Congratulations to the following members who have been acclaimed to the 2023-2024 Board of Directors. Take a moment to learn more about each of these outstanding members:
David Gouthro, CSP
Tyler Hayden, CSP
Nathalie Plamondon-Thomas
Ron Tsang
David Gouthro, CSP
Who Am I?
I’m the parent of a precocious 22-year-old daughter (Anna) who has gravitated into the unenviable role of keeping me humble! My wife (Alf) and I live on Vancouver’s north shore where I moved from Toronto over 25 years ago to . . . well, get a life.
Holly (15) and Maggie (10) are my two dogs. They’re my morning walking companions in Lighthouse Park and are true sources of joy. In fact, Maggie is sitting on the floor beside me in my office hoping for a bonus biscuit, while Holly snoozes in front of a fan back home.
I have a B.Sc. in Earth Science from the University of Waterloo and after some non-academically oriented work experience selling life insurance and real estate in Toronto, I discovered the world of professional speaking. I began my 40 years of getting paid to speak as a trainer for Wilson Learning Corporation (the Toronto office of a Minneapolis-based training company). My next speaking adventure was with Apple Canada where I had a blast for six of Apple’s early years. And then I formed a consulting partnership (The Cadence Group) with some good friends, where we developed leadership development programs for companies such as IBM Canada, IBM Corp., Scotiabank, etc.
My current practice is primarily facilitating groups of all sizes, and entertaining the world with some awesome noseflute playing!
Why I ran for the CAPS National Board of Directors
I choose to continue to contribute to an organization that’s been my professional home for over 20 years, where I’ve had the opportunity to: make life-long friends and colleagues; learn a few things to grow my business; have fun, and continue to do work that is meaningful to me and to others. I was a recipient of the Warren Evans Spirit of CAPS award in 2014 and I continue to be strongly committed to serving our members in any way I can. I have the time, energy and desire to once again serve CAPS and its members on a National level, while I continue to be an active member of our wonderful CAPS BC chapter.
What Qualifies me to be a CAPS Board Member?
Experience, expertise and desire!
Experience: I served on the CAPS National Board for a number of years, culminating as President in 2012. Not sure that necessarily qualifies me in and of itself; however, I enjoyed the work then and was reasonably competent (based on the fact there were no impeachment initiatives). I have also served as: Editor of Speaking of Impact for a couple of years (may it rest in peace); Chair of the CAPS Ethics Committee; Chair of the CAPS Foundation’s PMBF (Professional Members Benefit Fund); and CAPS Convention MC (Montreal) as well as a variety of volunteer roles at many of our Conventions. In my spare time, I’ve facilitated strategic planning meetings for several CAPS chapters over the years.
Expertise: In addition to my term on the CAPS National Board a decade ago, I’ve had the opportunity to serve on several not-for-profit boards and have a sense of what good governance looks like—plus I have frequent conversations with my friend and colleague, Bob Parker (aka “Bylaw Bob”) who attempts to keep my knowledge of governance reasonably up-to-date!
Desire: I really want to help at a National level again. This is the first time I’ve actually volunteered to do anything for CAPS. In every other circumstance I’ve said “yes” when asked, but I never volunteered on my own (either at the local chapter level or National.) I feel I’m still very young at head & heart and have lots of energy to contribute as part of an awesome National Board!
CAPS – Challenges and Opportunities
I’m sure there are many challenges (and corresponding opportunities) facing CAPS these days–I’ll only focus on the one I’m most interested in and am committed to addressing.
I’m a huge fan of the CAPS Advantage, especially the “Belong” part. Since COVID-19 took over the world (and the speaking community), I’ve found my sense of overall belonging has faded—and it’s one of the main reasons I’ve chosen to continue to be a member of CAPS for so many years.
I appreciate that CAPS National has taken the lead in providing fabulous programming for members and reducing the burden on local chapter leadership. Definitely the right action for the right time.
However, I really feel the sense of belonging (mine, at least) has started to dissipate. I’ve had a number of conversations with other CAPS members who’ve been experiencing the same thing. And we all want it back! I think the challenge and the opportunity is to find ways to increase our individual and collective sense of belonging, that augments the other aspects of the CAPS Advantage (Learn, Share & Grow). It’s tougher to pull off when face-to-face meetings are less frequent. Hence the challenge, and the opportunity to help the members for whom “belonging” is important, to feel it again!
Tyler Hayden, CSP
Who Am I
For the last 26 years I have been a full-time keynote speaker, author and team designer. Over that time I’ve earned my CSP, travelled to lots of cool places, raised two beautiful daughters, elected to government, written 26 books, operated an oceanside farm, flipped nine houses, flown trick airplanes, swam with great white sharks, sold 100’s of pieces of my folk art, consulted for Fortune 500/INC 5000 companies, built NFT’s … and you’ve probably figured it out embraced my ADHD – LOL.
My little piece of cyberspace can be found at www.tylerhayden.com.
Why I ran for the CAPS National Board of Directors
I’m so excited to be back at CAPS after a bit of a hiatus – I found it difficult to do both government stuff and CAPS – and now I’m free of the government and happily back with my family. I absolutely love giving back to our community and could think of no better way than to lean in and join the BOD. I am hoping to share my energy and support to grow and connect our amazing roster of professionals.
Nathalie Plamondon-Thomas
Who Am I
My name is Nathalie Plamondon-Thomas. I am originally from Quebec City and moved to English Canada over 20 years ago – Toronto for 7 years and now have been in White Rock BC for 13 years. I had a dream to become a speaker but the voice inside my head was telling me: “What? You want to be speaker, like in English? You don’t even speak English! You want to write books, in English? It’s never going to work. You’re not good enough!” I realized that I needed to shut down my negative self-talk and spend the last decades studying neurosciences and created a system to transform inner language and reprogram the six layers of the brain that need to be addressed to unlock my full potential. Fast track to now, 16 books later, including 8 International No.1 Bestsellers, I now live from my passion as a Speaker, Confidence Expert, one-on-one Master Coach and Founder of the THINK Yourself® ACADEMY offering leading edge online courses and certifications.
Why I ran for the CAPS National Board of Directors
At my very first CAPS convention, I learned more on the first night than in the past 10 years as a Speaker non-CAPS member. I have been on the board of my local chapter for three years and now finishing a two-year term on the National Board. Even with everything I have given to CAPS already, what I have received is much greater still, so I am simply paying it forward by returning on the National Board for a second term.
What Qualifies me to be a CAPS Board Member
I have a passion for marketing, systems, automation, social media, and I believe that my skills can benefit CAPS on a national level. I have already implemented lots of marketing tools in order to make our CAPS ACADEMY more visible as well as attract new members. I am now working closely with the membership directors to create onboarding systems and a better member experience. I am also on the digital strategy committee, re-evaluating all tech, marketing, web and systems.
CAPS – Challenges and Opportunities
I believe that CAPS has so much to offer and that we can make it easier for our members to discover all there is to take advantage of. My mission is to offer all CAPS members what I personally got from my membership so far, not only on a professional level but also on a personal level. I have found long-lasting relationships, mentors, and friends. Can’t wait to convert you too as a CAPS “lifer”.
Ron Tsang
Who Am I
I specialize in transforming leaders and their teams into even higher performers through high-impact communication. I use concepts from my book, From Presentation to Standing Ovation: 15 Actionable Ideas to Achieve Massive Influence, as a consultant, corporate trainer, keynoter, breakout session/workshop speaker, facilitator, and MC. Some of my clients include Canada’s biggest financial institutions and technology companies.
I am also a business communications professor at the Centennial College School of Business and have taught at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management Executive Programs.
My formal education includes an M.B.A. from the Rotman School of Management and an Hons. B.A. in Applied Economics with a Minor in Computer Science from the University of Waterloo.
Why I ran for the CAPS National Board of Directors
For the past two years, I have been inspired by the amazing CAPS National Board. I have seen the volunteer National Board and the Chapter Leadership Teams tackle big problems while navigating great uncertainty. I would like to see these initiatives through and ensure a smooth transition with CAPS Unity.
What Qualifies me to be a CAPS Board Member
It has been a privilege to serve on the CAPS National Board the past two years. During this time as Programming Chair, I have co-chaired CAPS Unity; chaired the Joint National & Chapter Programming Committee meetings; and supported CAPS Communities. In addition, I have served on the National Board’s Chapter Support Committee, Financial Reserves Committee, and the President’s Award-winning Evolution of CAPS Committee.
I am also a former President of the CAPS Toronto Chapter and oversaw chapter programming for 5 years.
CAPS – Challenges and Opportunities
While CAPS is THE place for professional speakers to Learn, Share, Grow, and Belong, there are significant challenges ahead.
National and regional programming must be educational and inspirational to veteran and intermediate members alike, and topics must remain relevant. Programming must be as sustainable and diverse as Convention. As well, programming must live up to its potential to connect members and attract both guests and sponsors.
Our members, National Board, and Chapter Leadership teams must rise to meet this challenge.