Emily O'Brien
Social Entrepreneur; Founder-Comeback Snacks;
Prison Reform Advocate
About Emily O'Brien
Emily O'Brien is a keynote speaker, entrepreneur and the founder of Comeback Snacks — a specialty popcorn company that challenges the status quo.
Emily O'Brien's Expertise
As a speaker, Emily O’Brien connects with audiences by blending raw honesty with practical business insights. Her keynotes explore the “comeback blueprint,” focusing on forgiveness, kindness, and the “emotional profit” required to succeed in both life and the competitive retail industry. Emily is the ideal choice for organizations looking to inspire their teams with a story of relentless resilience and courageous reinvention.
Emily O'Brien's Bio
Emily O’Brien's heart-felt presentations on redemption, forgiveness and transformation are as compelling as they are instructive. As founder of Comeback Snacks, Emily built a social enterprise that began in the most unlikely place - a prison cell. Her journey from incarceration to becoming a celebrated entrepreneur is a masterclass in resilience, determination, and the ability to turn life’s greatest challenges into meaningful opportunities.
While serving her sentence, Emily O’Brien refused to let her circumstances define her future. Inspired by the creative seasonings her fellow inmates used on popcorn, she began laying the groundwork for her business. Using hand-written letters to coordinate market research and branding from behind bars, she demonstrated an extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit. Upon her release, she scaled Comeback Snacks into a brand now available in major grocery chains and independent retailers across North America. +
Beyond her business success, Emily O’Brien is a leading voice in prison reform advocacy. She uses her platform to eliminate the stigma surrounding prior convictions. As a result, this helped provide employment and mentorship to those in need of a second chance. Her work with organizations like the Elizabeth Fry Society and her fundraising efforts for at-risk youth highlight her deep commitment to social impact.
Emily partners with several organizations, including the Elizabeth Fry Society, a non-profit social service agency in the Canadian justice system. She has raised funds through her business to support great causes like The Yonge Street Mission to help at-risk youths. Emily was recognized for her efforts by receiving the 2020 YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Business Leadership & Entrepreneurship, The 2022 Women Empowerment Award as the Entrepreneur of the Year, and also the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Community Service Award in 2022.
Emily O’Brien has been featured on Global, CTV, CBC, Vice, SiriusXM, CHCH, The Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Life, and many more. --
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Emily O'Brien's Presentation Topics
Emily O'Brien travels from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She offers either a keynote presentation, fireside chat or moderated Q&A format. Each presentation is unique and tailored for audiences, industries, conferences and corporate event formats.
Leaders Never Leave
Emily O’Brien’s journey as the founder of Comeback Snacks is a testament to the true spirit of leadership, using strength and commitment to overcome adversity. From launching her business in federal prison to growing it into a brand that supports rehabilitation and second chances, Emily embodies the principle that leaders never abandon their purpose or the people they aim to uplift. This topic highlights the importance of leaders to be resilient, accountable and dedicated to their team. Emily story helps leaders be inspired to embrace their responsibilities, their roles and authentically lead with compassion and purpose, no matter the obstacles.
The Comeback Blueprint
It’s easy to be told to recover or rebound after a difficult circumstance in life, but this is far easier said than done. Emily O’Brien, CEO and Founder of Comeback Snacks, brings you on the ‘comeback blueprint’, designed after successfully navigating low points of her life and eventually the criminal justice system. She shares the opportunities within hard times and the mind set she established to navigate uncertainty, new circumstances and to turn hardships into prosperity.
Profits With People
As a female entrepreneur in the male-dominated food retail industry, Emily O’Brien has defied the odds, transforming challenges into opportunities. Emily O’Brien as she takes you through the trials, tribulations, and life lessons acquired after starting her successful business in federal prison and elevating it to new heights after her release. From forgiving one’s past mistakes to helping others in need, Emily discusses how the real ‘profit’ needed to succeed in business in tough circumstances and how to keep going after missed opportunity or mistakes on the journey in and out of prison. She shares how when the focus of the business or your work is to make a difference in your life or in others, the business and its people become empowered to drive through any set back with support that flows in from all angles.
Resilience for Redemption
As a female entrepreneur in the male-dominated food retail industry, Emily O’Brien has defied the odds, transforming challenges into opportunities. From launching her business, Comeback Snacks, while in federal prison to thriving in Canada’s competitive food industry, Emily’s journey embodies resilience, authenticity, and purpose. Her experiences highlight the core pillars of successful entrepreneurship: self-belief, kindness, and giving back. Emily inspires others to focus their energy and love on building a strong personal belief system, aligning actions with values, and cultivating resilience to overcome past barriers. She demonstrates how a mindset rooted in growth and self-reliance can create opportunities for redemption and success. Through her teachings, Emily shows how embracing these principles allows individuals to break through limitations and pursue outcomes that reflect their true potential.
Radical Accountability: Owning Your Path to Success
Emily O’Brien’s journey with Comeback Snacks exemplifies the power of radical accountability—taking full ownership of one’s choices, actions, and outcomes. From confronting her past while in federal prison to building a thriving business that gives back to others, Emily demonstrates how accountability can be a transformative force for personal growth and professional success. This topic explores how embracing accountability fosters resilience, empowers decision-making, and drives meaningful change. Emily inspires audiences to take charge of their lives, own their mistakes, and use them as stepping stones toward a brighter future.
Emily O'Brien is represented by K&M Productions Speakers & Shows for speaking engagements.
Book Emily O'Brien to speak at your next conference or corporate event.
What Clients are Saying About Emily O'Brien
Emily O'Brien has a story like no other I have heard before. She speaks from the heart with passion, humour, and grace.She shows audiences
how they too can be resilient, and come back from what may appear to be insurmountable challenges. While her trials are unique to her story, everyone can apply her grit and determination to build a business and life to be proud of, while creating stronger communities for all.
–Stacey Smith / Program Manager/ Industry Events - Farm Credit Canada
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Emily O'Brien has a story like no other I have heard before. She speaks from the heart with passion, humour, and grace.She shows audiences
how they too can be resilient, and come back from what may appear to be insurmountable challenges. While her trials are unique to her story, everyone can apply her grit and determination to build a business and life to be proud of, while creating stronger communities for all.
–Stacey Smith / Program Manager/ Industry Events - Farm Credit Canada
Emily O'Brien is a visionary leader and an inspiring entrepreneur. Her journey with Comeback Snacks is a powerful story of resilience. During the NLOWE International Women's Day Event, Emily shared her compelling story of overcoming adversity and turning a personal challenge into a thriving business that also gives back to the community.
Comeback Snacks is more than just a business; it's a mission-driven enterprise that supports second chances and creates opportunities for those who need them the most. Emily's commitment to employing formerly incarcerated individuals and helping them reintegrate into society is truly commendable. Her story resonated deeply with our attendees, showcasing how one person's determination and vision can drive meaningful change. She discussed the hurdles she faced, and the lessons learned along the way, providing invaluable insights into entrepreneurship, social impact, and personal growth. Her authenticity and passion were inspirational.
I highly recommend Emily for future speaking engagements and applaud the impactful work she continues to do.
–NLOWE (Booked by K&M Productions)
CMHA Fort Frances Branch was fortunate to have Emily O’Brien from Comeback Snacks present to us during our All Staff meeting. Emily is a passionate speaker who inspired our staff with her personal story. Truly inspirational and would highly recommend.
–Canadian Mental Health Association
I recently recommended Emily to a friend of mine looking for a keynote speaker for a major event around Women's Empowerment Day. Incredible reviews! Interestingly, I did this without ever having seen Emily speak. Why was I so confident? Well, she's charismatic, interesting, funny, authentic, different and a great story teller. A winning formula!
–David Chilton