Invisible disability speaker
Resilience expert
Accessibility advocate
Helping organizations explore disability-related biases and beliefs and build resilience through joy, by discovering their “daily yay.”
Based in Mississauga (Greater Toronto Area), Ontario, Canada.
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Lauren Pires’ Keynotes
Beyond What You See: Building Inclusion for Invisible Disabilities
Through personal stories and workplace insights, Lauren highlights the realities of invisible and non-apparent disabilities. She explores common myths, biases, and barriers — sharing practical ways organizations can foster awareness, empathy and an inclusive culture, so that all employees can thrive as their authentic selves.
Perfect for: Corporations, Government, HR, DEIA and Employee Wellness teams
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
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
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.