--- title: "Michelle Ray" description: "Book Michelle Ray, Canadian Speakers Hall of Fame inductee, CSP, and globally recognized leadership keynote speaker. Contact K&M Productions for fees & dates." canonical: https://www.kmprod.com/speakers/michelle-ray updated: 2026-06-27 21:03:08 --- # Michelle Ray ## Biography Michelle Ray is a Hall of Fame keynote speaker, leadership expert, and author with over 25 years of experience helping leaders and organizations become ready, responsive, and relevant in a rapidly changing world. Inducted into the Canadian Speakers Hall of Fame in 2021 — an honour held by fewer than 41 individuals — and one of fewer than 700 speakers worldwide to hold the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation, Michelle is consistently recognized as one of North America's most in-demand leadership and change management speakers. Her work has been featured in Forbes, The Globe and Mail, CBC News, CTV News, and Global News, and she has delivered keynotes for some of the world's most recognizable organizations, including Microsoft, TD Bank, KPMG, PayPal, Dell Technologies, Shell, Scotiabank, RBC, PwC, the FBI, and the Government of Canada. Drawing on a career that began in media and advertising in Australia, Michelle developed a firsthand understanding of contrasting leadership styles — both effective and deeply flawed — that now forms the foundation of her Real-Time Leadership framework. Her approach equips leaders at every level with the mindset and practical tools to make informed, people-centered decisions in the moment, address the root causes of employee disengagement and turnover, and build cultures of accountability that drive measurable results. Whether delivering a high-energy keynote on change management, leading an interactive workshop on talent retention, or coaching executives one-on-one, Michelle's down-to-earth, tell-it-like-it-is style consistently earns standing ovations and lasting organizational impact. Michelle Ray is the author of two books — *Lead Yourself First!* and *Leading in Real Time* — and is the founder of the Real-Time Leadership Academy, offering keynotes, workshops, coaching, and online learning programs for teams and organizations worldwide. She is available for in-person and virtual conference keynotes across Canada, the United States, and internationally. ## Presentation Topics ### How Michelle Ray helps Companies, Organizations & Associations: **Increase accountability** Clearly and effectively communicate your expectations and deadlines. Create connections between leaders, teams, and customers. **Retain top talent** Create and implement strategies for talent management, acquisition and retention, succession planning, mentoring, and project planning. **Improve team engagement** Identify the root causes of low morale and disengagement. Evaluate employee engagement initiatives and implement customized solutions. **Leadership development** Clearly identify leadership competencies and learn ways to encourage and improve these skills such as personalized coaching or group training. **Embrace change** Define desired outcomes and analyze current transition strategies. Identify roadblocks to determine the ideal execution of new initiatives. **In-person or Virtual Presentations:** #### Leadership: It Starts with YouIgnite the Power of Personal Leadership  If you were asked to identify the leaders in your organization, would you choose them based on their job descriptions? Often, we think of leadership as a title. The truth is that leadership is about character.Simply put, a leader is a person who can take ownership of their thoughts and, consequently, their actions – in any situation. In this energizing keynote presentation, you will discover the power of personal responsibility and strengthen your relationship with leaders, co-workers, and clients. Get ready to take the lead, embrace challenges, and create new outcomes – in your business and your life – long after the event ends. **Presentation takeaways:** - Take charge of your mindset and ignite the power of personal leadership - Say “No!” to negativity for greater productivity, positive results, and stronger relationships - Rethink your approach to realize a more fulfilled experience at work - Build a personal leadership blueprint to transform your career and your life - Tap into your innovative potential to bring out the best in yourself This presentation is for anyone who is ready to be the leader of their own life. If you’re looking to empower your team (and yourself) to take the lead and BE the lead, this keynote is for you!   #### Real-Time LeadershipHow to be Ready, Responsive, and Relevant in a Radically Changing World  When change and uncertainty strike, leaders must be ready to lead, even when the answers aren’t immediately at their fingertips. Leadership used to be more about the “long view” – looking out on the horizon to chart your organization’s future. But, as recent events have reminded us, we don’t live in that world any more. And the future remains outside of our control. Now, you’re facing a host of pressures. Ongoing digital transformation. Generational change. Remote work. Talent retention. Not to mention adjusting to a post-pandemic world. These and other challenges compel you to act right now, in real time. During this dynamic keynote based on her most recent book, ***Leading in Real Time***, you will learn how to do just that. You’ll discover a practical, purposeful, and powerful process so you can remain **ready**, **responsive**, and **relevant** in a radically changing world. **Presentation takeaways:** - Respond proactively to new realities with renewed confidence and conviction - Implement Michelle’s “Ready. Responsive. Relevant” leadership approach to remain in-sync with your workforce and customers - Shift your mindset from fixed to flexible to be a real-time leader - Ignite the power of positive change at all levels of your organization This presentation is for forward-thinking leaders and teams eager to answer the call and respond effectively to today’s business challenges. **If you’re looking to apply a future-ready approach in a radically changing world, this keynote is for you! ** #### Who Moved My FutureHow to Cultivate a Change-Ready Mindset  “Why is this happening?” “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” “But we’ve always done it that way!” If you’ve ever advocated for change within your organization, you’ve probably encountered these reactions. As a leader, you’re expected to respond to situations and events outside of your control. That’s easier said than done. Especially when you’re facing an environment of uncertainty that makes your people feel anxious about their future. If you’re facing these challenges, Michelle has good news for you. It is possible for you and your teams to shift your perspective, let go of the old, and enthusiastically embrace the new. If you’re looking to apply a future-ready approach in a radically changing world, this keynote is for you! This dynamic and interactive keynote unpacks the core reasons why we resist change. I will demonstrate how achieving greater levels of acceptance will empower you and your team to move beyond the “status quo.” Ultimately, you’ll leave with solutions that will transform your people into a resilient, change-ready team. **Presentation takeaways:** - Transform your fear of change into hope for the future - Achieve buy-in to change by addressing the human side first - Apply Michelle’s 3-step process to build confidence and enthusiasm in the face of uncertainty - Learn to anticipate disruption and shifting business trends - Recognize the difference between reacting vs. responding to change This presentation is for leaders who want to move beyond the “status quo” and embrace change with positive anticipation. If you’re looking to instill a change-ready culture in your organization, this keynote is for you!  #### The Transformational LeaderBe Bold. Be Real. Be Ready.  It’s no secret that today’s workforce craves authenticity from their leaders and preferred brands. As a leader, you want to be authentic. You know that it’s an essential character trait if you want to build trusting relationships with your teams. You intuitively understand that being relatable and transparent can give you a unique competitive advantage. So, how do you make this happen? In this insightful presentation, Michelle will teach you how to forge relationships with your employees that are positive and real. You’ll discover how to connect meaningfully with your diverse teams by making them feel appreciated, heard, understood, and included. More importantly, you’ll hone greater self-awareness to boldly step out of your comfort zone. With these new skills, you can become the transformational leader and successfully lead your workforce into the future. **Presentation takeaways:** - Build greater trust between leaders and teams for higher engagement and retention - Learn how to model authenticity and integrity in all of your interactions - Discover three key characteristics of transformational leadership and why they matter to your workforce - Enhance your organization’s reputation and capture the hearts and minds of future talent - This presentation is for leaders who want to deepen their team connections and accelerate the path to progress. If you’re ready to be real and lead your teams boldly, this keynote is for you!   #### Staying PowerSuccess Strategies for Resilient Leadership  What makes a person resilient? Can resilience be taught? Or is it just that some people are better able to rebound from adversity than others? We all experience events outside of our control, the inevitable peaks and valleys of life. What matters is how we first interpret and then respond to them. If we want to rise above challenges – regardless of their shape and size – we need to develop a mindset of managing rather than coping. Resilience is the cornerstone of our emotional and psychological survival in challenging times. In this inspiring keynote, get ready to learn the **three essential strategies to access your resilient mindset**. - **Rethink**: Stop dwelling on destructive beliefs. Make room to expand possibilities, exercise greater resilience, and move forward. - **Respond**: Learn to adapt to discomfort by responding, rather than reacting. Take a step back and ask yourself, Is there another way? - **Rebound**: Grow from adversity and become more resilient by recognizing challenges as opportunities for greater insight. When you implement these strategies, you’ll be able to uncover your resilience “DNA” so you can bounce back with greater confidence in the face of future challenges. **Presentation takeaways**: - Reframe your perspective regarding life’s ups and downs - Develop a resilient mindset and tap into your inner strengths - Learn from setbacks and hone your “bouncebackability” skills - Approach adversity with clarity, confidence, and composure - Become a resilient role model to others at work and in life. This presentation is for individuals – from every walk of life – who want to tap into their inner strengths so they can take on the next challenge with confidence and optimism **If you’re looking to triumph over adversity and make an immediate impact, this keynote is for you!**  #### Meaning is the New MotivationHow to Attract and Retain Talent in the New World of Work  Today’s highly sought-after new wave of talent is not only **more informed than any other time in history**; they also have their collective fingers on the pulse when choosing their employer. This savvy group expects to work with forward-thinking organizations that truly understand what motivates them, as well as self-aware, accountable leaders. **Meaning and purpose is the new currency**. That’s why leaders need to focus on building deeper relationships with their employees in order to attract and retain them. As workplace demographics change, so do** employee expectations**. Today’s workforce sees themselves as citizens of the world, who are passionate about making a difference. It’s now in your hands to create an environment where they will thrive. **Presentation takeaways**: - Discover why meaning is the new motivation for today's workforce - Recognize the myths and truths behind a high performing workplace - Learn the four influencing factors that are critical to talent retention - Create new pathways to harness open-mindedness and flexibility in your leaders - Build a dynamic environment where people can focus on purpose-driven work This presentation is for leaders, managers, and HR professionals who want to move the needle on their talent strategies to effectively attract and retain top talent in the new world of work.** If you’re willing and ready to adjust your leadership style and relate to your workforce on a deeper level, this keynote is for you! ** ## About Michelle Ray is a globally recognized keynote speaker, Hall of Fame speaker, author, and leadership expert specializing in Real-Time Leadership, change management, and workplace accountability. With over 25 years of experience, Michelle helps leaders and teams at all levels become ready, responsive, and relevant in a rapidly changing world. Through dynamic keynotes, hands-on workshops, coaching, and online learning programs, she empowers organizations to boost employee engagement, retain top talent, and build a culture of accountability.  ## Expertise ### Real-Time Leadership Michelle's signature framework equips leaders at all levels with the mindset and tools to make informed, people-centered decisions in the moment. Her approach addresses the urgent demands of modern leadership — from managing hybrid and remote teams to navigating generational shifts and talent retention challenges. ### Change Management & Organizational Resilience Michelle helps organizations build a culture of adaptability, guiding leaders through periods of disruption and transition with clarity and confidence. Her keynotes and workshops deliver proven strategies for leading change without losing engagement or momentum. ### Workplace Accountability A core pillar of Michelle's work, accountability empowers leaders to set clear expectations, foster ownership, and build trust across all levels of an organization — resulting in stronger performance and measurable results. ### Employee Engagement & Talent Retention Michelle addresses the root causes of disengagement and turnover, equipping leaders with practical tools to connect with their workforce, retain top talent, and cultivate high-performing team cultures. ### Leadership Communication & Human Connection Drawing on her background in media and advertising, Michelle helps leaders sharpen how they communicate, listen, and connect — skills she identifies as the #1 priority most leaders overlook. ## What Clients Say > Never have I seen such an engaged group of delegates, or so many smiles walking out the door! > > — International Institute of Municipal Clerks > Incredible! You masterfully stitched our key themes into your message and left an already energized audience even more pumped! > > — Heather Richardson - AVP, Sales Strategy & Effectiveness at TD Wealth > You were amazing!! Our leaders and executive committee met after your presentation, and you were quoted more than once by our president and others around the table, a fact that speaks volumes regarding the impact you had. > > — Julie Durocher, Senior Advisor, Organizational Development, VIA Rail Canada  > Michelle, you were fantastic! You really engaged our audience by talking to individual people, and we all appreciated that you took time to know what we do. Lots of positive feedback. > > — Pauline Walker,Senior Executive Assistant, Bayshore HealthCare Ltd. > Your keynote presentation truly set the tone for the day and was extremely well received by our team. Thank you for kicking off the day with such an inspiring, motivating, fun and thought provoking keynote address.  Your comments and ideas resonated with attendees throughout the day as we discussed the behaviours and attitudes associated with poor and great leadership.  Moreover, it set the tone to commit to action plans that will take our organization to the next level. It was truly a pleasure to meet you.  Thanks again for inspiring our team and sharing your passion for the lifelong pursuit of becoming a better leader. > > — BMO > You really WOW-ed everyone with your personal, passionate, and effective take on Customer Service! Many thanks for making such a fantastic first impression on our team here at RBC. > > — RBC Financial Group ---