Meet Michelle Ray, Hall of Fame Leadership Keynote Speaker and Author
Create Engaged Workplaces, Develop Exceptional Leaders and Implement Practical Strategies to Revitalize Your Workplace Culture
Michelle Ray is a highly sought-after international leadership keynote speaker, entrepreneur, author and educator who advocates the importance of developing leadership and accountability skills, regardless of one’s title. She is committed to helping her clients create engaged workplaces, develop exceptional leaders and implement practical strategies to revitalize their cultures.
Michelle began her career in Australia in media and advertising. From increasing sales revenues of 25 leading Australian radio and television affiliate stations, Michelle helped generate record-breaking revenues for the sales team of the world’s largest cinema advertising contractor in the midst of a severe recessionary climate. With a proven background in achieving outstanding results as a business leader, Michelle has since worked with leaders and teams in diverse industries including finance, insurance, retail, food services, construction, mining, oil and gas, as well as many government, healthcare, education and public sector groups.
In addition to her corporate background, Michelle broadened her leadership experience during her tenure as a program director with Junior Achievement. Michelle secured financial commitments and volunteer support from an array of corporations, facilitating enduring partnerships between youth, entrepreneurs and educators that helped educate future generations about business.
Now residing in Vancouver, Canada, Michelle's work as a keynote speaker and business coach helps individuals at every level and any stage of their career to master personal leadership, which she defines as the ability to take charge of oneself first in any situation. She speaks passionately about self–actualization, change, the importance of authentic leadership in the workplace as well as the responsibility of positive communication and influence. Michelle is one of less than 1,500 people worldwide to have earned the Certified Speaking Professional and Certified Virtual Presenter designations. She was inducted into the Canadian Speakers Hall of Fame in December, 2021.
Unprecedented Times Call For
Exceptional Leadership… Now, More than Ever.
As I work with leaders from organizations in the corporate world, small businesses, associations and all levels of government, what I consistently see is a collective desire to respond to on-going change and disruption with less struggle and anxiety. The COVID-19 pandemic has elevated their concerns as they scramble to adapt to the unexpected and unfamiliar new realities that have been thrust upon them. Specifically: How to keep themselves and their teams feeling positive about the future, how to take the lead when there is so much uncertainty and how to effectively manage and keep their teams engaged remotely.
Keynote Business Speaker
For more than twenty years, Michelle Ray has delivered thousands of presentations to diverse clientele across five continents. She challenges individuals, as well as clients and audiences, to take charge of themselves, shift perspectives and discover their greatest potential. Her witty, refreshing, uplifting and common sense message has inspired thousands of audiences. The premise is powerfully simple: Leadership is first and foremost a state of mind.
Michelle has delivered her powerful messages on leadership, accountability and engaged workplaces to the “C-Suites” of global corporations, academia, diverse associations, government groups as well as front-line staff. Her clients include notable brands such as Proctor & Gamble, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Shell, Xerox, Paypal, Qantas Airways, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Playboy Enterprises and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Tap into your organization’s innovative potential. Book Michelle.
Since founding her first training, speaking and consulting company in 1995, Michelle has established a training and development division, the Lead Yourself First Institute, to help individuals and organizations take the initiative in the face of change and economic uncertainty.
Michelle’s book, Awards and Credentials
Certified Speaking Professional Designation (CSP)
Selected leadership motivational speakers must meet rigorous requirements for a number of fee-paid presentations, number of clients, continuing education credits and consecutive years of business experience. "CSP" is the only earned designation for professional business speakers. Less than 700 people worldwide have earned this honorable distinction in the speaking industry.
Top Ten Motivational Speaker 2015 by eSpeakers
E-Speakers serves thousands of leadership speakers, motivational speakers, trainers and business coaches, as well as meeting planners and event organizers who hire speakers. Over 17,000 events were booked through their software in 2014. Criteria for inclusion in the "top ten" were the number of positive reviews on the leadership speakers’ profiles, the number of events booked in the last year, buzz around the keynote speakers (Canada and international footprints), and industry designations.
Top Ten North America’s Next Greatest Speaker 2012
From thousands of entries received, Michelle reached the Top Ten Finals of "North America's Next Greatest Speaker" Contest. Michelle spoke at the 12th Annual eWomen Network International Business Expo in Dallas, TX in front of a renowned panel of judges whose criteria included humour, audience engagement, key messages and storytelling abilities.
Presentation Mastery Award
Vancouver Chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers
Voted #1 Speaker in Canada
World’s largest international public seminar company
“Who’s Who” of Professional Speakers
Lists of notable professionals in particular fields
Giving Back
Michelle Ray and the Lead Yourself First Institute was a proud Silver Sponsor of “Around the World in 80 Anthems”. Inspired by 10-year old Capri Everitt of Vancouver, Canada, she supported Capri and her family as they visited SOS Children’s Villages International. This charity works in 134 countries and has over 2500 children’s villages throughout the world.
I’m ready to take my leaders and teams to the next level. Connect me to Michelle.
