Building resilience one step at a time
In this empowering keynote, Joe teaches audiences how to build the resiliency needed to succeed in the face of adversity and change by taking small, attainable steps. Sharing the story of his catastrophic failure and extraordinary success, Joe inspires audiences to see beyond their perceived limitations to overcome life’s challenges and embrace change.
This keynote is ideal for anyone who is:
The audience will leave with:
Suitable for: Corporate; Educators, Non-Profit/Associations, Government, Healthcare
Collapsing mental health stigma
In this eye-opening keynote, Joe shares the critical role family and community support played in helping him overcome a lifelong struggle with substance use disorder and mental illness. Through the lens of his incredible transformation, audiences will be reminded that every person, including themselves, has enormous potential and will leave inspired to create safe spaces for others to learn, grow, and change.
This program is perfect for leaders and teams who are:
The audience will leave with:
Suitable for: Corporate; Educators, Non-Profit/Associations, Government, Healthcare
The life-changing potential of every interaction
In this inspiring keynote, Joe Roberts highlights the life-changing impact first responders can have in every interaction through his own remarkable story. What was a typical distress call for Constable Scott MacLeod (another man with a gun threatening suicide) became a moment that changed Joe’s life forever. Joe’s story reminds first responders of the power of every interaction and the deep impact they have, but don’t always see, on their communities.
This keynote is perfect for any first responder who is:
The audience will leave with:
Suitable for: Law Enforcement, Probation, Parole
Leading and inspiring a culture of safety
In this keynote, Joe explores the connection between mental safety and physical safety and shares how anyone can connect their personal purpose to safer behavior. As Joe walks the audience through his first poor choice and how it led to a journey of degradation and despair, they will understand why people make unsafe decisions and how they can intentionally build physically and mentally safer workplaces with every small decision.
This presentation is perfect for safety leaders and teams who are:
The audience will leave with:
Suitable for: Corporate, Healthcare
How to lead, inspire, and engage on purpose
Pushing a shopping cart 9,064km across Canada may sound impossible, but amazing things happen when passion aligns with purpose! Joe shares lessons learned from The Push for Change, a 17-month walk across Canada to support the end of youth homelessness. As audiences follow along with his journey, they‘ll learn practical insights for developing a purpose-driven leadership that inspires and engages others.
This program is perfect for any audience who wants to lead well but is:
The audience will leave with:
Suitable for: Corporate; Educators, Non-Profit/Associations, Government, Healthcare
Joe Roberts is an internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, author, and social impact leader best known as “The Skidrow CEO.” His remarkable journey—from living homeless on Vancouver’s skid row to leading a successful business and inspiring millions—embodies the transformative power of resilience and choice. Joe’s life story offers a profound reminder that no matter how dire the circumstances, change is always possible through courage, accountability, and purpose.
After rebuilding his life from addiction and poverty, Joe went on to become a successful entrepreneur and CEO before dedicating his career to helping others overcome adversity. For more than two decades, he has inspired audiences across the globe, from corporate executives to youth organizations, empowering them to see potential where others see limitation. His acclaimed book, The Push for Change, chronicles his personal story and the lessons that now form the foundation of his leadership and resilience programs.
Joe also spearheaded a cross-Canada walk to raise awareness and funds for youth homelessness—an initiative that earned widespread recognition for its impact and authenticity. Today, he works with organizations to cultivate mental toughness, adaptability, and performance under pressure, blending raw storytelling with practical strategies for personal and professional growth.
Joe Roberts, famously known as “The Skidrow CEO,” has one of the most powerful personal stories in the speaking world. His journey from living on the streets of Vancouver’s skid row to becoming a successful entrepreneur, author, and keynote speaker demonstrates a profound transformation of both character and circumstance. Joe has faced catastrophic failure firsthand, having once been homeless and battling addiction, but he turned his life around to achieve extraordinary success in business and life. His lived experience gives him a deep understanding of resilience, change, and the human ability to overcome adversity.
Joe’s compelling narrative and insights are rooted in real-world challenges and triumphs. He has dedicated over 20 years to inspiring companies, leaders, and individuals to push past their perceived limitations. His story has been shared on prestigious platforms, and he has spoken to audiences in sectors ranging from corporate boardrooms to educational institutions. Through his keynote speeches, Joe connects deeply with his audience, making resilience a tangible, relatable concept. He teaches practical strategies for confronting roadblocks, inspiring teams to achieve high performance by redefining what’s possible.
In addition to his speaking engagements, Joe is the author of “The Push for Change”, where he documents his life experiences and provides tools to overcome challenges. His non-profit work, particularly his cross-Canada walk for youth homelessness, has been highly publicized and recognized, further solidifying his impact and reputation.
Joe Roberts is regarded as one of the top keynote speakers in resilience and change due to his unmatched personal experience and his success in turning adversity into leadership. His authority on the subject comes from his journey as a former homeless youth who transformed into a celebrated entrepreneur, earning a spot as one of Canada’s top business leaders. Over the years, Joe has built a solid reputation as a speaker who not only inspires but also provides actionable takeaways that make an immediate impact in the workplace.
Joe Roberts’ story is not just one of personal success but also one of service and giving back. Through his non-profit work and his cross-country walks for youth homelessness, Joe has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to making a positive difference. This track record makes him a highly trustworthy speaker for any event. His authenticity shines through in every presentation, and audience members leave not only inspired but also moved to action.
His ability to connect with a wide range of audiences, from executive teams to frontline employees, makes him an ideal choice for any organization looking to foster a culture of high performance and adaptability. Joe’s presence at an event elevates the experience, ensuring that attendees feel both motivated and equipped to tackle the challenges ahead. As a speaker, Joe emphasizes the importance of mental toughness, leadership, and fostering a resilient mindset that empowers individuals and teams to reach their highest potential.
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In this 5-minute speaker reel, Joe Roberts—known globally as “The Skidrow CEO”—shares his extraordinary transformation from homelessness to high performance, inspiring audiences to redefine resilience and leadership.
This compelling showreel captures the essence of Joe Roberts’s unforgettable story and his impact as one of the world’s most authentic and inspiring keynote speakers. The video opens with dramatic visuals of Joe’s past—his years struggling with addiction and homelessness on Vancouver’s skid row—contrasted with clips of him now commanding global stages as a respected CEO, author, and social advocate.
Joe narrates how a moment of crisis became the turning point that set him on a new trajectory. He speaks about the power of mindset and the decision to take accountability for one’s life, sharing that resilience is not about avoiding struggle but transforming it into strength. The reel intercuts live keynote moments where Joe’s storytelling captivates audiences through humor, honesty, and hope. His tone is raw yet uplifting, underscoring that personal change leads to professional excellence.
Throughout the reel, audience testimonials and media features reinforce Joe’s credibility as both a thought leader and a humanitarian. He highlights lessons learned from his cross-Canada Push for Change campaign, where he walked over 9,000 kilometers to raise awareness and funds for youth homelessness. The closing message is powerful and universal: no matter where you start, you can choose a different ending.
In this 7-minute keynote highlight, Joe Roberts—once homeless and addicted—shares his powerful journey of recovery and renewal, offering a message of compassion, resilience, and the limitless potential of the human spirit.
In this heartfelt keynote, Joe Roberts delivers an unflinching yet uplifting account of his personal battle with addiction and his path to recovery. Speaking from lived experience, Joe reflects on his years of homelessness and despair on Vancouver’s skid row, describing the cycles of addiction that nearly claimed his life. He emphasizes the pivotal role that human connection, community support, and personal accountability played in his transformation from rock bottom to respected business leader and motivational speaker.
Joe’s message centers on breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction. He explains that behind every struggle lies a story of pain, and behind every recovery lies courage. By sharing his truth with candor and vulnerability, he helps audiences understand that addiction is not a failure of character—it’s a complex challenge that requires empathy and systemic support.
He connects his recovery journey to lessons in resilience and leadership, demonstrating how the same skills that rebuilt his life—discipline, perseverance, and hope—can empower others to overcome adversity. Interwoven with clips from The Push for Change campaign and footage of Joe addressing diverse audiences, the keynote highlights his ongoing advocacy for youth mental health and prevention initiatives. The closing message resonates deeply: no matter how far someone falls, there is always a path forward through courage, connection, and compassion.
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.
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Erica Baker is a Principal Group Engineering Manager at Microsoft. She is a former Senior Engineering Manager at Patreon, and Senior Engineer at Slack Technologies. She is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in tech, and expanding access to tech education. Erica’s career in tech began fifteen years ago doing domain administration for the University of Alaska Statewide […]
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Sophia Amoruso is a visionary who redefined the e-commerce landscape and built a global brand from the ground up. As the founder of Nasty Gal and Girlboss, she has transformed the way women approach business, leadership, and personal growth. Her journey from selling vintage clothing on eBay to running a multi-million-dollar fashion empire is a […]
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