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 speaking events:
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January 25th & 26th, 2027: Ilona will be presenting at Cannexus27, Beyond Survey Fatigue Lab: Hands on support for evaluation & impact measurement. The session will be held in person at Rogers Stadium in Ottawa, Canada on January 25 from 2:45–3:45 p.m. ET and again on January 26 from 10:55–11:55 a.m. ET.
Recent speaking events:
- August 12th 2026: Ilona was a panelist at Sustainable Community Aid Network (SCAN)'s International Youth Day Webinar, Youth Leading Change: Empowering the Next Generation for Poverty Reduction, Climate Action, and Shared Prosperity, held virtually.
- July 1st 2026: Ilona conducted a workshop at the World Economic Forum's Global Shapers Annual Summit 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland.
- January 28th 2026: Valentina presented at Cannexus 2026 in Ottawa, Ontario.
- January 22nd 2026: Ilona spoke at the Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association Operations, Health & Safety Seminar in Mississauga, Ontario.
Past Clients
We are grateful to have supported with the following organisations through keynotes and presentations:
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