • Recognize the importance of building a resilient mindset

Student Leadership Reinvented - Youth Workshop

Ideal for: Student Leadership Workshop, Leadership Conference, Session with Leadership Students after School-Wide Keynote

Overview: As a former Camp Director, Managing Director of UWAC (Canada’s largest student-run accounting conference), and the Co-founder of a youth-led national movement, Dillon understands the intricacies of student leadership in communities and aims to teach students about his 5 pillars of effective student leadership. Students often have great ideas but are unable to turn those thoughts into actions. Dillon explains how change stems from serving a community and takes students on a journey inward, where he shows them how to lead themselves, so they can effectively lead others and create an impact in their communities.

Key Takeaways:

  • Breakthrough society’s conditioning of thinking small
  • Understand how to leverage social proof to change the culture of your organization
  • Learn how to change one’s perspective to increase performance and overcome challenges
  • Recognize how consistency and grit can help foster change

The Effective Communicator - Youth, Corporate, Educators, Parents Workshop

Ideal for: Leadership Conferences, Educators, Businesses, Public Speaking Classes, SHSM

Overview: Growing up, Dillon despised public speaking, mainly due to the severe stutter he had for 12 years of his life. He had trouble speaking to 1 person, let alone the thousands he speaks to now. Without the help of speech therapists or speaking coaches, Dillon overcame and got rid of his speech impediment and is now a TEDx speaker who travels across North America speaking to thousands of young people annually. He is the perfect example showcasing that anyone can become an effective communicator.

In this workshop, Dillon explains the strategies he used to become such a renowned communicator and face his fear of public speaking. These include the importance of storytelling, vocal mastery, the art of persuasion, and non-verbal communication. Whether Dillon is speaking to a group of developers at a tech firm, or a group of students/educators who desire to improve their speaking ability to become more influential, this workshop is transferable to multiple audiences.

Key Takeaways:

  • Learn the art of effective storytelling to capture the attention of a group
  • Recognize how to master your vocals to keep an audience engaged
  • Understand the importance of non-verbal communication skills
  • Discover how to conquer your fear of public speaking
Testimonials

Speaker Testimonials

“Loved the way Dillon formed a personal connection with each audience member while sharing his message in a fun and enthusiastic way! He used humour and storytelling to convince me to start taking action that matters.”

D. Rege, University Student

“He was so well put together! I loved the stories that he shared and how he made them so relatable to our students. I highly recommend Dillon to speak at other universities and entrepreneurship programs.”

P. Trotter, Entrepreneurship Coordinator, Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre, Sault Ste. Marie, ON

“Dillon shared a very relevant and inspirational message that really resonated with myself and our students. I loved his key message that how every single person can make a small difference and together we can have a huge impact in our world.”

K. Marschuetz, Teacher, Millen Woods Public School, Waterloo, ON

“I loved his ability to share his story and it felt like he actually created a conversation with me while he was speaking. He helped me understand the importance of just starting something, even when I don’t have every step planned out!”

C. Dukes, University Student
More Information

REQUEST TO BOOK Dillon Mendes

If comfortable, please use a personal email as many school boards have blocked external emails.

Sarah Wells

Olympian and Founder of the Believe Initiative

Topics: Improving Social Climate and School Culture, Leadership Development, Mental Health, Motivation and Inspiration, Resilience
Audiences: Corporate, Educators/Staff, Middle/High School, Parents, University/College
Book Speaker Read Biography

WORKSHOPS
AND TOPICS

The Pursuit Of Excellence: How to find significance in the obstacles you face - Keynote (Grades 6+)

Whatever your goal is, there is a path to take you there. The path won’t always be easy, but the journey will always be worth it. This was certainly true for Olympian Sarah Wells, who encountered roadblock after roadblock on her path to athletic success. The podium has always been the destination, however, it was the challenging moments in-between that made Sarah the champion she is today. Sarah’s pursuit to multiple Olympic Games is the perfect example of what it means to relentlessly pursue your goals to not only to achieve success, but also find significance in the obstacles you face. Audience members will leave with the tools to positively reframe their mindset, surround themselves with the right support, and understand that hard work won’t always lead to success, but being resilient will always lead to another opportunity for it.

Overcoming Hurdles: 10 tactics to build resilience in you and your team - Keynote (Grades 6+)

Resilience isn’t just for when times get tough. It is a daily practice we can build into our lives so that when we need it most, we have the tools and the skills to be able to exercise our resilience. Many of us can find it challenging to train something that feels so intangible, but in this keynote Sarah walks through actionable daily steps to build your resilience muscle, along with how we can encourage and support our team members to do the same.

Redefine Success: How to see the success in your everyday - Workshop (Grades 4+)

We often view success by our ability to set a goal and then achieve that desired outcome. We may define ourselves by what we do, and what awards we have won – but that is not the only definition of success. While results are important, it is equally important to create a mechanism that keeps us motivated and inspired along the way. Sometimes goals change, sometimes unforeseen circumstances come into play, and through all that, we can remain resilient by redefining success with a success criteria. By the end of this workshop, you will learn a process on how to create that criteria and leave with a rubric to measure your future pursuits.

The Power of Habit: Habits, Discipline and Time Management - Workshop (Grades 4+)

This workshop will discuss the importance of discipline and habit building in order to achieve your desired life-style. Participants will be challenged to reflect on their goals and the choices they are making that are either enabling or inhibiting their progress. By the end of this workshop participants will have two positive commitments they agree to hold themselves to and the plan to stay accountable.

Recharge Your Batteries: How to ensure we effectively use our energy - Workshop (Grades 4+)

In this workshop participants are challenged to take an energy audit of their life. Participants discover where they are spending their time and energy and how to make improvements to better serve the goals they have in mind. By the end of this workshop, participants will have a self-designed recharging plan that they can apply proactively to avoid burnout or apply in moments where they feel overwhelmed

Share Your Story: How to leverage your experiences and create your signature story - Workshop (Grades 4+)

One of the best ways to ensure people remember you or your ideas is to use stories that help them connect to you. Yet, we often shy away from sharing our story because we assume it will look self congratulatory or people just won’t care. Whether you are in a leadership role or act as an individual contributor you should have your “signature story” that you can leverage to showcase skills, values, achievements, as well as connect and motivate others! In this session you will learn some basics of powerful storytelling, why it’s important, and you’ll walk away with the foundation of your signature story.

Leverage Your Network: How to build your dream team - Workshop (Grades 4+)

Most superstars have an incredible team helping them operate at a high level. We know support systems are important yet many of us do not spend any intentional time figuring out what that support system should like and how we can foster it. In this session we’ll walk through how to intentionally design your dream team of support by auditing your network and knowing who to ask for help, and how!

Action Plans: Building Action Plans for High Performance - Workshop (Grades 4+)

No matter the goal, a strong action plan can be the difference between aimless action and architected achievement. Olympian Sarah Wells will take us through the principals that helped build her Olympic training plans, and how we can apply that to our own aspirations.

Empathy - Workshop (Grades 4+)

Empathy is an important part of connecting with others. Inside this workshop you will reflect deeply on the elements of empathy and be equipped with tactics for your toolkit. You will also practice these tactics with others and begin to explore how you can turn empathy into impact.

Integrity - Workshop (Grades 4+)

When we treat ourselves with integrity and respect we increase our chances of happier and healthier relationships. In this workshop you will define what is your personal brand of integrity and how you can use trust and the L.A.K.E effect to build more integrity into your life.

Confidence - Workshop (Grades 4+)

In this workshop students will define their comfort zones and explore ways to expand that zone. Students will reflect on the people, places, and things that make them feel most confident, and create a plan to take action, try new things, and fill their lives with the things that make them feel their best!

Testimonials

Speaker Testimonials

“Sarah is an inspiration to not only athletes, but to all of us overcoming life’s obstacles. Her motto “Believe” is something we should all remember in those challenging moments. Thank you Sarah, you are an inspiration. “

John Jelaca, Teacher, Ellwood Memorial Public School

“Sarah had the audience connected to her quickly and kept them engaged throughout. Her story is adaptable to the key experiences all of us have as we face challenges. Since we were focusing on Mental Health – specifically Resiliency – her message was both entertaining and pertinent. Having seen her before, we knew she would be a perfect match for the conference theme.”

K. Patterson, Iroquois Ridge High School, Oakville, ON

“Sarah is an inspiration to not only athletes, but to all of us overcoming life’s obstacles. Her motto “Believe” is something we should all remember in those challenging moments. Thank you Sarah, you are an inspiration.”

John Jelaca, Teacher, Ellwood Memorial Public School

“It was a delight to have you inspire my key business partners in fall of 2015. You were able to effectively connect with this group of Investment Advisors drawing from your experiences on and off the track. The parallels drawn between high performance sport and high performance living made an impact on everyone in the room. Your warm smile, infectious energy and the depth of your story kept everyone engaged and left us motivated and determined. “

Greg Jizmejian, Vice President, BMO Nesbitt Burns

“Sarah came to speak to my Sport Nutrition and Exercise Prescription for Sport class this semester at George Brown College. When word got out around the college that Sarah was coming, the entire Fitness and Wellness program, including faculty, showed up for her talk. Everyone was so impressed by her belief in herself, tenacity and journey to the Olympics. Sarah also touched on her nutrition, training and the biomechanics of running to gear the talk to what the students were learning in class. Sarah is an inspirational person and an amazing speaker and I would definitely recommend her for speaking engagements! ”

Dr. Aisling Lanigan, N.D., BSc. George Brown College
More Information

REQUEST TO BOOK Sarah Wells

If comfortable, please use a personal email as many school boards have blocked external emails.