2025 marks Speakers Spotlight’s “pearl anniversary” — 30 years of proudly serving the dynamic meeting and events industry. We’ve already celebrated the ethos and team behind this milestone, now we’re shining the spotlight on the talent that made it possible — our incredible community of keynote speakers.
From the beginning, we’ve been guided by two core values that define how we work with our speakers: we do everything with the long term in mind and we value relationships more than transactions. These aren’t just words on our wall — they’re the foundation of partnerships that have spanned 10, 15, 20+ years. We’ve grown alongside our speakers, riding the ebbs and flows of our industry together as trusted partners.
We know our speakers’ stories, their expertise, and what drives them. They know us too — our standards, our clients, and how we define success. Together, we’ve built something remarkable, arranging more than 40,000 speaking engagements in over 50 countries since 1995, creating the potential for impact that extends far beyond the stage.
But enough about us! It’s time to meet some of the speakers we’re talking about — the kind of people you’ve known for so long, they’re basically family. Unfortunately, we can’t fit all of them in one blog post, but we love and appreciate them all. Below is just a selection of the speakers we’re fortunate to work with and to learn from everyday, with each reflecting on their time working with Speakers Spotlight over the past three decades.
Colonel Chris Hadfield
Astronaut | Business Leader | Tech Entrepreneur | Bestselling Author
We were honoured to have Colonel Chris Hadfield join our roster after he retired from the Canadian Space Agency in 2013. We were already big fans, having followed his journey as the first Canadian commander of the International Space Station, watching his incredible videos including his famous rendition of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity,” which Bowie himself called “possibly the most poignant version of the song ever created.” It came as no surprise that Chris became one of our most in-demand speakers, sharing the marvels and wonders of science and space exploration while drawing profound parallels between life in orbit and leadership on earth.
Being Chris’ partner in this next chapter has been extraordinary. He’s become a business and tech leader, a five-time bestselling author, and a boundary-pushing innovator who advises companies like SpaceX and Virgin Galactic and continues to inspire everyone he meets.
Here’s what he had to say:
We’ve been working with Speakers Spotlight ever since I left my job at the Canadian Space Agency. I cold called all the leading Canadian speakers’ bureaus, and Speakers Spotlight was the kindest, the most responsive, the most professional, and the readiest to interface with my team to rapidly and flexibly get to productive work together.
The best part of my relationship with Speakers Spotlight has been their continuing excellence, attention to detail, flexibility, and willingness to change how we do business together as needs have evolved — through COVID, global speaking tours, board/consultation negotiations, commercials, music, and worldwide corporate speaking. I regularly recommend Martin, Farah, and the Speakers Spotlight team as the best in the business.
Shawn Kanungo
Strategy in a World of Disruption
Shawn Kanungo brings a cinematic approach to his keynotes. An innovation strategist who helps audiences embrace unexpected approaches to innovation, he applies the same thinking to his own speaking career, constantly pushing boundaries and setting new standards. In 2021, Forbes called him the “Best Virtual Keynote Speaker I’ve Ever Seen”, and for good reason. During the pandemic, he not only adapted to virtual events, but reimagined them entirely, renting out entire theatres and hiring professional film crews to create immersive experiences that redefined what online events could be.
And as innovative as Shawn is, he is also a joy to work with, incredibly hardworking and generous with his time. He works closely with clients to align his message and expertise with their goals, and generously shares his knowledge with our team and the entire speaking community.
Here’s what he had to say:
When I joined Speaker Spotlight at the end of 2017, it was a career-defining moment. It was like joining the Avengers — joining a roster of the most respected voices in the world. An absolute honour.
What’s made the journey truly special isn’t just the speaking reaching engagement or the global reach — it’s the people. The team at Speakers Spotlight doesn’t just represent you; they believe in you. They care deeply. About the craft. About the message. About making an impact.
The past eight years have been a whirlwind. We’ve taken this message on innovation and AI and shared it with audiences across the country and across the globe.
But the real magic isn’t just what happens on stage — it’s pulling off the impossible behind the scenes. Like figuring out how to get from Toronto to Cartagena to Kona to Edmonton in just four days. Or Vancouver to Kona to Kuala Lumpur to Regina to Vancouver to Edmonton… all within six days. Or coordinating six virtual keynotes with A/V checks in three days.
And the craziest part? Knock on wood – we haven’t missed a single event because of it.
Jessica Holmes
Celebrated Comedian | Author | Mental Health Advocate
When Jessica Holmes first joined our roster as a comedian and host, she was well known for her hit comedy series, Royal Canadian Air Farce and The Holmes Show, and having opened for such comedic giants as Ellen DeGeneres, Russell Peters, and Jerry Seinfeld.
With the release of her memoir, Depression The Comedy: A Tale of Perseverance, Jessica wanted to transition into being a mental health keynote speaker — a bold career pivot — and we were all in! She has since become a force in the mental health community, openly sharing her personal mental health journey with the humour she’s known for, bringing light and laughter to what can be a difficult topic. Jessica became a Bell Let’s Talk celebrity ambassador in 2018, and we’re proud to be her cheering squad and partner in her quest to end the stigma around mental illness.
Here’s what she had to say:
More than 20 years ago, Farah and Martin invited me in for a meeting. I didn’t know anything about the speaker circuit but thought “wait, there’s a job where I can be funny before noon?? Heck yes!” Speaking of heck, after one of my first events when my colourful language resulted in some audible gasps from the audience, Kelly MacDonald gently asked “could there be a way to get the same laughs… without any gasps?” A lightbulb went off. I was in comedy to make the greatest number of people feel good, and that meant aligning my approach with my goal. I Venn-diagrammed my content till funny and inclusive overlapped, and it created a connection with audiences. I’m honoured to bring everybody in the room together through laughter. Thanks Kelly!
The first time I met Martin, I asked what the advantage of being exclusive with Speakers Spotlight was, and he mentioned a few perks then paused and said, “what it really comes down to is we’re loyal and we’re in it for the long-term, supporting your growth.” I have been able to grow as a speaker, particularly when my priorities shifted after experiencing depression. I wanted to give audiences a sense of empathy and optimism around mental illness — but still keep my comedic approach. Martin said, “I can’t say whether clients will go for it, but if it’s something you believe in, we’ll at least try.” I went on a walk with Farah to discuss how my vision could line up with client needs and “Mental Health: The Good, the Bad, and the Funny” was born.
Being a fun mental health advocate has become the most fulfilling and meaningful part of my career. I’m so grateful to Martin, Farah, and all of the agents who go to bat for my talks. I’m grateful for the positive, uplifting interactions I have with every member of the team — including a special shout out for the warmth, support, and laughs I have with all y’all in logistics!
Happy 30th anniversary Speakers Spotlight and looking forward to growing on this path with you!
Ron Tite
Purpose-Driven Leadership and Marketing Expert
For 17 years, we’ve been fortunate to work with Ron Tite. He’s what happens when you mix serious business chops — he’s worked with some of the world’s most respected brands, including Google, Intel, Microsoft, Volvo, Walmart, and many others — with serious stage presence — he was the executive producer and host of the award-winning comedy show, Monkey Toast. He’s got that rare gift of making you think while making you laugh, consistently exceeding expectations every time he’s on stage.
Here’s what he had to say:
Let’s all admit it. Speakers have HUGE egos.
How could you not? You’re elevated and amplified before hundreds or thousands of people who calmly sit — all facing the same direction — and listen to you. When you’re done, they stand, applaud, and give you a complementary $40 hotel muffin and an hourly fee that would make your parents blush. Outta my way, talent coming through!
An experienced professional knows they’re never alone on stage — even though it looks like they are. For the past 17 years, I’ve been proudly on stage with Speakers Spotlight brilliantly standing beside me. If I’ve been there, it’s because this wonderful team has guided me, coached me, advised me, trusted me, empowered me, promoted me, and scheduled me. Whether it was responding to the panic-filled, “My flight was canceled!”, or the more existential, “What is the meaning of life, why are we here, and how much should I charge to state my answer?”, the entire team has been as patient and kind as they have been proactive and insightful.
Here’s what’s remarkable: in 17 years, they’ve NEVER got it wrong. Not once. No wrong info, mistyped date, incorrect venue, mixed up client name. NOTHING. Heck, I’ve made four mistakes TODAY. To perform that kind of magic for an event is professional. But to consistently do it for 30 years? That’s legendary.
A speaker never stands on stage alone but somehow, we always hog the spotlight. Here’s hoping this celebration changes that. Happy 30th Anniversary to the best team in the business from one guy who simply wouldn’t be as happy as I am without your friendship. Who’s in for 30 more?
Dr. Preet Banerjee
Behavioural Finance Expert
Sometimes the best partnerships happen by accident. We’ve been working with Dr. Preet Banerjee since 2013. It was a chance meeting — he was dropping off a friend at our office when that friend suggested he pop in. What started as a quick introduction turned into a meeting with our whole team where we were fascinated to hear his journey from neuroscience to aspiring race car driver to becoming one of Canada’s most trusted financial voices. By the end of that impromptu meeting, we had a handshake deal, and before the day was over, we’d booked him his first speaking engagement.
From his decade as a panelist on CBC’s The National to his bestselling books and thriving YouTube channel, Preet continues to make the complex world of finance accessible to everyone — and we’re grateful to be along for every milestone.
Here’s what he had to say:
I had the most insane first meeting with Speakers Spotlight. I was dropping off a friend at their office and he said I should come up and meet the team. Martin was there and what was initially supposed to be a quick hello turned into a scene straight out of Entourage with all the agents in the boardroom around a table, telling me all about what they did. LATER THAT DAY they booked me for a gig, and I’ve never looked back. Speakers Spotlight has been the most important and rewarding professional relationship of my career.
I remember I was about to go on stage in Montreal for an event and I got a message from Speakers Spotlight asking if I’d be able to fill in at the last minute for a conference the next morning in Vancouver — I think it was because another speaker had a travel delay that would potentially lead them to miss the event. Luckily, they were able to make it, but they had lined up flight and travel options to get me there on time as the backup just in case and that’s just a sample of how Speakers Spotlight will always go the extra mile to make sure the clients are taken care of. They are the gold standard. Being able to say “I’m repped by Speakers Spotlight” is a badge of honour.
To all our speakers — past, present, and future — thank you for trusting us with your stories, your expertise, and your careers. You’ve made these 30 years not just successful, but meaningful. Here’s to the next chapter of our journey together and to celebrating many more milestones together.
