Shannon Talbot brings an unusual lens to leadership: 17 years running global teams and corporate initiatives across 25 countries, paired with more than a year mentoring men at a California medium-security prison. A former executive in financial services and advertising, Shannon now helps leaders spot what’s really going on with their teams, before it shows up in a resignation letter. She calls it The Leadership Mask: the protective behaviours leaders adopt that quietly cost them trust, energy, and their best people.

Known for relatable, funny, interactive sessions that energize a room instead of lecturing it, Shannon speaks on leadership, burnout, credibility, and organizational change. She holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, is a Certified Emotional Intelligence Practitioner, and is the author of Breaking Free: Stop Holding Back, Start Being You.