Coach, Motivator, Speaker
Jacquelin Connelly offers signature talks centered around belonging, neurodivergence, and her lived experience as a stroke survivor. Designed specifically for keynotes, conferences, summits and leader workshops.
"Jacquelin shared her story with emotion and vulnerability that made it relatable and relevant to her content.”
“It was easily absorbed through her clear presentation and delivery. Loved it!"
- Joanna
KIND WORDS
“I highly recommend Jackie to any organization where values-based leadership, creating cultures of belonging and wholesome authentic leadership is desired and I look forward to working with her again!”
“Jackie was referred through a network of DEI champions when I was looking to bring someone in to facilitate a Change Management workshop for middle managers as well as 1:1 career coaching for staff who had recently been notified of job loss. Jackie has the ability to make others feel safe, valued, seen and heard. Her approach is authentic, kind and clear and she is quickly able to meet others where they are, inspiring growth and courage along the way. She does this in a way that encourages others to honour and be true to self.”
Anar Amlani, ISS of BC
Chief People Culture and Inclusion Officer
SPEAKING TOPICS
DESIGNED FOR
Corporations
Conferences and summits
Leadership off sites
Seminars and engaged workshops
Non-profits organizations
Educational institutions
Talks That Build Trust: Using the CLEAR Framework © for Better Feedback Conversations
Trust is the foundation of every effective workplace relationship. Without it, vulnerable conversations, especially feedback, are avoided or fail to have impact, leading to disengagement. In this talk, Jacquelin introduces the CLEAR Framework ©, a model built on both values and practical steps for giving empathetic, constructive, and growth-focused feedback. Designed for managers but relevant to anyone, it transforms feedback from something we avoid into a process that strengthens clarity, connection, and trust. Ideal for an interactive session that allows participants to practice applying the CLEAR Framework © to real workplace scenarios.
1
Belonging-Centered Organizations for Neurodiverse Minds
Belonging can be claimed by individuals and built by organizations. In this talk, Jacquelin reframes belonging from a top-down initiative into an intentional, collaborative process leaders can co-design with their people, across neurotypes and lived experiences. Drawing from her HR leadership background, her work as an organizational coach, and her lived experience as a stroke survivor with an acquired neurodivergent brain, Jacquelin offers practical and neuroaffirming strategies for cultivating psychologically safe, inclusive environments. This can be delivered as a keynote or a conference break-out/workshop session where participants will have the chance to engage in reflective table discussions. Both will leave with tangible approaches to bring neuroaffirmative leadership to life within their own workplaces.
2
You Are the Source: Redefining “Shoulds” in Work and Life
Jacquelin challenges her audience to flip the script on “shoulds” as those invisible expectations that shape how we work, lead, and belong. Drawing from her journey as a stroke survivor, she shows how outsourcing our direction to cultural norms and corporate ladders can disconnect us from our true source of clarity. Instead, she offers a disruptive, personal-growth perspective: what if belonging starts when we check in with ourselves as the source, rather than defaulting to external pressures? What if we are the source? Attendees will leave with a simple but profound filter to help themselves and their people distinguish between “shoulds” worth following and those worth letting go.
3
Losing My Words, Finding My Belonging
At 42, I lost my words, and with them, my sense of identity. Two strokes disrupted my language, memory and cognition, forcing me to rebuild not only how I understood the world, but also how I saw myself. This talk is about finding acceptance and redefining purpose and belonging. While my story started with a medical crisis, that universal moment when life forces us to pause and shift has happened to us all. Belonging is not a destination. Belonging needs more agency tied to it than promotion in the workplace. Belonging is intentionally claiming space for who we are.
4
MY SPEAKING APPROACH
How I Work with Event Planners
When you bring me in to speak at your event, my goal is to make your job as easy as possible and ensure your audience gets real value from the session. I’m organized, communicative, and focused on creating a seamless experience from start to finish.
During the event
I bring an interactive, practical approach to my sessions, whether it’s a leadership offsite, an internal summit or a breakout workshop. My focus is always on creating multiple ways to engage, inspiring participants, and leaving them with tools they can apply immediately.
Before the event
We’ll start with a prep call to clarify your goals, audience, and event context. From there, I’ll tailor one of my established topics or build on it to create something that fits your group’s needs. You’ll receive a clear outline of what to expect, along with my AV requirements to make setup straightforward for your team.
Travel and logistics
My speaking fee doesn’t include travel expenses (airfare, vehicle rental/parking, ground transportation, hotel accommodation, meals, etc). I will work with you on how best to book necessary travel and logistics.
Attendees from THE 63rd Annual CPHR Conference & Expo
"Unlocking Neurodiverse Talent"
Average ranking of 4.08 out of 5 from 125 attendees
“So appreciate this speaker and their personal sharing and vulnerability”
“The presentation of the material was both personal and professional and was highly informative.”
“Appreciated that she was authentic and shared lived experiences!”
About Jacquelin
At 42, two strokes disrupted the language centre of Jacquelin's brain and redefined her relationship with work and life. A high-achiever who once thrived on 80-hour weeks and constant promotion, this shift sparked deeper questions about identity, values, and where she truly belonged.
Now, she supports others to navigate their own turning points in their careers. The invitation to belong fully, freely, and on your own terms is always there. She simply helps you find it.
UPCOMING SPEAKING EVENTS
November 2025
Speaker - International Coaching Federation AGM and Conference
Our Tapestry “Thread by Thread: Belonging-Centered Coaching for Neurodiverse Minds”
November 2025
Speaker - Career Education Society of BC Fall Conference
Putting the Pieces Together “Belonging Beings with the Corner Piece: A Framework for Inner Reinvention”
PAST SPEAKING EVENTS
2025
November
Speaker - International Coaching Federation AGM and Conference
Our Tapestry “Thread by Thread: Belonging-Centered Coaching for Neurodiverse Minds”
November
Speaker - Career Education Society of BC Fall Conference
Putting the Pieces Together “Belonging Beings with the Corner Piece: A Framework for Inner Reinvention”
JULY
Speaking Engagement - The Office of Student Academic Services and the Robert H. Lee Graduate School, UBC
“Coming Together: Navigating Change as One Team”
APRIL
Speaker - 63rd Annual CPHR Conference & Expo
"Unlocking Neurodiverse Talent"
2024
OCTOBER
Speaking Engagement - Management team, ISS of BC
“Change Management 101”
September
Speaking Engagement - Managers within the Department of Family Practice, UBC
The Human Side of Difficult Conversations”
MAY
Speaking Engagement - Camosun College's HR Club
"Values in an HR Career"
2023
NOVEMBER
Panel Member - CPHR BC & Yukon Industry Night for students and new graduates
FEBRUARY
Panel Member - CPHR Student HR Summit
2021
MAY
CPHR BC & Yukon Northern Advisory Roundtable
“Introduction to Policy Creation”
2020
2020 TO PRESENT
Monthly Co-Host - CPHR BC & Yukon members Virtual Roundtable
HR Generalist and Coaching topics
October
Panel Speaker - Innovate Work’s HR Passion Series
“From Competition to Collaboration: How women supporting women should be the norm, not the exception”.
SEPTEMBER
Speaking Engagement - CPHR BC & Yukon
“Supporting Business Objectives with Coop Students”
MARCH
Speaking Engagement - For Seaspan women employees
“From Competition to Collaboration: How women supporting women should be the norm, not the exception”
2019
November
Panel Member - BC Assessment HR Technology Symposium
“Taking Employee Recognition Online”
2016
2016 to 2018
Speaker - Camosun College, School of Business Workplace Professionalism Course
"The Networking Power of LinkedIn”
Attendees from ICF's Conference and AGM
"Thread by Thread: Belonging-Centered Coaching for Neurodiverse Minds"
"Practical, thought-provoking and mind opening"
- Carol
"Deeply real and accurate. You are doing incredible work sharing so bravely in service of creating better experiences for so many!
- Shelly-Anne
"I loved the structured (and clean) overview about common barriers and practices to support neurodivergent people. The concrete examples and questions helped visualize a more inclusive space and how to accommodate a wider range of brains. Thanks for the insights and inspiration."
- Lea
"Authentic and human"
- Kadi
Speaker One-Sheet
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Book me
Contact Jacquelin with your event details today, and we’ll walk through what a speaking engagement can do for your organization."
Attendees from ISS of BC
“Change Management 101”
“Jackie does a great job of actively listening and empathizing with others.”
“Jackie - you come across as a genuine, compassionate person. Very respectful and skilled at guiding discussions.”
“Love her clear, gentle and genuine approach. Thank you for recognizing and stating your privilege, critical to create safety and awareness.”
“Thanks Jackie for an excellent session, very participatory”