Mississauga’s Karen Craggs is one of 14 finalists who’ll compete on Nov. 21 to become Speaker Slam’s Inspirational Speaker of the Year. (Photo: Speaker Slam)

Karen Craggs is getting ready to tell the story of her life in front of a Toronto audience, and she could walk away the winner of a prestigious speaking competition for doing so.

Described in professional circles as an inclusive leadership expert, keynote speaker and organizational excellence strategist, the Mississauga woman is one of 14 finalists who’ll compete on Nov. 21 to become Speaker Slam’s Inspirational Speaker of the Year.

The 10th annual Grand Slam Inspirational Speaking Final takes place at CBC Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto and is the culmination of North America’s largest such annual competition.

Speaker Slam is a Toronto-based inspirational speaking competition that draws entries from across North America and around the world. Competitors take to the stage at qualifying tournaments throughout the year leading up to the November finals.

“The strongest speakers from every qualifier return for one night at CBC Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto,” competition organizers said, adding this year’s theme is Catalyst: what changed you, and how that change made you someone who changes things for others.

In addition to being named Speaker Slam’s Inspirational Speaker of the Year, the winner will also receive $5,000 in cash and a prize package valued at up to $50,000.

Speaker Slam co-founder Dan Shaikh said in a news release that this year’s theme — Catalyst: what changed you, and how that change made you someone who changes things for others — describes Craggs’ life’s work.

He noted Craggs is well known as an inclusive leadership expert, a style of leadership and management that focuses on valuing and empowering diverse team members.

Having worked with more than 150 organizations across 70 countries, including governments, global institutions and Fortune 500 firms, Craggs owns a wealth of experience — in business and in life.

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Born in Kenya to an Indian mother and a white British father, she grew up in Nairobi and at age 16 volunteered in a children’s cancer ward 15 minutes from her home, Shaikh said in further describing the Mississauga contestant.

Tragically, he added, the cancer ward was filled with children whose families could not pay for treatment. Many of the kids died while waiting.

Shaikh said Craggs’ time spent there impacted her greatly and it’s “where she decided how she would spend her life.”

“No matter what I went through, the only thing that mattered was that I showed up,” Craggs said in this week’s news release of her experience at the cancer treatment centre.

Shaikh said the Mississauga inspirational speaker has spent her career since then “helping organizations show up for the people they overlook, and she keeps coming back to one question.”

“What if we all had a different relationship with our presence and our word? How would that change the lives of the people around us?” says Craggs.

Throughout her career, Craggs has helped raise nearly $500 million for educational programs through the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, the Speaker Slam co-founder noted, adding Craggs’ many recognitions/awards include:

President Barack Obama White House Gender Equality Changemaker (2016).
Top 100 Canadian Professional (2020).
Business Insider’s Top HR Innovator (2022).

Shaikh said this is Craggs’ second season competing in Speaker Slam events. She first entered in July 2025.

Each finalist on Nov. 21 in Toronto will deliver a new five-minute speech in front of a panel of eight industry judges.

The winner of the Grand Slam will also receive a publishing package from sponsor partner Lucky Book Publishing valued at $20,000, which includes a billboard feature in New York’s Times Square.


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