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Dr. Samantha Nutt

Physician | Global Affairs Expert | Founder, War Child Canada and War Child USA

Dr. Samantha Nutt
TED Talk | The real harm of the global arms trade
Dr. Sam Nutt
Invest in Preventing War
Dr.
Dr. Sam Nutt
Dr. Samantha Nutt
TED Talk | The real harm of the global arms trade
Dr. Sam Nutt
Invest in Preventing War

For more than 20 years, Dr. Samantha Nutt has been on the frontlines of many of the world’s major crises. A medical doctor and founder and president of the internationally renowned non-profit organizations, War Child Canada and War Child USA, she is one of the most intrepid and recognized voices in the humanitarian arena and a leading authority on current affairs, public health, war, and foreign policy. Nutt draws on her incredible wealth of experience to share unique insights into global issues and what they mean to her audiences.

Nutt is a respected authority for many of North America’s leading media outlets. She is a regular foreign affairs panelist on the acclaimed news program, CBC’s The National, and a contributor to NowThis News. Her written work has been published by TED Ideas, Reuters, The Globe and Mail, The National Post, The Toronto Star, Maclean’s Magazine, The Ottawa Citizen, The Huffington Post, and many others. She has also been featured in AP News, Forbes, TIME, Chatelaine, and More magazine, and on NBC Nightly News, BBC World News Service, America’s Radio News Network, NPR, CTV’s Power Play, CTV National News, Global TV News, and CBC Radio, to name a few.

In addition, Nutt is a staff physician at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto and an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Toronto. She also authored the critically acclaimed and #1 bestselling book, Damned Nations: Greed, Guns, Armies, and Aid, which is a bracing and uncompromising account of her work in some of the most devastated regions of the world. In 2016, Nutt spoke at the TED Talks Live “War and Peace” event at The Town Hall Theatre in New York, which aired on PBS. Her talk on the deadly impact of small arms has since garnered over a million views on TED.com.

Named one of Canada’s “25 most influential figures” by The Globe and Mail and one of “Canada’s Five Leading Activists” by TIME magazine, Nutt was recognized as a Young Global Leader by World Economic Forum and has been appointed to both the Order of Ontario and the Order of Canada. Most recently, she was awarded the prestigious Loyola Medal by Concordia University.

Nutt graduated summa cum laude from McMaster University, earned a M.Sc in Public Health with distinction from the University of London, and holds a Fellowship in Community Medicine (FRCPC) from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. She is further certified by the College of Family Practice and completed a sub-specialization in women’s health through the University of Toronto as a Women’s Health Scholar. Nutt is also a senior fellow at University of Toronto’s Massey College and a former board member of the David Suzuki Foundation.

Speaking topics

Presentations listed below include in-person and virtual keynotes, as well as workshops, fireside chats, and other presentation formats.

  • Conflicted? The World of War

    This presentation takes a compelling look at the impact of war — the truth, the lies, and the reality on the ground — and the major events currently shaping our world. Geared towards students, educators, and general audiences, this captivating talk examines our growing global economic and security inter-dependence, and explores the meaning of social justice and community in the 21st century.

  • Leadership

    Leaders have strength, courage, and conviction. Were they born with these illusive qualities, alongside a perfect balance of knowledge and charisma, or have they simply learned to communicate their experience and ideas more effectively than the rest of us? Leaders encourage us to inspire, to think, and to demand more of ourselves and of our society. They connect us to something larger than ourselves. But is leadership just ingrained in certain people, or can it be acquired? Can we all be leaders?

    In this presentation, Dr. Samantha Nutt looks at the meaning and significance of leadership. She maps out ways in which we can all be more effective leaders — in the world and in the workplace — because the capacity to lead exists in each and every one of us.

  • When Women Lead

    Geared towards lawyers, civil society organizations, and justice advocates, this presentation explores the importance of the rule of law and access to justice in promoting a more peaceful and sustainable world. Dr. Samantha Nutt talks about her experiences developing and promoting access to justice programs that strengthen the rights of women and children, with a view to tackling the climate of impunity that exists in many corners of the world. She explains why the rule of law and its champions can and must be the next frontier of international humanitarian assistance.

  • Why the World Needs More Lawyers

    Geared towards lawyers, civil society organizations and justice advocates, this presentation explores the importance of the rule of law and access to justice in promoting a more peaceful and sustainable world. Nutt talks about her experiences developing and promoting access to justice programs that strengthen the rights of women and children, with a view to tackling the climate of impunity that exists in many corners of the world. She explains why the rule of law and its champions can and must be the next frontier of international humanitarian assistance.

  • Corporate Governance

    Doing the “right” thing in business isn’t without its ambiguities, or even its liabilities. When do ethical screens trump financial considerations? How are these assessments weighted and what matters to shareholders? Will you be in breach of your fiduciary duty if you prioritize human rights over hard math? What is your legal obligation either way?

    In this thought-provoking presentation geared towards investors, asset managers, and business leaders, Dr. Samantha Nutt reflects on the changing ethical and fiduciary responsibilities facing businesses, and the meaning of governance and risk at a time of growing consumer activism and evolving international legislation. She examines the true meaning of transparency and corporate social responsibility, and makes the case for why businesses willing to embrace these changes will land on top.

  • Taking Your Vision To Action

    Do you have an idea you’d like to see realized? A change you’d like to promote within your business or organization? A vision for creating something new? In this 45-minute presentation, Dr. Samantha Nutt reflects on the more than 20 years she has spent transforming her vision for a new approach to humanitarian aid into an internationally acclaimed organization. War Child assists half a million children and their families every year in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

    Blending humorous anecdotes with powerful storytelling, this keynote offers practical tips and inspiring lessons for individuals and organizations seeking to implement any kind of change or to launch something new.

  • When Local is Global

    Our world is accelerating and our communities are colliding, not always for the better. Whether it is the terrible garment factory fires in Bangladesh, the diamonds on our fingers, the components in our cell phones, the profits in our pensions, or the environmental wreckage — such as the Gulf oil spill — associated with our energy needs, our interdependence means that we need to frame the questions differently. How do I get it cheaper, faster, and better, must also be accompanied by questions of how do we get it right? And answering that question is a lifelong pursuit.

    In this 45-minute presentation, Dr. Samantha Nutt examines our obligations to the wider world, exploring the questions: How do we impact on it, and how does it impact on us? What do we know, and what do we need to learn?

  • What Not To Give (The Art of Philanthropy)

    Don’t give to charity; give to change. This is Dr. Samantha Nutt’s overarching message in a dynamic and thought-provoking presentation about philanthropy esploring what works and what doesn’t.

    Geared to general audiences who want to know how to really make a global difference, this presentation challenges popular thinking around what it means to give and why good intentions don’t guarantee good outcomes.

    Nutt outlines practical solutions and recommendations for those looking to make the most of their philanthropic efforts. Ideal for groups looking for a mix of inspiration and information on philanthropy and corporate social responsibility.

  • Global Health

    Many health professionals and associations are engaged in “global health” work. But is this effective? And how can they really have an impact? In this compelling presentation, Dr. Samantha Nutt reflects on the 20 years she has spent advancing the cause of global health, the lessons she has learned, and the role that health practitioners can really play in promoting a healthier and safer world. This presentation is ideal for medical audiences, as well as hospitals and medical and nursing schools.

  • Damned Nations: Greed, Guns, Armies, and Aid

    This presentation explores some of the concepts and themes in Dr. Samantha Nutt’s #1 bestselling book, Damned Nations. Suitable for audiences looking to understand more about current and international affairs, this gripping keynote is a valuable introduction to the challenges and opportunities facing our world.

  • Adapting to the Unknown: Strategies for Employers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

    This presentation is developed for businesses that are looking to develop public health protocols and strategies for their business. Dr. Samantha Nutt is a public health expert and a veteran of international healthcare crises. She provides insight into current public health trends; infection control practices to consider; the evidence around the effectiveness of specific health/safety measures; and future developments and considerations to keep in mind.

  • Where Do We Go from Here?

    Join Dr. Samantha Nutt as she explores the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; how countries and governments are responding; overlooked regions of the world, and their implications for public health and safety; the future of work; and the likely trajectory of the coronavirus — from national and international perspectives.

  • We Will Get Through This: An Antidote to Hopelessness

    Dr. Samantha Nutt has frontline experience providing aid and medical care to people in crisis all around the world. This virtual presentation focuses on her personal story, sharing insight she’s gained on how to tap into resiliency and avoid being overcome by feelings of helplessness and hopelessness during times of great uncertainty.

    Nutt has spent years working in war zones, facing daily fear and dread about the unknown. With this uplifting presentation, she helps audiences understand the emotional ups and downs during crisis and develop the important skill of dealing with change.

  • More Topics

    Dr. Samantha Nutt can offer keynotes geared towards specific audiences and industries. For more information, please contact your Speakers’ Spotlight Agent or fill out our request form.

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Related Content

More great information and resources.

Books

  • Damned Nations

    Dr. Samantha Nutt is one of the most intrepid voices in the humanitarian arena and Damned...

    → Read More

Articles

Client reviews

  • Committee of Youth Officers for the Province of Ontario

    Sam’s talk at COYO was truly impactful and moving. Many audience members commented on how priviledged they felt to hear you speak. I believe that you moved many to action that day.

    From a personal perspective, I so appreciated your kindness, energy, knowledge and capacity for giving and sharing with others all that you do and have given to the world. It was a true honour to meet you and hear you speak. I work very hard every day with young people to encourage them and engage them in various aspects of active citizenship; hearing you reminded me once again of why I do what I do.

  • Trinity College School

    Great, great, great presentation!!! I am so proud to be Canadian right now!!! You are an inspiration to us all!

  • Model United Nations of the University of Chicago (MUNUC)

    First of all, I wanted to congratulate you on all of your efforts. I was really inspired by you as well as your speech… I’ve never seen the crowd so moved by the keynote speaker.

  • ETFO - Waterloo Region Teacher Local

    She was a huge success and our members are posting extremely positive comments about her presentations. You know you have a powerful and commanding speaker when you could hear a pin drop during the presentation, and when the speaker receives a long standing ovation.

  • Service Canada

    I have, personally, never before been awestruck by a conference speaker. Dr. Nutt’s enthousiasm for her purpose was palpable.

  • Sinclair Secondary School

    The event could not have gone better. Sam was fantastic, the speech got a standing ovation and absolute silence from over 700 students in the gym. She stayed for over an hour after the event to talk to students, sign autographs and pose for pictures. I’d like to thank everybody involved for helping to inspire Sinclair’s students.

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