Speaking & Sharing
Sam Thiara is a 2 time TEDx presenter, an international speaker and storyteller whose words resonate deeply with audiences across educational institutions, corporations, and community organizations. He doesn’t just deliver talks — he creates conversations. Sam believes that in a world where everyone is doing, we rarely pause to ask why we do what we do. His sessions invite reflection, connection, and discovery, empowering participants to better understand who they are and how they can contribute meaningfully to those around them.
Sam’s signature keynote, “Do You CARE?”, explores four essential values for individuals, organizations, and society: Collaboration, Adaptability, Resilience, and Empathy. Each element challenges audiences to live and lead with greater intention and compassion. Beyond this talk, Sam shares insights on topics such as mindfulness, storytelling, leadership, mentorship, communication, and relationship building.
Whether he’s speaking to students, young professionals, educators, or business leaders, Sam’s approach is always personal, engaging, and interactive. His talks go beyond inspiration — they build bridges of understanding that last well beyond the event.
Topics for Individuals
-
Personal Branding – Understanding and appreciating who you are and the value you bring.
-
Personal Storytelling – Discovering and sharing your unique story to connect authentically with others.
Topics for Organizations
-
Team Development – Identifying challenges and co-creating meaningful solutions for stronger collaboration.
-
Relationship Management – Moving from transactional to transformational customer and client experiences.
Sam’s gift for storytelling lies in finding profound lessons in everyday moments. He uses simple metaphors — puzzle pieces that symbolize our individuality, footprints that become a keynote, and an hourglass that reminds us to cherish each day — to inspire reflection and action. His CARPE framework captures this philosophy:
Curiosity – Approach life with wonder and openness.
Appreciation – Value people, moments, and experiences.
Reflection – Find meaning through deeper thought.
Perspective – See situations through different lenses.
Experience – Turn learning into lasting impact.
Simply said, “When Sam speaks, people listen — and leave with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility.”
Represented by Ashlee Braxton
Sam is proud to be represented by Ashlee Braxton as his speaking agent.
Ashlee, a member of the legendary Braxton family, began her career in the music industry, where she developed a strong foundation in performance, production, and stage presence. Over nearly 15 years as an event manager, she has led and produced powerful experiences across the U.S. and Europe — always with a focus on connection, creativity, and authenticity.
Now based in Europe, Ashlee works as a professional emcee and public speaking coach, helping others discover their voice and command the stage with confidence.
Sam shares:
“I’ve always loved creating and delivering meaningful content, but seeking out opportunities wasn’t something I truly enjoyed. Through my friendship and conversations with Ashlee, she recognized the message and impact behind my work, and we both knew this partnership was the right fit.”
Together, Sam and Ashlee are dedicated to creating transformative speaking experiences that engage, empower, and connect audiences around the world.
If you’re interested in having Sam speak at your next event, please get in touch with Ashlee Braxton via ashlee@ashleebraxton.com
Discovering the Extraordinary in the Ordinary
Life is full of the ordinary and it consumes us; however, embedded in the ordinary is the extraordinary. It is about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. Many feel the extraordinary are those epic moments in life but reality is that it can be out of the ordinary. If you feel it is important to you and it is memorable, then you have just found the extraordinary in the ordinary. The extraordinary from the ordinary might be where you build a bookshelf without instructions or receive an unexpected letter from someone you have not heard from in ages. What makes it extraordinary is that you look at it from a deeper perspective and it turns something meaningless into meaningful.
Organizational Behaviour, Leadership & Entrepreneurship
As an Adjunct Professor, Sam taught organizational behaviour, leadership, and entrepreneurship courses at Simon Fraser University and Fraser Internal College at Simon Fraser University. These lecture topics can be adapted to professional audiences as well as students. There is flexibility if the audience would like to have a shortened or reduced program with key concepts structured to the participants. Content covered includes organizational culture, team work, conflict negotiations, power and politics, leadership, communications and many other concepts.
As an accomplished speaker, he is also asked to speak as a keynote speaker at many conferences on personal and professional development. Past keynotes: “How to leave a lasting impression and not just a footprint”; “Personal storytelling – we all have something to say”; “What defines you – an understanding of how YOU are the journey” and many more topics.
Professional and Conference Testimonials
“Sam delivered an engaging and insightful session for our team. In under an hour, he created meaningful reflection and dialogue, helping us shift from problem-solving to strength-based thinking. His ability to connect concepts with practical application left the team inspired and equipped with tools to build stronger collaboration and purpose in our work.”
Angelina Li, MBA, Vice – President, North Shore, Commercial Financial Services, RBC
“Sam was our keynote speaker for our insurance leaders conference of just over 100 delegates in May 2025. He made an instant connection with our audience with his CARE presentation and customized it a step further for our conference theme by drawing the link between leading with a ‘people first’ company culture and the positive impact it has on profitability. The only mistake we made is that we didn’t give Sam enough time—after reading the reviews from participants, we are now inviting him back to our 2026 conference.”
John Dickinson – Executive Director, Credit Union Insurance Services Association
“An accomplished leader, coach, and author, Sam is the first person to call when you are seeking clarity, truth, and energy for your organization or conference. Not only is he able to lift up your thoughts and ideas, he’s able to bring them to practical use in today’s world. With a global mindset and local understanding, he takes on every challenge and expertly delivers it with grace and humility. Engaging individuals, through his written and spoken words, he enables you to reflect and learn more about yourself and what you’re capable off that impacts the larger audience.”
Reem Al-Ghanim – HR Business Consultant, Saudi Aramco and Chair, Leadership Excellence for Women Awards and Symposium (LEWAS)
“Sam Thiara is an elegant, honest and thoughtful presenter. He was able to inspire our mentoring pilot group to think about their leadership and impact as mentors and mentees in new and creative ways. His stories were engaging and relevant. It was a pleasure to have Sam lead our session. He provided practical and simple ways for people to create meaningful stories our of everyday experiences and look for the extraordinary in the ordinary. I would recommend Sam as a speaker at your next event.”
Jennifer Deane, BA, CPCC – Management Development Advisor, Vancouver Coastal Health
“Thank you so much for speaking at the Team ALS BC &Yukon Volunteer Conference. It was great to meet you. Your presentation was very well received by all the participants. In fact, several of them noted your presentation as what they most liked about attending the conference. Some of the comments we received from our survey are “ Presentation well done; good use of personal story ”, “ He was funny, entertaining, interactive and kept us captivated ” and “ Terrific way to kick of the conference, very inspiring .”
Susan Hampton – ALS Society, BC and Yukon