15 Speaker Bureau Leaders for Canadian Events to Know

Updated August 2026.

Speaker bureau leaders and agents can help Canadian event organisers find a speaker who fits the audience, the message and the moment. This list names 15 current people in speaker bureaus and booking agencies whose public roles sit close to leadership, selection, sales, event logistics or bureau direction.

A high-stakes event is not simply a search for the most recognisable name. The booking conversation has to connect the purpose of the event with the people in the room, the tone of the programme, the format and the outcome the organiser wants to create. The right bureau professional can make that brief clearer before anyone starts talking about a particular speaker.

The list is designed as a practical starting point for conference organisers, corporate event planners, associations, leadership teams and people responsible for a keynote or facilitated session. It is not a ranking, and the order is for easy navigation rather than a claim that one person is better than another.

The scope is deliberately honest. It includes Canadian bureaus as well as North American and international agencies whose public roles show a sensible connection to Canadian event planning. Some people are bureau founders, executives or senior agents. Others work close to sales, client fit, operations or event delivery. Together, they show the range of work that sits behind a successful speaker booking.

For readers comparing options, the useful question is not simply which bureau has the biggest list. It is which person can understand the event well enough to help make a sound match. That is the lens used here: current public roles, practical relevance and a clear connection to the work of bringing a speaker into a real event.

A speaker bureau matters because the quality of the match affects more than the name on the programme. The audience, event purpose, timing, room, delivery format and leadership challenge all shape what a useful contribution looks like. A person who understands those conditions can help an organiser turn a vague request into a brief that a speaker can genuinely meet.

That work also reduces avoidable friction. A good booking conversation makes space for questions about fit, availability, expectations, preparation and the practical details around the event. It helps an organiser compare a keynote with a workshop or facilitated conversation, rather than treating every request as a request for the same kind of performance.

For Canadian events, the right partner may be local, North American or international. Geography can matter for context, relationships and logistics, but it should sit beside the more important questions: who needs to change, what needs to be different afterwards and what kind of speaker can help the room move in that direction?

This is especially important when an organiser is under pressure. A short event brief can hide a difficult audience, a sensitive leadership moment or a delivery format that asks more of the speaker than a standard keynote. A bureau conversation is most useful when it brings those hidden conditions into the open early enough to shape the choice.

For a Canadian event brief, Adam Plotkin is the Founder and President at Speaker Booking Agency. This sits close to the work of turning a broad event brief into a speaker, programme or booking experience that fits the audience. Adam Plotkin is relevant when a Canadian organiser needs thoughtful matching, clear communication and dependable delivery around the stage.

One useful detail is that Adam Plotkin founded Speaker Booking Agency in 1999 and brings more than 25 years of speaker-booking experience. That is useful to an event team because it points to the kind of experience, judgement or practical support that can strengthen a booking conversation.

Event organisers may want to know Carson Ingle, who works as the Vice President of Operations and Senior Booking Agent at Speaker Booking Agency. This sits close to the work of turning a broad event brief into a speaker, programme or booking experience that fits the audience. Carson Ingle is relevant when a Canadian organiser needs thoughtful matching, clear communication and dependable delivery around the stage.

The wider role is easier to understand because Carson Ingle moved from content writer to content manager and then senior booking agent, combining event planning with booking strategy. That is useful to an event team because it points to the kind of experience, judgement or practical support that can strengthen a booking conversation.

In AEI Speakers Bureau, Mark Castel holds the current role of President. This sits close to the work of turning a broad event brief into a speaker, programme or booking experience that fits the audience. Mark Castel is relevant when a Canadian organiser needs thoughtful matching, clear communication and dependable delivery around the stage.

A detail that helps explain the fit is that Mark Castel leads a speakers bureau that supports in-person, virtual and hybrid event bookings. That is useful to an event team because it points to the kind of experience, judgement or practical support that can strengthen a booking conversation.

The current role of Chris Long is Senior Vice President and Lead Agent at AEI Speakers Bureau. This sits close to the work of turning a broad event brief into a speaker, programme or booking experience that fits the audience. Chris Long is relevant when a Canadian organiser needs thoughtful matching, clear communication and dependable delivery around the stage.

The public role also gives this helpful context: Chris Long combines senior leadership with the lead-agent role inside a bureau built around matching speakers to event needs. That is useful to an event team because it points to the kind of experience, judgement or practical support that can strengthen a booking conversation.

For a Canadian event brief, Tiffany Tomlin is the VP and Executive Director at Penguin Random House Speakers Bureau. This sits close to the work of turning a broad event brief into a speaker, programme or booking experience that fits the audience. Tiffany Tomlin is relevant when a Canadian organiser needs thoughtful matching, clear communication and dependable delivery around the stage.

One useful detail is that Tiffany Tomlin leads a lecture team that works with corporations, colleges, universities, libraries, nonprofits and conferences. That is useful to an event team because it points to the kind of experience, judgement or practical support that can strengthen a booking conversation.

Event organisers may want to know Kim Ingenito, who works as the Executive Agent Director at Penguin Random House Speakers Bureau. This sits close to the work of turning a broad event brief into a speaker, programme or booking experience that fits the audience. Kim Ingenito is relevant when a Canadian organiser needs thoughtful matching, clear communication and dependable delivery around the stage.

The wider role is easier to understand because Kim Ingenito works within a bureau whose agents stay in direct contact with publishing groups to shape author events. That is useful to an event team because it points to the kind of experience, judgement or practical support that can strengthen a booking conversation.

In SpeakInc, Ruth Levine-Schmid holds the current role of Founder. This sits close to the work of turning a broad event brief into a speaker, programme or booking experience that fits the audience. Ruth Levine-Schmid is relevant when a Canadian organiser needs thoughtful matching, clear communication and dependable delivery around the stage.

A detail that helps explain the fit is that Ruth Levine-Schmid founded SpeakInc in 1989 and has presented workshops on speaker trends and the speaker bureau industry. That is useful to an event team because it points to the kind of experience, judgement or practical support that can strengthen a booking conversation.

The current role of Melissa Mann is VP and Account Executive, Chicago Office at SpeakInc. This sits close to the work of turning a broad event brief into a speaker, programme or booking experience that fits the audience. Melissa Mann is relevant when a Canadian organiser needs thoughtful matching, clear communication and dependable delivery around the stage.

The public role also gives this helpful context: Melissa Mann is described as a speaker bureau agent who helps clients discover voices that fit content, investment and audience experience. That is useful to an event team because it points to the kind of experience, judgement or practical support that can strengthen a booking conversation.

For a Canadian event brief, Caitie Shea is the Chief Executive Officer at Outspoken Agency. This sits close to the work of turning a broad event brief into a speaker, programme or booking experience that fits the audience. Caitie Shea is relevant when a Canadian organiser needs thoughtful matching, clear communication and dependable delivery around the stage.

One useful detail is that Caitie Shea brings experience representing playwright Sarah Jones and working in operations for Crush Management. That is useful to an event team because it points to the kind of experience, judgement or practical support that can strengthen a booking conversation.

Event organisers may want to know Tara Berthier, who works as the Chief Revenue Officer at Outspoken Agency. This sits close to the work of turning a broad event brief into a speaker, programme or booking experience that fits the audience. Tara Berthier is relevant when a Canadian organiser needs thoughtful matching, clear communication and dependable delivery around the stage.

The wider role is easier to understand because Tara Berthier has 10 years of experience at National Speakers Bureau and Speakers' Spotlight and oversees sales practices and bookings. That is useful to an event team because it points to the kind of experience, judgement or practical support that can strengthen a booking conversation.

In Unisson Conferences, Lucie Larouche holds the current role of Founder and President. This sits close to the work of turning a broad event brief into a speaker, programme or booking experience that fits the audience. Lucie Larouche is relevant when a Canadian organiser needs thoughtful matching, clear communication and dependable delivery around the stage.

A detail that helps explain the fit is that Lucie Larouche founded Unisson to simplify speaker selection and guide clients towards a speaker, trainer or facilitator that fits the brief. That is useful to an event team because it points to the kind of experience, judgement or practical support that can strengthen a booking conversation.

The current role of Éric Galipeau is Sales Expert of Speakers at Unisson Conferences. This sits close to the work of turning a broad event brief into a speaker, programme or booking experience that fits the audience. Éric Galipeau is relevant when a Canadian organiser needs thoughtful matching, clear communication and dependable delivery around the stage.

The public role also gives this helpful context: Éric Galipeau has more than 14 years of experience helping organisations find speakers and trainers for their events. That is useful to an event team because it points to the kind of experience, judgement or practical support that can strengthen a booking conversation.

For a Canadian event brief, Heather MacLean is the Founder and President at ProSpeakers. This sits close to the work of turning a broad event brief into a speaker, programme or booking experience that fits the audience. Heather MacLean is relevant when a Canadian organiser needs thoughtful matching, clear communication and dependable delivery around the stage.

One useful detail is that Heather MacLean has led a Canadian speakers bureau for more than 15 years and built it as a women-owned agency. That is useful to an event team because it points to the kind of experience, judgement or practical support that can strengthen a booking conversation.

Event organisers may want to know Theresa Beenken, who works as the CEO at National Speakers Bureau. This sits close to the work of turning a broad event brief into a speaker, programme or booking experience that fits the audience. Theresa Beenken is relevant when a Canadian organiser needs thoughtful matching, clear communication and dependable delivery around the stage.

The wider role is easier to understand because Theresa Beenken leads the Canadian bureau whose team works across agents, marketing, support and client services in Vancouver and Toronto. That is useful to an event team because it points to the kind of experience, judgement or practical support that can strengthen a booking conversation.

In National Speakers Bureau, Natasha Daneman holds the current role of Senior Agent, U.S. and International Markets. This sits close to the work of turning a broad event brief into a speaker, programme or booking experience that fits the audience. Natasha Daneman is relevant when a Canadian organiser needs thoughtful matching, clear communication and dependable delivery around the stage.

A detail that helps explain the fit is that Natasha Daneman works in the part of the bureau responsible for U.S. and international markets, alongside a Canada-focused roster. That is useful to an event team because it points to the kind of experience, judgement or practical support that can strengthen a booking conversation.

The people in this list show that speaker-bureau work is broader than making an introduction. It includes listening carefully to an event brief, understanding the difference between a content need and a format need, and helping a client make a choice that will still feel right when the audience is in the room.

The roles also show why event organisers should not assume that only a founder or a booking agent can add value. Leadership creates direction. Agents bring matching and market knowledge. Sales and relationship roles help shape the conversation. Operations and client-services people protect the details that allow a good idea to arrive well on the day.

There is another useful pattern here. A bureau does not have to be treated as a catalogue. It can be a thinking partner at the point where the organiser is still working out the question. That makes the first written brief important. The clearer the audience, purpose, constraints and desired change, the more useful the response can be.

For leaders planning a Canadian event, the practical lesson is simple: ask about fit before fame, and ask about the work around the stage as well as the stage itself. The best booking relationship should make the event easier to understand, easier to prepare and more likely to produce a useful next step for the audience.

It also helps to separate the visible role from the whole team effort. A person may be the name in the email, while other colleagues carry research, contracts, logistics, marketing or client care. Respecting that wider system leads to clearer questions and a smoother experience for everyone involved.

Start by writing down the event in plain words. Who is attending? What do they need to think about differently? What must happen after the session? Include the date, location, audience size, format and any subjects or approaches that are clearly in or out of scope.

Then use the roles in this list to choose the right kind of first conversation. A senior agent may help with speaker fit and availability. A bureau leader may be useful when the brief is still taking shape. A person close to client service, sales or operations may be especially relevant when the event has many moving parts.

When you contact a bureau, ask for a written response that explains why the suggested speaker fits the audience and purpose. Ask what preparation the format requires, what the organiser needs to provide and what the speaker can reasonably help the audience do next. Those questions create a better decision than a name and a biography alone.

Keep the written brief short enough to use, but rich enough to guide judgement. A few honest lines about the tension in the room are often more useful than a long list of preferred topics. If the event is still changing, say so. The right bureau professional can then help you refine the question as well as answer it.

A speaker bureau agent helps an event organiser define the brief, identify suitable speakers, discuss availability and fees, and move the booking through to delivery. The best agents also help both sides understand the audience, the purpose and the practical conditions around the event.

Start with fit rather than geography alone. A Canadian bureau may bring useful local context and relationships, while a North American or international bureau may open access to a different specialist. The right choice depends on the audience, the message, the format and the support required.

Earlier is usually better, especially when the date is fixed or the brief involves a senior leader, a specialist topic or a complex programme. Contacting a bureau while the event is still being shaped gives the conversation room to cover purpose, audience and delivery rather than only availability.

Include the event purpose, audience, date, location, format, expected outcome and any practical constraints. It also helps to explain what the audience already knows and what you want them to do differently afterwards. A clear brief gives the bureau something useful to match against.

The people behind a speaker bureau can shape an event long before the speaker walks on stage. They help an organiser clarify the brief, test the fit, compare formats and understand the practical work that sits around a booking. That contribution is easy to miss when the search starts and ends with a famous name.

This list is a starting point, not a substitute for a thoughtful written conversation. Use it to understand the kinds of roles involved, then describe your audience, purpose, timing and desired change in enough detail for a bureau to respond well. Keep the question centred on what the event needs to make possible.

For a leadership event, the useful outcome is not only a strong hour on stage. It is a room that leaves with a clearer idea, a more honest conversation or a practical action that can survive the following Monday. Begin by writing that desired next step down, then send the brief to the people best placed to help you shape it.

The next action can be small. Write the audience, purpose, date and desired change in one short note, then ask for a written view of the format and speaker fit. That gives the conversation somewhere useful to begin and keeps the decision connected to the event you are actually trying to create.

If you are choosing a speaker for a leadership event, read 50 Keys to Choosing a High-Stakes Keynote Speaker. If the keynote needs to become better leadership practice after the applause, 25 Ways Working Genius Transforms Executive Teams offers another useful lens.

If your next event needs a keynote, workshop or facilitated leadership conversation, email jonno@consultclarity.org with the audience, purpose and date. A written brief is the best place to start.

Jonno White helps leaders build organisations people would move cities to work at. His work is practical rather than motivational, giving leaders something they can use on Monday morning, not a feeling that fades by Friday.