Emily Nichols, Professional Speaker

Surprise! Tonight’s talk is an encore performance, a love letter to my speaker friends and colleagues. Clean out your keynote!

Tonight’s talk is an encore performance, a love letter to my speaker friends and colleagues. Clean out your keynote!

Join Us. Wear Red. Bring Your Questions!
CAPS Toronto's next in-person event is THIS Monday, February 12th, 2024.

Register Now: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/meet-the-experts-from-caps-toronto-tickets-811393097597?aff=oddtdtcreator

Here’s your reminder that CAPS Toronto’s next in-person event is on Monday, February 12, 2024.

Not only will this be an evening of education and fun, you’ll get to meet 6 of our Chapter’s experts as they each share insights about one area of their business that could benefit you right away.

Emily Nichols will help you: CLEAN OUT YOUR KEYNOTE. Everybody’s fridge needs a good cleanout now and then. What about your vocabulary? Emily Will help you tweak your vocabulary and better connect with your audience. Now you’re talking!

Donald Cooper explains: How to create & deliver compelling value that gets you booked…and then gets you booked again! Who doesn’t want repeat bookings? Well, stop crossing your fingers and hoping they like you. Donald will share specific strategies to have your client’s booking your return presentation sooner than you think.

Randall Craig brings some of his LET’S TALK MONEY Pre-Convention wisdom to his home Chapter.

Ingrid Palmer explains how you can monetize The Art of Inclusion to make you a more desirable speaker/trainer/coach.

Jason Reid shares insights on storytelling that not only make your presentations more compelling, but increases your bottom line.

AND meet Sarah McVanel’s Systems…Running your Speaking Business with Trello, Checklists & Team Collaboration

PLUS: a few surprises to help make your Valentine’s week lots of fun.

Register Now: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/meet-the-experts-from-caps-toronto-tickets-811393097597?aff=oddtdtcreator !

This is me four years ago. At the time, I wrote “I can’t believe how much fun I had hosting momondays Toronto last night!! I need to do more of this stuff 😁 Thanks Michel 🙌”

Last week, I emcee’d my largest event yet. Two full days plus an evening gala. I introduced more than 40 speakers, gave three customized land acknowledgments, fielded dozens of questions from the audience, and just generally had a blast “engineering” the experience.

More of this, please! If you know someone who’s hiring an , send them my way.

And thank you for trusting me to guest host when I was still so new to this kind of work. 🙌

Three weeks to go, until I speak at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac 🤩 to my speaker colleagues at Canadian Association of Professional Speakers 💜

Tweak your vocabulary. Connect with your audience. Now you’re talking!

𝑪𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒌𝒆𝒚𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆!
𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐬

Sunday, December 10, 2023 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Milk goes sour, vegetables rot in the bottom drawer, and everybody’s fridge needs a good cleanout now and then. What about your vocabulary? Expired words and dated phrases can spoil your reputation, but a few new words can make a world of difference.

Emily Nichols is an engineer who loved working in factories, but she didn’t always love being ‘one of the guys’. Authentic and entertaining, Emily reminds us that words become habits, language evolves, and that we might want to revisit our word choices, on and off the platform. Tweak your vocabulary. Connect with your audience. Now you’re talking!

Join us in beautiful Quebec City at the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers Annual Convention - 2023
www.capsconvention.com

Out last night to celebrate my busiest and most successful season of business yet. The past 5-6-7 weeks have been intense and I have loved every minute of sharing wisdom with, creating experience for, and learning from my audiences.

Just two weeks to go! The ONWiE Summit is a rich source of research and best practices for making engineering a more equitable and welcoming profession for all. I’m looking forward to two great days of learning, plus the gala evening featuring researcher and author Erin A. Cech.

Hosted in Hamilton, ON, Nov 14-15. Tickets available until Nov 1st!

Coming up in November…the Biennial Summit of the Ontario Network of Women in Engineering (ONWiE). This year’s theme is “Diversity through Inclusion”. Come hear the latest research, case studies, and success stories on increasing gender diversity in engineering.

Emily Nichols, P.Eng, B.Sc.(Eng), MA.Sc.(Eng) and S.e.n.s.e. (of Humour)

Speaking from the stage, the factory floor, or the TEDx red dot, Emily Nichols nudges technical people to embrace their human skills, so they can become better problem solvers, team players, and leaders.

A professional engineer with decades of experience in manufacturing and innovation, Emily has worked with organizations like PepsiCo, PPG, Janssen, and Henkel, improving products and processes from breakfast cereal to automotive paint and electrical steel. Emily easily connects at all levels of organizations, inspiring deeper understanding and collaborative teamwork.

Emily has a B.Sc. in Systems Engineering (University of Guelph) and a M.A.Sc. in Chemical Engineering (McMaster University). She summarized her master’s thesis in five Dr. Seuss rhymes.

What's the cost of inauthentic leadership? That’s the big question Roxanne Derhodge poses in her new book, Return on Relationships.

🎙On her podcast, Roxanne and I discuss the link between Return on Relationships and my TEDx talk, 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙛 𝙬𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 “𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙪𝙮𝙨”?

We dig into:
· the gender roles we observed as young kids
· the connection between language and concrete concerns in the world
· and what men can do to create more gender-equal workplaces.

🎧 Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts: https://roxannederhodge.com/gender-parity-and-the-ror-part-1-with-emily-nichols/

🍿 Missed the TEDx talk? Find it here: https://youtu.be/nJRO6QVzYRE



Roxanne Ramoutar-Derhodge
Roxanne Derhodge Consulting

Sharing another milestone with you. What fun number should we celebrate next?

June 26: 1,123 views
July 12: 1,555 views

No more school, no more books…that was 20 years ago!! Wow, we are experienced. Thanks University of Guelph Alumni for the anniversary pin and especially the handwritten note.

The university years were amazing and exhausting, and I was excited to graduate and get to work (read: leave school behind!!!) But over the years, I’ve given back a bit - industry networking nights, guest speaking - and U of G has supported me too - reco’s for grad school, and most recently an article about my TEDx talk: https://www.uoguelph.ca/ceps/news/2023/06/guelph-engineer-asks-%E2%80%9Cwhat-if-we-didn%E2%80%99t-have-be-%E2%80%98one-guys%E2%80%99

If I had a do-over, I’d look at graduation less like the end of an era, and more like a mile marker along the way. And I’d work harder at staying in touch. What about you?

1,123 seems like a fun milestone to celebrate! Thanks for all your shares so far. Together, we are “getting the word out”!

Today Ontario Society of Professional Engineers is sharing all-new content from yours truly, as we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day Stay tuned throughout the day!!

To celebrate International Women in Engineering Day on June 23, we are sharing all-new content from OSPE member and TEDx speaker Emily Nichols, P.Eng. Watch our digital channels this Friday to hear from Emily about building a gender-equal profession.

Learn more about Emily and watch her TEDx talk: https://bit.ly/3XnZ36M

Today Ontario Society of Professional Engineers is sharing all-new content from yours truly, as we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day Stay tuned throughout the day!!

What if we didn't have to be "one of the guys"? | Emily Nichols | TEDxMcMasterU Emily Nichols (P. Eng.) at TEDxMcMasterU 2023. ’s an engineer who loved working in facto...

⁉️ Are you “one of the guys”? Once upon a time, I was "one of the guys”, and that meant, I had made it.

🥾 But after two engineering degrees, three manufacturing plants, and seven pairs of work boots, I started to wonder...

💥 What if we didn’t have to be “one of the guys”? 💥

🌍 I created this TEDx talk to take you on a journey. To give you a peek into industry, a glimpse of my experience, a window on … wait! Before I tell you all that, I want to give you a chance to form your own first impression!!

⏱ The stories behind the story — why I wrote this TEDx talk, what I hope it will accomplish — they’ll come out by and by. For now, watch and enjoy.

🎤 And add your first impressions below!

Are you “one of the guys”? • Emily Nichols She’s an engineer who loved working in factories, but she didn’t always love being “one of the guys”. Emily Nichols reminds us that words become habits, language evolves, and we control them both.

📬I’ve got mail! Socks to go with my TEDx talk, plus FROG cards and a note recognizing the impact it’s going to make. Thank you 🙌 Your friendship and support mean the world 🌍

P.S. if you’re wondering where to find my talk, it’s coming soon to the TEDx channel on YouTube. Stay tuned…🤩

"You'll be riding with meee!"

With this one gleeful statement, welcomed me into her country and community. We didn't know each other (yet!), but she knew I was a member of and she welcomed me with open arms, picking me up early the next morning with coffee and jaffles at the ready.

This is the kind of welcome you dream of when you land on the other side of the world for a speaking engagement. And when you find out the person welcoming you is a professional speaker herself, a business owner, member of PSASA...you just know you're in the hands of somebody who "gets" you.

Today is the first worldwide , and yes, it falls on . Professional speakers grow and share the pie - we support each other, challenge each other, and our international network of speaker colleagues means...𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨.

⁉️ Need training that's fun? that works? that sticks?
⁉️ Facilitated networking, problem-solving, team-building?
⁉️ Or an emcee who can transform an event into an experience?

Call a . We know people. 🤩

🤩 I did it!! Last Saturday, I delivered the closing talk at TEDx McMasterU. 🎤 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙛 𝙬𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣'𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 "𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙪𝙮𝙨"? 🎤

⁉️ How'd it go? Pretty much exactly as I hoped. Isn't it amazing when things go according to plan?

⁉️ How'd it feel? I was excited, but more than EVER, my excitement felt grounded, relaxed, and calm. Check out the first picture - I'm about to deliver my closing lines and I'm loving the moment, the audience, everything. And the group selfie!!! Success like this means so much more with family, friends and fans to share it with.

⁉️ Did I actually wear work boots on the red dot? You bet.

⁉️ Was I nervous? I decided not to be. Preparation was done and the order of the day was to relax and soak up every moment. I enjoyed all the talks and performances...even the one I watched from backstage right before going on. (This was a skill I learned as a kid in piano recitals, but over the years I forgot alllll about it.)

⁉️ Am I relieved it's over? No way! Can't wait to do it again. I have three more booked in Feb/March; they'll be customized for length, audience, industry, etc. Two are in South Africa!

Huge thanks to everyone who watched rehearsals, gave feedback, and cheered me on. The prep period was intense.

Thank you for everything.

Sitting down to make final edits to my TEDx talk. The deliciously badass scent of this candle from .on.site has been right beside me throughout the writing, reminding me of all the amazing people who inspired this talk, or maybe-hopefully-will be inspired by it in the future. One week to go.

✨TEDx 2023 SPEAKER LINEUP

Meet Emily Nichols, P.Eng., a professional engineer with decades of experience in manufacturing and innovation. Speaking from the stage or the factory floor, Emily nudges technical people to embrace their human skills, so they can become better problem solvers, team players, and leaders.

Get the chance to network with Emily at TEDxMcMasterU on February 11, 2023. Get your tickets NOW on https://www.tedxmcmaster.ca/events/2023
*Only 100 conference tickets available.

My friends the 🇨🇦 professional speakers (yes, that’s a thing!) got together for our first convention since you-know-what, and it felt fantastic! Some highlights:

* sharing my formula for pre-event videos in the Meet-The-Experts session (thx  🎉)

* scoring keynote-coaching time with  in the CAPS Foundation auction 🤩

* hanging out with fellow University of Guelph grad  in the Buddy Program 🎨

* helping  set up for her virtual, delivered-from-hotel keynote (with and 🙌)

* hugging old friends, making new friends, laughing my ass off

* giving away glow bracelets at the dance 💃

* taking almost no pictures 😭 Thankfully, others did! 📸

Making pre-event videos used to feel soooo weird. Filming in public, capturing b-roll on the sidewalk…talking to myself in the studio. 🙃

But clients love it and my audience shows up ready to learn. 📚 What’s not to love?

Can’t wait to share my not-so-secrets with my CAPS colleagues in Calgary. 🎤

𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐬
𝑃𝑟𝑒-𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑉𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑜: 𝑀𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑦 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡, 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠,𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 ‘𝑓𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑠’ 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠
https://capsconvention.com/meet-the-experts/

People came up to me in the hallway and said “Hey, you’re Emily Nichols!” I was in South Africa for my first overseas speaking engagement, and they’d seen the trailer video for my workshop. They felt like they knew me, they knew what to expect, and they were excited. You don’t need a trailer-sized budget or super-tech-wizard skills to become ‘famous’. This session will show you exactly what goes into a great pre-event video – what to say, where to film, and how to get it out to your audience. Lights, camera, delight your clients!

July was full of illness, grief and growth.

I rediscovered what true rest feels like, and reminded myself I shouldn’t have to get sick to experience it. 🥰

I learned that “ambiguous loss” is what we experience when someone still alive is lost to us, due to to dementia, chronic mental illness, etc. (Thanks Mom for sharing that with me 😘)

And I found out that it’s normal to jump from hope to hopelessness and back again when you’re experiencing ambiguous loss. 💪

Here’s to the fresh start effect of a new month. And to making time for true rest and play. 🌻 Happy August!

These women are SO DAMN COOL. It was a treat to be there, and a privilege to be invited, to meet these trailblazing women in the trades, engineering, and other STEM careers.

Sharing stories is inspiring. Why? Because we've experienced the same things! Like lack of appropriate bathrooms/change rooms at work, PPE that doesn't fit, and succeeding in spite of the barriers.

We often experience these things as *the only* woman on the team, or one of a small handful trying to create change. It's a lonely and frustrating place to be.

But having a network of trailblazers, beyond your own workplace, beyond your own trade or profession - that's powerful.

So thank you for founding . Thank you for sponsoring this amazing organization and creating real culture change in your own industry and organization.

Thank you Nkechi Nwafor-Robinson, Rebecca Chenier, Jelissa De Torres, Desiree Norwegian, Dora Strelkova, Angelo DeMarco, Jonathan Saw, Kayla Campbell, Shannon Tymosko for being trailblazers and leaders. You're inspiring not only the young women choosing a first career, but those of us a little further along the path.

This week and next, I'm giving a super-fun workshop for the English Montreal School Board. If you have any friends who work there, send 'em my way! Registration link is in their inbox, and in the video description. Thanks 🤩

Drawn Together - An invitation to rediscover the power of simple sketches. Hi! I’m Emily Nichols, inviting you to the next professional development workshop, “Drawn Together: Rediscover the power of simple sketches.” For employees o...

When the lights went out in last Saturday’s storm, I ran down to the studio and turned everything…

ON!! It was the first real test of my new UPS, and I was thrilled to see the lights, cameras, router and computer all running in a blackout.

If you’re in my audience during a power failure, there will be no abrupt goodbye 🤩

I love reading a whole book in one sitting!! What makes The Referable Speaker so on-the-button, so right is its focus on preparation, performance, and creating an experience for the audience. That’s the kind of speaker I always want to be!

This is where the magic happens…and there’s been a lot lately! New curtains + corner camera means I can give my audience a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes. More to come. 😁