Meet Your Judges for the 2024 Grand Slam - The Inspirational Speaking Finals
Oct 15, 2024Speaker Slam®'s 8th Annual Grand Slam: Inspirational Speaking Finals
This year marks Speaker Slam®'s 8th annual Grand Slam, an event that highlights the profound impact of storytelling. On November 9th, 2024, at the CBC Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, the top 14 speakers from 2024 will take the stage to share their inspiring and life-changing stories under this year’s theme, Brave.
The Theme: Brave
The theme of this year’s Grand Slam, Brave, encourages us to step beyond our fears and embrace challenges head-on. It's a reminder that bravery is not the absence of fear but the strength to persist in the face of it. As these speakers share their powerful stories, they’ll inspire us to reflect on our own lives and push beyond our comfort zones to live courageously.
Throughout 2024, Speaker Slam®, North America’s largest inspirational speaking competition, hosted five thrilling qualifier competitions. Each competition was built around a unique theme, offering speakers the opportunity to share stories that resonated deeply with audiences. The top two speakers from each qualifier, along with four wildcard selections, will now compete for the prestigious title of Inspirational Speaker of the Year, a $5,000 cash prize, and a prize package worth $50,000.
Speaker Slam®: The Journey to the Grand Slam
Speaker Slam® is a platform that empowers changemakers, thought leaders, and everyday heroes to inspire others. Over the course of this year, dozens of speakers have shared their stories in front of live audiences, transforming not only their own lives but also the lives of those who listened.
Here are the themes that defined the journey leading up to the Grand Slam:
- Reinvention (January 30th, 2024) – A celebration of personal transformation and the ability to create new beginnings.
- Human Connection (March 26th, 2024) – Emphasizing the power of relationships and shared experiences.
- Freedom (May 28th, 2024) – Embracing authenticity, breaking free from constraints, and living true to oneself.
- Perseverance (July 16th, 2024) – Highlighting resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
- Power of Yes (September 17th, 2024) – Encouraging the acceptance of new opportunities and growth.
Each competition brought forth incredible stories of hope, courage, and transformation, culminating in the Grand Slam, where the top 14 speakers from 2024 will deliver their most powerful speeches to date.
Meet Your Judges for the 2024 Grand Slam
A panel of 8 esteemed judges will be evaluating this year’s finalists, each bringing a wealth of experience and insight. These judges are known for their incredible contributions to various industries and will play a crucial role in helping crown the Inspirational Speaker of the Year.
Gordon Breault
CEO & Co-Founder
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Gordon Breault is the CEO and Co-Founder of the Speakers Bureau of Canada, North America’s fastest-growing speakers’ bureau. Mentored by his father, Roger Breault, Gordon launched the bureau in 2016, carrying forward a legacy of integrity and excellence in the speaking industry. Under his leadership, the company has rapidly expanded, developed custom software for operational efficiency, and formulating an organic and diverse forward-thinking team. Gordon’s vision continues to drive the bureau’s growth, fostering strong partnerships and shaping the future of the speaking industry in Canada.
Sarah Bean
Marketing Manager for Book Launchers, Speaking and Publishing Expert
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sarah Bean is Book Launchers’ marketing professional with 20 years of entertainment and publishing experience. Starting in the literary and speaking department of a worldwide booking agency, Sarah learned the roots of publishing working with celebrities, influencers and business leaders to publish bestselling titles. She has managed NY Times best-selling authors, produced live events like TEDx and been an entertainment journalist covering TV/film news and red carpet interviews. She now focuses on helping self-published authors launch their nonfiction titles that build their brand and business.
Cesar Cervantes
Speechwriter & Founder of Top Talks
Humble, Texas, USA
Cesar Cervantes is a speaker coach and speechwriter based in Houston, TX. He started his journey as a stand-up comedian, he was featured on Comedy Central and was even in a few movies. After that, he taught comedy classes in the theatre department at Colorado College and then became a professional speaker, teaching professionals how to develop deeper connections using humor. He has served as a 5x TEDx speaker coach on 3 continents and now leads Top Talks and his TEDx & Keynote Mentorship program. He's an avid tennis player and loves his little family even more than he loves tacos.
Nakita Singh Hans
Producer and Strategist
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Originally from Northern Ireland, with over 10 years of experience producing content for major networks in North America and the U.K., I've worked with the world's biggest celebrities, authors, and brands to bring their stories to streaming platforms and TV screens. I've produced for a range of national shows including ET Canada, Global News, Love Island After Sun, The Social CTV, and SiriusXM Canada.
From hard-hitting news to all things entertainment, I have a rare blend of creative instincts when it comes to covering programming across multiple channels.
Darius Bashar
Portrait Photographer and Creator of ArtistMorning.com
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Darius Bashar is an acclaimed photographer renowned for working with global celebrities, best-selling authors, and thought leaders such as Seth Godin, Liz Gilbert, Dr. Shefali, Jim Kwik, and Masai Ujiri. His work has been showcased in TIME, Apple, Forbes, USA TODAY, and Oprah.com. Darius specializes in capturing the essence of speakers and thought leaders, offering signature experiences like HEARTshots™ and the Black + White Experience™. As the founder of ArtistMorning.com, he leads a global community of creators and has facilitated over 1,000 meditations, downloaded over 1 million times since 2020.
Christina Carpio
TV/Media Personality, Founder/Editor in Chief
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
A TV/media personality, strategist, and storyteller with over a decade in news, lifestyle, and entertainment. As a former main host of CTV Morning Live, she produced and presented diverse content in the daily three-hour show. Previously, she was Editor-in-Chief of MarQuee Magazine, a columnist for Food and Beverage Magazine. She also hosted a travel show on Amazon Prime and Roku.
She founded Evolve Magazine, a platform that aims to educate and inspire Canadians to live their best. Cristina's community leadership has earned her multiple accolades, including the RBC Top 50 Canadian Immigrant Award and the Queen’s Jubilee Pin in 2023.
Fennella Bruce
Media Consultant and Producer
Pickering, Ontario, Canada
A veteran television producer and writer, Fennella Bruce is now at the helm of FKB Media Solutions and FKB Media Productions Inc. She has served on many critique juries, including the Canadian Screen Awards, The New York Festivals International TV Broadcasting Awards and the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. She is the Chair of the Foundation Board of Women in Film and Television - Toronto. This year, Fennella is Reel World’s Visionary Award recipient and the recipient of the University of Toronto Scarborough Alumni’s Inclusive Excellence Award and is the 2023 IABC/Rogers Communicator of the Year.
Jayson Gaignard
Head Curator at MMT
New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada
With just shy of 19,500 applications since its inception in 2013, Jayson's invite-only MMT Community has a lower acceptance rate than Harvard University. It brings together brilliant minds from various industries for curated networking, targeted troubleshooting and high-touch events, both live and remote. He's hosted celebrated speakers such as Esther Perel, James Clear, Gary Vaynerchuk, Tony Hawk and more. Jayson’s work has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, Forbes, Business Insider, along with dozens of books including Dan Martell's Buy Back Your Time and Tim Ferriss' New York Times bestseller Tools of Titans.
The judges have offered the following prizes:
First Place
Speaker Slam - $2000 Cash Prize
Speaker Slam - Signature Legacy Video: We transform your epic speech into a mini-movie production with pictures and music. Our Signature Video immortalizes your speech and creatively captures the essence of who you are as a speaker! (Valued at $1497)
Gordon Breault - Speaking Career Booster (Valued at $6000)
- Speaking Gig: One Free Corporate Speaking Gig Up to $5,000
- Gift Credit Card to be applied towards branding and marketing ($500)
- One Hour Elite Coaching Session on Speaker's choice of topics, strategy, or branding with Gordon Breault ($500)
Sarah Bean - Stage to Page Power Package ($2,500) :
- 30-minute Branding Call with Sarah Bean on your book and goals
- Self-Publish & Succeed Pre-recorded Class to write your book in 12 weeks
- Marketing Manuscript Assessment for completed books
Cesar Cervantes - Top Talks - TEDx Mentorship Program: Private coaching and community until you land and deliver your TEDx talk. ($5,000)
Nakita Singh Hans - TBA
Fennella Bruce - TBA
Darius Bashar - HEARTshot™ Photography Session: This signature experience is crafted specifically for emerging thought leaders and speakers. It’s more than a photoshoot—it’s a creative journey that taps into your Future Self, harnessing their wisdom, confidence, and guidance. The outcome of this unique photography process is genuine, impactful photos that reflect your true essence and support your growth as a speaker. ($3,500)
Cristina Carpio - The Evolve Contributor Package
- Guest Contributor for 6 months at Evolve Magazine: Share your insights and stories with a broad audience over six months.
- 1-on-1 Personal Branding Coaching: Receive personalized coaching on how to build and strengthen your personal brand.
- Article Crafting Collaboration: Work directly with me to develop informative and engaging articles.
- Team Page Feature: Have your bio displayed on our Evolve Magazine team page to boost your professional profile.
- Fennella Bruce - Media training consultation with a value of $2500. This includes two one (1) hour sessions on:
- How to package yourself for the media
- How to write a pitch
- Interview Preparation
- Mock interview with feedback
Jayson Gaignard - TBA
Second Place
Gordon Breault - Media Kit Booster:
- Gift Credit Card to be applied towards video production, writing or website. ($500)
- One Hour Elite Coaching Session on Speaker's choice of topics, strategy or branding with Gordon Breault. ($500)
Sarah Bean - Marketing Manuscript Assessment for completed books including a 30-minute Branding Call with Sarah Bean on your book and goals
Cesar Cervantes - Top Talks - TEDx Mentorship Program: Private coaching and community until you land and deliver your TEDx talk. ($5,000)
Nakita Singh Hans - TBA
Darius Bashar - Photography & Social Media Audit: This one-hour session is designed to elevate your online presence. We’ll dive into your marketing assets, and Darius will provide clear, actionable steps to help you enhance your branding and visibility across social media. Perfect for anyone looking to up-level their digital presence with expert guidance. ($500)
Cristina Carpio - The Guest Spotlight
- Guest Contributor Opportunity at Evolve Magazine: Share your journey and expertise with readers in a featured piece.
- Brand Coaching for Speakers: Learn how to effectively market yourself and elevate your brand as a speaker.
Jayson Gaignard - TBA
Third Place
Gordon Breault - Career Coaching & Consultation:
- One Hour Elite Coaching Session on Speaker's choice of topics, strategy or branding with Gordon Breault. ($500)
Sarah Bean - 30-minute Branding Call with Sarah Bean on your book and goals.
Cesar Cervantes - Top Talks - Full speech script review plus coaching session.
Nakita Singh Hans - TBA
Darius Bashar - Photography & Social Media Audit: This one-hour session is designed to elevate your online presence. We’ll dive into your marketing assets, and Darius will provide clear, actionable steps to help you enhance your branding and visibility across social media. Perfect for anyone looking to up-level their digital presence with expert guidance. ($500)
Cristina Carpio - The Branding Boost: One Hour of Personal Branding Coaching: Work with me to refine your personal brand in a focused, one-on-one session.
Jayson Gaignard - TBA
The 2024 Grand Slam promises to be a night filled with inspiration, courage, and unforgettable moments. As these speakers step onto the stage to share their brave stories, they will not only compete for the title but also remind us of the power of storytelling to change lives.
Don’t miss the chance to be a part of this transformative event! Join us on November 9th at the CBC Glenn Gould Studio and witness the rise of the next Inspirational Speaker of the Year.
🎟️ Get your tickets now at www.SpeakerSlam.org/events and be part of this life-changing experience!
