NEWS RELEASE
SPEAKER SLAM
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Lyne Frank, a dedicated educator and wellness expert from Grimsby, will compete at Speaker Slam, North America’s largest inspirational speaking competition, on Jan. 28 at the Lula Lounge in Toronto.
Kicking off the 2025 season, the Resilience-themed competition will feature ten speakers sharing powerful fived-minute stories of overcoming adversity and rising stronger. Competitors will vie for prizes worth up to $10,000, including $2,000 in cash and a coveted spot at the Grand Slam: Inspirational Speaking Finals later this year.
For Lyne, resilience has been a defining theme throughout her life. At just 14, Lyne lost her father in a tragic workplace accident when he was electrocuted on the job. The sudden loss devastated her family, but she found an inner strength she didn't know she possessed. She witnessed her shy mother find extraordinary strength to earn a teaching degree and create a better future for their family. Inspired by her mother’s courage, Lyne built a 20+ year career as an educator and wellness advocate, dedicated to helping women and educators rise above their challenges.
Today, Lyne is using her platform to address urgent issues facing education, including teacher burnout and classroom disruptions, which have reached critical levels. With Ontario projecting a significant teacher shortage by 2027, Lyne’s mission is to empower women and educators with wellness tools and advocate for systemic changes to support those shaping the next generation.
“My story isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about rising with purpose,” says Lyne. “Resilience is the new pause – Stop. Shift. Shine. Learn to stop before committing to anything new. Shift into decisions that reflect your authentic self, and from that foundation, all things become possible. You will shine. As adults, we hold the immense responsibility of shaping future generations. When we connect with our own gifts and strengths, we can come together in partnership to create lasting change for our children. I’m excited to share my journey and inspire others to see challenges as opportunities for growth."
Dan Shaikh, Co-Founder of Speaker Slam, shared his admiration for Lyne’s journey:
“Lyne Frank’s story is a powerful example of how tragedy can lead to purpose. Her dedication to teacher wellness highlights the urgent need to support educators, especially as we navigate the looming teacher shortage crisis. We are honored to have her as part of the Speaker Slam family and are excited to see the lasting impact she will continue to make.”
Speaker Slam, based in downtown Toronto, is renowned for uncovering and nurturing speaking talent, often catapulting participants to TEDx talks, book deals, and global recognition. The series features five yearly qualifiers leading to the Grand Slam - The Inspirational Speaking Finals. Each qualifier sees 10 speakers deliver themed 5-minute speeches, vying for prizes up to $10,000 including $2000 cash. The top performers advance to the Grand Slam on November 22nd at the CBC Glenn Gould Studio, competing for the title of Inspirational Speaker of the Year and a prize package valued at up to $50,000 including $5000 cash.
For more information about the speakers and the event, click here.
- Chris Atwell – Stouffville, Ontario, Canada.
- Richie Keirouz – Leamington, Ontario, Canada.
- Regula Fischer – Zürich, Switzerland.
- Lauren Daniels – Coopersburg, Philadelphia, United States.
- June Svetlovsky – Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
- Jessica Swift – Selwyn, Ontario, Canada.
- Chantal McDougall – Nepean, Ontario, Canada.
- Deborah Fletcher – Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Merav Richter – Thornhill, Ontario, Canada.
- Lyne Frank – Grimsby, Ontario, Canada.
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