I’m so very pleased to announce that I have been elected to the Board of the Empire Club of Canada, effective September, 2011!
In case you’re unfamiliar with the Empire Club, it’s:
“One of Canada’s oldest and largest speakers’ forums with a membership comprised of some of Canada’s most influential leaders from the professions, business, labour, education and government. Over its history it has been addressed by more than 3500 prominent Canadian and international leaders – men and women who have distinguished themselves in many fields of endeavour.”
This year, their aim is to bring in speakers who have bold ideas about the world’s biggest challenges. One of my charges, as a member of the Board, is to suggest speakers for the upcoming year. Just to give you some context, past speakers include Winston Churchill, Indira Gandhi and the Dalai Lama (do click on the links – they have a great archive of transcripts from past speakers).
I also look forward to bringing a little social savvy to the Club as well – more on this later!
So here’s the question – with special focus on diversity of background and voices – who do you think I should nominate for this year?

Way to go Maggie. Our paths may yet cross, but in the meantime, two potential speakers come to mine. Queen Noor of Jordan and Sandra Day O’Connor.
@naomi – thanks, great suggestions!
Bravo on joining the club. I found it always interesting to listen to speeches by world renown think tanks or all works of life. But lately we only listen to politicians and celebs who don’t have much to say that is more then skin deep, in my opinion. And I admit it is not a modest one but then in 2011 where does modesty gets one?
It is high time, especially for smaller countries like Canada, to listen to what the everyday woman/gentlemen has to say. I have worked and lived in 13 countries on four continents and living in Canada now for quite a while I feel more then ever that I have much to say. Especially looking across Canada and the border south. Speaking all the main languages of the American continent fluently one get to hear and understand much more then just in English. I feel the listener is enriched at any speech when as mine they are associate my pertinent visuals. Look out for my next short film it will tell and say a lot without one word
all music and visuals only. Another way to get messages across borders. Peace and happiness to you