Ignite Career Conference

Tyler Smith

Brigitte and the team were able to create a day filled with meaning and purpose for all attendees. You could sense it in the room that students and alumni wanted to be there and wanted to engage, which is never an easy feat to accomplish. I personally had such a great day getting to connect with everyone and share my story, I look forward to hearing how future Ignite events go and was incredibly grateful to be apart of this one!

Tyler Smith, Ignite 2025 Keynote Speaker, Humboldt Broncos Crash Survivor | Amazing Race Canada Winner | Mental Health Advocate

Sam Demma

I was honored to serve as a keynote speaker at the 2023 Ignite Career Conference: Speak, Engage, Succeed! Unlocking Career Opportunities through Effective Communication, hosted by Fanshawe College's Career Services. From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by the professionalism and enthusiasm of the organizers. The event was exceptionally well-coordinated, with clear communication and attention to detail that rivaled many industry-level conferences.

The student audience was engaged, curious, and eager to learn—qualities that made delivering my keynote a truly rewarding experience. The Q&A session reflected the students’ depth of thought and their commitment to applying what they learned to real-world challenges. It was inspiring to see such a strong focus on collaboration, innovation, and career readiness throughout the program.

Overall, this conference was a testament to the talent and leadership emerging from Fanshawe College. I left feeling energized and optimistic about the future of these students and the impact they will make in their respective fields. I would gladly participate again and highly recommend this event to other speakers and professionals looking to connect with the next generation of leaders.

Sam Demma, Author of Empty Your Backpack

Shade Dias

Closing out November with a moment I’m truly grateful for. 

Thank you to Darlene O'Neill , Brigitte MacKinnon , and the entire Fanshawe Employment and Student Entrepreneurial Services team for their continuous support, guidance, and belief in me. Your encouragement created a space for me to present at the IGNITE Career Conference, leading the workshop “IGNITE the Leader in You.”

Standing in that room reminded me why I love what I do. Leadership looks different for everyone, there’s no one version, no perfect mold. We all carry our own gifts, our own voice, and our own path. And when we embrace that, we step into who we’re truly meant to be.

Sharing my journey and pouring into other students was an experience I’ll always hold close. If there’s one message I hope they walked away with, it’s this: Believe in yourself, trust your process, and lead with grace. You are becoming exactly who you’re meant to be.

Grateful for the opportunity, and the beautiful way November unfolded.
 

Chinecherem Igwe

I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Ignite Career Conference 2025 at Fanshawe, an event that truly ignited my passion for authentic and transformational leadership.

From the keynote by Tyler Smith, a survivor of the Humboldt Broncos tragedy and mental health advocate, I learned that vulnerability isn’t weakness, it’s courage in motion. His story of resilience and healing reminded me that leadership begins with connection, empathy, and authenticity.

The workshops reinforced that being a leader is about staying true to your values, acting with empathy, respect, humility, determination, and leading with purpose. As the event closed, I walked away with a renewed belief that leadership is not a destination; it’s a journey of growth, self-discovery, and impact.