What do a bestselling author, a sports broadcaster, a tech executive, and a registered nurse have in common? They’re all using their voices to build more connected, compassionate communities. This month, we’re celebrating them on Center Stage May: Heritage, Healing, & Human Connection. From workforce wellness and cultural celebration, May offers a time for spotlighting Asian American speakers for Asian Heritage Month and discussing teamwork in healthcare for National Nursing Week.
Glowing client testimonials don’t go unrecognized. We also want to applaud our very own, Indigenous advocate Jesse Thistle and community visionary Doug Griffiths, for their recent praise and appreciation from our clients.
Talent Bureau Spotlight: May 2025
Jesse Thistle: From The Ashes, Storytelling That Heals
If you’ve ever heard Jesse Thistle speak, you know his message lingers long after the applause fades.
Jesse is an author, academic, and Indigenous advocate whose life story—from homelessness to historian and professor—continues to inspire audiences across the country. In our new exclusive interview, Jesse reflects on the ongoing journey of personal and collective healing. He shares stories from his nationally bestselling book, From The Ashes, and how the 12 Dimensions of Indigenous Homelessness framework continues to influence policy, education, and truth-telling in Canada.
Jesse reminds us that reconciliation is a daily practice and that storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have to make people feel seen and understood.
Watch for our blog interview with Jesse Thistle, dropping later this month.
“Jesse was an amazing speaker and was very well received!” – Scotiabank
Doug Griffiths: Reimagining Community, One Town at a Time
Last month, we had the pleasure of spending time with Doug Griffiths, author of 13 Ways to Kill Your Community. Doug’s message is more relevant than ever: community decline doesn’t happen overnight—it happens when we forget the value of connection, collaboration, and civic pride.
His keynote challenges communities to stop waiting for change and start building it. In our recent conversation, Doug reminded us that real progress begins at the grassroots. His insights continue to spark important conversations with event planners, business leaders, and policy makers alike.
And ICYMI, Doug recently delivered the opening keynote at CSAE’s 2025 Western Summit in Edmonton, AB. His inspiring keynote was a call to action for association leaders to step up, take accountability, and become the driving force for long-term success.
“The feedback we’ve received from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive and insistent that we find a way to bring Doug back.” – Union County Chamber of Commerce
Speakers for Asian Heritage Month
May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada, a time to honour the rich contributions of Asian communities across every sector. We’re proud to highlight three speakers whose voices are shaping culture and sparking innovation:
Alfredo Tan
A former Facebook executive and current Chief Digital & Information Officer at Canada Goose, Alfredo Tan speaks about the future of digital transformation, inclusive leadership, and community impact.
Harnarayan Singh
Known as the first-ever Punjabi play-by-play hockey broadcaster, Harnarayan Singh shares his journey of resilience and representation in sports broadcasting.
Chau Lui
As the co-owner of Paris Jewellers, Chau Lui brings heart and hustle to the stage. Her story of entrepreneurship and leadership as a Vietnamese-Canadian woman inspires audiences of all backgrounds.
Discover more Diverse Voices at Talent Bureau. From Asian American speakers, to Indigenous educators, and beyond, Talent Bureau connects your organization with top talent from across the nation.
International Nurses Day: The Heart of Healthcare
For International Nurses Day (May 12) and National Nursing Week (May 12-18, 2025), we’re recognizing the often-invisible skills that makes healthcare work: communication and teamwork. Get to know these healthcare guest speakers:
Erica Dhawan – The Leader in Connectional Intelligence
Erica Dhawan, bestselling author of Digital Body Language, is a leading voice in helping teams work better together, especially in high-stress environments. Her keynote helps hospitals, health organizations, and nursing teams bridge gaps, reduce burnout, and rebuild trust in an era of digital overload.
Jessica Hanson, RN – Real Talk from the Frontlines
As a Registered Nurse, Jessica Hanson has deep experience in patient care, policy advocacy, and workplace safety. She shares the lived realities of nurses with both heart and humour. When nurses are stretched thin, Jessica’s message is a reminder that healing the system starts with listening to the people inside it.
Communication and teamwork in healthcare are vital components that keep our healthcare systems moving forward. Click here to discover more Healthcare Guest Speakers at Talent Bureau.
Center Stage May: Why Do These Voices Matter?
Whether through lived experience, cultural celebration, or workplace transformation, their stories remind us what leadership really looks like: compassionate, open communication, and honesty. If you’re planning an event, this is your reminder: the right guest speaker doesn’t just fill time. They inspire action, shift thinking, and leave your audience better than they found them.
Book an Inspirational Speaker With Talent Bureau
Planning a national conference or an intimate team retreat? We’ll help you find the right voice for the moment. From community builders, to healthcare heroes, and Asian American voices, Talent Bureau helps event planners find and book professional speakers catered to their audiences and industry.
Center Stage is a monthly blog series where we celebrate national and international days of significance by highlighting trending keynote speakers, topics, and industry news.
Event planning in May? Find the best keynote speakers for your next event at talentbureau.com
Stay Connected
We hope you gained valuable insights from this Center Stage May: Heritage, Healing, and Human Connection. Stay ahead of the curve by:
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