Speaker Slam® Unveils Judges for the 2025 "Leaders" competition
Aug 20, 2025
Speaker Slam®, North America's largest inspirational speaking competition, returns with a theme that celebrates vision, influence, and the courage to lead with integrity.
Join us on September 16th, 2025, at the iconic Lula Lounge in Toronto for “Leaders” an unforgettable evening where powerful voices share stories of stepping up, inspiring others, and making bold decisions that shape the future. These are stories of responsibility, authenticity, and the ability to create change even in the face of uncertainty.
This event is a celebration of those who guide with heart, empower others to rise, and stand firm in their values when it matters most. Each speaker will take the stage with a personal narrative that reminds us: true leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about impact.
Meet Your Judges for "Leaders"
We’re proud to introduce our esteemed panel of judges, visionaries in storytelling, leadership, and impact who will guide and elevate the incredible voices competing in this life-changing event.
Klaudia Zinaty
Founder & CEO, Women Empowerment Awards & The Women Empowerment Foundation
Halton Hills, Ontario, Canada
Klaudia Zinaty is a visionary leader, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for women’s empowerment. As the President and Founder of the Women Empowerment Awards and Foundation, Klaudia has led a transformative movement dedicated to amplifying women’s voices and creating opportunities for success, collaboration, and growth.
With an extensive background in marketing, media, PR, and business, Klaudia is recognized as a trailblazer, inspiring women across Canada to break barriers and reach their full potential. A sought-after speaker, she has delivered keynote addresses at notable events nationally and internationally. Her initiatives provide mentorship, recognition, and resources that empower women entrepreneurs and professionals.
Simon Ostler
Media Strategist, Consultant, Journalism Instructor
Springfield, Ontario, Canada
Simon spent two decades in some of Canada’s top newsrooms. Now, as a media strategist and consultant, he helps clients shape their stories, grow their personal brands, and seize every media opportunity. As a journalism instructor, he’s passionate about teaching the next generation and equipping them with the skills to thrive in the rapidly evolving world of media.
Camille Dundas
Founder of The IDEA Practice, Editor-in-Chief of ByBlacks, Entrepreneur and Educator
Whitby, Ontario, Canada
Camille Dundas is a purpose-driven leader specializing in strategic communications and equity-centred leadership.
She's worked as a TV news producer for 10 years, and co-founded ByBlacks.com, Canada’s top Black online news magazine, scaling it into an award-winning platform recognized by national institutions, including the Prime Minister’s Office.
As founder of the IDEA Practice, Camille is the architect of Canada's first university-accredited online DEI micro-credential, adopted by over 1,100 professionals. Her facilitation work includes global companies such as Google, AstraZeneca, and KPMG, where she educates executive teams on inclusive leadership.
Zarak Fatah
Entrepreneur, Empowerment Mentor
Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
Zarak Fatah is not your typical speaker. He’s a former nightlife mogul who built 14 businesses across restaurants, nightclubs, and wellness. At the height of success, he walked away from it all—driven by an inner voice that whispered: “There’s more to life than this.”
Today, Zarak helps high-achieving men and entrepreneurs evolve into the most aligned, embodied version of themselves. Through his coaching platform, The PATH, he’s helped hundreds of men build emotional resilience, deepen their relationships, elevate their leadership—and enjoy the life they’ve built.
The Prize Package
Our judges have generously contributed to a game-changing prize package designed to propel our winners to the next level of their speaking careers:
First Place
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Speaker Slam®: $2000 Cash Prize + Invitation to the Grand Slam.
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Camille Dundas: Premier Media Mastery Package One-hour session (plus one-month email/DM follow-up) includes personalized broadcast readiness coaching, media pitch development, interview preparation, and a personal review of your media strategy to elevate your visibility (Valued at $10,000).
- Simon Ostler: 3h Signature Story Strategy Session: one-on-one session with Simon, designed to help you craft, refine, and elevate your personal story for maximum impact. You’ll get actionable feedback, tailored messaging advice, and a concrete plan to position yourself as an authority in your field (Value: $3,000).
- Klaudia Zinaty: 3 hours of Marketing Consulting + Ticket to Elevate Festival.
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Zarak Fatah: The PATH group coaching program - Value $2997 USD
Second Place
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Speaker Slam®: Invitation to the Grand Slam.
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Camille Dundas: Elite Speaker Mentorship - A one-hour coaching session on your broadcast media presentation skills, media interview tips, and a personal review of your media strategy to elevate your visibility (Valued at $5,000).
- Simon Ostler: 2h Signature Story Strategy Session: one-on-one session with Simon, designed to help you craft, refine, and elevate your personal story for maximum impact. You’ll get actionable feedback, tailored messaging advice, and a concrete plan to position yourself as an authority in your field (Value: $2,000).
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Klaudia Zinaty: 1 hour of Marketing Consulting + Swag bag from Women Empowerment Awards worth over $1000 in products and services
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Zarak Fatah: The PATH online program - Value $997 USD
Third Place
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Speaker Slam®: Entry to Wildcard Race.
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Camille Dundas: Media Boost - One-hour session includes media interview tips and a personal review of your media strategy to elevate your visibility (Valued at $1,500).
- Simon Ostler: 1h Signature Story Strategy Session: one-on-one session with Simon, designed to help you craft, refine, and elevate your personal story for maximum impact. You’ll get actionable feedback, tailored messaging advice, and a concrete plan to position yourself as an authority in your field (Value: $1,000).
- Klaudia Zinaty: 1 Hour of Marketing Consulting.
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Zarak Fatah: 1 on 1 coaching session (60 minutes) Value $495 USD
