
Calissa attended our organization’s annual Symposium and presented her keynote speech, “Oxygen Mask Mindset: Avoiding Burnout.” Her keynote was engaging, informative, and left our staff feeling empowered and re-energized in our mission to nurture the next generation. Calissa also brought an element of warmth that reminded us of the joy and importance of our work. The practical strategies shared during the talk are already making a difference.
Agata Serrano, Communications & Events Coordinator, Network Child Care Services
Calissa Ngozi
Award-Winning Mental Health, Resilience & Burnout Speaker
Calissa Ngozi is an award-winning inspirational speaker and tv and media guest expert-as seen on CP24, Global News, Breakfast Television, The Social, CHCH and more.
She has had a remarkable career spanning over two decades. Calissa’s passion for supporting individuals in need has been evident throughout her journey. With a diverse background in mental health, hospital care, education, acquired brain injury rehabilitation, and private practice, Calissa has made significant strides in providing essential mental health and behaviour support services.
In addition to her exemplary work in the field, Calissa Ngozi is a Professor at Mohawk College, where she imparts her wealth of knowledge and expertise to aspiring professionals in multiple departments. Her dedication to education and mentorship is further evidenced by her ability to captivate audiences with her ability to host, facilitate, and keynote conferences and workshops, to inspire positive change and resilience.
Calissa’s impact extends beyond academia and professional settings. She is a former board of director with the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care, and currently serves on the Pathstone Mental Health Foundation Board, and the Niagara College Child & Youth Care advisory committee.
Calissa loves to travel, eat donuts, and spend time with her twin boys.
Videos
Topics
Oxygen Mask Mindset: Avoiding Burnout
Outline:
Professionals often face immense pressure to perform, leading to stress and burnout. Calissa’s engaging talk, “Oxygen Mask Mindset,” emphasizes the critical need for self-care and boundary-setting to maintain mental health and achieve sustained success. Inspired by the pre-flight safety instruction to “put your own oxygen mask on first,” this talk provides corporate professionals with the tools and strategies to protect their peace and avoid burnout.
Calissa will guide attendees through a comprehensive framework designed to integrate self-care into their busy lives, set healthy boundaries in the workplace, and find joy outside of their professional roles. Through practical tips, relatable examples, and actionable insights, this talk aims to empower corporate professionals to prioritize their well-being and enhance their productivity and satisfaction at work.
Learning Outcomes:
- Staying Connected to Your Professional Purpose
- Establishing and Maintaining Professional Boundaries
- Incorporating Self-Care into Your Corporate Schedule
- Finding Joy and Fulfillment Outside of Work
- Building a Supportive Professional Network
- Protecting Yourself from Burnout
Thriving in the Corporate Jungle: Mental Health Strategies for Professional Success
Corporate life can be demanding and mental health often takes a back seat to deadlines and productivity goals. Calissa’s keynote, “Thriving in the Corporate Jungle,” addresses the critical importance of mental health in achieving long-term professional success. This talk provides corporate professionals with practical strategies to manage stress, enhance resilience, and maintain mental well-being amidst the demands of their careers.
Calissa’s engaging and insightful presentation combines evidence-based mental health practices with real-world corporate scenarios. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to create a healthier work environment, improve their mental health, and ultimately thrive in their professional roles.
Learning Outcomes:
- Stress Management Techniques
- Building Resilience
- Promoting a Healthy Work Environment
- Work-Life Balance
- Recognizing and Addressing Burnout
- Fostering Positive Workplace Relationships
Oxygen Mask Mindset: Embracing Self-Care & Boundaries
For: Human Service & Mental Health Professionals
In the demanding fields of human services and mental health, professionals are often at risk of burnout and vicarious trauma due to their relentless dedication to helping others. Calissa’s enlightening talk, “Oxygen Mask Mindset,” emphasizes the crucial need for self-care and boundary-setting, using the powerful metaphor of putting on your own oxygen mask first. This approach ensures that mental health professionals can sustain their well-being and continue providing high-quality care to their clients.
Through a comprehensive framework that includes staying connected to your purpose, setting healthy boundaries, and engaging in effective self-care, Calissa offers practical strategies and insights. Attendees will be inspired to find joy outside of work, build supportive networks, and recognize when to seek help or step away. This talk is designed to empower professionals to protect themselves from burnout and trauma while maintaining their passion and effectiveness in their roles.
By the end of this talk, human services and mental health professionals will be equipped with the mindset and tools needed to prioritize their own well-being, ensuring they can continue to provide exceptional care to others.
Learning Outcomes:
- Staying Connected to Your Why
- Establishing Healthy Boundaries
- Prioritizing Self-Care
- Finding Joy Outside of Work
- Creating a Support Network
- Protecting Yourself from Vicarious Trauma
- Knowing When to Ask for Help and When to Walk Away
The Oxygen Mask Mindset for DEI & Inclusion: Leading Through Personal Accountability
In this engaging and transformative session, Calissa Ngozi introduces her unique Oxygen Mask Mindset approach to DE&I leadership. Drawing from her personal experiences as a Black woman raised by white parents, Calissa emphasizes the importance of personal accountability and self-mastery as the foundation for effective diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Participants will learn how to confront their own biases, deepen their understanding of DE&I topics, and develop actionable plans to lead with integrity.
This workshop empowers leaders to model inclusivity authentically, first by addressing their own knowledge gaps and biases before advocating for organizational change. By creating a culture of personal responsibility, attendees will leave with the tools to foster lasting, impactful DE&I efforts that resonate throughout their teams and organizations.
Learning Outcomes:
- Personal Accountability: Participants will understand how personal education and accountability are crucial for leading effective DE&I initiatives,
- Actionable Growth Plan: Attendees will develop a personalized DE&I growth plan that includes strategies for continuous learning, bias identification, and modeling inclusivity in their daily leadership practices.
- Sustainable DE&I Leadership: Leaders will gain insight into how personal mastery of DE&I principles can lead to more authentic, impactful, and sustainable DE&I initiatives within their organizations.
Resilient By Design: Building Strength & Adaptability With The Oxygen Mask Mindset
In the past few years, the workplace landscape has shifted dramatically, presenting leaders with new challenges—managing diverse teams, adapting to evolving expectations, and navigating heightened pressures. In this inspiring and practical talk, Calissa introduces the Oxygen Mask Mindset as a transformative approach to building resilience in leadership. By prioritizing self-care, fostering mental strength, and leading by example, leaders can cultivate an environment where adaptability, engagement, and productivity thrive. This talk empowers leaders with the tools to face challenges head-on and inspire their teams to do the same.
Learning Outcomes:
- The Resilience Formula: Understand the core components of resilience—mindset, recovery, and adaptability—and how to apply them in high-pressure environments.
- The Power of Self-Care: Discover why taking care of yourself first isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity for long-term success and stability on the job.
- Stress as a Superpower: Learn techniques to turn workplace stress into a catalyst for growth and productivity.
- Boundaries that Build Strength: Gain actionable strategies for setting boundaries that protect your well-being while supporting team collaboration.