Discover. Explore. Create
Connect to Real World Career Stories
Our volunteer Speakers Bureau enables Hamilton-area educators and schools connect with inspirational guest speakers from the local workforce quickly and easily. Students are empowered to make better, informed and inspired career choices.
FOR YOUTH & FAMILIES
Meet Some of Our Speakers
Local community members give their time and expertise to inform and inspire young people through our Speakers Bureau. Many of them share information about their job and how they got there in our Career Profile section.
FOR EDUCATORS
Speakers Bureau for Educators
Educators can use the Speakers Bureau to quickly and easily access local guest speakers that fit with your course and student interests. Members of our local workforce are ready to help your students better understand their career options after high school and the steps they can take to get there.
- In grades 7 and 8, our speakers help your class to explore a wide range of jobs and learn how they got there. By sharing their career journey, our speakers help youth understand the need to continually use new information to assess their current path, consider revising their goals, and determine their next steps.
- In a grade 10 careers studies class, students research jobs they find interesting and the skills, knowledge, training, and education required. Our speakers provide an interactive, real world source of valuable information.
- In high school, every subject’s curriculum has a career component. Our speakers help connect what students are learning in class to what they can do when they enter the workforce. They know the answers to questions like: “How will I use geometry or calculus when working? What can I do with a degree in biology? What are my career options if I thrive in English or history?” because of their lived experience.
We suggest having a series of speakers or more than one at the same time.
We work with you to arrange a speaker that best suits your needs. Keep in mind that includes considering the availability of our volunteers.
FOR PROFESSIONALS AND BUSINESSES
Make a Difference in a Young Person’s Life!
Our Speakers Bureau is a community of volunteers who help youth in Flamborough to better understand and prepare for the world of work. Sharing your career story and participating in other activities is important to helping youth make informed decisions about their career goal and their pathway towards achieving it.
We encourage our volunteer speakers to share their Career Profile our website. That section helps educators learn what careers and fields we have available to their classes. Students can also use them to explore career options.
Speaker Testimonials
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Mackenzie Boers,
Social Media Manager
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Mackenzie Boers,
Social Media Manager
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Mackenzie Boers,
Social Media Manager
Volunteer FAQs
What are the eligibility requirements?
Volunteers must be:
- a minimum of 18 years of age
- able to communicate proficiently in English
- agree to the Program Terms and Conditions and Website Terms and Conditions
What is the time commitment to volunteer?
There is no minimum time commitment; you can accept only the opportunities that fit within your schedule. Most opportunities are during the daytime from Monday to Friday (school hours).
How are volunteers screened?
Prospective volunteers are subject to a review of their application, including an interview, prior to participating in HYN programs. Volunteers are required to follow the practices defined in the HYN terms and conditions, which includes being under the supervision of an educator or assigned school staff for any in-school activity.
Is it possible to volunteer virtually instead of face to face?
When creating your profile, you can indicate your interest in virtual volunteer opportunities, as well as areas within the Flamborough that you would potentially be willing to travel. During the Covid-19 pandemic, it is expected that opportunities will be primarily, if not exclusively, virtual. However, if you are open to requests for face-to-face volunteering in the future, we encourage you to include this in your profile. That way, when public health measures make it feasible for face-to-face to connect in schools, you will not miss out on these requests. Your profile can also be updated in the future to adjust your preferences.
Ether Adnan, Senior Project Manager/ Product Manager
I help find technical solution to real world problems. Imagine we’re all working together to build a really cool new app, like a game or a tool that helps with homework. My job is to make sure that everyone on...
Anneliese Lawton, Author, Strategic Marketing Consultant, Mental Health Campion (Board Chair)
That's a great question! Haha I wear two hats – on one side of my career I'm a Strategic Marketing Consultant (Founder and CEO) of Lawton & Co., I help brands and entrepreneurs in the mental health, community, and environment...
Lisa Jefferies, Outreach Facilitator
I work closely with organizations across Hamilton to provide free and accessible art programming to people who may not otherwise have those opportunities.
Chantal Gray, Co-Founder, Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist
In the field of Social Work, there is so many things you can do. As a social worker, you'd be the person a child, peer, parent or your family could talk to. You'd listen to their feelings and help them...
Elvira V. Hopper, Founder
I help heart-centred humans who are kind & sensitive, who have often been bullied & traumatized, to make peace with their past, connect to their aligned, authentic and fully self-expressed self and make the REST of their life, the BEST...
Amber Kosubovich, Physiotherapist and Clinic Owner
Physiotherapists provide assessment and treatment for individuals with injuries from sports, car accidents, work injuries or diseases such as arthritis. Many physiotherapists work in private clinics such as mine. Others work in hospitals or do home visits. Teaching appropriate exercises...
Sally McKay, Visual Arts Director
As the Visual Arts Director in a busy art school I do many different kinds of work throughout each day. I come up with ideas for courses and I work closely with teachers to make sure that our students’ needs...
Jennifer Valeri, Paralegal
I provide general legal services in all areas of law except real estate and estates. I do a lot of civil litigation and paperwork for legal processes.
Erika MacKay, Founder & CEO
As Founder & CEO my job really revolves around business development, strategy and managing my team. We focus on designing commercial spaces, and put an emphasis on wellbeing in the built environment, which directs a lot of the strategy initiatives...
Donna Withnell, Owner
My job as a brand and web designer allows me to serve small businesses that are starting out on their entrepreneur journey. I guide them through the path of everything they need to have a successful launch day. We work...
Meghan Gougeon, Real Estate Broker
I help people move from one place to another. Whether that be their first home or their last. People need to move for all sorts of reasons and my job is to help them make the process as smooth as...
Jennifer Graham, RMT - Owner of 2 Wellness Clinics
Each day for me is different, which is very suitable to my personality. I’ve never said ‘gotta go to work’ which unfortunately for many is associated with unhappiness. I’m lucky enough to say ‘I’m off to heal’ being an RMT...
Amanda Kirkland, Personal Growth Coach
I help people struggling with difficult relationships – at home, with friends, at work. We look at how our behaviour can contribute to my client's difficulties. We also turn the mirror to look at and learn why the other...
Harriet Ekperigin, Vice President, Clinical
The Vice President of Clinical Services is like the leader of a team that helps make sure people get the right medical care and treatment when they are not feeling well. My job is a bit like the captain of a...
Kaley Metler, Personal Trainer / Business owner
I am a personal trainer, fascial stretch therapist, run coach, and a sports nutrition coach. I love helping youth and women my age(45 and older) learn more about their bodies and how we can use movement for joy, food for...
Aynsley Warden, Speech Language Pathologist
I help people who have difficulty communicating with others, or difficulty understanding communication and how to interact with others, or difficulty swallowing. I work with people of all ages from birth to seniors to become successful communicators. I work with...
Holly Soave, Executive Director/Owner/Management Consultant
I own a consulting firm based in Toronto. We help businesses in all industries understand what's happening in the world, how that affects their business, and what they can do about it to make sure they can continue to grow...
Dave Ertl, Estate Planning Professional
I draft (type) Wills and Powers of Attorney at our law firm. A Will is a legal document that, upon your death, determines how your assets will be divided, who will manage your estate, and ultimately, who will receive the...
Andrew Brown, Founder
I listen to people's stories for a living. Then I try to help them by giving advice, coaching, information, strategies on how they want to improve their lives or deal with a particular situation. I use the law...
Todd Ruhl, Optometrist
An optometrist is like the family doctor for your eyes. We are the people who will check to ensure you are seeing well, to assess if you need glasses (or contact lenses) as well as check the health of...
Vicky Harrison, Teacher/Jewellery Designer/Training for Motivational Coach
I design, create and market my jewellery. This involves searching for supplies, budgeting, accounting, marketing (booking craft shows, accommodations, flights, shipping, advertising for shows), packaging, booth displays etc. With the huge change that Covid brought about, an entrepreneur needs to be...
Jill Cashman, Founder, Chief Strategist, Advisor
As a business strategist, I specialize in branding, marketing and communications. As a marketing agency/design firm practitioner for about 20 years, I help clients in various industries determine: * what their brand (their company) stands for including how they are or...
Art Commisso, Founder/Photographer
I am a commercial headshot and portrait photographer who specializes in bringing out the best in people so they can make a lasting impact with their personal brand.
Ben Cronsberry, Head of Sales
I sell software to e-commerce brands and their 3rd party logistics providers
Jennifer Grindatto, Mortgage Agent -#M23006177
As a relationship sales professional, I assist people with the coordination of their mortgages (borrowing to purchase a home, take money out of their home etc.)
Monica Bilan, Information Specialist - Student Services
I help adults (individuals 18+ years of age) select an academic program that matches their career goals, if we offer a related program at McMaster Continuing Education. In addition, I assist with creating study plans, share information about academic policies...
Lianne Broughton, Radiograhper/Sonographer, Computer Analyst
My original career was in healthcare working in the x-ray department. My primary role was taking pictures of patients' anatomy with either X-rays or ultrasound. This career requires you to know anatomy, physics (sound waves, xrays etc.). This profession allows...
Judi Partridge, Former City Councillor, Director, Business owner
As a former municipal government City Councillor (think of Mayor of Waterdown/Flamborough) I dedicated 12 years representing the residents of Ward 15 (Waterdown/East Flamborough) as a passionate advocate. Community projects such as Waterdown Memorial Park Skating Loop, playground, paved walking...
Anastasia Yarrow, Esthetician / Studio Owner
Becoming an Esthetician is one of the most rewarding jobs you can have. You have the opportunity to make someones day just a little extra special. There are so many services that estheticians can choose from now. ...
Amanda DeVries, Executive Director
As the Executive Director of a local non-profit I am responsible to drive strategic planning, fundraising, and build stakeholder relationships to achieve our mission and goals. I oversee the finances, and manage staff. I report to a board of directors. I...
Ted McMeekin, Councillor for Flamborough Waterdown (Ward 15)
My job is to serve as a ‘caretaker’ for the Flamborough Waterdown Carlisle community at Hamilton City Council and within the community. My role is to gather people together, connect with them by listening and then ACT in the best...
Mark Reinhardt, Senior Designer
As a Senior Digital Graphic Designer at Milestone Integrated, my job is like being a digital artist who uses computers as a canvas. I get to use my creativity to make websites, online videos, social media posts, and advertisements look...
Samantha McGregor, Corporate Event Coordinator
I coordinate the logistics of events within our downtown Toronto office, from networking cocktails, workshops, team meetings, board meetings, etc. along with help coordinating sponsorship activations (events and other projects) along with tradeshows.
Holly Forrest, Dog Trainer & Behaviour
Trainers help people teach their dogs what they want to achieve. We often work with dogs who have behavioural concerns, our job is to determine the cause of the behaviour, reduce the undesirable behaviour, and teach the dog what we...
Nick Brown, President & Wealth Advisor
I help business owners and professionals grow their money and build wealth so they can retire with a comfortable lifestyle.
Tom Fisher, Airline Pilot
An airline pilot operates complex machinery in a crew (team) environment transporting people and cargo to destinations domestic and international.. The skills required are self motivation, problem solving, physical handling of aircraft, computer skills as well as social and communication...
L Struck, Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Nuclear Medicine looks at how the body/organs/disease works. We use radioactive tracers (not a dye) that we attach to a molecule that the organ or disease we want to look at naturally uses. We then take pictures of...
Amy Charlong, HR Business Partner
I am a Human Resources professional for one of Canada’s largest construction companies. I manage and support people throughout their employment day to day. This involves everything that comes with their jobs without actually doing their jobs – For example:...
Dr. Zobia Jawed, Senior Researcher, Faculty Lead for Engineering Design Projects and Faculty Member for Engineering and Business Program
If I were to describe my job to an 8th-grade student, I would say that I'm like a really smart and accomplished scientist, teacher, and business leader all rolled into one. I have studied a lot and earned multiple advanced...
Tarrah Wynn, General Manager
As a general manager (GM) I am responsible for all or parts of the Canadian operations, including sales, manufacturing/production and controlling costs.
Lisa Blackwell, Registered Dietitian
Working directly with the general public (outpatients/clients) to review their current everyday nutrition and their health. – we work together to discuss their current life schedule (assess what they're doing) and their needs or wants (set goals) related to their...
Destiny Courneyea, Wedding and Editorial Photographer
My job is filled to the brim with variety. It is the perfect job for someone who is looking to be creative and connect with people all at the same time. Photography is one tool we can use in our world...
Kevin Urbanic, Director General
I am a public servant that works for the Government of Canada. I lead a team of 1000 employees whose job it is to inspect agricultural commodities (food, plant and animal) to help ensure that the food we eat is...
Katie Reszitnyk, Lawyer/Mediator
I am an employment lawyer and mediator. I help people who are experiencing issues in their jobs to navigate their legal rights and options, and assist individuals who have lost their jobs in receiving what they are entitled to. I...
Christina Birmingham, Owner, Human Recourses, Operations Manager
As the co-owner of a technology company, I do everything that is "non-tech" related. Operations Manager - All finance / Payroll / Benefits / Expenses - Bookkeeping, reconciliations, AR / AP, Government Remittances - Work with accountant on...
Kyle Cleveland, Education and Outreach Coordinator
I work with students to help understand their options for education after high school. We talk about where to find programs of interest, how to connect with people at your school of choice and how to prepare to pay for...
Julia Lovett-Squires, Reporter/Photographer
I can sum up journalism in one word: storytelling. We are writers, observers and creatives. We watch, we listen, we ask questions but most importantly, we are seekers of truth. Words can be powerful tools that can help change the...
Trevor Gustafson, Storyboard Artist/Illustrator
I draw storyboards and animatics for many of the commercials you see on TV. Before a TV commercial is made, a script must be written first. After the script is written, it needs to be STORYBOARDED, so the client and everyone...
Nick Boehmer, General Carpenter
I build custom homes from the ground up. Foundations, framing and finishing of houses.
Gina Faubert, Osteopath, Coach
I help people find ways to improve how they feel -both physically and mentally. I offer exercise, treatments, nutrition, and coaching to support personal growth. I offer this as a private practice with adults, and in camps and...
Lisa Ward, Owner/Founder
The Flourishing Space is just like the name says- a space to flourish. We are all about personal growth and being our best selves here! I provide guidance and coaching to kids, teens and adults who need extra support with...
Sherri Cully, Mediator/ Career Coach and Recruiter
I assist people with the most important changes in their lives. As a mediator I guide people in solving major conflicts that they are not able to settle on their own. Many of my clients are separating...
Sean Cowan, Reporter
I talk to people. I listen to their voices I share their experiences on television live in front of thousands of people I tell feature stories, hard news, and breaking news around Hamilton, Holton and Niagara
Andy Burnside, Desjardins Insurance Agent
In my work, I help people better understand how to protect the things they value most in their lives; themselves and their family (life and health insurance), and their assets (Auto and Home Insurance). We understand Insurance, so our customers...
Nilusha Dore, Registered Psychotherapist
As a Psychotherapist, I help people work through struggles with their emotions and mental wellness. This could be anything from helping families learn how to better communicate with each other, to helping individuals understand why they may react in certain...
Sophie Boers, Graphic Designer
As a Graphic Designer, I am involved in creating a company’s promotional materials, whether print or digital. I design company logos, brochures, presentations, packaging, promotional materials, and website elements. I meet with clients or receive a brief to determine the...
Penny Deathe, Founder/Executive Director
As a Founder of an organization you need to first and foremost be clear on your vision. What is it you want to do, why, and how. Next you need a team to help bring the vision to life. You'll...
