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WHAT IS GSLD?

The 3rd annual Global Student Leadership Day (GSLD) is back! This event is one of the largest gatherings online with some of the most impactful speakers available today (watch as we continue to announce more speakers), to create an incredible virtual, international, global youth leadership event. You will be able to participate in GSLD right from the comfort of your home or classroom on April 25, 2022. GSLD will be broadcast over a secure online platform and will offer a full day of programming for student leaders (ages 13-18) and educators. Every presentation will also include a Q&A session, resources provided by our facilitators and MORE. It is perfect for your leadership classes, students’ council, youth organization or any youth leadership association.

We know this can't replace the connection and energy that GSLS or other conferences create in real life, but we wanted to continue to give our community of teachers and students from all over the world an event that they will not forget during these uncertain times.

Our goal is to engage thousands of youth and educators through this virtual summit. Please share with your fellow leaders, advisors and associations. Let’s work together to make this year's event EVEN larger and make it truly impactful.

Stu Saunders
(He/Him/His)
Founder and Head Gardener of the EPIC Community and YLCC Inc.

2022 KEYNOTE Speakers

Spencer West

Double Amputee + Motivational Speaker for Social Change

After losing both legs from the pelvis down at the age of five, Spencer West tackled challenge
after challenge, learning to navigate a world set against those with disabilities. His many
accomplishments, including summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, and the lessons learned along the
way, led him to discover the techniques business leaders, professionals, educators, and young
people can use to redefine possible in their own lives and careers.

As a global speaker, West infuses his talks with humour and humility, offering take-home tips and life lessons on how to find opportunity in every challenge, while instilling hope and empowering
leaders to motivate others to create positive change.

Dr. Brittany Patterson

Psychologist + Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine

Dr. Patterson has served schools for more than a decade in various capacities and has specialized in school-based mental health services in underserved schools and communities. In her current role, Dr. Patterson provides training and technical assistance to diverse school stakeholders on the impact of trauma and strategies to create safe, healing environments for students.

She is particularly passionate about identifying and building upon the strengths of youth and their communities to promote positive mental health and well-being. In fact, The FIGHT was inspired by five years of serving a Title I school in Baltimore City where she was consistently impressed by the gifts and talents of our “fighters” – youth often “in trouble” for difficulties related to behavioral or emotional distress.

Nadia George

Mi'kmaw-Canadian Public Educator + Actor + Media Personality

Nadia Thunder Woman George, is of Mi'kmaw First Nation and Canadian descent. Nadia is an award winning actor and public educator, and media personality based in Toronto; with over a decade of professional experience in social services specializing in trauma informed care.

Gaining international recognition for her advocacy work on topics like mental health and environmental inequity, she continues to use her voice and platform to empower individuals, address stigmas around contemporary Indigenous identity, and advocate for equity of rights for Indigenous people in Canada.

Nadia is very passionate about her work, believing education and awareness is where change will start.

Orlando Bowen

Game Changer + Motivational Speaker

When it comes to building teams, creating momentum, and employing winning strategies, Orlando Bowen is the real deal. A former professional football player and now high-performance coach, for the past fifteen years Bowen has used storytelling, fitness activities, and cognitive exercises to teach resilience, leadership, and teamwork. Empowering others to overcome adversity, to find their passion, and to use their gifts is Bowen’s lifelong goal.

Bowen is also the founder and executive Director of One Voice One Team Youth Leadership, which empowers youth to utilize leadership skills and talents to better themselves and community.

Cheryl Pounder

2x Olympic Gold Medalist + Broadcaster + Podcaster

It’s always about the journey. That’s the message women’s hockey champion Cheryl Pounder seeks to instill in every audience she speaks to. Believing that learning from our successes, as well as our failures, is the key to staying on the path toward excellence.

Cheryl is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist (hockey) from the Salt Lake City and Torino Olympic Games, and has been crowned the International Ice Hockey Foundation World Champion six times.

Currently, Cheryl is a hockey analyst for TSN. She was also the colour commentator for the coverage of the women’s hockey tournament at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics for both TSN and CBC.

2022 WORKSHOP Speakers

Dr. Greg Wells

Expert on Optimizing Performance + Physiologist + Four-Time Bestselling Author

For Dr. Greg Wells, health and performance, particularly under extreme conditions, are personal
and professional obsessions. As a scientist and physiologist, he has dedicated his career to making the science of human limits understandable and actionable.

He is the CEO and founder of The Wells Group, a global consulting firm committed to achieving the
moonshot of helping teams, schools and businesses become places where people get healthy,
perform optimally and ultimately reach their potential.

Nick Foley

Social Entrepreneur + Educator

Nick is an educator and coordinator in the Public Relations and Event Management program at Loyalist College. In 2015, he cycled from Victoria BC to St. John’s NFLD to launch his non-profit organization, Move for Inclusion, and to raise awareness for inclusion and acceptance of all people without bias.

Nick’s company WE BE US, started 20k Sock Day, an annual event that raises awareness, providing socks and other items for homeless shelters across Canada.

Nick is driven by the desire to perpetuate a world of inclusion, self-worth and empowerment.

Sarah Wells

Olympian + Founder of the Believe Initiative

As a 400m hurdler, this Olympian’s reputation was forged through overcoming challenges and achieving the incredible. Take her debut at the London Olympics in 2012, which came despite an injury that had her sidelined her for months just the year before.

Outside of competitive sports, this athlete is coaching people to pursue excellence through the Believe Initiative, an organization founded on—fittingly—a message of resilience. Most recently you would have seen Sarah pushing her limits on the latest season of The Amazing Race Canada. Evidently someone who understands the importance of building resilience and self-belief, along with the power of purpose, you’ll want to listen-up.