TAS 2023 AGENDA & SPEAKERS
November 10th TELUS 3rd floor 25-York St, Toronto
7:30 - 8:50
Breakfast & Check in
8:50 - 9:00
Jason Ellis House Keeping
9:00 - 9:45
Yasir Khan - Speaking with Power
9:50 - 10:05
Jordan Charness - History of Debt Collection
10:10- 10:55
Benjamin Tal, CIBC - Economic Outlook
10:55 - 11:10 Break
11:15 - 11:30
Camille Labchuk, Animal Justice purpose
11:35 - 11:50
Tim Brien, Net2Phone - Optimization tool
11:50 - 12:35 Lunch
12:35 - 12:45
C&C, TELUS - Raffle Auction
12:50 - 1:05
AJ Travagline, FICO - CCS Enhanced tool
1:10 - 1:40
Daniel Foch, Ontario Real-estate trends
1:45 - 2:00
Jeremy Russell, C&R Software tool
2:05 - 2:50
Lara McCulloch, Brand Positioning Strategist
2:50 - 3:05 Break
3:10 - 3:55
Jelena Bajic, TELUS - Our Journey
3:55 - 4:05
C&C, TELUS - Raffle Auction
4:05 - 4:25
C&C, Bob Richards - Tribute to a Legend
4:25 - 4:45 Trophy Ceremony
4:45 - 4:50
Natalia Dukszta, TELUS - Closing
Benjamin Tal
Managing Director &
Deputy Chief Economist at CIBC
Benjamin Tal is a managing director and deputy chief economist with CIBC Capital Markets Inc.
He is responsible for analyzing economic developments and their implications for North American fixed income, equity, foreign exchange, and commodities markets.
At this important keynote session, Benjamin will share his take on the economic backdrop at this critical moment for the markets.
He'll cover all the latest growth and pricing data, with a focus on how DURABLE inflation will prove to be in this cycle.
Finally, the CIBC deputy chief economist will cover the implications for interest rates, bonds and stocks, and other key capital markets.
Lara McCulloch
Chief Shift Disturber
Lara McCulloch is an award winning brand positioning expert with 30 years as a Brand Positioning Strategist & Growth Consultant.
She moves businesses from being seen as "a" company to "THE" company.
She’s advised multinationals like Johnson & Johnson, Kraft, Shell and Benjamin Moore as well as small businesses around the globe. Lara travels the world as a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator.
She’s the recipient of Connect Magazine's Top 40 under 40, Rejuvenate Magazine's Top 40 under 40, has been bestowed the title of Industry Innovator by BizBash magazine, received the coveted Spirit of the Industry Award by the CEIA and is proud to have been honoured with Dedication & Leadership Awards by ILEA.
She graduated from Ivy Business School’s Executive Program, but it’s the title of Mom that brings Lara the most pride. When she's not building lego with her son, she's been known to board down active volcanoes, spelunk 16 stories underground, camp in -10 degree temps beside a glacier, bungee jump over a rainforest, swim with sharks and jump from a plane at 15,000 feet.
Yasir Khan
Speech Consultant for 8 Figure+ Founders & Entrepreneurs,
1.6 Million Followers
I have helped 1507 to date people become more confident speakers.
How long does it take to start seeing results working with me? 60 minutes. Yes, you read that right. With a 100% guarantee.
🏆 Subina came to me because she was applying to Director-level positions in the tech industry. She had struggled to articulate her thoughts properly. After just 2 hours of working together. She interviewed at a leading technology firm and she emailed me afterwards saying "The manager stopped in the middle of the interview just to ask me how I sound so confident!" Suffice to say, she got the job, and signed up for an entire year of coaching.
There are many, many more of these, just have a look at my LinkedIn recommendations section.
You'll be learning from a:
✅ TEDx Speaker who has trained other TEDx Speakers
✅ 8x Toastmasters Speech Contest Winner
✅ 2x Award-winning Public Speaking Coach
✅ Master of Education focused in Social Anxiety
❤️Why is this so close to my heart?
I grew up with severe social anxiety. I know what it's like to miss out. To feel afraid. To not be taken seriously. My self-esteem was extremely low.
It wasn't until I met my mentor and coach that I started seeing a big transformation in my speaking skills and my confidence.
I want to teach this lesson forward.
Yasir Khan
M.ED | TEDx
Daniel Foch
Partner, Landbank Advisors
Daniel Foch is a real estate broker and host on The Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast. Foch has worked in the real estate industry for over 15 years with a variety of notable organizations such as Interrent REIT, CBRE, and Hydro One.
During his academic career, Daniel was an active instructor, contributor and researcher in the University of Guelph’s Real Estate Faculty, founder of The University’s International URECC event, and was awarded for affordable housing innovation by CMHC and The University of Guelph.
Daniel is a regular contributor in the Canadian media as a one of the most trusted, unbiased, and balanced sources of real estate insight in Canada.
As a result, he has been featured as a real estate expert in The Wall Street Journal, CBC, Bloomberg, BNN, and The Globe and Mail, among others.
Daniel has built a captive audience of over 100,000 across multiple social media platforms by providing primary research and balanced market analysis.
Tim Brien
Net2Phone
Tim Brien is Vice President for Net2Phone a leader in the Canadian space for business class communication platforms.
Net2Phone has pride in their technology. Everything they do is built around ensuring the highest-quality and most reliable experience for their clients, while always pushing the boundaries of what the platform can do. Net2Phone technology is accessible and flexible, constantly evolving to serve all their clients' needs.
Tim is a passionate, experienced sales executive, who brings expertise in global sales strategy and execution with an 20-year background in the software and managed services market.
Throughout his career, he has led sales teams, developed sales strategies, and managed teams responsible for channel development in North America, Latin America, and EMEA.
Prior to joining Net2Phone, Tim held roles with companies like Barracuda Networks, Saba Software, OKI Data Americas, and PrintFleet.
A.J. Travagline,
FICO CCS Sr. Partner
A.J. has 25 years of retail banking experience across the operation life cycle with experience at MBNA, HSBC, ING Direct and Barclays.
As an Executive he promoted a customer-centric approach that leveraged data to provide insights for better operation execution. For the past 9 years with FICO he has worked closely with clients across Finance, Telecom, Auto Lending and Retail industries. His focus is on the Improving consumer engagement and loyalty.
FICO Customer Communication Service is an intelligent, automated, two-way communication solution that allows real-time communication with consumers using voice, SMS, mobile applications, email, social media, and other channels. The solution allows you to:
1.) Conduct controlled experiments with different timed sequences across channels.
2.) Automate and integrate communications for enterprise-wide decisioning, from simple notifications to multi-step, cross-channel strategies driven by predictive models and machine learning.
3.) Use detailed interaction and outcome data to improve risk-based segmentation or enable fraud detection models to adapt faster to changing behavior and emerging fraud schemes and analyze data across your enterprise with predictive analytics, machine learning, and mathematical optimization to make strategies even smarter
Jordan W. Charness
Charness Charness and Charness LLP
D.C.S., B.A., L.L.L., Barrister and Solicitor, Senior Partner
Listed in Canadian Who’s Who, he has been practicing law since 1985. Now senior partner of of Canada’s oldest multi generational law firms, Charness Charness and Charness LLP founded by his grandfather in 1925. The firm is proud to be a creditors rights law firm that specializes in recovering both secured and unsecured debt.
Based in Quebec, the firm provides legal services right across Canada and employs lawyers licensed to practice in every province in the country.
He has experience on the boards of several institutions and currently is serving as Emeritus Member of the Board of the Shriners Hospital for Children. He has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Receivable Management Association of Canada where he chairs the communications committee.
Often called upon to speak to small and large groups, Mr. Charness explains the law in a way that you can understand. His method was perfected during more than 18 years of giving legal advice live on a weekly basis on Montreal’s top radio stations.
He was on air legal analyst appearing live at the anchor desk of both CBC and CTV television. For 21 years he wrote a weekly column in The Montreal Gazette, Canada’s oldest daily newspaper and is the author of hundreds of published articles and a bestselling book.
Camille Labchuk,
Executive Director at Animal Justice
Camille is one of Canada’s leading animal rights lawyers, and has worked to protect animals for over 15 years. As a lawyer, Camille seeks out cases that enhance the legal interests of animals, expose hidden animal suffering, and result in meaningful policy changes.
As an advocate, Camille’s work includes documenting the commercial seal kill on Canada’s East Coast, exposing cruelty in farming, protecting the free speech rights of animal advocates, and campaigns against ag gag laws, trophy hunting, circuses, zoos, aquariums, shark finning, puppy mills, and more.
Camille is a graduate of the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and Mount Allison University. She is a frequent lecturer and media commentator on animal law issues. Camille lives in Toronto with her cat, Cecily.
Animal Justice is Canada’s only national animal law advocacy organization. We believe that animals need lawyers, and our legal team works to protect animals from cruelty and neglect.
Canada has some of the worst animal protection laws in the Western world, and our mission is to overhaul the legal system to better reflect our country’s values of compassion and justice for all.
Whether animals are used for food, fashion, experiments, entertainment, or in the pet trade, our lawyers fight for the legal protections that these animals desperately need and deserve.
Jelena Bajic,
Vice-president, Strategy & Planning
Creating momentum and unleashing potential in globally oriented organizations.
Empowering passionate teams to develop and drive holistic business strategy for Consumer Solutions at TELUS, I seek untapped potential, unleashing it through structured governance, decision-making, communication and collaboration.
With an established track record of delivery on large-scale and complex strategic programs and a specialized focus in consumer marketing and retail operations, I rally teams and turn strategy into action.
Jeremy Russell,
C&R Software
Jeremy is a Regional Sales Director for C&R Software. He has 25 years of experience in collections and recovery, including sales management and global delivery leadership roles where he has successfully delivered technology solutions to hundreds of customers.
As an experienced executive, he is responsible for delighting customers and generating new business in North American markets across numerous verticals including Telecom, Utilities, Financial Services, etc.
C&R Software is a global tech company with a soul that is providing the world’s leading systems for collections and recovery. C&R Software’s aim is to help organizations streamline their collections and recovery operations in ways that will also help them support their consumers in financial difficulty.
YOUR HOSTS
Jason Ellis
Peter Manianis
Animal Justice Society Support
JOIN US
TAS is proud to support the Animal Justice Society, they are the only organization of its kind making sure that animals have a legal voice in Canada. Their team of compassionate lawyers and advocates fight for stronger legal protections for animals.
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TAS PAST EVENT SPEAKERS
Emily Durham
aka "Emily The Recruiter"
“Be noticed - How to stand out in a crowd”
It's a jungle out there and lifestyle expert Emily Durham has all the tools you need not only to survive, but to thrive!
As a longtime career coach, recruiter and goal-setting guru, Emily is a one-woman success-building machine; creating digestible, informative, and entertaining content designed to turn navigating the often tricky and tumultuous waters of life and career advancement into smooth sailing.
Emily's mission is to break down and demystify what it takes to succeed in the pursuit of professional and personal fulfillment and achievement. She's a veritable fountain of information on wellness, work/life balance and other advice aimed at helping you live your best life.
Azadeh Yaraghi
Brand Strategist/Founder
Gogo Telugo Creatives
“Your ONE IDEA – The KEY to Your Unique Brand”
Azadeh is a Brand Strategist, #1 bestseller on Amazon, speaker, mentor, and founder of Gogo Telugo Creatives.
With 15+ years of experience working locally and internationally (Canada, US, France, Italy) in branding and marketing, she has built successful campaigns and picked-up awards along the way.
She works with organizations who are looking to build a powerful brand that attracts their ideal clients and take their business to new heights
Charlie Grinnell
CEO RightMetric
“Informed Intuition: How Digital Intelligence Will Revolutionize Decision Making”
Consumers today can buy from any company and connect with people anywhere to help decide what to support, buy, boycott, or promote.
It’s never been easier to find, discuss, and source exactly what we want.
While this is great for consumers, it presents challenges for businesses to deliver on these high consumer expectations.
In this presentation, you’ll learn how the concept of Digital Intelligence can help businesses stand out and deliver on those high consumer expectations.
Sandy Gerber
Communication Strategist & Trainer SandyGerber.com
“Be empowered and get better results in work and life by understanding what drives your decisions”
For over 20 years, Sandy Gerber revitalized communications for some of Canada's most beloved brands.
She is the founder of three successful companies, a certified NLP for Sales Practitioner and the visionary of the Decision Driver™ communication technique and training products.
Sandy is a popular conference and corporate event speaker, having coached hundreds of people in effective communication techniques.
Elena Krasnova
Master Pastry Chef Mon Paris Patisserie
“Passion through Pastry, how to build a business from what you love”
Chef Elena Krasnova was born in Russia and grew up during the "Perestroika" era when bare necessities were in great demand. It was out necessity that she developed her ability and desire to express herself through artistic means, something reflected in her culinary creations.
It was during her studies at the famed Ferrandie Ecole de Gastronomie in Paris that Elena found her true calling. With years of experience working at Dalloyau (the oldest pastry shop in France) Elena saw her career flourish and began consulting around the world.
Steve Curtis
Founder Evolve Biologix
“Improving Employee Wellness through Radical Transparency”
Investor, entrepreneur, adventurer and revolutionary thought leader, he started his first business at 19 with a $500 credit card and grew it into a business with a half-billion dollar valuation before he sold it.
Today, he leads a group of globally-impactful companies spanning natural pharmaceuticals, CPG, film, hospitality, technology and venture capital.
His latest innovation is an app and wearable called Evolve Biologix. It leverages a proprietary heart-rate variability algorithm to deliver a real-time snapshot of one's emotional state. Evolve is a fully funded startup in Vancouver.
Christopher Smith
Collections Analytics
Product Lead FICO
“How to make complex business decisions in todays complex environment”
As a ‘decisions company’ FICO helps clients to make and execute upon a wide range of critical business decisions.
This session provide practical examples of how prescriptive analytics can help you make better decisions, through an analytical technique called Mathematical Optimization.
Almira Bardai
Communications Consultant
“The Obstacle is the Way”
A seasoned, senior communications professional, Almira Bardai has over 20 years of experience creating powerful narratives for domestic and global brands.
As an advocate for leadership in business, a recipient of Enterprising Woman magazine’s 2016 and Enterprising Women of the Year Award, PROFIT and Canada’s Top Female Entrepreneurs. Her presentation will focus on how to navigate through your career with tenacity, open closed doors when things get tough, how to lean in and turn it around.
JoAnne Marlow
President Systems For Engaging Teams
“Keeping Turnover at Bay, Hiring & Retaining the Best Talent”
JoAnne Marlow is a highly sought-after speaker, facilitator and trainer who uses her 30-year expertise to help managers and employees create highly productive and engaged teams.
She is a leading authority, best-selling International author, and thought leader in developing and implementing systems in hiring and retaining the best talent.
As a trainer, professional speaker, certified life and executive coach, and a Master in Leadership and Training, she can offer the appropriate services you and your employees need to promote a happier, more engaged and productive culture.
You’ll find her an energizing, funny, and inspirational as she shares information and guidance needed to optimize the strengths and productivity of your teams.
Roger Killen
Producer Get Inspired Talks Inc
“Making Action Happen”
Roger Killen from Belfast, Northern Ireland, discovered entrepreneurship and now has 40 years of frontline experience involving 12 startups.
His latest startup is Get Inspired Talks Inc helps people help themselves and others by producing inspiring short talks that rally live audiences to tackle humanity’s pressing problems.
Roger’s “why” is to inspire thoughtful people with open minds and big hearts to take action that helps humanity.
Roger’s vision is to move the needle toward a better world.
Jordan Charness
Sr. Partner Charness, Charness & Charness LLP
“Trial – The End Game: True Stories of Collection Cases”
Charness, Charness and Charness LLP, provides legal services across Canada since 1925. Jordan Charness listed in Canadian Who’s Who, brings a wealth of legal knowledge perfected in over 18 years of giving legal advice “live” in Montreal’s top radio stations.
He was the on air legal analyst appearing live at the anchor desk of CTV television and radio, wrote a weekly column in the Montreal Gazette, Canada’s oldest daily newspaper and is a professor of law (part time) at John Abbot College. Jordan and his son Dov will deliver an entertaining presentation on true stories
Farshad Abasi
Chief Security Officer
Forward Security
“Applying the 80/20 rule to Cybersecurity for SMBs”
Farshad has over 20 years of experience in software design and development, network and system architecture with focus on security over the last 17.
He was a member of HSBC Group's IT Security team as the Head of IT Security in Canada, and the Principal Global Security Architect leading the security architecture of Cloud, container, API, and micro services.
He is the security correspondent for CFAX radio, Bsides Vancouver/MARS board member, Vancouver OWASP chapter lead, CISSP designate, and a UBC CS alumnus.
Bill Johnston
VP Data & Analytics EQUIFAX
“EQUIFAX Ignite: The Future of Data”
Bill is the VP Data & Analytics at Equifax Canada.
With more than 20 years leading Data & Analytics teams in Credit Risk, Marketing and Loyalty Management, Bill specializes in presenting complex analytical solutions through meaningful business stories to address customer’s true business needs.
Bill has experience implementing an Analytical Centre of Excellence for Canada Post, and leading analytics teams at Chase Credit Card Services and Citi Credit Cards.
Claire Snyman: Author, Speaker, Patient Advocate Two Steps Forward
“Put your health in your hands”
In our busy world today, it is hard to find a moment to slow down and be present. It’s no wonder when the sledgehammer of illness or a health diagnosis hits – it’s hard to adjust. One of the most important things to do in these uncertain situations is put your health in your own hands – and be your own advocate.
From her own patient journey experience, Claire focuses on how to manage your health and those you love with simple tools and strategies.
John-Paul Manianis: Strategic Sourcing Manager TELUS
“Focus on the intricacies of evaluating and enhancing ones bargaining power when engaged in negotiations”
John Paul Manianis is a supply management leader with a 17 year track record of developing and executing procurement strategy within industries that include: construction, health-care and telecommunications.
People recognize him as a strategic thinker and collaborator who negotiates highly critical contracts and optimizes large expenditures across multiple business units.
Jacqueline Way: Founder 365Give
“The ROI of Happiness”
What if there was a simple strategy you could implement that will decrease employee stress and anxiety while increasing happiness, loyalty, and productivity?
A social approach that will draw new committed customers to your product and brand?
Jacqueline Way will share her inspiring story about her happiness journey with her son that may be the best investment you can make in your company and the world.
Tea Nicola: Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder WealthBar
“Humans inside robots – helping people. How innovative financial companies are using tech to scale a high-touch customer experience.”
Clients want new and innovative digital financial services, but don’t necessarily want to sacrifice the human touch. That’s what WealthBar has aimed to offer ever since it pioneered the robo-adviser model in Canada, democratizing access to premium investing.
They could see that the opportunity is huge for innovative first-movers who can scale up fast. But how can your company use technology to delight clients while you’re still growing? We’ll share insights gleaned from working with our clients. See how we combined data insights, communication tools to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations.
Dominic Rubino: E.V.P. & C.O.O FocalPoint
“The Victor/Victim Concept - How Business leaders can assess people quickly”
With the right people on your team a business can accomplish anything. With the wrong people everything seems like a battle.
During this presentation I reveal that the real name for this is the Winner/Whiner concept. Learning outcome:
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* How to craft a team of winners.
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*How to influence or change the culture in your company.
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*How to quickly assess people and their potential impact.
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Simon Howard: Director Business Development TalkingTech
“Effective engagement and faster payments to meet consumer demands”
Simon will show a short video on TALKINGTECH and their capabilities for delivering greater engagement and faster payments as well discuss two case studies for their Telecom clients VODAFONE & O2.
For 30 years TALKINGTECH has delivered payment solutions and is now operating 8 countries working with leading Telecom, utility and Banking companies such as Vodafone, O2 and HSBC. In 2018, TALKINGTECH opened its Canadian office and is currently deploying solutions to leading Canadian businesses to improve both their bill payment and collections services.
Shaun Frankson: Co-Founder Plastic Bank
“Using business as a force for good. How The Plastic Bank is making plastic waste a currency to stop ocean plastic while reducing global poverty”
Plastic Bank, a social enterprise that makes plastic waste a currency to STOP Ocean plastic while reducing global poverty.
The Plastic Bank provides a universal income for the world’s poor that is earned through Social Plastic recycling programs. Shaun is a digital strategy guy and proudly empowers others to create a life of purpose.
He is the project lead on a game changing Blockchain recycling platform. The Plastic Bank is now enrolling the word to contribute while working with some of the largest organizations on the planet to help stop Ocean plastic.
David Knapp-Fisher: Personal Leadership Trainer World Traveler, Speaker and Storyteller
“Community Through Connection”
In a world obsessed with social media, texting and instant messages people have lost the simple art of saying "Hello“ and as a result, many are feeling lonelier and more isolated than ever.
In this presentation, Personal Leadership Trainer David Knapp-Fisher helps reawaken this important skill in participants offering a simple yet incredibly effective way to reintroduce both and the rewards that come from it, back into our daily practice.
Jessica Pautsch Regan: CEO,
Co-Founder Mesh Exchange
“How technology is powering the circular economy”
We simplify the local food distribution channel by meshing supply and demand. FoodMesh is a B2B marketplace that matches surplus food to a verified network of businesses and charities.
Did you know? Almost 40% of our food is never eaten, costing Canadians $31 Billion/year.
CEO Jessica Pautsch was dedicated to investigate the scale of food waste and the root of the problem. Her primary findings were food waste is a systemic economic, social, and environmental problem that affects all segments of the supply chain. FoodMesh is a solution to power the circular economy for underused food by matching demand and supply in a more efficient and intelligent way.
Peter Legge: O.B.C., LL.D. (HON.),D.Tech., CSP, CPAE Chairman & CEO Canada Wide Media
“Earl Nightingale once said, we become what we think about most of the time. If this is true, what can we accomplish simply by choosing a mindset of positivity?”
Peter will share the possibilities presented to us when we tap into our own strengths and abilities, and how with focus, determination and a mind to win we can propel ourselves from good to GREAT.
Peter has published 20 bestselling books; including The Runway of Life, The Power of Tact, Lunch with Joe and his most recent, The Power of Tenacity, The Courage of Leadership and the Strength of Character. His books have motivated thousands of people towards positive change.
Matias Marquez : Founder & Chief Operating Officer Buyatab Online Inc
“How employers and businesses are using digital currency to incentivize, reward and motivate through the use of digital gift cards”
Matias will discuss how the gift card industry is transitioning from physical gift cards to digital gift cards. In addition, he will discuss the challenges and benefits associated with the introduction of instantly delivered, mobile friendly stored value.
Matias has received many awards for his entrepreneurial success, including being named a BC Business Top 30 Under 30 recipient in 2016; winner of the 2016 EY Entrepreneur of The Year award; and being named to Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 for 2017.
Martin Hunter: Entrepreneur, Founder URGEO
“How employers and businesses are using digital currency to incentivize, reward and motivate through the use of digital gift cards”
UNDERESTIMATING THE POWER OF MORALE. Leaders should never underestimate morale as a key component of success. Moral is the confidence, enthusiasm and discipline of a person or group has at a particular time to achieve a task or mission.
Martin will help you understand the work interface and share some practical readily applicable advice. Understanding behaviors, Action vs Intention, How you are perceived as a leader?
Isabelle Mercier Turcotte: Co-Founder/CEO LeapZone Strategies
“Reconnect with and align everything you do with what you wholeheartedly want through the power of ZERO tolerance”
Isabelle Mercier Turcotte, pioneer brand strategies and business performance catalyst at LeapZone Strategies. Together we will:
Rediscover the greatness and power behind “Walking Your Talk!” at a whole new level.
Find out what it means to “Wear Your Lucky Underwear” and to “Clean Your Gutters.” Delve deeper into your own unique Power of Zero Tolerance to help you authentically show up and live out loud by design, not by default. You will walk away with a simple and effective way to reduce worry and increase peace-of-mind to allow you to create more joy and impact in your life and in your business
Bosco Anthony: Digital Marketing Strategist, International Speaker & Founder Tribe1
“Fueling Purpose and Momentum”
This talk is designed to navigate people to personally transform from becoming life spectators to designing change catalysts to society.
Many people spend a lifetime trying to discover their personal desire and yet few actually live a life pursuing that purpose. The intention of this talk to fascinate and motivate an audience to act on their personal purpose in life and empower transformation.
This will focus on:
• Breaking the Upper Limit Problem
• 5 Critical Life Applications to fuel purpose in life
• Creating Alignment between Purpose and passion
• 4 common barriers that create an upper limit problem
• Unlock the secrets to align purpose and momentum in life