Youth & Innovation Project's managing director Ilona Dougherty is a popular keynote speaker, who speaks to audiences internationally about the value that young people have to offer to society and the economy. Ilona can be booked to speak at your event through Speaker's Spotlight @ requests@speakers.ca.
Upcoming Presentations:
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November 15th 2024: Valentina will be participating in the Beyond 2025 National Conference and AGM of Scouts Canada, which will be held in Ottawa.
Recordings of Recent Virtual Events
- Sept 25th 2024 : Valentina presented at Ceric's Empowering Youth for the Jobs of Today and Tomorrow webinar sponsored by RBC Future Launch.
- March 7th 2024: Ilona along the Youth Advisory Council presented 'Nothing About Us Without Us': Young People and the Youth & Innovation Project' as part of the Community Research-Based Canada e-learning series.
- January 30th 2024: Ilona and Valentina presented 'Insights into the future of work: Perspectives from young Canadians' at the Cannexus Conference in Ottawa, Ontario.
- October 18th 2023: Ilona spoke to the YMCA of Three Rivers at a private event in Guelph, Ontario. https://www.ymcathreerivers.ca/community-events/power-of-being-you
- October 3rd 2023: Ilona spoke to the Global and Mail on How are employers supporting Gen Z at work?
Past Clients
Recent clients include: Recipe Unlimited, NWT Chamber of Commerce, Coaching Association of Canada, United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, Cannexus - National Career Development Conference, YMCA Canada, Department of National Defence, Fordham University, Canadian Principals Association, Boys and Girls Club of Canada, Department of Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canada 2020, Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Canadian Parks Summit, Special Olympics Saskatchewan, University of Regina.
Testimonials
"Ilona Dougherty made the day worthwhile. She was engaging and provided practical advice and strategy."
- Participant, Department of National Defense Minister's Student Event
"The feedback we received was tremendous, Ilona’s presentation opened people’s eyes.”
- Sharad Kerur, Executive Director, Ontario Non Profit Housing Association
“We are not only happy that Ilona Dougherty came to speak on this important topic, but she is also an excellent example of an intelligent, energetic, young leader working hard to make a difference in our country.”
- The Right Honourable Kim Campbell, Founding Principal – Peter Lougheed Leadership College, University of Alberta
"Both our current (and future) students were inspired by your talk, and I’ve had several students approach me directly after the event and indicate that they were first timid, but are now inspired to take action on what they care about (yeah!).”
- Tania Del Matto, Director of GreenHouse - St. Paul’s University College
“With practical examples, research and humour, Ilona’s combination of insight and analysis brought our understanding of young adult engagement to a whole new level. So many people know that engaging young people is a critical issue, but Ilona allowed us to understand the Why and How of young adult engagement.”
- Organizer, Canadian Race Relations Foundation Conference
“We are grateful to have had someone of your expertise and credentials to address our group about engaging youth. It was a terrific presentation.”
- Coordinator, Canadian Ski Patrol Conference