Charlene is known to have her audience laughing and crying from one moment to the next.  She honestly and courageously speaks about personal experiences that most people do not wish to share:  grief and loss of a child, growing up in and recovering from addiction, child and spousal abuse, single parenthood, and living on welfare and finally the ability to heal through it all.  Charlene’s inspiring story will move you as she relates her harrowing account of a painfully abusive journey that eventually leads her inwardly to uncover and discover a powerfully dynamic and talented woman who wants to live life out loud.  As she shares her story you can’t help but believe that love and forgiveness have the power to heal lives.   

Professional Background:  Charlene is a member and treasurer of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers in Southwestern Ontario, has a community college diploma in business administration, has owned and operated her own retail store for 12 years and has been a business consultant, coach and mentor to thousands of entrepreneurs for the past 20 years.  She has developed and/or delivered hundreds of workshops to help small business owners assess their potential and live their passion.   

SOME FAVOURITE KEYNOTE AND WORKSHOP TOPICS:

Living Life Out Loud – Charlene’s keynote will take you on an inspirational journey guaranteed to touch your heart and empower your mind.  

Healing: Grief's Final Destination – Everyone will experience grief at some point in life.  If we live and love we are certain to have loss - eventually.   Charlene’s little boy Danny died at the tender age of 18 months from complications of a brain hemorrhage.  In her keynote, Charlene shares with us her courageous battle to come back to life, how she continues to redefine her life through finding purpose in her grief experience, and how “remembering” healed her life.  Charlene will leave the audience with the eight insights that she has discovered as the means by which she and countless others have been able to move from the unforgiving darkness of grief into a healed life of great purpose and meaning because of the grief, NOT in spite of it.      

Never Alone: Ask For Help and Create the Life You’ve Always Wanted – Charlene’s keynote will share with you how everything she is and everything she has been is a direct result of asking for help and receiving it.  She believes that the world is a community and it is much smaller than you think and that “if you ask…you shall receive”.   

Change: The Great Motivator - Our first instinct is to try to stop change because what we currently know is familiar and “feels” safe.  This keynote will show how change can be very helpful in moving us forward toward our true purpose.  

Healing:  Grief's Final Destination- This workshop will build upon Charlene's keynote and further explore how to help those who wish to be healed after loss and grief and/or how to be helpful and supportive when someone you know is experiencing loss and entering the grief process.

It's Never Too Late to Have a Happy Childhood - This workshop will explore how to find peace and contentment today no matter how difficult your childhood may have been.

Addictive Behaviors – How Many Do You Have?  This workshop will help you identify what is holding you back and the six steps to freedom.

TESTIMONIALS

"Your keynote address, HEALING:  GRIEF'S FINAL DESTINATION, touched the hearts of all in attendance.  Your heart-wrenching personal story combined with the courage you have had to survive and help others was inspirational to us all.  For the recently bereaved, many commented that it has given them some focus for the future and they hope to have your same strength and courage and commitment.  They learned that grief is not insurmountable.  The follow up workshop was an ideal opportunity for delegates to interact with you and receive support.  Your kindness and caring was definitely appreciated by all.  I would definitely recommend you to any group looking for an inspirational and courageous speaker."  Wanda Kristensen, Director of Programs MADD Canada

"I observed your audience as you spoke and there was one thing crystal clear - you touched every heart in the room."  Jeff Wilbee, Discovering Recovery

" You're astonishing!  When you plan to close a seminar you want that extra connection to wrap up the day.  You want people to get engaged, excited and involved.  You delivered.  Your closing keynote speech at our Single Women in Motherhood Training (S.W.I.M.)Program's Annual Seeds of Strength Seminar was a hit.  Many committee members said you were one of the best speakers ever and I agree.  You were dynamic, warm and engaging.  You got everyone involved.  We were in awe.  You immediately created connections between our participants, many of whom were attending for the first time.  I particularly appreciated the way you welcomed new immigrants and non-native English speakers."  Anne Marie Ricketts-Hanson, Executive Director/Founder, S.W.I.M.

“I wanted to tell you how touched I was by hearing your story. I believe there is a real longing out there for stories like yours to be told.  Your courage and vulnerability have a strong impact and the world needs more of it.  Thank you for the gift of you."  Tina Chappell, Life and Relationship Coach 

"WOW! You are quite something! I KNEW there was a great energy coming from you and now I know why - you're AMAZING! Charlene, you have catapulted yourself from business advisor to life mentor for me. I too came from a home environment much like yours and had my own experiences.  Many times (during the presentation) I thought you had invaded my head and were talking about my life!  I have to give you a big THANK YOU for inspiring me to be a kinder, gentler, and more forgiving woman. I walked away from the lunch a different person - I will be forever changed by the words that poured from your heart. Thank you for being strong & courageous enough to share."  Kim Inniss, Energize Wellness

“Thank you so much for sharing your heartfelt story.  It really hit home for me.  How very brave of you to share your story so openly and honestly. I did not know it, but your talk was just what I needed at that time. Charlene, I was very impressed with your talk, and hope to have the opportunity to cross paths with you again on either a personal or business level."  Silvia P. Rodrigues, Millenia Marketing

"Charlene's gift of sharing and love will have long lasting effects as we absorb the message ..as its full meaning  unfolds through the lenses of our own life's experiences... in our own hearts ....and then as we utilize her sage advice!"  Sharon Berman, Business Builders International

“ When you came into the room I saw how much love was in your eyes and I immediately felt connected to you.  Thank you so much for sharing your story with us…you are so inspiring!” Becky Regier, Henkel Hooks

“Charlene, we met at the BBI Christmas lunch where you spoke so eloquently and with such heart. I was so moved by your story and your way of relating it with no blame for any of the people in your life. I am looking forward to hearing you again.”  Kate Hall-Merenda, Integral Coach, Future Creation

PARTIAL CLIENT LIST:  MADD Canada, London Employment Help Centre, Business Builders International, London Community Small Business Centre, Lambton College, Sarnia Lambton Business Development Corporation, County of Lambton, Public Works Canada, Human Resources Development Canada, Services Canada, Ministry of Training, Colleges & Universities, Rotary of London Lambeth, Goodwill Career Training Centre, Rotary of Waterloo, Single Women in Motherhood Training (SWIM).