Speaker. Educator. Writer. Coach
Through his tireless work, Sam Thiara has dedicated the past 25 years to empowering individuals and strengthening communities as a speaker, educator, storyteller, and mentor/coach. His purpose is simple yet profound — to help people navigate life and career with clarity, confidence, and compassion.
Sam’s community impact spans 50+ nonprofit organizations, where he has supported everything from strategic visioning and stakeholder engagement to hands-on project work. Whether guiding organizations or individuals, Sam leads with heart, humility, and a belief that small actions can create lasting change.
To date, Sam has had more than 5,500 conversations guiding others on their journeys of self-discovery and growth. His passion lies in helping people uncover their own stories — to see how their experiences, challenges, and values shape who they are and who they can become.
As a writer and blogger, Sam authored Personal Storytelling: Discover the Extraordinary in the Ordinary, a book that helps readers capture and share their own life stories. His reflections continue to inspire others to find meaning in everyday moments and to live with greater purpose.
A sought-after speaker and facilitator, Sam has delivered keynotes, workshops, and panels across regions and countries. He is a 2x TEDx presenter with a talk that introduced his signature phrase, “Discovering the Extraordinary in the Ordinary,” and one that focused on “How to Activate the Voice Within to Be Louder Than the Noise Around”.
At Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business and Fraser International College, where he has engaged students and taught since 2004, Sam has mentored and coached hundreds of students, helping them transition from education to meaningful careers. His commitment to youth empowerment also led him to co-found GradusOne, which later merged with the League of Innovators to expand its reach and impact.
In recognition of his contributions, Sam has received the Governor General’s Canadian Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the King Charles III Coronation Medal, and the Rick Hansen Difference Maker medallion.
Every story Sam tells, every workshop he delivers, and every conversation he shares is rooted in one belief — that within each of us lies something truly extraordinary, waiting to be discovered.
