First Canadian Survivor Winner, Award-Winning Host & Media Personality, Underestimated Champion

Erika Casupanan

Don’t let her purple hair and petite frame fool you, Erika is a powerhouse of resilience, personality, and charm. As the first Canadian winner of Survivor, she inspires others to embrace their full potential. With a decade in PR, marketing, and tech, she’s gone from ghostwriting speeches to commanding the stage as a keynote speaker, infusing humour from her comedy training at Second City. A proud Filipino immigrant and advocate, she shares her journey of navigating the corporate world and coming out at 34 with self-compassion.

Biography

Don’t let her purple hair and petite frame fool you. Erika proves that personality, perseverance and charm come in all sorts of packages. As the first Canadian winner of SURVIVOR, Erika has been vulnerable and victorious in front of millions on TV. Now, she’s on a mission to inspire anyone who’s been underestimated to be resilient and embrace their full potential.

Previously, Erika had a decade-long career in public relations, marketing and tech. After years of ghostwriting speeches and standing backstage holding a clipboard, she is honored and thrilled to take center stage as a keynote speaker. With years of comedy training under her belt through Second City and Sweet Action Theatre, she loves to throw in some laughs too.

The lessons she learned as a Filipino immigrant navigating the corporate world have fuelled her passion for empowering underrepresented groups and overlooked experiences. After coming out at the age of 34, she encourages self-compassion and empathy for other queer late bloomers and allies.

Erika elevates the stories of people who have been underestimated as a media personality and host of the Happy to See Me podcast. The Canadian reality TV darling has appeared on the Traitors Canada and as a correspondent on Entertainment Tonight Canada. Her writing has been featured in the Globe and Mail.

Expertise

Women in Leadership
Diversity in Leadership
Overcoming Adversity
Authenticity
Emcee

Videos

Erika Casupanan - Speaker Reel - 2026

Keynote Topics

The People are Greater than the Game: How a People-Focused Mindset is Key to Thriving During Constant Change

We hear it all the time: Change is inevitable. In today’s world, change can be relentless.

Leaders and organizations are under constant pressure to adapt and pivot. We’ve rewritten the rules of success so many times that the goal feels like a moving target.

It turns out the key to winning – and the only constant – might be right in front of us.

We’re all guilty of getting distracted with how the rules and circumstances are changing, but if we shift our focus to the people around us, we gain the competitive edge to win.

In this keynote, Erika Casupanan, the first Canadian winner of the hit reality show Survivor, reveals why in moments of uncertainty, putting people first is the winning strategy.

Despite being underestimated, she built trust, fostered resilience and adapted in the face of shifting rules, and those skills mirror what organizations need to succeed today. Through powerful personal storytelling, Erika shares how she transformed from on-paper perfectionist to a flexible, people-focused player who thrived in unpredictable environments.

This keynote leaves audiences inspired and equipped with insights to help leaders guide their teams through constant change.

Empathy in Action: Unlock Team Success through People-First Leadership

We all want our teams to feel safe and thrive, but how do we create environments where people can rise to their potential?

There’s increasing pressure to simultaneously exceed business objectives and bring out the best in your people. Challenges are more pronounced when you’re not sure how to unlock the potential in a team with diverse backgrounds and different experiences from yours.

Leaders are critical in creating environments where team members can break industry barriers, drive innovation and find their voice within the workplace. It turns out, simple acts of curiosity, empathy and people-focused leadership are the tools to unlock potential in team members.

Erika Casupanan, the first Canadian and Filipino winner of the hit reality show Survivor, knows this challenge firsthand. While many associate her with primetime TV victory, her real story lies in the uncharted journey that came before: growing up as an immigrant in Canada, navigating corporate spaces where she was often underestimated and confronting the scrutiny of being visible in the public eye.

Through candid personal storytelling, Erika reveals the impact of leaders who prioritized empathy to recognize and invest in the untapped potential of those around them.

This keynote is a call to action for leaders to see the overlooked, unlock potential and create people-first cultures where innovation and achievement aren’t reserved for a few, but possible for many.

Harness Your Underdog Advantage: Lead with Purpose to Succeed Against the Odds

Imagine showing up prepared. Qualified. Ready to take action—only to be dismissed.

What happens when your talent is questioned before you even get a chance to prove yourself?

How do you lead when your voice isn’t the loudest in the room or when people assume you don’t belong there at all?

For challenger brands, overlooked industries and underrepresented communities, being underestimated isn’t a rare challenge, it’s the everyday reality.

But what if the very thing that holds people back could actually become the key to their greatest wins?

It turns out underestimated voices are the ones to fuel innovation and unlock opportunities. Learning to use your underdog advantage can lead to unprecedented success.

In this keynote, Erika Casupanan – the first Canadian winner of the hit reality show Survivor – weaves together personal stories of being “the only one” in school, in the office, and even on a global stage. She reveals how being an underdog was her greatest asset to transform from background roles into a historic champion and now a purpose-driven entrepreneur.

This isn’t just a story of survival. It’s a blueprint for leadership in a world where purpose and adaptability are the true competitive edges.

The Self-Confidence Shift: Transform Imposter Syndrome into Unmistakable Growth

Imposter syndrome is often painted as the enemy: a red flag, a career derailer and a private shame.

What if the nagging pull of imposter syndrome wasn’t an obstacle, but instead a signal that your next breakthrough is around the corner.

The truth is confidence isn’t the absence of fear. It’s the ability to move forward knowing that you’ll survive any outcome, and that growth is worth the risk.

The leaders and teams who thrive are not the ones who never feel doubt, but the ones who learn to stay grounded in discomfort and overcome uncertainty to take action.

In this keynote, Erika Casupanan, the first Canadian to win Survivor, reframes imposter syndrome as fuel for growth. Through vulnerable stories of personal transformation and being underestimated in boardrooms, on national television, and beyond, Erika shares practical strategies leaders can use to help their people move past “faking it” and into unshakable self trust.

This isn’t about silencing self-doubt. It’s about teaching your teams to recognize it as proof they’re growing, and giving them the tools to push past limits, innovate with confidence and rise to their next level.

Panel Moderator, Host & Emcee

Erika Casupanan is a polished, versatile, moderator, emcee and host who brings both gravitas and warmth to every stage. With on-air experience at ET Canada, her own Happy to See Me podcast, and a foundation in acting and comedic performance, she effortlessly blends storytelling, humour, and professionalism. Her deep roots in PR, tech communications, and media give her a keen sense of how to guide conversations, handle transitions, and engage an audience with confidence. Whether moderating a panel or hosting a gala, she creates seamless, memorable experiences that lift every event.

Testimonials

Erika’s keynote was both powerful and heartwarming. She was able to explain how a game of strategy can have such parallels to leadership and even life in general. Erika showed the audience how building effective relationships can help you and those around you succeed. This was evident through the relationships Erika was able to build with the audience in a limited amount of time. Erika was funny and engaging and I would highly recommend her for your event.

Spark Women's Leadership Event

Then there was Erika Casupanan. Her session was pure gold and really resonated with me. She passionately spoke about the feeling of being the 🥇 to do something and the challenges that often come with it. The resilience it takes when you are constantly seen as the underdog.

Erika’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, courage and defeating the odds. Her message? Trailblazing is tough, but it always pays off. She reminded us that innovation and leadership come from those who dare to take that leap of faith.

Isabelle Godin, Manager, Deloitte

I had the privilege of listening to Erika Casupanan, a keynote speaker at this year’s CPHR Conference in Fredericton, NB. Her message on relentless perseverance, facing adversity with humility, and authenticity deeply resonated with me.

Erika’s insights heightened my understanding of the unique challenges faced by those who come to Canada. These are challenges that many of us can’t fully comprehend unless we’ve walked in their shoes. As HR professionals, it’s crucial to recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. The needs of one individual may not mimic the needs of another.
This perspective is not just limited to immigrants. Many Canadians, whether immigrant or non-immigrant, face adversity and challenges. In these times, it’s more important than ever to meet people where they are, keep an open mind and heart, and always encourage authenticity in our employees. Let’s strive to create inclusive workplaces where everyone feels valued and understood.