An accomplished physician, nationally ranked spoken word poet, and thought leader, Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa is a multi-faceted powerhouse whose journey exemplifies authentic leadership in every aspect. Through powerful storytelling and compelling narrative, she draws from her diverse experiences — across sectors, stages, and disciplines — to share meaningful and actionable insights on leadership, connection, and wellness, and how to unlock our true potential for transformative results in our organizations, communities, and lives.
Oriuwa’s career is a testament to her insatiable curiosity about the human experience and the profound connections that define it. She is currently a resident doctor in psychiatry at the University of Toronto where she earned her medical degree and became the first Black woman named sole valedictorian of the department. Oriuwa also holds a master’s degree in health systems leadership and Innovation. This, combined with her medical background, has established her as a sought-after expert in the science and practice of leadership, innovation, and performance.
Named one of TIME magazine’s “2021 Next Generational Leaders” and one of Maclean’s Power 50, Oriuwa has served on multiple boards informing their efforts in advancing equity, leading authentically, and prioritizing workplace wellness. She has also been named one of Best Health Magazine‘s “Women of the Year”, honoured with a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll made in her image in recognition of her impact, and featured in several major media outlets, including CBC’s The National, CTV News, CP24, Toronto Star, and TODAY, amongst others. In 2024, Oriuwa published Unlike the Rest, her memoir of becoming, belonging, and being seen on her journey as a medical trailblazer and leader.
An in-demand speaker, Oriuwa draws from every dimension of her life — physician, poet, mother, and leader — threading together the clinical, creative, and deeply personal to captivate and inspire audiences. She infuses her keynotes with the rhythm, emotion, and precision of poetry along with the levity of parenthood to transform critical and timely discourse into an artful, relatable narrative that leaves a profound, impactful, and lasting impression.
