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Jennifer Ménard-Shand

Indigenous French-Canadian Entrepreneur

Jennifer Menard-Shand Headshot Aug 2023
Speaker Reel
Jennifer Menard-Shand Thumb 1
The Power of Resilience and Community
Jennifer
Jennifer Menard-Shand Thumb 1
Jennifer Menard-Shand Headshot Aug 2023
Speaker Reel
Jennifer Menard-Shand Thumb 1
The Power of Resilience and Community

As a First Nations Ojibwe and French-Canadian entrepreneur, Jennifer Ménard-Shand always dreamed of leading a purpose-driven organization. Today, she lives that dream as the founder and CEO of Staff Shop, an award-winning certified diverse staffing firm. Through sharing her inspirational entrepreneurial journey as well as insight into the Canadian labour market, truth and reconciliation in the workplace, DEI, and more, Ménard-Shand inspires leaders and their teams to reach their full potential both at home and work.

Ménard-Shand began her career in 2008 at one of Toronto’s most trusted full-service recruitment agencies, The Bagg Group. In 2013, she created Bagg @ Your Service, the organization’s first hospitality and event division, before purchasing her creation in 2018 and evolving it into Staff Shop. Today, her company services hundreds of clients across North America and deploys thousands of employees throughout Canada as a full-service staffing and consulting firm with a focus on global expansion. In 2023, Ménard-Shand founded her second company, FireFlames, a trinity of delicious hot sauces that provides health-conscious eaters with varying heat levels.

Ménard-Shand’s entrepreneurial story celebrates the triumph of resiliency as a survivor of abuse, abandonment, domestic violence, imposter syndrome, and PTSD. She is committed to breaking the silence and putting an end to generational trauma and unhealthy cycles. There is no limit to the positive impact Staff Shop and Ménard-Shand can have on humanity. This is what drives her to do her best and leave a legacy worth following for future generations.

In addition, Ménard-Shand serves on the board of Victim Services Toronto to continue her mission to clear the path for others to succeed in various communities while leaving a legacy worth following as a servant leader.

Speaking topics

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

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Client reviews

  • We would like to offer our sincerest thanks for your expertise, words of advice, and call to action for Sobeys Inc. employees during our panel event, “Reconciliation in the Workplace”. Your engaging manner and expertise were noted and enhanced by your personal story. We received a large number of comments in the event’s live chat thanking you for having the courage to share your personal truths. We can not thank you enough, Jennifer, for taking the time to share and enrich our event with your presence. Your contribution will continue to impact the entire Sobeys Inc. team, as we continue on the path of awareness and action related to truth and reconciliation.

  • I would like to formally give my most sincere thanks to Jen and her team at Staff Shop for supporting the professional education and development of the Young Presidents’ Assistants (YPA) members. The lessons learned will remain invaluable throughout our entire careers. We have had the opportunity to hear from many individuals and companies from all walks of life at YPA, but Jennifer and Staff Shop stand out as something truly special. Listening to Jen, it was clear that she is a genuine person, and that Staff Shop operates on the same principles by which she conducts herself. We know there were many attendees who reached out to Jennifer after the event to continue the conversation re; women in business, tragedy to triumph storytelling, and employment opportunities.

  • Thank you for attending the Girl Guides of Canada (GGC) Board Retreat to share about your experience as a transformational female leader with our Board Members. GGC has a long history of supporting and empowering girls in Canada. We want to continue to be a key player, paving the way for women with our girl members in the lead. Your valuable insights over the weekend have helped us better understand how we can achieve this. Thank you for sharing your wealth of experience as a woman of influence in Canada. Your support enables us to help girls achieve greatness and be all they can be.

  • Jennifer offered insight on key aspects of entrepreneurship: the importance of working on your business as opposed to in it; how she builds A-player teams only at Staff Shop; and some keys to entrepreneurial success. Jennifer’s words of wisdom came from her own experience, but the lessons are applicable to everyone: learning to let go gives room for others to grow; use tools and resources to put the right people in the right roles; believe in yourself, and seek mentors who believe in you when you have doubts.

  • We at American Express Canada would like to thank you for your participation in our session discussing how race conversations can translate into real change within organizations. Our colleagues were inspired by your openness and honesty in sharing how you used your personal experience to build Staff Shop as a purpose-driven company that is truly making an impact. We were all so captivated by your stories and perspective, and your ability to discuss this topic in a relatable and humorous manner without sacrificing or downplaying the importance of the message.

  • This year I had the great honour to interview Jennifer Ménard-Shand for my Chatter that Matters platform.  As a Canadian I take great comfort and pride in knowing that people with the values, faith, spirit, and drive of Jennifer are succeeding in a world where so many chase profits over a higher purpose. Jennifer has become an extraordinary entrepreneur who makes things happen with a strategic mind, a resonating heart, and a bias for action. In doing so she has opened her path in life to others based on merit versus the biases that often blind humanity. Jennifer is special and I recommend her as loudly as words can roar.

  • I feel privileged to be in a position to recommend Staff Shop’s Founder & CEO, Jennifer Ménard-Shand, for speaking engagements and presentations. I am confident that anyone engaging Jennifer for these services would be more than satisfied with their experience and results. Jennifer offered insight on key aspects of entrepreneurship, challenges, strategies, successes, and resiliency. It was no surprise that Jennifer made the experience a valuable and memorable one. If you’re looking for a positive, impactful, and productive experience, Jennifer is the right choice.

  • We feel privileged to be in a position to offer our sincerest thank you to Jennifer for her keynote on “The Great Reality”. Her expertise and insights hit home with hundreds of insurance brokers and their employees across Ontario. We had the pleasure of hearing Jennifer speak on “The Great Resignation” theme, which is timely and critical in these unprecedented times. She focused on facts, statistics, best practices, and helpful resources to weather the storm, and turn challenges into opportunities. We are very pleased and grateful that Jennifer made the experience a memorable one and that our audience left inspired and informed. Jennifer’s contribution will continue to impact the entire IBAO team, and we would recommend Jennifer as a speaker without hesitation.

  • All BDC Board members and I have truly appreciated the time you have spent with us this afternoon. We are on a learning journey to better understand Indigenous history and culture, and how we can better support BDC employees and better serve businesses and different communities. You have definitely provided many insights for us to think about.

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