2025-2026 CAPS Board of Directors – Nominations

David Beaudoin - CAPS British Columbia

Who Am I

Dedicated 43 year old man with lots of drive and ability to create connection. I live by golden rules of life, and I complete every task I begin. I am positive, have tremendous amount of leadership and I am a team player driven by strong core values and authenticity. I am a hard working person, who also strive for balance. Family is also one of the most important things in my life, and CAPS is family!I am funny, dedicated, loving, and as much as I love speaking, I love to learn and listen well. I love creating and playing and get the kid in me to show up whenever possible.Did I mention I love to hang out, eat and drink? And you wouldn't guess, but I love cheese!

Why am I running for the CAPS National Board of Directors?

This is something I have been thinking for a few years. Spending some time amongst some of the best people I have ever met, and contribute my skills and passion to help CAPS members, Learn, Grow, Share, and Belong. After being asked by Mark Black, I have re-assessed and decided that it would be a great time to apply.I am dedicated and want to help other fellow speakers expending their reach, impact, and revenue, by helping with growing thier speaking, training, coaching, or consulting business, as well as mine. Creating a long lasting impact for the Canadian Speaking world.

What qualifies me to be a CAPS Board Member

I am a great speaker, and business owner who can share lots of insights on virtual and in person speaking engagement, as well as lots of behind the scene work given the very unique nature of the speaking I do. Lots is done before and after every event I do. I have to charge a lot more as well, and build long term relationships in order to be able to perform and serve my clients in the venue that my event is in.This translate in immaculate precision to planning every detail, have strong communication skills, being able to handle all sorts of challenges that must be fixed and overcome, as well as keeping a very high and unbreakable positive attitude.When my heart is on something I am passionate about, I am driven, and nothing can stop me from achieving my work and dreams, especially when working with a team of amazing people!

CAPS- Challenges and Opportunities

With a little more details on what to write here, I would gladly fill in more! Especially once I get more details with everyone, I am pretty new to this!

Jen DeTracey – CAPS Quebec

Who Am I

I’ve been a member of CAPS for over 18 years and a business owner for 24. Prior to moving to Montreal, I lived in Vancouver for 25 years.

In 2000, I became a contract fractional marketing strategist working with small businesses across a broad range of industries and an instructor at Langara College. This inspired me to develop a proven marketing process, the LIFFT® Process and signature keynote “Get Your Business Rockin” as well as a full-day LIFFT® training program for non-profits, radio stations(& their clients) and small business teams.

In 2010, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. This was a life transforming experience and is an ongoing journey. I moved my training programs online, and I published my first book. In 2017, I arrived in Montreal and met my CAPS Quebec family!

I enjoy travel, music and reading novels. I love swimming, especially in lakes. My jam is “walk and talks” with friends. My favourite fuel is 90% dark chocolate. I’m a mentor for Futurprenures & Coralus.

Why am I running for the CAPS National Board of Directors?

I care about CAPS. The first Vancouver CAPS meeting I attended had me hooked.

Three of my core values are contribution, connection and being of service. After contributing for many years at the CAPS chapter level, I’m now ready to experience, learn and give at the CAPS National Board level.

I look forward to being part of Mark Black’s vision for CAPS in 2025 while offering my skills and gifts along with the other board members to move this vision to fruition.

As a long standing member of CAPS, I have witnessed progress and change for almost two decades. I am excited to be part of what’s next for CAPS as the 2025 National Board continues to focus on support, resources and growth for existing, new and future members.

Since becoming a member of CAPS in 2006, I have had the honour of meeting so many amazing people who are part of our vibrant community.

What qualifies me to be a CAPS Board Member

Over the years, I’ve been a member on both Vancouver and Quebec boards/Chapter Leadership Teams. My roles in Vancouver included marketing/communication, membership and finance. In Quebec I’ve focused on membership and supporting committees.

I lived in a housing co-op for 11 years and took on many roles, leading committees such as membership and finance.

In Vancouver, I was a director on two working boards: Qmunity and the GLBT Business Association. I’m currently on a working committee for YES Montreal’s annual fundraising event, Tune in to YES (TITY) and am active on the CAPS Quebec CLT.

CAPS- Challenges and Opportunities

One challenge for CAPS continues to be how many Canadians who use the spoken word as part or all of their profession are not aware of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers.

When individuals tap into CAPS, they discover we offer a depth of resources plus a generous, enthusiastic community of experts who speak professionally.

One of the biggest opportunities that has become even more prevalent is how sharing information and experiences through the spoken word has an incredible reach due to all of the online and digital mediums in which experts share their knowledge with audiences locally and globally.

Another challenge is solopreneurs and small business owners who use the spoken word to generate their income, feel isolated or lonely in their profession because they don’t have a community like CAPS to help them learn, share, grow and belong. This includes following professional standards in their speaking business, leveraging an amazing community to share knowledge and expertise as well as potential business referrals.

Robin O’Grady – CAPS Alberta

Who Am I

Robin is an international speaker, fitness industry leader, and corporate culture specialist. She is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to achieve attainable wellness goals, leading to a sustainable workplace culture. She delivers simple strategies and actionable tools that make wellness achievable for everyone.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Robin finds joy in dancing, group fitness, aerial arts, and, just for fun, doing handstands. Based in Calgary with her husband and two boys.

Why am I running for the CAPS National Board of Directors?

It has been my pleasure to serve on the Alberta Chapter leadership team for the last four years, a time which has given me the opportunity to get to know members of other chapters across the country. In my role as Chapter President, I joined three years of national leadership meetings and became more familiar with some of the inner workings of the National Board. I have received much from CAPS over the last 7 1/2 years, and I value the chance to serve the association in another way and with other chapters across the whole country.

I aim to contribute to the growth of the association as a whole and to bring my longstanding board experience, my contagious energy and a lot of hard work in my role on the board. In addition to the further growth, there are always opportunities to ensure the current membership is being served at the highest levels, I look forward to contributing in those spaces as well.

What qualifies me to be a CAPS Board Member

I have four years of experience as a Chapter Leader with CAPS Alberta and 15 years of previous board experience in various roles with other societies and associations.

CAPS- Challenges and Opportunities

Across the country associations are finding challenges in maintaining and growing their memberships, CAPS is no exception to this, therefore there are opportunities to continue the efforts of the previous boards in establishing strategies for retention and growth. It is evident the hard work the past board has done in areas of membership, marketing and in the digital strategy. It is exciting to be able to take up the tasks and continue to grow upon their work.

Ross Saunders – CAPS Toronto

Who Am I

I am a privacy and cybersecurity governance specialist, consulting in the space of legislation, technology, compliance and governance. I’ve spent my career in the high-tech space as a bridge between legal, technical, software, and security. I have a problem-solving mindset and will often be seen diving in to help build better solutions and create awareness. I’ve spent the last decade working in the privacy space, providing education, coaching, training, consulting, and keynotes on how to look after information, as well as nursing numerous passion projects. In 2019, I published a book for first-time managers, and I’m currently expanding into that sector by revising my book, building courses, and expanding into workshops. On a personal level, I am a bit of a fitness nut, and you’ll often find me hanging upside down doing aerial arts and dance!

Why am I running for the CAPS National Board of Directors?

I take tremendous pride in getting involved in organizations and causes that provide value. I believe CAPS has tremendous value to add to the world and would love to be a part of the team that works together to guide it. I have unique skills outside of speaking that I believe would be beneficial to the organization, its members, and its outreach, and my goal is to share that where it may be needed or to seize opportunities that are out there for CAPS.

A strong front-face to the association needs to be supported by a strong back-end of dedicated team members and processes. I have a background in process improvement and governance, and I believe that we can improve already working processes or fix those that may need some TLC! I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty on complex challenges and opportunities, so let’s dive in!

What qualifies me to be a CAPS Board Member

I have served on a number of boards over the years, ranging from safety campaigns, to outreach programs, charities and marginalized communities, and business governance. I’ve served in a number of capacities such as marketing, membership, youth outreach, counselling, and leadership.

Most notably, I have served as a chapter president and national president of the Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa, as well as as a board member and ambassador to the Global Speakers Federation.

I feel a key challenge in the speaking industry, in general, is that of appealing to younger speakers and expanding membership to a diverse audience. The industry, in many ways, has stayed the same, but in as many ways, it has augmented and changed. There are lines of speaking and content creation that are no longer “traditional” in approach, and I feel there’s tremendous opportunity in identifying these “non-traditional” entries and approaches to speaking.

CAPS – Challenges and Opportunities

Behind the scenes, I feel there’s always the opportunity for process improvement done in the right way. Sure, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, but if there’s a better way of doing things that makes everyone’s lives easier, faster, or more reliable, then let’s look at it.

CAPS, for me, has always lived up to Learn, Share, Grow, Belong, and I think communicating these and bringing tangible benefits forward in all is a line of value that can only increase.

Barb Stuhlemmer – CAPS Toronto

Who Am I

Hi, I’m Barb Stuhlemmer, MBA, and CAPS member of 8 years. I started out in technology, developing, training, and managing laboratories, technical departments, and customer support. I’m a systems girl. I have worked in numerous industries, including medical device manufacturing, software development, waste transfer, service, and higher education.

As a business owner since 2004, and change strategist, my company, BLITZ Business Success, has focused on speaking to and supporting small businesses with my exit readiness process, evaluation, strategy, and training. As a daughter, family member, friend, and employee of many small business owners, I feel like I have been in and around small business all my life. The people that run small businesses, like our CAPS members, are my passion.

Why am I running for the CAPS National Board of Directors?

Why do I believe these board roles are important? Because CAPS ensures speakers, who are small business owners, are successful. Seeing small business thrive is my purpose.

There are so many things for a speaker to know. How to present, who to reach out, where to market, speaking skills, technology, timing, support systems, entrepreneurship, etc. Having an association that is focused on ensuring its members are successful is critical. But, an association cannot run without the support of its members as volunteers. I believe in the value of this association and I want to be a part of ensuring CAPS continues to support our members, all of you, to deliver excellence, reach your goals, and create jobs that support your families & communities

What qualifies me to be a CAPS Board Member

I’ve been on several boards, including, different associations, college schools, and private corporations. I’ve held several positions as an advisor, president, co-chair, and chair.

I was on the CAPS Toronto chapter board for 7 years, helping in different capacities, including marketing, secretary, president, and past president. One of my passion-projects was starting a volunteer committee to help bring in more support for the chapter. Through this program we increased our volunteerism adding more than 10 extra people in 2019, to help out on smaller projects, like managing the guest check-in, sharing good news, room set-up, & newsletter prep etc.

This past year I was not on the Toronto board, but instead, stepped up to help relaunch and run the CAPS Academy Business Starter Track

CAPS – Challenges and Opportunities

Many speakers do not know about the value of CAPS, and some do not know about it at all. I believe one of the biggest opportunities our association has is to reach those speakers that are currently not CAPS members. Recently I met a Canadian speaker that had joined NSA because they did not know there was support closer to home.

One of the challenges of associations, is ensuring there are volunteers to help run and manage all the moving parts so that all our members experience is exceptional. I’ve been fortunate to have experienced many of these amazing support systems over the years, but not every year has all the same supports at the same level. I’d like to see all our volunteers receive the assistance they need, so they can enjoy their roles and their membership.