Keynote Speakers for Campus Programming
What’s Shaping the Student Experience in Campus Event Programming?
SAFETY & SEXUAL HEALTH | CAREER & NETWORKING | SUSTAINABILITY | DEI & BELONGING
Because we work closely with campus planners across the country, we get a firsthand look at what actually sparks conversation, kicks off the school year with confidence, and builds connection. We welcome Block Bookings that can help with special fee rates for tours!
To help inspire your student and faculty programming, we’ve rounded up the top themes driving momentum on campuses today. Let’s get ready for Orientation/Frosh week and beyond together! We’re here to help.
In this post:
- Jill Hewlett — Boosting Performance with Brain Fitness
- George Stroumboulopoulos — Sparking Curiosity, Inspiring Change
- Dr. Samantha Yammine — Screens, Stress, and Your Struggling Brain
- Muhammad Lila — How Small, Positive Shifts Create Massive Momentum
- Rose LeMay — Ally is a Verb
- Farrah Khan — Cultivating Consent, Accountability & Empathy
______
1. Jill Hewlett — Boosting Performance with Brain Fitness
Jill Hewlett helps students outsmart stress and burnout.
By teaching the basics of “brain fitness,” her brain-sculpting strategies help groups improve their focus, communication, and emotional balance to create a healthier, more connected community.
Read her insights on 5 ways to power up your brain with brain science!
2. George Stroumboulopoulos — Sparking Curiosity, Inspiring Change
Want to build a deeply connected campus? Start with better conversations.
George Stroumboulopoulos delivers an unplugged keynote that teaches audiences how to create space for others and lead with curiosity. Drawing from his career as a master interviewer, George shows how deep, intentional listening is the key to building trust and helping people thrive – a message that recently earned “best keynote ever” reviews from 2,000 educators earlier this year!
ICYMI – George’s Tribute to Teachers
3. Screens, Stress, and Your Struggling Brain — Dr. Samantha Yammine
Neuroscientist and science communicator Samantha Yammine (better known as Science Sam) uses engaging neuroscience to explain how our brains process information overload.
Rather than preaching an unrealistic “digital detox,” she offers realistic, actionable tips to filter information, regulate emotions and anxiety, and stay grounded in a hyper-connected world.
(P.S. Check out her recent interview with the Artemis II moon crew where they discussed themes of anxiety, gratitude, the beauty of analog experiences, and more!)
4. How Small, Positive Shifts Create Massive Momentum — Muhammad Lila
From war correspondent to AI founder – Muhammad Lila covered conflict zones for CNN and ABC, then asked a different question: what if technology made people feel better instead of worse?
That question became Goodable and IRIS, an emotional intelligence AI now reaching hundreds of millions of people across 91+ countries.
His keynotes show campus audiences how focusing on hope – not as a sentiment, but as a strategy – fuels authentic leadership, resilience under pressure, and the clarity to build what doesn’t exist yet.
See Muhammad in action | NSB Webinar
5. Ally is a Verb — Rose LeMay
Rose LeMay unpacks the realities of reconciliation, combining personal reflection with practical strategies on how to become effective change agents and allies.
Her latest bestseller, Ally is a Verb, equips groups with the cultural competence needed to navigate difficult conversations, build relationships with Indigenous communities, and lead with integrity. Learn more
6. Cultivating Consent, Accountability & Empathy — Farrah Khan
Gender Justice Advocate & Equity Leader Farrah Khan skillfully facilitates inclusive, entertaining discussions that remove the awkwardness from talking about sex and consent.
She equips campuses with practical tools to communicate boundaries, intervene safely, and respond to disclosures so that relationships remain a collaboration, not a conquest.
Book a Speaker for Your Campus Event
NSB represents some of Canada’s most compelling campus keynote speakers — and we’ve been matching Canadian institutions with the right voices for over 50 years. These speakers are available through National Speakers Bureau, Canada’s original speakers bureau.
Whether you’re building Orientation/Frosh week, a lunch-and-learn, or a full year of student and faculty programming, our team can help you find the right fit for your audience, your budget, and your goals.
Contact NSB today to get personalized recommendations for your next campus event.