Closing Plenary | August 31, 11:00am CT

From Skid Row to CEO –There’s More To You Than You Can See

We are pleased to announce Joe Roberts as our closing plenary speaker! Have you ever wondered about the lives touched by your investment in the community? What if your next interaction transformed someone’s life? Joe Roberts is an expert on resiliency and change. In 1989, he was homeless living under a bridge. Twelve years later he was a celebrated CEO.

Joe helps organizations and individuals redefine the impossible. From Skid Row to CEO –There’s More To You Than You Can See. In this keynote, Joe shares his story of redemption, a story that relates to the work you do every day. He teaches how anyone can transform and overcome perceived limitations and live their dreams with the right help and guidance. As you walk with Joe through the tough streets of East Vancouver in the 1980’s you will experience the depths and degradation of a former hopeless, homeless opioid addict, to the heights and triumph of a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist. Embedded in this keynote is the remarkable story of Joe’s interaction with a police officer. In 1991, Ontario Provincial Police Constable Scott MacLeod answered a typical distress call, a man with a gun, threatening suicide. Just another addict going to jail was his first thought. Little did Scott know his involvement would be the beginning of a life-transforming event for Joe Roberts. Hopeless and suicidal, Joe had one thing on his mind; to end it for good.

This inspiring story demonstrates how powerful that next interaction can be. Joe’s story embodies the resiliency of the human spirit. His message is inspiring, energetic, humorous, honest, raw and unforgettable.

Presenter

Joe Roberts

Skid Row CEO

Joe Roberts

Skid Row CEO

The most effective leaders in society are those rare individuals who can inspire their audience with a passion that can only come from personal experience. As the former President and CEO of an extremely successful multimedia company, Joe Roberts has faced and overcome key business challenges, which confront every modern organization. With a track record of proven business success, Joe formed his own multimedia company, Mindware Design Communications, and in less than four years led the company to a phenomenal 800% increase in business. Joe’s business solutions have made millions of dollars for his clients, across a variety of business sectors. It is from this experience that Joe draws when addressing Fortune 500 companies, professional associations, and organizations internationally. What is most amazing about Joe is that in 1989 he was living on the streets of Vancouver as a homeless skid row addict. Through perseverance, determination and his resilient human spirit, Joe pulled himself out of the darkness and despair, to become a highly respected business and community leader. Today Joe Roberts (aka The Skidrow CEO) is an award-winning Inspirational Keynote Speaker armed with unwavering determination and 20+ years of speaking experience. His mission has been, is, and always will be to instigate a ripple effect of positive change everywhere he goes by reminding people of their unlimited potential.