Invisible disability speaker
Resilience expert
Accessibility advocate

Helping organizations and individuals explore disability-related biases and beliefs and discover their “daily yay,” so they can build resilience through joy.

Based in Mississauga (Greater Toronto Area), Ontario, Canada.

A South Asian-Canadian female in her thirties. Lauren wears black-rimmed glasses, a dark teal mock neck long sleeved top, black dress pants and a silver necklace that says "yay." She has long dark hair with tints of purple

As Seen On…

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City News logo with white text on a dark blue background.
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Logo of Newmarket Today on a blue background with the text 'NEWMARKETTODAY.ca' in white and yellow.
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CHCH Morning Live logo with colorful flower-like design and text.
Global News logo with red arrow on black background
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Logo with the text 'INSAUGA' in white on a black background.
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AWARENOW logo with tagline 'Awareness Ties Official Magazine for Causes'.

Lauren Pires’ Keynotes

A woman in a green top and black skirt is standing on a stage under blue and purple lighting, with her larger image projected on a screen behind her.

There Is No Normal: 3 Steps to Owning Who You Are

Lauren shares how she spent years trying to hide the disability she was born with, only to realize real confidence comes from embracing who you are. Through honest storytelling and practical takeaways, audiences break free from the fear of judgment, build resilience, and find the courage to show up as their full selves.

Perfect for: High Schools, Post-Secondary, Youth, Young Adults, Women

Person with long black and purple hair, wearing glasses and a black polka-dotted top, speaking at a podium with a microphone in a conference room.

Bias, Belief and Belonging: Rewriting Narratives on Disability and Acceptance

This keynote explores Lauren’s journey of embracing her invisible physical disability after 30+ years, common biases and beliefs around disability, and the transformative power of disclosure in fostering personal acceptance, community, and workplace inclusion.

Perfect for: Corporations, ERGs, Education, Associations

Person speaking on stage with bright lights and wooden backdrop, wearing glasses and a sparkling white outfit.

Seeking Strength: How to Build Resilience Through Small Moments of Joy

Lauren shares her journey from hiding her disability to fully embracing who she is. Through personal stories, she reveals how the pursuit of normalcy holds us back from confidence and connection. She introduces a simple three-step framework to help audiences let go of self-doubt, own their story, and show up fully in their lives. 

Perfect for: Corporations, ERGs, Associations

Past Clients & Speaking Engagements

What Clients Are Saying

About Lauren Pires

A woman with long dark hair and glasses, wearing a pink off-the-shoulder dress, smiling and posing enthusiastically behind a chair.

Lauren Pires is an award-winning speaker on resilience, joy, and self-acceptance. Born with Central Core Disease, a rare neuromuscular disorder, she navigates life with 33% of the physical strength of the average person—but her unwavering spirit is at 100%.

Named #2 Inspirational Speaker of the Year in North America's largest inspirational speaking competition (Speaker Slam, 2023) and recognized globally on the D-30 Disability Impact List (Diversability, 2024), Lauren is a trailblazer in the disability advocacy space. She made history as the first Canadian recipient of the prestigious "But You LOOK Good" Inspiration Award (Invisible Disabilities Association, 2023), joining past honorees like Wayne Brady and Yolanda Hadid.

As Canada’s first and only Invisible Disabilities Association Ambassador, Lauren has raised over $5,000 USD for the nonprofit. She played a key role in the global Rare Disease Day #LightUpForRare campaign, leading the lighting of 21 monuments across 14 Canadian cities in 2025, and serves as an Ambassador for the Rick Hansen Foundation School Program.

Lauren believes resilience isn’t just about overcoming obstacles—it’s about embracing joy, saying yes to life, and showing up as your whole self. Through her speaking, she inspires others to own their story, stand in their truth, and find strength in the unseen.

Lauren has been featured on Breakfast Television, CityNews Toronto, GlobalNews.ca, RareDiseaseDay.org and more. She’s based in Mississauga (Greater Toronto Area), Ontario, Canada.

Watch some of Lauren Pires’ signature speeches below:

Contact Lauren Pires

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