Who do you speak to, and what do you speak about?
My brand is. “Be your best ambassador”. I draw from a career in diplomacy to encourage individuals to be the ambassadors of their success. I speak to a variety of audiences, but my preferred audience is mid-career women—those out there hustling in the workforce, trying to strike that elusive balance between personal and professional life. I try to encourage them to lead their most inspired, purpose-driven careers.
What led you to The Speaker Lab?
Becoming a professional speaker was my 2024 New Year’s resolution. It followed a two-year period of soul-searching after I left my role as Canada’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. I had stepped away from a long career in public and foreign service and was looking for my next chapter.
I realized I wanted to share the lessons I learned throughout my career—to inspire others, especially women, to reach their own highest level of performance and fulfillment. Public speaking had always been part of my work, so I thought it would be a natural transition.
But I quickly discovered that professional speaking is a whole different world. Crafting an engaging, emotional, and impactful 45-minute keynote is part art—but also part science. And I didn’t have the science part. That was my first big challenge.
The second was that I launched a speaking business but focused only on the “speaking,” not the “business.” I didn’t know how to market myself or generate leads. I had so many stories and messages bottled up inside me, and I needed a path to bring them to life. That’s what led me to The Speaker Lab.
What were your key takeaways from the SPEAK framework?
I was so grateful there was a clear structure. I’m a process-oriented person—vision is one of my core values. I need to know where I’m going, and The Speaker Lab gave me that roadmap.
The five-step SPEAK model really resonated with me. It came with video content, guided worksheets, and a logical sequence. That approach fit my learning style perfectly.
I already had a website, so I did a light audit and made a few tweaks. Most of my time went into refining my positioning statement—I had so many messages, and I needed help focusing them.
On the business side, one of the biggest breakthroughs came from learning about the pipeline, the power hour, and the sales process. Erick Rheam’s coaching was a game-changer. I tried different tools, but ultimately went with the system he recommended, and that unlocked everything for me.
In January 2025, I hit a low point. I was one year into this dream and paralyzed with fear—I had tried a few things without a net, and they hadn’t worked. But once I applied the methodology and committed to the daily power hour, things took off. I booked my entire first quarter in one week. I even became a Gig Getter that same week. It really comes down to doing the work, trusting the process, and staying consistent.
What results or highlights have you seen as a speaker?
The highlight was delivering my signature keynote, Be Your Best Ambassador, for the first time on April 11. It was at a summit for women working in produce—an industry where, like my own background in prisons and diplomacy, women are often underrepresented.
The keynote went beautifully. I hit all my messages, had strong visuals, and, most importantly, felt calm and excited before going on stage. That event led to more opportunities almost immediately.
Two prominent Canadian women who host one of the country’s top women-focused podcasts, The Honest Talk, were co-presenting. I’ve admired them for a long time and hoped to connect. They told me afterward that they’d love to have me as a guest on their show. That’s a huge next step, and I know it will open even more doors.
How has your “new normal” evolved?
It’s still early days, but the difference is night and day. I’ve returned to my pipeline with fresh energy, and I now approach everything with far more insight and confidence.
Before, I struggled with intense anxiety and imposter syndrome every time I booked a gig. I’d spiral into thoughts like, “I’ll never be able to do this.” But that’s all changed. Now, I know exactly what I bring to the table. I understand my value, my audience, and my message.
My new normal is calmer, more self-assured. I’m moving at my own pace, and I’ve accepted that not every audience will be the right fit—and that’s okay. I’m going where the message lands and resonates. That clarity is liberating.
What’s next?
I’ve got some exciting gigs lined up. I do keynote speaking, panel moderating, emcee work, and thought leadership—especially around women’s empowerment.
One area I’m deeply passionate about is the role of women in peacemaking in the Middle East. I’ll be heading there this summer and fall for some incredible events and initiatives that align perfectly with my mission and experience.
What would you say to someone considering The Speaker Lab?
I’d recommend The Speaker Lab to anyone starting their speaking journey. Even if you’re not ready to make a big investment, there are outstanding free resources—the website, the podcast, the virtual bootcamps.
I’m a huge fan of The Speaker Lab podcast. It’s practical, grounded, and filled with real stories from real speakers. It made me feel like, “I can do this too.”
I personally joined the Elite program, and it was absolutely worth it. It gave me the tools, the clarity, and the confidence to launch my speaking business. And I’m proud to say that I recently paid off the investment early—thanks to that one big gig. One gig! That’s all it takes.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Yes—something really important. The Speaker Lab didn’t just give me a speech. It gave me clarity, a strategy, and the confidence to step into this new identity.
But the coaching—that was the magic. The personalized support, the honest feedback, the encouragement—it was instrumental. I felt seen, heard, and guided at every step. That sense of community and support was invaluable, and I’m so grateful.