Get ready to be inspired and informed by a distinguished lineup of keynote speakers at the International Conference on Global Health and Climate. These climate change experts and innovators are leaders in their fields, offering valuable insights into the urgent intersections of global health and climate action. They will share their knowledge and strategies for addressing the urgent challenges we face, providing actionable solutions for building a more resilient, sustainable future for all.
Imagine engaging with renowned thought leaders who not only inspire but also equip you with practical tools to navigate the complexities of our rapidly changing world. Whether it’s leveraging technology to promote sustainable health systems, or empowering people to adapt to climate impacts, these keynote speakers from Canada and around the world are driving meaningful, impactful change.
International Expert in Designing & Leading Change
Organizations around the world struggle to implement dramatic change. That’s where Jeff Skipper comes in. An expert in accelerating change, Jeff guides corporate leaders to plan and implement successful change initiatives. Leaders discover how to ignite engagement, convert grudging compliance into deep commitment, and realize their strategic goal.
Based in Canada, Jeff is an international change leadership consultant, speaker, and author of Dancing with Disruption: Leading Dramatic Change during Global Transformation. He works with organizations in energy, finance, technology, and other industries to develop the strategy that precedes effective change.
Clients, such as Bayer, BP, and The Salvation Army, have engaged him to achieve dramatic results during strategic transformation. Backed by deep expertise in leading change, Jeff guides leaders to develop effective change plans based on the twelve proven strategies he presents in his book. This empowers leaders to reach their goals faster with greater buy in throughout the entire organization.
For more than twenty-five years, beginning with a twelve-year career at IBM, Jeff has guided change projects by focusing on the people side of change. He holds a master’s degree in organizational psychology and is a Certified Change Management Professional. As CEO of a transformation services company, he grew it to seven figures in just five years.
Jeff and his family live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. When he isn’t traveling, you might find him driving a Zamboni at the local community arena.
Head of Critical Care at The Ottawa Hospital, transforms ICU care and fights healthcare racism.
Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng is renowned for his transformative insights into critical care, healthcare efficiency, and equity. As the head of Critical Care at The Ottawa Hospital, he brings firsthand experience and innovative approaches to managing ICU operations. His talks delve into the complexities of improving healthcare delivery, addressing systemic racism, and optimizing resources without compromising patient care.
Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng, a highly sought-after motivational speaker, is also the host of the popular podcast Solving Healthcare, where he engages with thought leaders on the latest healthcare challenges and solutions. His expertise extends to founding the Resource Optimization Network, a research group dedicated to reducing healthcare costs while maintaining high standards of care, and Solving Wellness, a platform combating burnout among healthcare professionals.
Renowned for pioneering efficiencies in ICU care and battling racism in healthcare, Dr. K leverages his expertise as host of Solving Healthcare to challenge the status quo. Founder of Resource Optimization Network and Solving Wellness, he reduces health spending and addresses burnout among healthcare professionals.
As a sought-after keynote speaker in Canada, Dr. K inspires audiences with practical, cost-effective, and socially just healthcare solutions.
Atmospheric scientist and an influential climate communicator
Norm has given 700 presentations in Canada and other countries with his refreshing way of talking about climate change. A leading climate change expert in Canada, known for making complex climate science accessible and actionable, he talks about this issue without guilt nor fear.
As an author of environmental books and former Head of Science Education at the Biosphere, Environment Museum, he expertly blends scientific knowledge with engaging storytelling. Norm’s unique background allows him to connect on both intellectual and emotional levels, leaving audiences inspired and hopeful about contributing to a sustainable future. His dynamic, solution-oriented talks motivate real change, making him a compelling choice for diverse audiences.
Nobel Peace Prize-nominee (Environmental, Cultural, and Human Rights Advocate)
Nobel Peace Prize nominee Sheila Watt-Cloutier is in the business of transforming public opinion into public policy. Experienced in working with global decision-makers for more than a decade, Watt-Cloutier offers a new model for 21st century leadership. She speaks with passion and urgency on the issues of today — the environment, the economy, foreign policy, global health, and sustainability — not as separate concerns, but as a deeply interconnected whole. At a time when people are seeking solutions, direction, and a sense of hope, this global leader provides a big picture of where we are and where we’re headed.
In 2007, Watt-Cloutier was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her advocacy work in showing the impact of global climate change on human rights — especially in the Arctic, where it is felt more immediately, and more dramatically, than anywhere else in the world. Watt-Cloutier is an Officer of the Order of Canada, and the recipient of the Aboriginal Achievement Award, the UN Champion of the Earth Award, the Norwegian Sophie Prize, the Jack P. Blaney award for Dialogue, and the Right Livelihood Award, which is widely considered the “Nobel Alternative”.
From 1995-2002, Watt-Cloutier was elected the Canadian President of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC). She was later elected in 2002 to become the International Chair of the ICC, representing the 155,000 Inuit from Canada, Greenland, Alaska, and Russia — she held this post until 2006.
Widely recognized for her influential work, Watt-Cloutier gave a TEDx Talk in 2016 titled “Human Trauma and Climate Trauma as One”. She is also the author of the memoir, The Right to Be Cold: One Woman’s Story of Protecting Her Culture, the Arctic and the Whole Planet, which was nominated for the 2016 BC National Award for Canadian Non- Fiction and the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing. In 2017, the book was shortlisted for CBC Canada Reads, defended by Chantal Kreviazuk. Watt-Cloutier was also shortlisted for the Kobo Emerging Writer Prize.
Chris Turner is one of Canada’s leading voices on climate change solutions and the global energy transition. He draws on his reporting of the state of the art in renewable change, cleantech, and urban design to paint a vivid portrait of a new, sustainable world order that will allow individuals and businesses alike not only to survive but thrive in the twenty-first century economy.
An award-winning author, Turner has published several bestselling books. The Patch: The People, Pipelines, and Politics of the Oil Sands won the National Business Book Award, and his previous books on climate solutions, The Leap and The Geography of Hope, were both National Business Book Award finalists. His latest book, How to Be a Climate Optimist: Blueprints for a Better World, won the 2023 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for political writing. Turner also published a collection of his award-winning essays and feature writing in 2014, How to Breathe Underwater, which won the City of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Book Prize.
In addition, Turner’s writing on energy, climate, and technology have appeared in The New Yorker, The Guardian, the Globe and Mail, Maclean’s, and many other notable publications. He has won 10 National Magazine Awards, among other distinctions. Turner was a 2019 media fellow at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue; a 2013 writer-in-residence at the Berton House in Dawson City, Yukon; and a 2010 Paul D. Fleck Fellow at the Banff Centre.
As a speaker and communications strategist, Turner’s recent clients have included the Canadian Climate Institute, Natural Resources Canada, TD Bank, Compugen, Shaw Industries, the Canadian Institute of Planners, and Siemens Energy.
Stephan is a professional leadership and communication coach, trainer, and sought-after speaker. He facilitates courses for diverse educational training schools on subjects like “ Innovation ”, “ Communication and Connection ”, “ Leadership Skills ”, “ Ethics and Integrity in the Workplace ” amongst other topics. His 2 signature courses, “ The Communication Catalyst ” and “ Leadership Evolved ” have helped thousands of leaders enhance their leadership presence and communication skills, empowering them to inspire and lead with authenticity.
He has trained community and business people, professional communicators, government officials, educators, health care leaders and pastors from various backgrounds in different areas of the world like the United States, Canada, French Polynesia, Trinidad and Tobago, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Australia, New Zealand, France and Spain.
As a result of Stephan’s motivating DISC behavioral analysis training, teams, organizations, local and provincial government bodies and schools have grown in their ability to better communicate, resolve challenges, and achieve their desired goals as well as produce exceptional results.
His outgoing and engaging personality has helped him connect with his clients to better build healthy teams and successful emerging leaders for over 3 decades. Stephan thrives when he coaches, trains, and equips inspiring leaders to boldly pursue their purpose and mission.
Bhuva Shakti (she/her) is the visionary founder and CEO driving sustainable innovation at Wallet Max, a global community of executive women and venture capital investors with a mission to expand fundraising access for high-growth sustainable startups. With an MBA from Columbia University in New York and as a senior executive director on Wall Street for three decades, Bhuva has managed diverse financial portfolios and launched several digital transformation products for investment banks, capital markets, and payment networks. Bhuva’s leadership and risk governance oversight, during the global financial crisis and the pandemic, was pivotal for the success of regulatory compliance and mergers acquisitions at the world’s top banks and credit rating institutions. Bhuva is a board director and fractional C-Suite advisor for social impact businesses, and a keynote speaker advancing economic inclusion and climate-fintech partnerships. Bhuva is the USA country director for World Business Angels Investment Forum and the Chief Ethics & Culture Officer for Women in AI worldwide. She leads the fundraising strategy and product operations for market expansion and manages investor relations throughout the diligence and investment. Bhuva is the founder of Bhuva’s Impact Global that provides board advisory services and enterprise risk management for public and private corporations.
Laurie McGinley is super f’n magic and fearlessly guides world changing geniuses focused on climate to success. She trains world-changers on how to find their rocket fuel and use it effectively so that they can hit escape velocity with their Big Dreams.
She illuminates hidden paths of opportunity and leads world changers through transformational change, so we can all keep thriving on this beautiful planet for generations to come. McGinley is a keynote speaker and transformational guide who helps her clients create results the climate sector has never seen before.
In the last four years, she has supported…
As a bilingual professional holding a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies, Saer Fall serves as a vital link between scientific rigor and entrepreneurial dynamism. As an experienced one in managing complex projects within the drilling and environmental rehabilitation sectors, he brings a strategic vision to the challenges of sustainability and natural resource development.
Recognized for his leadership and his ability to translate high-level technical data into accessible insights, Saer possesses refined communication skills forged through years of strategic consulting and team supervision. His career, marked by presentations at major scientific conferences, enables him to lead prestigious events with a comprehensive mastery of the intersecting themes of environment, climate and economy.
Founding Partner, PAWH
Global Advisory
Belinda Ngongo is a seasoned global leader with over 20 years of experience advancing equitable access to health through strategic public–private partnerships, innovation, and policy. Her work spans Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas, where she has led high-impact programmes that strengthen health systems and improve outcomes at scale.
An experienced speaker and moderator, she regularly shares evidence-based insights on global health, innovation,market shaping, women’s health and leadership, and the transformative role of public–private partnerships. Her perspective is informed by years of working in private sector with governments, multilaterals, academia, NGOs, private foundations.
Her advisory leadership includes serving on the Private Sector Constituency of the Global Fund and co-chairing the Women’s Economic Imperative advisory council alongside former President Luis Guillermo Solís of Costa Rica Founder of the Pan African Women in Health (PAWH) and PAWH Global Advisory (PAWH-GA), she is a committed champion for women and girls and a mentor to emerging African health leaders. Fully bilingual in English and French, she brings strategic insight, cultural fluency, and a collaborative approach to driving innovation and sustainable impact.
Environmental Speaker, Writer & Sustainability Consultant
Carl Duivenvoorden was raised on a dairy farm in northern New Brunswick. His diverse early agricultural career took him to over 25 countries.
But from his early days growing up in Belledune, Carl always had an uneasy concern about human impacts on our global environment. In 2006, he read “An Inconvenient Truth”, the book that catapulted climate change onto the global agenda. In April 2007, he became one of the first Canadians to be personally trained by former US Vice President Al Gore to present live versions of his Academy Award-winning slideshow.
Since then, Carl has worked as a speaker, writer and sustainability consultant, helping people and organizations learn how they can save money, energy and our environment. He’s presented to over 500 audiences, and his column Green Ideas ran for 10 years in New Brunswick dailies. This past winter, he was a regular guest on CBC Radio’s Shift NB for ‘Understanding Energy’, a biweekly feature bringing energy literacy topics to a provincewide audience.
Carl cares deeply about our global environment. He believes climate change can be solved, but it will take all of us, working together with compassion, innovation and determination. He looks forward to sharing thoughts on where we are, where we need to go and how we’ll get there, together.