Announcing the 2025 TEC Canada Speaker Award Winners
Celebrating those who have made a profound impact on the lives and businesses of TEC Canada members. Selected by the members of the TEC Canada community.
RYAN WALTER | TEC TOP SPEAKER OF THE YEAR
The TEC Speaker of The Year award celebrates a speaker who sets the benchmark for excellence. In 2025, Ryan Walter delivered the most speaking sessions with the highest ratings to TEC Canada’s peer advisory groups across the country, leaving a lasting impact. His dedication is evident through his contributions to webinars, podcasts, and collaborations with Chairs—bringing exceptional value to Canadian business leaders. Congratulations, Ryan, on this well-deserved recognition!
About Ryan
Ryan Walter played and coached more than 1100 games over 17 seasons in the National Hockey League. Drafted second overall by the Washington Capitals, Ryan was named the youngest NHL captain, won a Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens, and finished his playing career with his hometown Vancouver Canucks. Ryan was an NHL All-Star and 3-time Team Canada member, World Junior Captain, Vice-President of the National Hockey League Players Association, BC Hockey Hall of Fame inductee and NHL Man of the Year. Ryan won a Gold Medal as Head Coach of Canada’s National Women’s Hockey Team, has been the founding partner in 2 start-up companies, a TV hockey analyst, hockey expert and actor, and the President of a Professional Hockey Team.
Ryan has a Master’s Degree in Leadership/Business and is the author of 6 books. With an interactive training focus, Ryan has been developing leadership capacity, team energy and high performance in corporate leadership executives and teams for over 25 years.
ALYSSA SPAW | TOP U.S. SPEAKER OF THE YEAR 2025
Alyssa Spaw’s journey into health and fitness began during her junior year of college. Transitioning from at-home workout programs to competitive bodybuilding, Alyssa won 1st place in her Bikini Division class at her first NGA show in September 2016. This experience prompted her to delve deeper into the relationship between mental and physical health.
Encountering struggles with an eating disorder, Alyssa realized the importance of addressing mental well-being alongside physical strength. This realization inspired her to establish a Wellness consulting business focused on fostering a healthy balance between mind, body, and nutrition. Alyssa emphasizes the significance of individualized approaches to fitness goals and provides science-based information to those facing similar challenges.
Through her journey, Alyssa has gained insights into the complexities of the fitness industry and the importance of mental resilience in achieving physical strength. Her mission is to empower individuals to cultivate a positive relationship with food, mind, and body, guiding them toward sustainable lifestyle changes and personal growth.
How would you describe the TEC community to someone unfamiliar with it, and what surprised you most when you first started working with them?
« When I first started to engage with the TEC community, I had no idea just how impactful it would be. As speakers we know it’s about bringing exceptional value to the members, but being a speaker, the experience is just as powerful. TEC groups are a place where members can expect to not only find insight and education, but genuine support. My presentation is focused on health and wellness, which branches out from the typical business content. However, the members always welcome it with open arms. To be a good leader, one also has to focus on how to bring their best performance amidst the chaos of the day to day demands. I’m continuously surprised by how open-minded and eager members are to embrace the content and aspire to be better. Not to mention, it’s a community where each member truly cares to offer gentle accountability in the process. »
NATHALIE PLAMONDON-THOMAS | TEC ROOKIE SPEAKER OF THE YEAR 2025
Nathalie Plamondon-Thomas, a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP®) and Confidence Expert, specializes in Performance and Change. In addition to being a TEC Speaker, Nathalie is the Recipient of the Peter Legge Philanthropist of the Year Award in
2024, Most Empowering Confidence Coach in North America in 2023 and Canadian Presenter of the Year in 2021. Author of 18 books, including 12 no.1 bestsellers. Endorsed by Tony Robbins, Brian Tracy, Jim Britt & Kevin Harrington from the Shark Tank. Founder and CEO of Think Yourself, an academy that provides keynotes, training sessions, and personalized coaching for transformative growth. Inspired over 100,000 audience members internationally in the past two decades. President-Elect on the national board of directors of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and received the 2022 and 2023 President’s Awards.
