Sports Figures
The Sweeney Agency will help you find the best Athlete or Sports Speaker for your event by providing you with all the information you need to make the right decision. We take into account your event objectives, audience dynamics and expected outcomes. We provide you with Sports and Celebrity Athlete Speaker bios, video clips, topic outlines, and independent perspectives on the best motivation speakers on Sales and Marketing Speakers available. Working closely with the motivational Sales or Marketing speaker you choose, we will ensure he or she delivers a customized presentation that informs, inspires and entertains.
Jim Abbott
Former Major League Baseball Pitcher & Gold Medal Winner in the 1988 Olympics
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Jim talks about how individuals must adapt and mold themselves to meet the obstacles of change.
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Audiences leave inspired by Jim's story of how he used his ADAPT framework to become a professional athlete.
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Born without a right hand, Jim Abbott is a former MLB pitcher who led Team USA to a Gold Medal in the 1988 Olympics.
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Past clients include: Toshiba, Lucent Technologies, Fosters Freeze, Lason Inc., and Prudential.
Born without a right hand, Jim Abbott is a former MLB pitcher who led Team USA to a Gold Medal in the 1988 Olympics. He was an All-America hurler at Michigan and won the Sullivan Award in 1987. Jim threw a 4-0 no-hitter for the New York Yankees versus Cleveland on September 4, 1993. He played for 10 seasons on 4 different teams and ended his big league playing career in 1999.
Abbott has worked with The Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) on several initiatives encouraging businesses to hire people with disabilities.
Today, in addition to often being a Guest Pitching Instructor during Spring Training for the Los Angeles Angels, Jim Abbott is a motivational speaker who shares his incredible story of overcoming adversity and achieving ultimate goal.
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Talks about making and celebrating incredible moments comes from facing failure and adapting to change
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Audiences are inspired by Jeff's story of becoming a Paralympian and entrepreneur despite facing numerous hurdles
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Jeff is a gold medal winning Paralympian, as well as being the co-founder of design, engineering and manufacturing company focused on Category II medical devices, and most recently a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School.
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Jeff is a member of the Order of Ontario, and has been inducted into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, the Athletics Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, and the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame.
Jeff Adams is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, a Paralympian, and six-time world champion in wheelchair racing. After a distinguished athletic career that included winning three Paralympic gold medals, he retired from competition in 2008 and was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
In 2010, Jeff co-founded a design, engineering and manufacturing company focused on Category II medical devices. After seven years as President and CEO, and managing the acquisition of the intellectual property by a US company, Jeff decided to pursue a life-long dream of a career in law.
Jeff’s work experience includes serving as the Executive Director for the International Arts Games Foundation where he instructed counsel on the incorporation of a federal not-for-profit corporation, established an inaugural board of directors and created the charter and by-laws. He was also the President, CEO and Founding Partner of Icon Wheelchairs Inc. and President of Marvel Wheelchairs Inc.
At Osgoode Hall Law School, Jeff worked at the Business Clinic and interned at ARCH legal clinic.
Jeff is a member of the Order of Ontario, and has been inducted into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, the Athletics Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, and the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame.
Walter Bond
Former NBA Athlete, Author and Speaker on Mentorship, Leadership, Teamwork & Motivation
About
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Speaker on Mentorship, Leadership, Teamwork & Motivation
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Talks about: No One Can Stop You & The Best Team Always Wins
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NBA shooting guard for the Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, and the Detroit Pistons & Host of Food Network’s Giving You the Business
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Past clients include: Accenture, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, The Dwyer Group, Allianz, Amway, GNC, Hilton, Medtronic, UPS Store, Radio Shack, Red Robin
Walter Bond, a transformative force dedicated to unlocking human potential. Walter is not merely a motivational speaker; he is a strategic partner for organizations and individuals committed to unlocking their highest capabilities. His mission is singularly focused: to empower leaders and teams to become the absolute best versions of themselves, a philosophy born from his own extraordinary journey.
Walter's foundational understanding of peak performance was forged on the demanding courts of the NBA. As a former professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, and Detroit Pistons, he defied conventional wisdom, transforming himself from an undrafted underdog into a starting player through sheer will, relentless discipline, and an unwavering commitment to self-mastery. This firsthand experience of overcoming adversity and achieving improbable success laid the groundwork for his profound insights into human potential.
Today, Walter leverages this unique background to serve as an unparalleled authority on leadership, sales, and team dynamics. His methodology is deeply rooted in the principles of immersion, coaching, and strategic partnerships. He believes that true transformation occurs when individuals and teams are fully immersed in a culture of excellence, guided by expert coaching, and fortified by collaborative relationships.
Through his compelling keynotes and transformative programs, Walter delivers more than just inspiration; he provides a tangible roadmap. His acclaimed works, including "Swim!: How a Shark, a Suckerfish, and a Parasite Teach You Leadership, Mentoring, and Next Level Success," "Cultivate: The Six Non-Negotiable Traits of a Winning Team," and "Accelerate: A Champion's Playbook to Fast-Track Your Business Success," are not just books—they are blueprints for organizational and personal triumph.
Walter's signature programs, such as "The Shark Mindset," "Cultivate! The Six Non-Negotiable Traits of a Winning Team," and "No One Can Stop You but You!," are meticulously designed to:
- Ignite a culture of relentless forward momentum within teams.
- Instill the six non-negotiable traits that define championship-level performance.
- Transform managers into true coaches, fostering accountability and unleashing individual potential.
In 2025, Walter Bond continues to be the strategic choice for Fortune 500 companies, dynamic startups, and industry associations seeking to cultivate a workforce of peak performers. Partnering with his wife and business partner, Antoinette Bond, through The Bond Group and Peak Performers Huddle, Walter offers a comprehensive suite of coaching and development services. Together, they are building a legacy of excellence, empowering countless individuals and organizations to not just meet, but consistently exceed their goals.
Book Your Next Great Speaker in 5 Easy Steps
5 Tips to Book your Next Great Speaker
About
Did last year's speaker knock your socks off? Not sure where to go next? Let our team of experienced professionals help you find your next great speaker.
Here's a quick guide to help you get started:
Find A Theme
Decide on a theme or topic for your event.
Going through a period of transition? Looking to shake up your creative? Building trust within your teams? We have great speakers on all of those topics.
Having trouble? Check out our IDEA GENERATOR for inspiration.
Get in Touch
Get in touch with your Event Date & Theme.
We will ask you some key questions to find the perfect speaker for your live or virtual event.
We pride ourselves on our personal touch. We are small team of dedicated professionals with over 20 years experience. When you call us, you speak to us directly... and quickly.
Shortlist
By now, we have a great idea of what you are looking for and will send you a shortlist of exceptional speakers.
Each speaker will be vetted with YOUR event in mind, along with our personal thoughts on how that speaker can inspire your attendees.
Let's talk
From the shortlist, you've narrowed it down to two great speakers. Let's discuss your needs to help make the final decision.
With over 20 years experience, you can trust us to provide all of the information you need to choose the right speaker.
We work with you to find the best format for your presentation, including live streams, Q&A sessions and even follow up programs to ensure maximum engagement for your key stakeholders.
The Details
We will facilitate a call with your leadership team & our speaker to do a deep dive into your business to make sure their presentation really hits home.
As trusted experts, you can rest easy knowing our experience will guide you every step of the way.
get in touch
Get in touch to book your next great speaker.
Cassie Campbell-Pascall
Captain of Gold Medal Canadian Women’s Hockey Team, inspiring sports speaker, talks about leadership and teamwork.
About
Cassie Campbell is a sought after corporate and keynote speaker, drawing on her accomplishments as the captain of both gold-medal winning Canadian Women's Olympic Hockey Teams (2002 and 2006) - to explore the topics of leadership, teamwork, determination and coming out of your comfort zone. Millions of viewers around the world heard Cassie's commentary and analysis of Women's Hockey at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.
Cassie Campbell won 21 medals with Canada's National Women's teams, including 17 gold medals and four silver medals. She is a six-time World Champion gold medallist - and won silver at the 2005 World Chamionships. Cassie Campbell is the only captain, male or female, to lead Canada to two Olympic gold medals. When Cassie Campbell was dressed for Team Canada, her team had a 129-26-2 record.
As Captain of Canada's National Women's Team from 2001 to 2006 - she is the longest serving captain in Canadian hockey history. She was also an alternate captain with Canada's National Women's Team from 1997-2001 - receiving this honour just prior to her second World Championship appearance.
In 157 career games with Team Canada, Cassie Campbell had 32 goals, 68 assists, 100 points, 66 penalty minutes. (Four of her career goals were short-handed and three were game winning goals). Her 100 points rank her 8th all-time with Team Canada's National Women's program.
In addition to a very successful career in sports, Cassie Campbell was also the first woman to do colour commentating on Hockey Night in Canada on October 14th, 2006 - when the Toronto Maple Leafs took on the Calgary Flames. She currently works as a TV analyst for TSN's women's hockey coverage and for CBC's Hockey Night in Canada. Cassie has worked as a colour commentator for TSN, The Score and the NHL Network - and does radio work for Calgary Flames games on the FAN 960. She was one of the voices of Canadian Women's Olympic Hockey at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.
Cassie Campbell runs an annual street hockey tournament in Calgary, Alberta to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. Along with Hockey Hall of Famer's Bobby Orr and Mike Bossy - Cassie is a spokesperson and host for Hockey Canada's Chevrolet Safe & Fun Hockey program. She is a Special Advisor to Scotiabank for it's hockey programs and properties, proud supporter of World Vision and spokesperson for Callaway Golf, promoting, amongst other things, women in golf.
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Talks about how, as a 5'6" football player, he went on to become one of the CFL's most recognized and beloved players, and eventually Head Coach of the Toronto Argonauts by playing with heart and passion.
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Audiences are inspired by his inspiring story of overcoming the odds of his stature and background to rise to the highest levels of football in Canada.
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Michael "Pinball" Clemons won the Grey Cup in 1991, 1996, and 1997 with the Argonauts, and was honored with the CFL’s “most outstanding player” award in 1990, before becoming Head Coach of the Toronto Argonauts.
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Founder of the Pinball Clemons Foundation, a non-profit organization responsible for the construction of a hospital in Uganda, over 200 schools in developing countries, two orphanages in Haiti, and locally awarded more than 200 scholarships.
Michael "Pinball" Clemons is the former Head Coach of the Toronto Argonauts Football Club. "Pinball" has received numerous awards including the CFL Man-of-the-Year award, the John Candy Memorial Trophy, an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D) degree from York University, Doctor of Humane Letters from the College of William and Mary, the prestigious Order of Ontario in recognition of his dedication and work with charities throughout Ontario and across Canada and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. He is also a member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and the CFL Hall of Fame
He was raised in Dunedin, Florida by a single Mom and attended the College of William & Mary where he graduated with a degree in economics. Michael's true claim to fame however is being Diane's husband and Rachel, Raven and Rylie’s Dad.
Clemons joined the National Football League in 1987, and CFL’s Toronto Argonauts in 1989. He was nicknamed “Pinball” because of his running style — his diminutive size and extraordinary balance allowed him to “bounce” between defensive players, drawing comparisons to a pinball machine. Clemons won the Grey Cup in 1991, 1996, and 1997 with the Argonauts, and was honored with the CFL’s “most outstanding player” award in 1990, after setting the single season record for all-purpose yards. He played his last game as an Argonaut in 2000, before becoming head coach of the team in the same year. He led the football club to six consecutive East Division Finals, including the 2004 championship, concluding his coaching tenure with 68 wins — the second highest in the team history.
In 2007, Clemons stepped down as head coach to become the chief executive officer, and in 2009, he was appointed as the vice-chair of the team. In 2019, Clemons was named the 20th general manager of the Toronto Argonauts.
Clemons is also the founder of the Pinball Clemons Foundation, a non-profit organization that empowers youth through education. Since it’s founding in 2007, it’s been responsible for the construction of a hospital in Uganda, over 200 schools in developing countries, two orphanages in Haiti, and locally awarded more than 200 scholarships.
About
Click Here to Receive Your Customized List of Speaker Ideas
Virtual Events can:
- Reach a wider audience
- Offer a great experience at a much lower cost
- Create long term impact with recorded elements that allow for content to be watched over a period of time
- Have an increased impact over time, as viewers re-watch, discuss and connect over social media and other channels
And, most importantly: offer the ability for inspiring and impactful presentations to connect in a one-on-one way, directly to the attendee.
WHO is your audience?
Who are your virtual event attendees? Are they across a specific group within your organization, or are you serving clients across a wide range of levels? Determining who you are speaking to will help you determine a format for your event that will captivate your audience.
WHAT is your key message?
Are you focusing on change? Innovation? Leadership?
Creating a single focus or mission will allow you to hone in on the type of speaker(s) you need to engage your audience and help event producers to format the event into a dynamic program that balances inspiration with information and audience interaction.
WHAT type of event suits your audience?
- Virtual Conference
- Webinar
- Hybrid Event
Virtual event technology has come a long way over the last few months, offering a huge range of different options from pre-recorded webinars, to multi-day virtual conferences, to hybrid events with some attendees in the audience while the event is live streamed.
OUR ADVICE
A COMBINATION of live and pre-recorded elements will allow your virtual event to run smoothly and stay on time.
Many of our clients are also opting for multi-day virtual conferences with shorter segments spaced over a few days.
This allows some flexibility for attendees in different time zones and accommodates different teleworking situations for attendees, allowing them to tune in when it is convenient.
WHERE? It’s all about Tech.
Virtual meeting technology has exploded over the last few months as teleworking became the norm.
Consider your needs:
- Interactive elements like breakout rooms, polls & Q&A
- Seamless blend of live & pre-recorded elements
- Ability to replay segments
- Live tech support
If you plan for rain, it’s likely the sun will shine…
Tech isn’t perfect so don’t forget to test, rehearse and have a back up plan ready to go for your virtual event.
Pro Tip: Think of a virtual presentation like a podcast. Viewers can view the content multiple times and refer back to it.
WHEN? A Date… or Dates?
As we have all noticed, our attention spans for meeting in real life versus meeting online are a lot longer.
When deciding on a date, consider spreading your virtual event out over a few days, with a variety of speakers, interactive elements and information.
The benefits of a multi-day format:
- Viewers watch content fresh for a short period every day
- Allows attendees in different time zones to stay on top of the content
- Attendees can review & re-engage with content
Virtual Event Checklist:
Is your event?
- Interactive?
- Informative?
- Able to be rewatched?
WHY? Pandemic 2020
Just because you are online instead of in person, it doesn’t mean you are missing out on connection.
Using the technology that we have become so accustomed to over the last few months, our keynote speakers have the ability to connect to your viewers one-on-one, in a way that was impossible in live events.
FIND YOUR WHY…
What do you want the audience to leave thinking at the end of the presentation?
Apply this question to all the presentations and segments in your event to create a cohesive, impactful virtual event.
HOW? Virtual Event Checklist
To wrap it all up
- TECH: Find the right tech platform & don’t forget to test drive before your event
- AGENDA: Use a mix of live and pre-recorded segments, mixed with interactive elements, to ensure a smooth flow of events & audience engagement
- ANTICIPATION: Build up your event with emails, teasers and sneak peeks into what content will be offered
- NETWORKING: Create and encourage online chat functions, an event specific hashtag or even a dedicated event page to allow attendees to network virtually. Maximize the networking opportunities offered by your tech platform.
- EXTEND YOUR IMPACT: A dedicated social media page is a great place for attendees to connect after an event to discuss ideas and implement some of the learnings from the event.
Offer a password protected, limited time recording of keynote presentations to continue the conversation long after the virtual event has ended.
Continue the conversation with post-event touch points like emails or questions based on the key presentations.
To find a GREAT Speaker for your Virtual event, get in touch.
Molly Fletcher
Inspiring Speaker on Leadership, Business Development, and Peak Performance
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Molly shares stories from her experiences as one of the only female sports agents in the industry as well as lessons from some of the top athletes and coaches in the game in her inspiring keynote.
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Audiences leave with Molly's 5-step process to unleashing your potential and achieving peak performance.
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Molly is hailed by CNN as hailed as the “female Jerry Maguire” and spent two decades as one of the world’s only female sports agents. She is also a best selling author of four books, and agent to some of the world's top athletes.
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Past clients include: AT&T, Cox Communications, ITA Group, Kraft, Morgan Stanley, and Porsche.
Hailed as the “female Jerry Maguire” by CNN, Molly Fletcher made a name for herself as one of the first female sports agents. During her almost two-decade career as President of CSE, Molly negotiated over $500 million in contracts and represented over 300 of sports' biggest names, including Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz, PGA TOUR golfer Matt Kuchar, broadcaster Erin Andrews and basketball championship coaches Tom Izzo and Doc Rivers.
Today she is one of the most booked female speakers in the world. Her TED Talk, “Secrets of a Champion Mindset,” has more than one million views. She is the author of multiple books, including The Energy Clock, Fearless at Work, and A Winner’s Guide to Negotiating. Her latest book, Dynamic Drive, is a #1 USA Today Bestseller.
Molly is the founder and host of the Game Changers with Molly Fletcher podcast, where she interviews experts and celebrities in every field including Troy Aikman, Sue Bird, Glennon Doyle,
Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Matthew McConaughey, and Simon Sinek. Molly’s insights have been featured in prestigious media outlets, including CBS, CNN, Fox, ESPN, Forbes, Fast Company, InStyle, and Sports Illustrated.
A world-renowned speaker, Molly has delivered inspiring keynotes to some of the world’s most admired brands. She talks on leadership, mindset and peak performance. Molly understands the importance of putting someone in front of your people, and trusting that they deliver. That’s why she takes the time to customize every keynote to meet your goals. Whether she’s commanding the stage at a global conference for 50,000 leaders or inspiring a room of 75 top sales performers at a sales summit, Molly gets rave reviews and repeat bookings.
Tom Flick
Former Rose Bowl Champion, Inspiring Speaker on Leadership, Teamwork, and Change.
About
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Tom Flick helps develop leaders, lead change effectively, seize opportunities for growth, and increase teamwork and organizational performance.
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Audiences leave with an understanding of how to lead with heart, navigate change and accelerate personal, team, and organizational performance.
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Tom spent seven seasons as an NFL quarterback and has been teaching leaders around the world how to lead with heart.
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Clients include: Microsoft, Starbucks, Google, Boeing, American Express, Amazon, NASA, Mercedes-Benz and the Pentagon
Tom Flick is a dynamic and highly sought-after, leadership expert who has delivered over 3,000 presentations to a "who's-who" list of clients that includes Microsoft, Starbucks, Google, Boeing, American Express, Amazon, NASA, Mercedes-Benz and the Pentagon. Mr. Flick addresses more than 100,000 men and women each year and has garnered a reputation around the world as an authority on leadership, helping organizations develop leaders, lead effective change and accelerate personal, team and organizational performance.
Mr. Flick’s passion for raising more effective leaders is achieved by his unique gift to connect with the listener's heart as well as their head. Understanding that people, not programs, help organizations change and grow. Tom draws on his leadership experience as a former NFL quarterback for seven seasons, his extensive work in corporate America, and his alliance with leadership guru, Dr. John Kotter, to provide actionable solutions around developing leaders, leading change, motivating and driving performance.
Mentored by leadership and change experts Dennis Goin, Executive Vice President of Kotter International, and Dr. John Kotter, Konosuke Matsushita Professor of Leadership, Emeritus at the Harvard School of Business, Flick uses his exceptional talent as a deft storyteller to inspire audiences to lead change, seize opportunities for growth, and to implement the power of leadership, whether in the role of executive, manager, salesperson, or front-line employee.
Mr. Flick customizes every engaging presentation based on each organization's needs and desired outcomes, collaborating directly with the client to ensure measurable takeaways for their organization. Tom’s exceptional ability to communicate clear business solutions with humor, wit and razor-sharp insight is why he is in such high demand.
About
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Kath Koschel
Founder, The Kindness Factory, Former Australian Cricketer, Triathlete and Motivational Keynote Speaker on Resilience, Teamwork & Change
About
Kath Koschel is a survivor who has overcome incredible odds and unimaginable tragedy to inspire ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Koschel is a former cricketer and Ironman competitor whose world came crashing down when she broke her back twice in the span of five years and was told that she would never walk again. Instead, she faced the challenges head-on and defied all medical prognosis by teaching herself to walk again on three separate occasions. In the midst of these harrowing experiences, she believes she experienced two things in large amounts: adversity and kindness.
After re-learning to walk for the second time in her life, this realisation kickstarted a 2-month journey around Australia which relied solely on the kindness of strangers. No cash, credit card food or water – and no help from family or friends! Now a best selling book, Kath shares some of the insights learnt on this trip as part of her best-selling memoir and has transferred these learnings from book form to keynote on stages around the world.
Julia Landauer
Two-time Champion NASCAR Driver, Advocate for STEM Education and Inspiring Speaker on Women’s Empowerment
About
Julia Landauer is a NASCAR driver and two-time champion from New York City. Since making history as the first and youngest female champion in the Skip Barber Racing Series at age 14 - Julia has amassed dozens of wins in many different racing series. After becoming the first woman to win a NASCAR Track Championship at Motor Mile Speedway in her division in 2015, Julia graduated to the televised NASCAR K&N Pro Series West in 2016. In the K&N series, Julia finished 4th in the championship - becoming the highest finishing female in the series’ 64-year history. Julia shares an inspiring story of her experience and insights, that audiences admire.
In January of 2017, Julia was selected as an honoree for the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the Sports category. Julia was also the only female member of the highly selective NASCAR Next class of 2016-2017.
Julia graduated from Stanford University in 2014, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Science, Technology, and Society. Julia has since purposefully built her brand where technology, community and racing intersect and fuse. During college Julia was a contestant on season 26 of CBS’ reality TV show SURVIVOR. It was also in college that Julia started her motivational speaking career with a TEDx talk - and she is now a sought-after speaker for corporations, universities, and conferences, including Fortune’s Most Powerful Women. Julia also served as an external advisor to Hyundai Motor Corporation’s Center for Robotic-Augmented Design in Living Experience.
As she climbs the NASCAR ladder Julia uses her racing platform to continue advocating for STEM education and women’s empowerment.
Catriona Le May Doan
Olympic champion, broadcaster, motivating keynote speaker and MC.
About
Catriona Le May Doan was the fastest woman on ice. After carrying the Canadian flag into the 2002 Olympic Winter Games opening ceremonies (her fourth Olympics), Catriona defended her Olympic title with a Gold medal performance in the 500 metre event, becoming the first individual and only female to defend a Gold Medal at any Olympic games. In addition to being a world champion athlete, Catriona is a talented motivational speaker. She is an articulate, engaging and bilingual presenter, exploring with her audiences the method of achieving personal excellence while challenging and inspiring people to achieve their full potential.
Catriona held the World Record in the 500m for 10 years and still currently holds the Olympic Record. During her career Catriona broke 13 World Records. In 1998, at the Nagano Olympic Winter Games, Catriona won her first Olympic Gold medal in the 500m in Olympic record time, then added an Olympic Bronze Medal in the 1000m event. She finished the 1998 season
first overall in the World Cup standings in both the 500m and 1000m events. In 1999 Catriona's domination in the speed skating world continued when She finished first over all in the World Cup standings for the 500m event.
Catriona's accomplishments have earned her the 2002 Lou Marsh Award as Canada's Athlete of the Year and she is a three-time recipient (1998,2001,2002) of the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award for Canadian Female Athlete of the Year award.
Catriona is actively involved in her community and charity associations including The Saskatoon Foundation and the Catriona Le May Doan Endowment for Children and Youth. She is a spokesperson for the SpinaBifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada, Right to Play, and Ontario's Lakefield Oval Project. She was on the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Organizing Committee Board and is a Board member of CODA and the Canadian Sport Centre Calgary.
Catriona has covered four Olympic Games and co-hosted the primetime show Countdown to Beijing
. She joined the CTV Olympic broadcast team for the Vancouver 2010 Games which earned her a Gemini for Best Sports Analyst.
Catriona has received three Honorary Degrees from the University of Calgary, the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina and gave the convocation speech to their graduating classes. Catriona was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Olympic Committee's Sports Hall of Fame and appointed an Officer of the Order of
Canada.
Chaunte’ Lowe
Motivational Olympic Medalist, American Record Holder, and TEDx Speaker on Helping Your Group Navigate This Challenging Climate
About
Chaunte' Lowe is the story of determination perseverance and strength. Not only is Lowe a mother of 3, a wife and a finance professional; she is also a professional athlete, an American Record Holder, a 4-time Olympian, a 3-Time World Championship medalist, and 12 times US National Champion.
When speaking she is true to how she performs. She is animated, entertaining and humorous. She dances and plays to the crowd as she shares her stories of beating impossible odds, time and time again. She possesses the ability to keep the group engaged and hanging on her every word or jump. Those who get a chance to encounter her leave inspired and motivated. Her infectious personality is electrifying. You can't help but leave an interaction with her with a winning, "I can do ANYTHING" attitude.
Lowe was able to realize her childhood dream of going to the Olympics at only 20-years-old, making her the first woman from Georgia Tech’s track and field team to become an Olympian. The following year, Lowe won silver at the 2005 World Championships to become the first American woman to win a world outdoor championships high jump medal since Louise Ritter won bronze at the inaugural event in Helsinki in 1983. Lowe is always a crowd favorite with impossibly defined abs, dramatic dance moves, and even the occasional backflip. Lowe graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in economics. In 2008 she represented her country again in the high jump at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Days after returning from the 2012 Olympic Games, started teaching trigonometry at Grayson High School in Atlanta. Married triple jumper Mario Lowe on August 21, 2005, and gave birth to daughter Jasmine in July 2007 and Aurora in April 2011 and Mario Josiah in 2013. Lowe has broken the American Record 3 Times and is the current indoor and outdoor American Record holder with 2.02m (6’-7.5”) and 2.05 (6’8.75”) meters respectively. In addition to her Olympic Games appearances, she has represented the United States on six world championship teams. The story is not over; she most recently represented the US in her fourth Olympic Games in the summer of 2016 and is showing no signs of stopping any time soon. Don't be surprised to see her jumping in her 5th Olympic Games in Tokyo the summer of 2020.
Joe Moglia
Former CEO & Chairman of the Board, TD Ameritrade, Former Head Football Coach, Coastal Carolina University, Speaker on Leadership
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Joe talks about the four pillars of success that have always guided him, and shows audiences how to look at challenges with a new perspective.
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Audiences leave with practical strategies for success from Joe's long career as in finance and as an award winning football coach.
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Joe Moglia is the former Chairman of the Board and former CEO at TD Ameritrade and the former head football coach of Coastal Carolina University, and is the only author in the world to have written books on finance AND football.
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Past clients include: Wells Fargo, US Coast Guard Academy, Fordham University, Dallas Cowboys, and Fox News.
As the former Chairman of the Board and former CEO at TD Ameritrade and the former head football coach of Coastal Carolina University, Joe Moglia has one of the most "unique resumes in modern business," according to Forbes, and his tremendous success from the locker room to the board room provide invaluable lessons on strategic risk-taking, how to look at challenge with new perspective, and leadership. Having honed his message of the four-pillars of success through his own trials as a business leader and football coach, Moglia is an in-demand executive leadership speaker heralded as "incredibly gifted" (Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC); "raw and remarkable" (Collegiate Sports Summit); and "pitch-perfect" (Bentley University).
He was the chairman of the board at TD Ameritrade, and is the chairman of Fundamental Global Investors and Capital Wealth Advisors, and chair of athletics and executive advisor to the president at Coastal Carolina University.
In 1984, Joe entered the MBA Training Program at Merrill Lynch, where there were 26 people—25 MBAs and one football coach. By 1988, he was Merrill Lynch's No. 1 producer in the world. By the time he left, he had been a member of both the Institutional and Private Client Executive Committees, and his final responsibilities were all Investment Products, the Insurance Company, the 401(k) Business and the Middle Market Business.
Joe became the CEO of TD Ameritrade in 2001, and when he stepped down in 2008, shareholders had enjoyed a 500% return. In 2009, he became chairman of the board. TD Ameritrade recently announced that they would be acquired by Charles Schwab. The combined company will be worth $100 billion and have client assets of approximately $5 trillion. When Joe arrived, these numbers were $700 million and $24 billion.
Joe has also been a football coach for 25 years, but it’s not been a traditional 25 years. He began his career as a coach for 16 years, moved to the business world for over 20, and back to coaching in 2009. In his last 11 years of college coaching, he has been a part of eight championship teams, and as a head coach, has a winning percentage of .718. He has also received multiple Coach of the Year honors, including the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year Award, was the recipient of the Vince Lombardi Award and inducted into the Lombardi Hall of Fame.
He has received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the Sharp Trophy for Leadership. He has been honored by the National Italian American Foundation, the Columbus Citizens Foundation, the American Institute for Stuttering and the Stuttering Association for the Young. Joe has been inducted into seven halls of fame, is a member of the National Economics Society and is the recipient of three honorary doctorates. Joe has already had a book written about his life, and is the only author in the world to have written books on both investing and football.
About
Only eight years after his first run down a skeleton track, Jon Montgomery won Olympic Gold at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver (Whistler), B.C. No stranger to podium finishes, Jon captured Silver at the 2007/2008 FIBT World Championships in Altenberg, Germany, and has earned eight World Cup medals (4 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) and five Canadian National titles to date.
Jon got his start in skeleton racing in March 2002, after witnessing a skeleton race at Calgary's Canada Olympic Park while on a self-guided tour with his parents. One week later, Jon experienced the exciting sport first hand at a Discover Skeleton School. He hasn't looked back since.
Over the next few years, Jon steadily climbed the rankings while sailing head-first down frozen tracks all over the world. First competing on the America's Cup and Europa Cup circuits, Jon has competed on the World Cup Tour and Senior National Team since 2006.
Vince Poscente
Peak performance speaker, Olympic skier and best-selling author.
About
Vince Poscente, one of the most in-demand speakers today, is an expert on resiliency - the ability to overcome challenges and motivate to bounce back even stronger than ever before. His client list includes top organizations with one thing in common: they understand that success is not just about reaching your goals and getting what you want. There also has to be an intent to handle set-backs and overcome obstacles and end up smarter, stronger and more focused than ever before, Vince knows first-hand the power that attitude, determination and innovation play in your future success -- especially when life doesn’t go as planned.
Vince has two signature keynotes where the first half of his life he went downhill. The second half he goes up. First, Full Speed Ahead reveals the formula for big goals in short order with his story of recreational skier to Olympics in just four short years. Second, Become a Local Hero, outlines the qualities of everyday heroes using the backdrop of ten years of leading Heroes Climb expeditions in the Himalayas. In both cases audiences experience the way to bounce back and find another path. Another solution. Another way to achieve extraordinary outcomes. Vince is a New York Times Best Selling author. Hall of Fame Speaker in the USA and Canada. Award winning business owner. Expedition leader.
So, what are your teams’ obstacles? The economy? Competition? Negative attitudes? Lower productivity? And the list goes on.
Vince is the #1 go-to guy for taking a team and teaching them how to lead better. Produce more. Sell more. And move past the obstacles and into a mental space that creates the kind of success you and your team want and deserve.
This is NOT Vince just telling his story. Because everybody has a story. This is about Vince sharing strategies and solutions that will definitely change how your team handles crisis. Problems. Competition. And change. Without understanding resiliency and the absolute importance it plays on everything and everyone - your team will not have the skills they need to overcome the things that will inevitably stand in their way.
About
Cheryl Pounder brings her high energy and effervescent personality to each and every event, large or small. With her warmth and friendliness, Cheryl immediately makes guests feel like they have a new friend. For fundraising events, Cheryl encourages giving and supports the cause with inspirational personal stories. With galas and award presentations, Cheryl is professional, yet down to earth. There’s never a dull moment with Cheryl. With her experience as a sports commentator, radio host and motivational keynote speaker, Cheryl keeps the energy moving while focusing on the goal of the event she’s at.
Success in one field doesn’t necessarily translate to another area. In the case of former Canadian Women’s hockey player, Cheryl Pounder, who has made the transition from ice to stage, the move has been a triumph.
In the sports world where accomplishments are measured by medals and titles, there aren’t many who can claim a list of achievements as glowing as Cheryl’s.
Her run of success began early in the 1990s when her ice hockey team won the Under-18 Canadian National championship. In 1994, she won Gold for the first time at the 1994 IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championship, and during her illustrious career with the National Women’s team, Cheryl won two Olympic Gold medals (2002 and 2006) and was crowned IIHF World Champion six times.
The shining on-ice achievements aside, it’s been Cheryl’s varied experiences on international stages that have made her an in-demand speaker, with keynote clients such as Tim Hortons, Maple Leaf Foods, CIBC, TD Bank, Manulife, Women in Leadership Groups, Girl Guides of Canada, Western-Ivey-Executive MBA and the City of Toronto, to name a few. She believes that her approach, one that is interactive, passionate and positive, has a lot to do with her ability to cross over to diverse audiences.
“When I speak to people, I want them to connect with material that they can identify with, that stimulates a thought process,” she says.
For Cheryl, everything is rooted in self-confidence, something that was instilled in her as a child. ”My family had a huge impact on my personal goals as an athlete. My grandfather was the GM of the Montreal Junior Canadiens and my grandmother was a prominent softball player in the 1940’s. Along with my parents, they taught me to ‘believe’, ‘finish something you start’, and persevere through adversity.” Adversity can be a learning experience and according to Cheryl, “It is important that we learn not only from our successes but also from our failures. Change is the key to ultimately staying on the path toward excellence.”
It is all part of a journey that we must be willing to take – a journey that must be inspired to take for ourselves and those we work with...our TEAM. To this point, she adds, “When the team goal is met, the individual goals take care of themselves. Seize the opportunities, get outside your comfort zone, trust yourself, and engage in your life, don’t just participate. Most importantly, listen to your strong side, even when your weak side is louder.”
The journey continues for Cheryl – her varied background and knowledge were major factors for TSN & CBC choosing her as a colour commentator for the coverage of the women's hockey tournament at the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics. In her sporting life and in her life off the ice, Cheryl continues to motivate with a passion that comes across in all her worlds.
Cheryl’s keynotes are perfect for: non-profits, corporations, youth, women.
Johnny Quinn
Former Pro Football Wide Receiver, U.S. Bobsled Olympian, and Inspirational Speaker on Change
About
Johnny Quinn is a dynamic keynote speaker, U.S. Olympian, and former pro football player who helps organizations Push What's Possible by turning great teams into unstoppable ultra performers who stay ready for what’s next.
As the third person in history to play pro football and compete in the Winter Olympics, Johnny brings a rare perspective on what it takes to perform under pressure. His journey from the gridiron to the Olympic track gives him a unique perspective on what it takes to turn setbacks into comebacks and challenges into the best opportunities you never saw coming.
His P.U.S.H. framework has equipped thousands at organizations like Toyota, Southwest Airlines, and Verizon to collaborate more effectively, stay agile during disruption, and build momentum—no matter the season. By helping audiences push past what's holding them back, he helps them discover untapped potential they didn't know they had.
Recognized by major media outlets including ESPN, CNN, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal, and the author of PUSH: Breaking Through Barriers, Johnny delivers proven strategies teams can implement the very next day. He lives in Texas with his wife, Amanda, and two small children.
Debra Searle
British Adventurer, Television Presenter, Author and Motivational Speaker
About
Debra Searle: Motivational Keynote Speaker on Resilience, Mindset & Change | Solo Atlantic Rower | Entrepreneur | Author
Choose Your Attitude. Change Your Outcome.
What happens when the plan falls apart, circumstances change and giving up feels like the easiest option?
Debra Searle is an entrepreneur, adventurer and inspiring keynote speaker on resilience, mindset, change and overcoming adversity.
Why Book Debra Searle?
Debra's story immediately captures an audience—but the real power of her keynote is how easily people can apply its lessons to their own challenges.
Alone on the Atlantic, Debra couldn't control the weather, the waves or many of the obstacles she encountered. She could control how she responded.
That distinction became central to her approach to resilience and performance.
Debra helps audiences understand how their mindset, language and daily choices can influence the way they navigate uncertainty, change and setbacks. Her keynote is inspiring without being simply motivational—it gives people practical ideas they can use long after the event.
What Makes Debra Searle Different?
- Extraordinary Atlantic rowing story — a powerful real-world example of resilience
- Authentic experience with adversity — lessons developed when quitting would have been understandable
- Practical mindset strategies — turns an incredible adventure into useful workplace lessons
- Change focused — highly relevant for organizations navigating uncertainty and disruption
- Personal accountability — emphasizes taking ownership of what you can control
- Engaging storyteller — combines vulnerability, humor and inspiration
- Business relevant — connects resilience directly to leadership and performance
- Broad audience appeal — resonates with leaders, sales teams and employees at every level
Why Is Debra Right for Your Audience?
Debra is an outstanding choice when you need your audience to build resilience, take greater ownership and maintain momentum when circumstances become difficult.
She is particularly effective for leadership conferences, sales kickoffs, corporate meetings, association conferences and organizations experiencing significant change.
Book Debra when your audience needs to:
- Build greater resilience during uncertainty
- Adapt positively when plans change
- Focus on what they can control
- Maintain motivation during difficult periods
- Take greater responsibility for their attitude
- Recover more quickly from setbacks
- Keep moving toward long-term goals
- Approach change with greater confidence
Audience Takeaways
Attendees will leave:
- Understanding how attitude influences their response to challenges
- Better able to separate what they can control from what they can't
- Equipped with practical strategies for maintaining resilience
- More aware of how internal dialogue influences performance
- Ready to take greater ownership of their response to change
- Better prepared to maintain momentum when progress feels difficult
- Inspired to make small choices that create meaningful results
Debra Searle Keynote Programs
Choose Your Attitude. You can't always choose what happens to you. You can choose how you respond.
Drawing from her extraordinary Atlantic journey, Debra demonstrates how consciously choosing your attitude can influence resilience, decision-making and performance.
She gives audiences practical strategies for managing their mindset when circumstances are difficult, uncertain or outside their control.
Ideal for: Leadership conferences, corporate meetings, sales kickoffs and organizations navigating uncertainty.
Resilience: Keep Moving Forward. How do you keep going when the destination feels impossibly far away?
Debra shares the strategies that helped her continue rowing day after day despite isolation, setbacks and constantly changing conditions.
She connects those lessons to the workplace, helping audiences understand how small actions, clear goals and the right mindset can create momentum during challenging periods.
Ideal for: Sales teams, high-performance organizations, leadership events and employee conferences.
Navigating Change. When the conditions change, the original plan may no longer be the right plan.
Debra uses lessons from the Atlantic to show audiences how to adapt when circumstances shift unexpectedly.
Rather than wasting energy fighting realities they can't change, people learn how to refocus on what they can influence and continue making progress.
Ideal for: Organizational transformation, leadership development and companies experiencing significant change.
Why Book Debra Searle Through The Sweeney Agency?
Debra Searle has an extraordinary story of resilience, courage and determination—but the real value comes from connecting those experiences directly to the challenges your audience is facing.
The Sweeney Agency can help you:
- Confirm Debra Searle's availability and current speaking fee
- Determine which Debra Searle keynote best fits your audience
- Discuss customization around your organization's objectives
- Coordinate format, timing and event logistics
- Compare Debra with other leading resilience, change and motivational speakers
Is Debra Searle Right for Your Event?
Tell us the challenge, change or uncertainty your people are navigating.
We'll help you determine whether Debra is the right fit, confirm availability and fees, and make the booking process simple.
Planning a leadership conference, sales kickoff or corporate event? Contact The Sweeney Agency today [email protected] to discuss booking Debra Searle as your keynote speaker.
About
While serving as the Director of Mental Training for the St. Louis Cardinals, Dr. Jason Selk helped the team win their first World Series in over 20 years, and in 2011 he assisted the Cardinals in the historic feat of winning their second World Championship in a six year period. Dr. Selk is a regular contributor to Forbes, ABC, CBS, ESPN, and NBC radio and television and has been featured in USA Today, CNBC, Men's Health, Muscle and Fitness, Shape and Self Magazine. Dr Selk's second book, Executive Toughness, is a bestselling business book and his first book, 10-Minute Toughness, is on pace to be one of the bestselling sport psychology books of all time. His newest offering is Relentless Solution Focus: Train Your Mind to Conquer Stress, Pressure, and Underperformance.
Dr. Selk is considered to be one of the premier performance coaches in the United States. He helps numerous well- known professional and Olympic athletes as well as Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 executives and organizations develop the mental toughness necessary for high-level success.
Dr. Selk utilizes his in-depth knowledge and experience of working with the world's finest athletes, coaches and business leaders to help individuals and organizations outperform their competition. Dr. Selk works with such clients as professional athletes in the NFL, NHL, NBA, PGA, LPGA, MLB and NASCAR. In addition, he works with such business clients as UBS Financial, Edward Jones, Wells Fargo, Northwestern Mutual and Enterprise Holdings, to name a few.