Jesse Lipscombe
Dynamic Leadership and Achievement Expert | Bestselling Author | Actor
Add to favourites
Celina Caesar-Chavannes
Award-Winning Business Consultant | Bestselling Author | Former Member of Parliament
Book this speaker: Celina Caesar-Chavannes
About This Speaker: Celina Caesar-Chavannes
Celina Caesar-Chavannes is a visionary leader at the intersection of neuroscience, leadership, and social transformation. Currently a PhD candidate in Neuroscience at Queen’s University, her research explores how cognitive and emotional processes influence leadership, decision-making, and self-actualization. She applies these insights through The Awakened Leadership Institute (TALI), which she founded in 2024 to equip individuals and organizations with neuroscience-backed strategies for authentic leadership, fostering self-awareness, well-being, and transformation.
A trailblazer in politics, Celina served as the Member of Parliament for Whitby, where she held key roles, including Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Minister of International Development. Her fearless advocacy for mental health, equity, and social justice earned recognition from O (Oprah) Magazine, Chatelaine, and numerous national and international platforms.
Celina Caesar-Chavannes’s academic credentials include an Executive MBA from the Rotman School of Management, an MBA in Healthcare Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology. She is also a certified health and meditation coach. Before entering politics, she founded Resolve Research Solutions Inc., a consulting firm dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with neurological conditions.
Her best-selling memoir, Can You Hear Me Now? (Random House Canada), and her contributions to various publications cement her expertise in leadership, diversity, and social change. A sought-after speaker, she has delivered talks at the United Nations, Harvard University, and other global forums, sharing insights on neuroscience, leadership, and social justice.
Celina Caesar-Chavannes has received numerous accolades, including Chatelaine Woman of the Year and the Mental Health Parliamentarian Award. Through her work, she remains committed to transforming lives, fostering inclusivity, and restoring our collective humanity with joy.
Get Celina's availability and ratesSpeaking Topics: Celina Caesar-Chavannes
Inclusive Leadership through Cognitive Mastery: Elevating Leadership for the Future
In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, leaders are increasingly challenged to make decisions that are not only effective but also inclusive and forward-thinking. This keynote delves deep into the cognitive principles that underpin successful leadership in the modern era.
Through the COIL (Cognitive Flexibility, Optimized Performance, Inspiring Inclusion, Leading with Agility) framework, participants will explore how cognitive flexibility—our ability to shift thinking, adapt to new information, and view problems from multiple perspectives—serves as the foundation for sound decision-making and good judgment. They will learn how optimizing cognitive performance through mindfulness and cognitive retraining can enhance focus, reduce bias, and improve resilience under pressure. The program will also examine how these cognitive tools can inspire a culture of inclusion, ensuring that leadership decisions are equitable, diverse, and foster a sense of belonging across the organization.
Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how cognitive mastery, grounded in the latest neuroscience, can be leveraged to lead with agility, adapt to change, and drive innovation, all while maintaining a commitment to inclusivity and fairness.
Learning Objectives:
• Master Cognitive Flexibility: Understand and apply cognitive flexibility to enhance decision-making, overcome biases, and innovate in complex, dynamic environments.
• Optimize Cognitive Performance: Learn techniques for optimizing cognitive function through mindfulness and cognitive retraining, leading to improved focus, resilience, and problem-solving.
• Cultivate Inclusive Leadership: Explore how to use cognitive principles to foster an inclusive culture that promotes equity, diversity, and belonging, ensuring all voices are heard in the decision-making process.
• Lead with Agility: Develop the skills to navigate uncertainty and change with confidence, leveraging cognitive insights to remain adaptable and responsive to emerging challenges.
Through the COIL (Cognitive Flexibility, Optimized Performance, Inspiring Inclusion, Leading with Agility) framework, participants will explore how cognitive flexibility—our ability to shift thinking, adapt to new information, and view problems from multiple perspectives—serves as the foundation for sound decision-making and good judgment. They will learn how optimizing cognitive performance through mindfulness and cognitive retraining can enhance focus, reduce bias, and improve resilience under pressure. The program will also examine how these cognitive tools can inspire a culture of inclusion, ensuring that leadership decisions are equitable, diverse, and foster a sense of belonging across the organization.
Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how cognitive mastery, grounded in the latest neuroscience, can be leveraged to lead with agility, adapt to change, and drive innovation, all while maintaining a commitment to inclusivity and fairness.
Learning Objectives:
• Master Cognitive Flexibility: Understand and apply cognitive flexibility to enhance decision-making, overcome biases, and innovate in complex, dynamic environments.
• Optimize Cognitive Performance: Learn techniques for optimizing cognitive function through mindfulness and cognitive retraining, leading to improved focus, resilience, and problem-solving.
• Cultivate Inclusive Leadership: Explore how to use cognitive principles to foster an inclusive culture that promotes equity, diversity, and belonging, ensuring all voices are heard in the decision-making process.
• Lead with Agility: Develop the skills to navigate uncertainty and change with confidence, leveraging cognitive insights to remain adaptable and responsive to emerging challenges.
Audacious Living: The Courage to Live with No Regrets
Celina Caesar-Chavannes invites you to explore what it means to live a life driven by Motivated Cognition—a life where every decision, every action, is rooted in the deep psychological need to align with one’s true self.
In this keynote, Audacious Living: The Courage to Live with No Regrets, Celina challenges audiences to understand and harness the cognitive processes that drive their motivations, shaping a life that is both bold and unapologetically authentic.
Drawing from her own powerful experiences of navigating both triumphs and setbacks, Celina inspires audiences to confront their biases, challenge societal norms, and embrace their unique journey. She empowers individuals to consciously cultivate a legacy of audacity and fulfillment. A life where they leave behind no regrets—only a life that is lived to its fullest.
In this keynote, Audacious Living: The Courage to Live with No Regrets, Celina challenges audiences to understand and harness the cognitive processes that drive their motivations, shaping a life that is both bold and unapologetically authentic.
Drawing from her own powerful experiences of navigating both triumphs and setbacks, Celina inspires audiences to confront their biases, challenge societal norms, and embrace their unique journey. She empowers individuals to consciously cultivate a legacy of audacity and fulfillment. A life where they leave behind no regrets—only a life that is lived to its fullest.
Beyond Diversity: Cultivating Compassionate Leadership for a Just World
This captivating keynote invites audiences on a journey transcending the typical discourse on diversity, equity, and inclusion, towards taking a deep dive into justice and compassionate leadership - recognizing that both are catalysts for transformative change. The session redefines leadership paradigms, exploring how compassionate leadership, rooted in empathy and understanding, ignites power shifts in organizational culture and societal frameworks.
Participants will be engaged in an immersive exploration, dissecting conventional notions of justice, unveiling its intrinsic essence, and identifying barriers hindering its realization. The session presents compassionate leadership as the cornerstone, offering insights on how leaders can create inclusive spaces where diversity thrives, amplifying voices and fostering empathy-driven environments. The aim? The restoration of our collective humanity
If required, practical strategies and workshops will equip attendees with tangible tools to embed justice and compassion into their organizational fabric. Real client success stories will illuminate the transformative power of compassionate leadership, showcasing how commitments to justice-driven initiatives reshape cultures and drive inclusivity.
Concluding with a compelling call to action, attendees will be inspired to embrace compassionate leadership, standing as architects of change in fostering a more just, equitable, and empathetic world.
Learning Objectives:
• Dissect conventional notions of justice, understanding its multifaceted essence and barriers to realization.
• Explore the role of compassionate leadership in fostering inclusive environments and amplifying diverse voices.
• Acquire practical strategies and tools to infuse justice and empathy into organizational cultures with the aim of restoring our collective humanity.
• Gain inspiration from real client success stories illustrating the power of compassion in leadership.
Participants will be engaged in an immersive exploration, dissecting conventional notions of justice, unveiling its intrinsic essence, and identifying barriers hindering its realization. The session presents compassionate leadership as the cornerstone, offering insights on how leaders can create inclusive spaces where diversity thrives, amplifying voices and fostering empathy-driven environments. The aim? The restoration of our collective humanity
If required, practical strategies and workshops will equip attendees with tangible tools to embed justice and compassion into their organizational fabric. Real client success stories will illuminate the transformative power of compassionate leadership, showcasing how commitments to justice-driven initiatives reshape cultures and drive inclusivity.
Concluding with a compelling call to action, attendees will be inspired to embrace compassionate leadership, standing as architects of change in fostering a more just, equitable, and empathetic world.
Learning Objectives:
• Dissect conventional notions of justice, understanding its multifaceted essence and barriers to realization.
• Explore the role of compassionate leadership in fostering inclusive environments and amplifying diverse voices.
• Acquire practical strategies and tools to infuse justice and empathy into organizational cultures with the aim of restoring our collective humanity.
• Gain inspiration from real client success stories illustrating the power of compassion in leadership.
Democratizing Justice: Redefining Inclusive Leadership
This keynote unravels the relationship between justice and inclusive leadership, inviting audiences on an exploration of foundational principles that redefine organizational landscapes. Beyond the standard narratives of diversity, equity, and inclusion, this talk explores the nuanced layers of justice, addressing the barriers that obstruct genuine progress. It unfolds the essence of inclusive leadership, offering tangible strategies to infuse justice into the organizational DNA.
Audiences will be empowered with actionable insights, exploring practical tools such as tailored workshops, coaching frameworks, and evidenced-based practices, empowering them to cultivate cultures of freedom and belonging where every voice is regarded and respected.
Real success stories from clients who have championed justice-driven initiatives serve as guiding lights, illustrating the intuitive power of embedding justice within organizations. Through these narratives, attendees will witness firsthand how justice-led approaches drive tangible change, creating inclusive workplaces, and contributing to broader societal impact - seamlessly tying together People, Planet, and Profit/Productivity.
As the session ends, a compelling call to action resonates—a collective pledge to champion justice and or collective humanity within personal and professional spaces. Attendees will leave inspired, equipped with the tools and motivation to be architects of change, forging paths towards a more just and inclusive future.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the multifaceted layers of justice beyond standard DEI frameworks.
• Explore the correlation between justice and inclusive leadership, identifying barriers and opportunities for organizational transformation.
• Gain actionable strategies and tools to embed justice within organizational cultures, fostering inclusive environments and restoring our collective humanity.
• Draw inspiration from real client success stories, discovering how justice-driven initiatives catalyze meaningful change.
• Commit as agents of change, pledging to champion justice and equity within personal and professional spheres of influence.
Audiences will be empowered with actionable insights, exploring practical tools such as tailored workshops, coaching frameworks, and evidenced-based practices, empowering them to cultivate cultures of freedom and belonging where every voice is regarded and respected.
Real success stories from clients who have championed justice-driven initiatives serve as guiding lights, illustrating the intuitive power of embedding justice within organizations. Through these narratives, attendees will witness firsthand how justice-led approaches drive tangible change, creating inclusive workplaces, and contributing to broader societal impact - seamlessly tying together People, Planet, and Profit/Productivity.
As the session ends, a compelling call to action resonates—a collective pledge to champion justice and or collective humanity within personal and professional spaces. Attendees will leave inspired, equipped with the tools and motivation to be architects of change, forging paths towards a more just and inclusive future.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the multifaceted layers of justice beyond standard DEI frameworks.
• Explore the correlation between justice and inclusive leadership, identifying barriers and opportunities for organizational transformation.
• Gain actionable strategies and tools to embed justice within organizational cultures, fostering inclusive environments and restoring our collective humanity.
• Draw inspiration from real client success stories, discovering how justice-driven initiatives catalyze meaningful change.
• Commit as agents of change, pledging to champion justice and equity within personal and professional spheres of influence.
Elevating Minds: Unleashing Cognitive Wellness in the Workplace
This transformative keynote address unveils the often-neglected yet crucial aspect of cognitive wellness in today's dynamic workplace landscape. The session aims to equip organizations and individuals with insights and strategies to nurture well-being, fostering productivity, creativity, and resilience.
Participants will explore aspects of brain health and optimization, understanding the pivotal role in optimizing workplace performance and overall well-being. Through engaging discussions and practical insights, attendees will uncover the impact of cognitive wellness on decision-making, stress management, and team dynamics.
The session incorporates movement and actionable strategies, offering tools to create environments that prioritize brain health. From mindfulness practices to fostering inclusive workplace cultures that support psychological safety, mental agility, and resilience, participants will gain actionable steps to integrate holistic wellness into their professional lives.
Real-world case studies and success stories will illuminate the power of prioritizing cognitive wellness, showcasing how organizations that invest in mental health witness increased innovation, reduced stress, and heightened employee satisfaction.
By the session's conclusion, attendees will be inspired to champion cognitive wellness in their organizations, equipped with practical strategies to cultivate environments that foster psychological safety, cognitive agility, innovation, and well-being.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the significance of cognitive wellness in optimizing workplace performance and individual well-being.
• Explore the impact of cognitive wellness on decision-making, stress management, and team collaboration.
• Acquire actionable strategies and tools to prioritize brain health in the workplace.
• Gain insights from real-world case studies highlighting the benefits of fostering mindfulness in organizations.
• Commit to implementing wellness practices to enhance workplace productivity, innovation, and employee satisfaction.
Participants will explore aspects of brain health and optimization, understanding the pivotal role in optimizing workplace performance and overall well-being. Through engaging discussions and practical insights, attendees will uncover the impact of cognitive wellness on decision-making, stress management, and team dynamics.
The session incorporates movement and actionable strategies, offering tools to create environments that prioritize brain health. From mindfulness practices to fostering inclusive workplace cultures that support psychological safety, mental agility, and resilience, participants will gain actionable steps to integrate holistic wellness into their professional lives.
Real-world case studies and success stories will illuminate the power of prioritizing cognitive wellness, showcasing how organizations that invest in mental health witness increased innovation, reduced stress, and heightened employee satisfaction.
By the session's conclusion, attendees will be inspired to champion cognitive wellness in their organizations, equipped with practical strategies to cultivate environments that foster psychological safety, cognitive agility, innovation, and well-being.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the significance of cognitive wellness in optimizing workplace performance and individual well-being.
• Explore the impact of cognitive wellness on decision-making, stress management, and team collaboration.
• Acquire actionable strategies and tools to prioritize brain health in the workplace.
• Gain insights from real-world case studies highlighting the benefits of fostering mindfulness in organizations.
• Commit to implementing wellness practices to enhance workplace productivity, innovation, and employee satisfaction.
Emotional Intelligence and Transformative Leadership: Cultivating Change from Within
This keynote explores the impact of emotional intelligence on driving compassionate and inclusive leadership. Exploring the link between emotional intelligence and creating change, this session leverages Daniel Goleman's five components of emotional intelligence—self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills— to highlight their pivotal role in transformative leadership.
Through guided discussions, introspective activities, and practical exercises, attendees will explore how each component of emotional intelligence contributes to reshaping perspectives, fostering inclusivity, and dismantling barriers like biases, fears, imposter syndrome, and discrimination.
The session will address the importance of self-awareness in recognizing biases and navigating internal barriers, emphasizing self-regulation to manage emotions effectively, and harnessing motivation to drive purposeful change. It will also explore the role of empathy in understanding diverse perspectives and cultivating social skills to create collaborative, inclusive environments.
Real-life anecdotes and case studies will illustrate how emotional intelligence drives compassionate and transformative leadership, fostering inclusive cultures that drive innovation and positive change. Attendees will acquire practical strategies and methodologies to apply emotional intelligence within their leadership approach, fostering environments of belonging and positive impact.
By the session's conclusion, participants will understand the critical connection between emotional intelligence and transformative leadership. Equipped with actionable tools, they will learn how to harness emotional intelligence to challenge biases, drive inclusivity, and create cultures that support and amplify diverse voices.
Learning Objectives:
• Recognize the impact of emotional intelligence on driving transformative and compassionate leadership.
• Understand the five components of emotional intelligence and their role in reshaping perspectives and fostering inclusivity.
• Acquire practical strategies to enhance self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills within their leadership approach.
• Apply emotional intelligence insights to challenge biases, foster inclusivity, and create collaborative environments.
• Utilize emotional intelligence as a catalyst for driving positive change within their organizations and communities.
Through guided discussions, introspective activities, and practical exercises, attendees will explore how each component of emotional intelligence contributes to reshaping perspectives, fostering inclusivity, and dismantling barriers like biases, fears, imposter syndrome, and discrimination.
The session will address the importance of self-awareness in recognizing biases and navigating internal barriers, emphasizing self-regulation to manage emotions effectively, and harnessing motivation to drive purposeful change. It will also explore the role of empathy in understanding diverse perspectives and cultivating social skills to create collaborative, inclusive environments.
Real-life anecdotes and case studies will illustrate how emotional intelligence drives compassionate and transformative leadership, fostering inclusive cultures that drive innovation and positive change. Attendees will acquire practical strategies and methodologies to apply emotional intelligence within their leadership approach, fostering environments of belonging and positive impact.
By the session's conclusion, participants will understand the critical connection between emotional intelligence and transformative leadership. Equipped with actionable tools, they will learn how to harness emotional intelligence to challenge biases, drive inclusivity, and create cultures that support and amplify diverse voices.
Learning Objectives:
• Recognize the impact of emotional intelligence on driving transformative and compassionate leadership.
• Understand the five components of emotional intelligence and their role in reshaping perspectives and fostering inclusivity.
• Acquire practical strategies to enhance self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills within their leadership approach.
• Apply emotional intelligence insights to challenge biases, foster inclusivity, and create collaborative environments.
• Utilize emotional intelligence as a catalyst for driving positive change within their organizations and communities.
Related speakers
Need help choosing your next event speaker?
Talk with one of our experts.
