Keynote speakers
Day 1: Jeff A.D. Martin (he/him)
Jeff A.D. Martin is one of the most inspiring speakers in the country known for his real talk, real stories, and the way he makes every person in the room feel seen.
Before becoming a full-time speaker and author, Jeff spent over 20 years as a police officer and investigator. In that time, he worked with victims of some of the toughest situations imaginable. That experience taught him two things—people are hurting more than we know, and empathy can change everything.
Today, Jeff travels across Canada speaking to students, educators, and leaders about self-worth, mental health, leadership, empathy, and the power of believing in yourself—even when life tries to tell you otherwise.
He’s written books that highlight stories of perseverance and hope, including KNew Me and Brothers from the 6. He’s been featured on media outlets, worked with major corporations, and has become one of the most requested school speakers in the nation.
But what makes Jeff truly different isn’t just his resume—it’s his heart. He’s here to remind you that your story matters, your voice matters, and no matter where you come from or what you’ve been through—you are not alone, and you are not done.
Day 2: Bobbi Wiechers (she/her)
Bobbi Wiechers is a parent, wife, and educator. She has over 30 years of teaching experience in public education with the majority spent working with students with special needs and training and supporting educators.
She has taught the research based reading program, Empower and has also worked with Sick Kids Hospital to mentor other teachers implementing the program across Canada. She has supported educators and their students throughout Waterloo Region District School Board as a Special Education Consultant.
Bobbi completed her Masters of Education at Wilfred Laurier University with a focus on Interdisciplinary Studies. During her Masters, she completed research entitled, Class Climate and the Impact on Student Mental Health. The purpose of this research was to explore the phenomenon of class climate (in Ontario, Canada) and identify and understand class components, from teachers' lived experiences, that create a positive atmosphere and in turn could positively impact student mental health. Bobbi’s research was published in 2025 in the Canadian Journal for New Scholars in Education.
She currently is an independent consultant working with Maple Bear Global Schools and travels to Brazil to train and mentor teachers in English immersion private schools. Bobbi is passionate about life long learning and building the capacity of all educators.