IWD Speaker Ideas 

Dr. Rumeet Billan | Leadership, Emotional Resilience and Mental Health Expert

Dr. Rumeet Billan is the new CEO of Women of Influence, one of North America’s leading organizations offering solutions for workplace gender equality and women’s advancement. She helps people optimize their potential by building resilience and emotional intelligence, and provides strategies on how to manage mental health challenges in the workplace and at home. She’s led 3 major studies on the workplace including the 2022 Workplace Belonging Study, The Tallest Poppy study on women in the workplace & the Happiness at Work study in partnership with the Mental Health Association.

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Anna Maria Tremonti | Journalist, Podcaster & 17 Season Host of ‘The Current’ 

For 17 years, Tremonti hosted CBC Radio One’s The Current, where her mix of hard-edged journalism and hard-won empathy helped build the show into Canada’s most listened-to radio program. She has the gift of tackling everything from the politics of the day, to the changes that affect our society, to the stories of individuals whose personal journeys and traumas affect us all. Without a doubt, every dedicated listener has been consistently moved and inspired by Anna Maria’s genuine approach to interviewing.| [view profile]

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Vivek Shraya | Artist & Educator on Self Expression, Identity and Inclusivity

An acclaimed artist, Vivek Shraya uses music, literature, visual art, theatre, and film to engage audiences on topics like mental health, queerness and inclusion. Inspiring audiences to celebrate who they are, she challenges the ways we are taught to think about gender and offers insights on how to create change. Vivek highlights her experience while creating space for audiences to reflect on and share their own. Her latest work, How to Fail as a PopStar, has become a book, a play, and released in 2023 as a tv series on CBC Gem; she also released her visual album – “Baby, You’re Projecting” with Mint Records. | [view profile]

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Dr. Samantha Yammine | Neuroscientist                                                                              

As a neuroscientist, Dr. Samantha Yammine has been paying attention to the impact of the pandemic on women, and on people’s anxiety.  Her tips on managing stress and building resilience resonate.  She also knows that research shows using an image of your face when engaging online increases engagement by 38% — a selfie or Zoom video is more relatable.  She’s on a mission to make science and STEM more accessible for women and girls and her following of often over 4million views per day shows the impact of her approach. She believes showing who you are as a scientist is just as much about what you actually do in a lab as who you are outside.  | [view profile] 

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Dr. Roberta Jamieson | Leader, Builder, Visionary                                                                             

Roberta Jamieson is a Mohawk woman from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory and lives a life dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion. She was Canada’s first Indigenous woman to earn a law degree, first female Ombudsman in Ontario, and the first woman to be Chief of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. She is a constructive disrupter of the status quo and continuously demonstrates the courage and tenacity required of leaders in a changing environment.  | [view profile] 

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Hayley Wickenheiser | Hockey Legend & Four Time Olympic Gold Medalist                                                                             

A decorated Olympian, Hayley Wickenheiser is regarded as one of the best female hockey players in the world with an uncompromised determination and dedication to her sport. However, it’s not just her lethal slapshot that is respected by her teammates, fans and peers; Hayley is also an award winner, community leader, mentor, history-maker and an accomplished businesswoman.  Today she helps in the fight in healthcare against COVID-19 on her journey to her medical degree.  | [view profile]

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