Member since December 2024
Valerie McTavish is a growth activator, speaker, and workshop facilitator who helps leaders and business owners build resilient teams, spark creativity, and drive sustainable growth. With over 30 years of experience in media, communication, and business strategy, she has developed a reputation for delivering transformative insights that challenge conventional thinking and inspire decisive action.
A former media professional, Valerie has worked with top broadcasters like CBC, CityTV, and Chum Radio, with her work featured nationally on Bravo, MuchMusic, and The Globe and Mail. She has been interviewed on numerous podcasts, and her innovative Spontaneity Dice have been featured on Breakfast Television and Salon Magazine.
As a sought-after speaker and facilitator, she has delivered talks, panels, and workshops for organizations including Energy Medicine Professional Association, Kelowna Women in Business, Chic Collective, Conscious Business Festival, and industry summits. Known for her engaging, research-driven approach, she helps leaders and teams shift from rigid structures to dynamic, creative thinking—empowering them to navigate uncertainty with confidence and agility.
Her interactive presentations are designed to ignite new perspectives, spark high-impact decision-making, and equip audiences with practical tools for sustainable growth and lasting change. Whether speaking to executive teams, entrepreneurs, or innovation-driven organizations, Valerie brings energy, expertise, and actionable strategies that inspire real transformation.
What gets me excited? Witnessing those 'lightbulb moments' when leaders realize the power of spontaneity to fuel innovation and resilience. Whether it’s guiding a team through creative problem-solving or helping leaders uncover their authentic voice, I love empowering others to find clarity and momentum in their work.
There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a paradigm shift—the moment someone sees a challenge from a completely new perspective and realizes the incredible possibilities ahead. Those shifts don’t just spark ideas; they create momentum, build confidence, and inspire bold action.
One of my favorite stories is from my time as a TV producer. A last-minute host cancellation left me scrambling for a segment on beekeeping. So, I had to fill in which meant wearing a live bee beard on air. Having hundreds of bees crawling all over my face and neck was terrifying. But, thanks to the power of spontaneity it also became great television. That experience shaped how I approach challenges today, and it’s a story I love sharing with audiences as an example of how unexpected moments can lead to creative breakthroughs.
I started my career in television and advertising, where I mastered the art of storytelling and communication strategy. Over the years, I realized I wanted to do more than share stories—I wanted to help others create their own.
My aha moment came while hosting my podcast, Be More Spontaneous. That’s when I discovered the incredible impact spontaneity has on resilience, creativity, and, ultimately, growth. I saw how stepping into moments of uncertainty and embracing the unexpected could lead to breakthroughs not just in ideas but in confidence and clarity.
Paired with my passion for authenticity, I recognized how powerful it is for leaders to align their actions and communication with their true selves. When leaders stand firmly in their authenticity, they foster trust, inspire their teams, and open doors to new possibilities for growth. These insights became the foundation of my keynotes and workshops, which are designed to empower leaders to embrace their unique voice, spark innovation, and lead with bold confidence in an ever-changing world.
When routines become ruts, creativity takes a backseat, and uncertainty paralyzes decision-making, leaders need a fresh approach to spark innovation and drive growth. This engaging and actionable talk equips leaders with strategies to shatter the status quo, foster resilient teams, and confidently navigate disruption.
Valerie McTavish introduces the concept of “spontaneous disruption” as a tool for breaking free from rigid thinking and embracing unexpected opportunities. Through real-world examples, compelling data, and interactive exercises, this talk provides a roadmap for cultivating a culture where creativity and adaptability thrive.
Target Audience:
Designed for leaders, managers, and teams ready to challenge the status quo, this talk delivers value to both novice and experienced audiences seeking bold, innovative strategies for growth.
Audience Takeaways:
✓ Practical tools to foster a culture of innovation and adaptability.
✓ Strategies for overcoming the fear of disruption and transforming challenges into opportunities.
✓ A mindset shift to embrace spontaneity as a catalyst for growth and change.
Whether addressing emerging leaders or seasoned executives, this talk delivers the tools, mindset, and inspiration needed to spark lasting innovation, build resilience, and lead teams boldly into the future.
As AI-generated content floods the digital space, leaders face a new challenge: how to rise above the noise and genuinely connect. Authenticity is the differentiator, but in an age of automation, showing up as your true self can feel like uncharted territory.
This compelling talk equips leaders and business owners with the tools to amplify their authentic voice, build trust, and elevate their thought leadership. Valerie McTavish shares actionable strategies for aligning personal genius with professional goals, crafting messages that resonate, and standing out in the sea of sameness that AI creates.
Target Audience:
Ideal for leaders, entrepreneurs, and team managers looking to build influence and trust in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Audience Takeaways:
✓ Practical techniques to uncover and amplify your authentic voice for greater impact.
✓ Strategies for creating trust and connection through storytelling and aligned communication.
✓ Insights into building a personal brand that thrives in the AI era without losing authenticity.
With Valerie’s actionable insights and relatable approach, this talk inspires leaders to embrace authenticity as their most powerful asset, creating meaningful connections that leave a lasting impact.
In business, confidence isn’t just a personal asset—it’s a professional advantage. Yet, many women face hurdles rooted in societal conditioning, implicit biases, and internalized beliefs that make showing up confidently a daily challenge. This inspiring and actionable talk delves into the origins of the confidence gap, explores how it manifests for women in leadership and entrepreneurial roles and provides practical strategies to overcome it.
Through storytelling, research-backed insights, and interactive exercises, attendees will:
✓ Recognize how the confidence gap affects decision-making, leadership, and business growth.
✓ Learn how to identify and dismantle limiting beliefs that hold them back.
✓ Gain the three-step "ARC" framework to build lasting self-assurance and show up authentically in any professional setting.
Ideal for women leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations committed to empowering female talent, this talk provides a roadmap for bridging the gap and achieving success on their own terms.
One of my favorite stories is from my time as a TV producer. A last-minute host cancellation left me scrambling for a segment on beekeeping. So, I had to fill in which meant wearing a live bee beard on air. Having hundreds of bees crawling all over my face and neck was terrifying. But, thanks to the power of spontaneity it also became great television. That experience shaped how I approach challenges today, and it’s a story I love sharing with audiences as an example of how unexpected moments can lead to creative breakthroughs.
I started my career in television and advertising, where I mastered the art of storytelling and communication strategy. Over the years, I realized I wanted to do more than share stories—I wanted to help others create their own.
My aha moment came while hosting my podcast, Be More Spontaneous. That’s when I discovered the incredible impact spontaneity has on resilience, creativity, and, ultimately, growth. I saw how stepping into moments of uncertainty and embracing the unexpected could lead to breakthroughs not just in ideas but in confidence and clarity.
Paired with my passion for authenticity, I recognized how powerful it is for leaders to align their actions and communication with their true selves. When leaders stand firmly in their authenticity, they foster trust, inspire their teams, and open doors to new possibilities for growth. These insights became the foundation of my keynotes and workshops, which are designed to empower leaders to embrace their unique voice, spark innovation, and lead with bold confidence in an ever-changing world.
When routines become ruts, creativity takes a backseat, and uncertainty paralyzes decision-making, leaders need a fresh approach to spark innovation and drive growth. This engaging and actionable talk equips leaders with strategies to shatter the status quo, foster resilient teams, and confidently navigate disruption.
Valerie McTavish introduces the concept of “spontaneous disruption” as a tool for breaking free from rigid thinking and embracing unexpected opportunities. Through real-world examples, compelling data, and interactive exercises, this talk provides a roadmap for cultivating a culture where creativity and adaptability thrive.
Target Audience:
Designed for leaders, managers, and teams ready to challenge the status quo, this talk delivers value to both novice and experienced audiences seeking bold, innovative strategies for growth.
Audience Takeaways:
✓ Practical tools to foster a culture of innovation and adaptability.
✓ Strategies for overcoming the fear of disruption and transforming challenges into opportunities.
✓ A mindset shift to embrace spontaneity as a catalyst for growth and change.
Whether addressing emerging leaders or seasoned executives, this talk delivers the tools, mindset, and inspiration needed to spark lasting innovation, build resilience, and lead teams boldly into the future.
As AI-generated content floods the digital space, leaders face a new challenge: how to rise above the noise and genuinely connect. Authenticity is the differentiator, but in an age of automation, showing up as your true self can feel like uncharted territory.
This compelling talk equips leaders and business owners with the tools to amplify their authentic voice, build trust, and elevate their thought leadership. Valerie McTavish shares actionable strategies for aligning personal genius with professional goals, crafting messages that resonate, and standing out in the sea of sameness that AI creates.
Target Audience:
Ideal for leaders, entrepreneurs, and team managers looking to build influence and trust in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Audience Takeaways:
✓ Practical techniques to uncover and amplify your authentic voice for greater impact.
✓ Strategies for creating trust and connection through storytelling and aligned communication.
✓ Insights into building a personal brand that thrives in the AI era without losing authenticity.
With Valerie’s actionable insights and relatable approach, this talk inspires leaders to embrace authenticity as their most powerful asset, creating meaningful connections that leave a lasting impact.
In business, confidence isn’t just a personal asset—it’s a professional advantage. Yet, many women face hurdles rooted in societal conditioning, implicit biases, and internalized beliefs that make showing up confidently a daily challenge. This inspiring and actionable talk delves into the origins of the confidence gap, explores how it manifests for women in leadership and entrepreneurial roles and provides practical strategies to overcome it.
Through storytelling, research-backed insights, and interactive exercises, attendees will:
✓ Recognize how the confidence gap affects decision-making, leadership, and business growth.
✓ Learn how to identify and dismantle limiting beliefs that hold them back.
✓ Gain the three-step "ARC" framework to build lasting self-assurance and show up authentically in any professional setting.
Ideal for women leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations committed to empowering female talent, this talk provides a roadmap for bridging the gap and achieving success on their own terms.