Lauren Pires’ Keynotes
The below presentations are perfect for:
Resilience-themed events
Belonging-themed events
Team-building and Lunch & Learns
Employee Resource Groups
Youth, Student & Young Adult inspiration events
Women’s Empowerment events
Disability-related events such as:
Rare Disease Month/Day (February)
Mobility Awareness Month, National AccessAbility Week & Global Accessibility Awareness Day (May)
Disability Pride Month (July)
National Disability Employment Awareness Month & Invisible Disabilities Week (October)
International Day for Persons with Disabilities (December)
Lauren also offers customized presentations based on your needs and interests.
Reach out to discuss what you’re looking for!
Beyond What You See: Building Inclusion for Invisible Disabilities
Best for: Corporations, Government, HR, DEIA & Employee Wellness teams
In “Beyond What You See: Building Inclusion for Invisible Disabilities,” Lauren brings visibility to what often goes unseen in the workplace: invisible and non-apparent disabilities. She shares her journey of largely hiding her disability in her professional life at a nonprofit arts organization and music festival for 10+ years, and the shift that happened when she began inviting others in.
Drawing on lived experience and workplace insights, Lauren sheds light on the “disability iceberg” and the many challenges that remain hidden below the surface. She explores the intersectionality and reasons employees often choose not to disclose their disabilities, the myths and biases that shape perceptions, and how empathy-driven inclusion can transform culture.
This keynote goes beyond awareness to action, offering practical tools for colleagues and leaders to create supportive environments where disclosure feels safe and inclusion is the norm. From communication strategies to dispelling everyday myths, Lauren provides methods for workplaces to better support all employees—whether their disability is visible or not.
By the end of this session, 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 & Belonging: Rewriting Narratives on Disability and Acceptance
Best for: Corporations, ERGs, Education, Associations
"Bias, Belief and Belonging: Rewriting Narratives on Disability and Acceptance" highlights Lauren’s journey of living with a rare neuromuscular disorder, and the pivotal moments that led her from hiding her invisible disability for over 30 years to embracing all parts of herself.
Drawing from personal experiences and workplace insights, Lauren discusses common biases surrounding disability, the societal assumptions about quality of life, and the challenges of disclosure. She highlights how sharing her story transformed her life, from finding community to inspiring others with similar experiences.
The talk also addresses the professional and personal benefits of disclosure, emphasizing how it enables individuals to connect authentically and engage fully as their whole selves. Through relatable anecdotes, disability statistics, and actionable takeaways, Lauren encourages audiences to challenge preconceived notions about disability and foster inclusivity in their spaces.
By the end of this session, attendees will:
Understanding Disability Bias: Recognize and challenge common societal and workplace biases surrounding visible and invisible disabilities.
The Benefits of Disclosure: Learn how the act of disclosing a disability can foster personal acceptance, strengthen community connections, and enhance workplace engagement.
Creating Joy and Resilience: 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
Best for: Corporations, ERGs, Associations
In “Seeking Strength: How to Build Resilience Through Small Moments of Joy,” Lauren shares her journey from hiding her rare neuromuscular disorder to fully embracing who she is. Through personal stories — like sharing her truth on a second date — Lauren 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.
With her signature concept, “The Daily Yay,” Lauren reframes resilience as an everyday practice of joy and self-acceptance. Audiences will leave inspired to stop shrinking themselves to fit in and start embracing what makes them truly unique.
By the end of this session, 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.
Client Reviews
-
![]()
Lisa Paterson - VP, Operations & Pre-Claim Services, GroupHEALTH Benefit Solutions
“I had the pleasure of inviting Lauren to speak at a company event [for] the Int'l Day of Persons with Disabilities. She was a delight to work with...very responsive following my inquiry and incredibly collaborative in building a presentation that would work for our team. Her presentation was phenomenal and very well received. It can be difficult to create engagement in a virtual setting but Lauren did a great sparking discussion, and all of us were moved and inspired by her story.”
-
![]()
Kurtis Chow - Senior Specialist, People Operations | People & Culture ARC’TERYX Equipment
"I feel so great about how this Lunch & Learn went. When I saw the depth of questions that showed up in the chat, and some people who came off camera, I was like "this had real impact". It was an excellent 101 and it just opens up so many more questions on this topic, I really wish we had more time."
-
![]()
Urmila Puran - Student Life Coordinator, University of Guelph-Humber
”I had the opportunity to work with Lauren at our Annual Last Lecture event. Lauren attended as our Alum Speaker. She delivered a motivating and impactful speech to the Class of 2024. Working with Lauren was seamless and fun. She followed the guidelines of what was requested and put deep thought into what she wanted to say. This made it easy for us to approve her speech ahead of the deadline. Lauren is a pleasure to work with and I highly recommend her for your next motivational engagement!”
-
![]()
Estelle Gonzalez-Fadel - Curriculum Head/Teacher, Peel District School Board
“As part of Asian Heritage Month, Lauren [spoke to] staff and students [at Clarkson Secondary School] for our Speaker series. She shared her own story and lived experiences with overcoming adversity and embracing joy; emphasizing the significance of owning who you are and finding the "yay" in all of life's circumstances. She was inspiring, innovative, and diverse with her delivery, and her desire to connect with the crowd was evident - which is essential for speaking to teens and educators.”
-
![]()
Lilly Shaw - VP of Accessibility, Chronic Health Advocates at George Washington University
”Lauren visited our college group, Chronic Health Advocates, to give a virtual speech titled There is No Normal: 3 Steps to Owning Who You Are in honor of Rare Disease Month. Through her speech, she inspired our audience to think critically and reflect on their lived experiences through reflection exercises and discussion. Her presentation was interactive and engaging, even for a college audience. It was clear she was comfortable and practiced in public speaking, and her passion for advocacy and inspiration was evident. I would highly recommend her to other organizations looking for an eloquent and engaging guest speaker.”
-
![]()
Somto Onyewuchi-Ohiri - Breaking it Down Workshop Series Organizer, Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School
“Lauren has a remarkable talent for educating listeners and turning her story into something anyone can connect with. What stood out most was her ability to connect with the young audience — whether through thought-provoking questions, relatable examples, or clear, practical takeaways.
If you’re looking for a speaker who can educate, inspire, and energize your audience, Lauren is the perfect choice. I definitely wouldn’t hesitate to invite her back and would highly recommend her for any educational or inspirational event.”
Contact Lauren Pires
Looking for an invisible disability speaker on resilience or belonging for virtual or in-person talks, panels or interviews? Send a message to find out how I can help!