Speaking
Public speaking and keynote speaker for conferences and meetings in Kelowna, BC, and around the world
Kevan Gilbert is a Canadian coach, facilitator and speaker who champions co-creation and human flourishing
Current talks
Getting REAL
Develop your return-to-humanity strategy, in a time of mass disruption
Now that AI is disrupting work (or at least CEOs are), while forcing remaining employees back to poorly-designed offices, deep and difficult questions are emerging: What is the purpose of work? What am I here for? What is my value and identity beyond the job?
It’s time to get REAL: Relational, Embodied, Analog and Live. These four pillars are the core of your “return-to-humanity strategy.” In this visionary and timely talk, speaker and coach Kevan Gilbert offers a practical framework to help us rediscover meaning in our work, and renew human flourishing in our communities.
World’s Worst Leaders
Lessons in leadership gone wrong
Discover the proven method modelled daily by the world’s worst leaders, from presidents and partners of companies and countries alike. This method brilliantly undoes relationships and undermines work cultures everywhere, creating a remarkable ripple effect of disengagement and distrust with each speech and every email. In this talk, together we’ll reverse-engineer the formula behind the world’s worst leaders, and map a new way forward to healthier cultures, greater trust and higher engagement. This humorous, highly interactive talk is part therapy session, part masterclass in collaborative leadership. Join us as we exorcise the ghosts of the bad bosses we’ve all had, and invite a new spirit of collaboration and authenticity.
Breakdown in the Breakroom
Learning how to be around humans again, at work
Is the office phone booth a good place to take an emergency counselling session? Is it better to burst into tears after you confront your toxic boss, or in the middle of it? And, how much “self” should you bring when they ask you to bring your whole self to work?
We’re asking ourselves novel questions now that we’re navigating return-to-office mandates with our stay-at-home hearts. What does it look like to balance authenticity, engagement and professionalism in the new world of work? With real stories from trying to camouflage in a corporate cubicle, to solid frameworks and world-expanding questions from an ICF-certified coach, this talk offers practical tips and relatable perspectives to re-build a new way forward for being human at work.
About Kevan
Kevan is an impact coach, founder of Co.school, ex-Deloitte facilitator, father of four, and aspiring keytar player. The longer version is here.
Testimonials
“Kevan brings real curiosity, genuine enthusiasm, and thoughtful insights to any project or event. Most recently, he graciously presented the keynote address at a conference I was chairing for publication professionals for CASE. He inspired the audience to reexamine how they can create meaningful work with a creative vision that is inclusive and respectful. We left with a renewed drive to cultivate true collaboration and creative partnerships across our workspaces and personal lives. Kevan is a true gem, and it is always an honor to get a chance to have him on board.”
- Beth Elzer, CASE conference organizer
“As one of the organizers of the Vancouver UX Awards, I've engaged Kevan twice as an MC, sponsor, and facilitator of our annual Demo Day event. He's been absolutely fantastic to collaborate with! He's great in front of a full room (150+ people), always prepared, is comfortable with unscripted moments, and adds humour and seriousness in the right doses. Everyone loves the energy he brings to this event, and his point of view about raising the bar on collaboration and community. Thanks Kevan!!”
- Mallory O'Connor, organizer
"I'm happy to report that, to this day, I still get comments about Kevan's session: story, education, humour.But it wasn't only the conference itself that made Kevan such a star. It was all the collaboration work we did with him in the lead-up to the conference that made him really shine. His collaborative style made him a pleasure to work with. And that is a sign of true leadership." - Patrick Lannigan, marketing veteran
“Kevan is a visionary healer for a disconnected world. High energy, zany playfulness, and wicked intelligence make him magnetic on stage as a speaker and improv maniac.”
- Kate Sutherland, Founding Faculty, THNK School of Creative Leadership
“Kevan has an innate understanding of performance, humor, timing, and crowds – a force that needs to be unleashed and shared with others. His inner child shines through, making my inner child want to come out and play.”
- Nancy Pon, Global sport and entertainment manager
Your wording, awareness and approach was so open, safe and inclusive. I appreciated that you kept the focus on continually bringing forward the voices that were shared and not feeling the need to add or teach. It was remarkable and rare.
- Session participant
“You left us open hearted, open minded, and inspired to lead a positive change whether it’s a big or a small one. I have yet to see this level of engagement from our staff before which is all thanks to your masterful facilitation of this conversation.”
- Canadian Dept of Heritage, participant
Past presentations
- BC Disability Summit - Vancouver, BC (2024): Working together across differences
- Impossible Conference - Vancouver, BC (2023): Keynote: A Call to Co-Creation
- MCC - Virtual (2023): Creativity for Everyperson: Communicating ideas effectively
- Ubisoft Global Producer’s Summit - France (2022): Leading innovation processes
- GovX UK - London, UK (2021): Co-Designing Public Services with Citizens
- IAP2 Conference - Virtual (2021): Practicing Inclusive Engagement
- Canadian Department of Heritage - Virtual (2021): A Call to Co-Creation
- BC Innovation Hub - Virtual (2020): A Call to Co-Creation
- Cascad.AI - Seattle, WA (2019): Responsible and ethical adoption of AI (Moderator)
- SXSWedu - Austin Texas (2018): The Changemaker’s Challenge
- FutureEdTech - London, UK (2019): The Collaborative Leadership Imperative
- CASE Conference - Atlanta, GA (2019): Keynote: The Creative’s Curse (And how to break it)
- Royal Roads University - Victoria, BC (2019) - Empathy and digital technology
- First West Credit Union Leadership Summit - Whistler, BC (2019): Design thinking seminar
- Government of Canada's Pacific Innovation Fair - Vancouver, BC (2019) - Leading change
- Vancouver UX Awards - Vancouver, BC (2017, 2018, 2019) - Host and Opening Keynote
- Design Thinking Day - Vancouver, BC - (2016, 2017, 2019) - Lead facilitator
- ContentEd Live - London, UK (2018): Keynote: Collaboration in complex systems
- MacKay CEO Forums - Vancouver, BC (2018): The Listening Organization
- Central1 Momentum Conference - Vancouver, BC (2017) - Empathy & design in virtual reality
- eduWeb Digital Summit - Denver, CO (2016): Stakeholders Are Not The Problem
- HighEdWeb West - Riverside, CA (2016): Stakeholders Are Not the Problem
- SIT Interchange - Toronto, ON (2016): Keynote and collaborative session on design thinking
- BCAMA Vision - Vancouver, BC (2016): Hands-on prototyping for marketers
- Disney Interactive - Kelowna, BC (2015): Empathy and storytelling for digital experiences
- Now What? Web Conference - Sioux Falls, SD (2015): Creating a healthy digital culture
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University - Vancouver, BC (2014): Empathy and storytelling
- Simon Fraser University - Vancouver, BC (2013): Ethics and empathy in marketing
- BCIT - Vancouver, BC (2013): Crafting human-centered digital content
- UBC Continuing Studies - Vancouver, BC (2013): Digital Storytelling Class instructor
- TedX TWU - Langley, BC (2012): Vulnerability and empathy in storytelling
Available talks to view online
Kevan Gilbert
Kevan Gilbert
Kevan Gilbert