Find Your Daily Yay.
Invisible Disability Speaker | Resilience Expert | Accessibility Advocate.
Helping organizations explore disability-related biases and beliefs to create inclusive cultures and to build resilience through joy, by discovering their “daily yay.”
Based in Mississauga (Greater Toronto Area), Ontario, Canada.
Watch Lauren’s Speaker Reel
Past Clients & Speaking Engagements
Lauren Pires’ Keynotes
Beyond What You See: Building Inclusion for Invisible Disabilities
Through personal stories and workplace insights, Lauren highlights the realities of invisible and non-apparent disabilities. She explores common myths, biases, and barriers — sharing practical ways organizations can foster awareness, empathy and an inclusive culture, so that all employees can thrive as their authentic selves.
Perfect for: Corporations, Government, HR, DEIA and Employee Wellness teams
Attendees will:
Recognize Invisible Disabilities: Understand the prevalence and diversity of invisible/non-apparent disabilities and how they impact employees at work.
Challenge Myths and Biases: Identify common misconceptions and ableist assumptions that create barriers to inclusion.
Foster Empathy and Belonging: Learn practical strategies to build awareness, normalize conversations, and create workplaces where employees feel supported to be their authentic selves.
Bias, Belief and Belonging: Rewriting Narratives on Disability and Acceptance
This keynote explores Lauren’s journey of embracing her invisible physical disability after 30+ years, common biases and beliefs around disability, and the transformative power of disclosure in fostering personal acceptance, community, and workplace inclusion.
Perfect for: Corporations, ERGs, Education, Associations
Attendees will:
Understand Disability Bias: Recognize and challenge common societal and workplace biases surrounding visible and invisible disabilities.
Learn The Benefits of Disclosure: Learn how the act of disclosing a disability can foster personal acceptance, strengthen community connections, and enhance workplace engagement.
Build Resilience Through Joy: Adopt practical strategies for cultivating joy and resilience, even in the face of challenges.
Seeking Strength: How to Build Resilience Through Small Moments of Joy
Lauren shares her journey from hiding her disability to fully embracing who she is. Through personal stories, she reveals how the pursuit of normalcy holds us back from confidence and connection. She introduces a simple three-step framework to help audiences let go of self-doubt, own their story, and show up fully in their lives.
Perfect for: Corporations, ERGs, Associations
Attendees will:
Discover how the pursuit of "normalcy" can hold you back and discover actionable strategies to embrace your authentic self.
Understand how sharing your story builds empathy and connection with others, while also finding your supportive community.
Apply the "Daily Yay" method to identify and create moments of joy, reframing challenges into opportunities for growth and gratitude.
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About Lauren Pires
Lauren Pires is an award-winning speaker on resilience, joy, and self-acceptance. Born with Central Core Disease, a rare neuromuscular disorder, she navigates life with 33% of the physical strength of the average person—but her unwavering spirit is at 100%.
Named #2 Inspirational Speaker of the Year in North America's largest inspirational speaking competition (Speaker Slam, 2023) and recognized globally on the D-30 Disability Impact List (Diversability, 2024), Lauren is a trailblazer in the disability advocacy space. She made history as the first Canadian recipient of the prestigious "But You LOOK Good" Inspiration Award (Invisible Disabilities Association, 2023), joining past honorees like Wayne Brady and Yolanda Hadid.
As Canada’s first and only Invisible Disabilities Association Ambassador, Lauren has raised over $5,000 USD for the nonprofit. She played a key role in the global Rare Disease Day #LightUpForRare campaign, leading the lighting of 21 monuments across 14 Canadian cities in 2025, and serves as an Ambassador for the Rick Hansen Foundation School Program.
Lauren believes resilience isn’t just about overcoming obstacles—it’s about embracing joy, saying yes to life, and showing up as your whole self. Through her speaking, she inspires others to own their story, stand in their truth, and find strength in the unseen.
Lauren has been featured on Breakfast Television, CityNews Toronto, GlobalNews.ca, RareDiseaseDay.org and more. She’s based in Mississauga (Greater Toronto Area), Ontario, Canada.