Speaking & Event Hosting
Ricky-Lee brings story, humour, reflection, and relational care to the stage. Drawing from Indigenous leadership, psychology, wellness, youth empowerment, grief, travel, modelling, clean energy, and lived experience, he creates talks and hosted experiences that feel grounded, memorable, and practical — helping audiences reconnect with themselves, each other, and the possibilities ahead.
Available for keynotes, workshops, moderated conversations, panels, conference emceeing, and event hosting.
Selected Speaking, Panels & Hosting Experience
Ricky-Lee has spoken, facilitated, moderated, hosted, and contributed across national conferences, youth gatherings, education spaces, Indigenous leadership forums, sustainability events, fashion platforms, and community programs.
Conference Emcee / Chair — ICCE 2025 National Conference
Speaker / Public Representative — Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week and Indigenous fashion platforms
Panel Moderator — Indigenous Tourism Conference 2025
Facilitator — Tapestry Education Conference, Greater Victoria Teachers Association
Speaker & Facilitator — Canadian College of Health Leaders, Vancouver Island Chapter Mentorship Program Kick-Off
Speaker / Moderator / Panelist — AFN Climate Gathering, Assembly of First Nations
Speaker / Panelist — Indigenous Clean Energy gatherings and Generation Power
Speaker — Natural History Museum of London
Speaker — Let’s Talk Climate Action, Let’s Talk Science
Speaker — Efficiency Canada, DiscoverEE Session
Speaker — The Raven Institute, RavenSPEAK
Speaker / Facilitator — TakingITGlobal / Connected North and community-based education spaces
A Presence That Connects
I’ve spoken to youth, students, professionals, leadership groups, and community audiences navigating identity, purpose, growth, and change. What people often remember is not only the content, but the quality of the room — whether they felt seen, invited in, and moved toward something real.
My work is grounded, story-driven, and relational, with calm stage presence, strong room awareness, and a focus on creating experiences that are engaging, well held, and meaningful.
What I Offer
Keynotes
Story-driven talks that invite reflection, spark insight, and give audiences something practical to carry forward.
Workshops
Interactive sessions designed for participation, dialogue, and integration — not passive listening.
Panels & Conversations
Thoughtful moderation and contribution that bring clarity, presence, and useful perspective.
Event Hosting / MCing
Steady, engaging hosting that supports strong flow, audience connection, and a room that feels well held from beginning to end.
Event Hosting in Practice
Case Study: ICCE National Conference
ICCE National Conference — Conference Emcee / Chair
For the ICCE National Conference, Ricky-Lee served as Conference Emcee / Chair, supporting the flow, tone, and audience experience of a multi-day national gathering.
The role required more than stage presence. It called for attentiveness to timing, transitions, audience energy, cultural responsiveness, and the overall feeling of the room.
Throughout the conference, Ricky-Lee helped create a welcoming and cohesive environment for speakers, participants, and organizers. He brought warmth, humour, professionalism, and grounded presence to the stage while remaining responsive to the needs of the event.
The result was an event experience that felt both professional and human. Attendee feedback consistently recognized his ability to hold the room with energy, care, and respect.
“Ricky-Lee was an engaging, entertaining, and culturally responsive emcee who brought uplifting energy while remaining grounded, respectful, and attentive to the audience’s needs. Attendee feedback consistently praised his emcee skills.”
Speaking Topics
These topics can be adapted as keynotes, workshops, panel conversations, or facilitated sessions depending on the audience, format, and goals.
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Identity, values, courage, and leading from connection rather than performance.
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Burnout, boundaries, nervous system care, and what it takes to sustain meaningful leadership over time.
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A session rooted in ʔiisaak and hišukʔiš c̓awaak, exploring respect, relationality, responsibility, and the larger systems of connection we are part of.
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A youth- and community-centered talk on adversity, self-belief, vulnerability, growth, and becoming more fully oneself.
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A session connecting mental health, culture, grief, breath, emotional regulation, nature, and holistic wellbeing.
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A facilitation-based experience for groups navigating change, uncertainty, transition, or reconnection.
What People Experience
Reflections from organizations, teams, and events:
“Ricky-Lee brought a rare combination of care, presence, and attentiveness that helped people feel welcomed, heard, and supported. His facilitation encouraged deeper conversations and relationship-building while still holding the group with gentleness and intention.”
“Ricky-Lee is a sought-after role model whose leadership is rooted in kindness, courage, and openness. His warmth creates a welcoming atmosphere where people feel safe to learn and grow.”
Who This Work Is For
This work is a strong fit for:
Conferences and events
Schools and youth programs
Organizations and teams
Leadership groups and boards
Community and cultural spaces
Wellness, sustainability, and social impact gatherings
Fashion, media, and creative platforms seeking a strong speaker or host
Common themes include:
Leadership, identity, and purpose
Wellness, resilience, and emotional awareness
Belonging, confidence, and self-expression
Indigenous worldview and interconnectedness
Youth empowerment and community health
Navigating growth, grief, uncertainty, and change
Each experience is adapted to the tone, audience, and purpose of the event.
Bio Options for Organizers
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Ricky-Lee Watts is a Nuučaanuł speaker, facilitator, retreat leader, emcee, and model from Port Alberni, Vancouver Island. Known for grounded presence and genuine audience connection, his work sits at the intersection of leadership, wellness, belonging, Indigenous worldview, and lived experience.
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Ricky-Lee Watts is a Nuučaanuł speaker, facilitator, retreat leader, emcee, and model from Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. His work sits at the intersection of human connection, wellness, leadership, Indigenous worldview, and lived experience.
Drawing on a background in psychology, facilitation, community leadership, cultural rootedness, and years of experience holding space for diverse groups, Ricky-Lee creates environments where people feel more present, connected, and open to growth. His speaking style is grounded, story-driven, and relational — moving audiences beyond passive listening into reflection, connection, and meaningful action.
Whether delivering a keynote, leading a workshop, hosting a live event, or contributing to a panel, Ricky-Lee brings a calm, attentive presence that helps people feel engaged, welcomed, and genuinely invited into the experience.
He is based between Vancouver Island and Vancouver, and is available for speaking engagements, workshops, panels, moderated conversations, and event hosting.
Looking for workshop topics?
I also offer a broader library of workshop themes and session topics that can be adapted for schools, organizations, teams, retreats, and community audiences.
Bring a memorable, human presence to your event
If you’re looking for a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, moderator, panelist, or host who can connect with a room in a genuine and lasting way, I’d love to hear more.
