Renowned for her engaging, energizing, and down-to-earth style, Sema has a knack for nudging audiences just far enough out of their comfort zones for meaningful learning to take place. Fully bilingual, she delivers presentations in both English and French to diverse audiences across Canada and internationally.
A natural storyteller, Sema blends her background in business with a deep understanding of people and relationships - allowing her to connect with audiences not just intellectually, but emotionally. She often shares real, vulnerable moments from her own life, drawing on experiences as a woman of colour in corporate spaces, a former CPA turned DEI strategist, and a board leader navigating complex challenges. Her stories resonate with her audiences because they’re honest, relatable, and anchored in lived experience.
Sema has delivered keynote presentations, workshops, and talks at conferences, leadership retreats, corporate events, and global forums - reaching thousands of professionals around the world. Her topics include cultural identity, power and privilege, microaggressions, inclusive leadership, allyship, and how to turn good intentions into inclusive action.
Sema is an award-winning speaker who brings over 20 years of experience to the stage.
A Few of The Topics Sema Covers
Inclusive Leadership: Using the Power of Privilege
Privilege isn’t about guilt — it’s about responsibility and opportunity. This session helps leaders understand the influence they already hold and how to use it to open doors, amplify marginalized voices, and create workplaces where everyone can thrive.
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Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Overcoming Barriers Through Allyship
Advancement shouldn’t depend on who has access — yet systemic barriers persist. This talk explores how allyship can dismantle those barriers, highlighting the concrete actions leaders can take to support women and underrepresented groups in meaningful, measurable ways.
Cultivating Psychological Safety in the Workplace
Teams can’t innovate or speak honestly without psychological safety. Participants will learn what safety looks like in practice, what undermines it, and how leaders can create environments where people feel respected, heard, and empowered to contribute.
Leading in a Multi-Cultural Context
Culture shapes how people communicate, collaborate, and lead. This session gives leaders the tools to navigate cultural differences with respect and curiosity, helping them build stronger relationships and more inclusive teams across diverse contexts.
The Impact of Small Moments: Understanding Microaggressions at Work
Microaggressions may seem small, but their cumulative impact is significant. This talk breaks down how microaggressions show up, why they matter, and how leaders can recognize, interrupt, and prevent them to foster a more respectful workplace.
Seeing Bias Clearly: What All Leaders Need to Know
Bias affects how we make decisions — often without realizing it. This session helps leaders identify the most common forms of bias, understand their impact on people and performance, and adopt practical strategies to reduce bias in key moments.
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