Evolve Forum 2024 Welcomes Keynote Speaker
Evolve: The National Forum for Veteran Entrepreneurship is a gathering place for Veterans and their supporters to share experience and resources. As a Veteran, entrepreneur, and advocate, IWSCC is proud to welcome Giselle Drew Walsh as our 2024 Keynote Speaker.
Who is Giselle Drew Walsh?
Giselle Drew Walsh is a dynamic leader, motivational speaker, and advocate with a compelling story rooted in resilience and service. Giselle has dedicated her platform to championing causes that empower individuals to overcome adversity, advocate for mental health awareness, and inspire leadership in all walks of life. Her journey began in the military, where she served her country since 2008 as an infantry soldier, focused primarily on education and training. Through the challenges and triumphs of her service, she developed a deep passion for resilience and empowerment—values that now fuel her work as a speaker and advocate.
As Mrs. Universe Canada ’24/’25, Giselle was the first Canadian veteran to win a national pageant title and went on to compete internationally at Mrs. Universe in South Korea. There she strategically organized each outfit to represent different eras from the Canadian Military, including making her own National Costume adorned with handmade poppies from Veterans across Canada. In representing Canada and its military, Giselle successful placed in the top 25 of 110 delegates, a first for Canada in almost 10 years. Her most recent accomplishment was being the keynote speaker, and honoured guest, at the 2024 Brilliant Minded Women gala in Toronto, Ontario.
Transforming Experience into Resources
Beyond her role as a motivational speaker, Giselle serves as the Board Secretary for Valour in the Presence of the Enemy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans and military families. She also serves on the Board of Directors for CIMVHR, Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research. Her work in this capacity involves championing the needs of those who have served and sacrificed for their country, while advocating for better mental health resources and veteran support programs.
Giselle is also the host of the Breaking Dress Regs podcast, where she shares personal stories and interviews with individuals who have challenged societal norms, broken barriers, and achieved greatness in their fields. The podcast focuses on resilience, leadership, and breaking the mold, offering a platform for voices that inspire change.
Driven to Inspire Others
Driven by a commitment to empowering others, Giselle’s speaking engagements focus on themes of personal growth, leadership in the face of adversity, and the power of community. Her ability to connect with audiences through her authenticity and powerful storytelling has made her a rising figure in the world of motivational speaking and advocacy. Whether addressing nonprofits, government organizations, or corporate teams, Giselle delivers a message of hope, resilience, and empowerment that inspires her audience to act and lead with purpose.
Her mission is clear: to inspire individuals and organizations to push beyond limitations, embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and lead with compassion and strength. As a veteran, advocate, and speaker, Giselle Drew Walsh is making a lasting impact by encouraging others to find their own path to resilience and empowerment.
Evolve: The National Forum for Veteran Entrepreneurship
Find Giselle where Veteran entrepreneurs and their supporters meet to share experience and resources when you register for the 2024 Evolve Forum.
