Keynote Speaker in Ottawa, ON
Former Mayor · First Liberian-American mayor in U.S. history
The national capital and home of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities — Canada's municipal conference circuit runs through Ottawa, and the public-safety, pandemic-leadership, and crisis case studies translate directly to Canadian cities.
Direct and one-stop flights from MSP.
Mike Elliott speaks on leading through crisis, community-centered public safety, environmental justice, pandemic leadership, and the refugee experience — told by the mayor who lived it, with the honest ledger intact.
Talks that fit Ottawa
Reimagining Public Safety
Inside the Community Safety & Violence Prevention Act — what it took to pass landmark reform, what implementation actually looks like, and the honest lessons for cities trying to build safety beyond policing.
Leading Through Crisis
72 hours that tested a city: command decisions, community trust, and leading under national scrutiny after the killing of Daunte Wright.
Governing Through a Pandemic
Early emergency declarations, food-shelf funding, and mayoral proclamations that protected the most vulnerable — emergency leadership at city scale.
Building Communities That Work for Everyone
Community-centered leadership — equity, belonging, and practical civic leadership in diverse, working-class cities.
Booking in Ottawa — common questions
How far ahead should we book a keynote in Ottawa?
Three to six months is typical for conference keynotes; municipal and community events can often be scheduled sooner. Commencement season (April–June) books earliest.
Does Mike Elliott charge travel fees?
Travel is billed at cost from Minneapolis–Saint Paul (MSP) — flights, hotel, and ground transport. Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro events carry no travel costs; mission-aligned community rates are available.
Can the talk be tailored to our city or organization?
Yes — every talk is tailored. Local references, your audience's specific questions, and format (keynote, panel, workshop, commencement) are worked out in a pre-event call.
Is a virtual or hybrid format available?
Yes — all talks can be delivered virtually to Ottawa audiences or hybrid with an in-person room.
Book Mike for your Ottawa event
Mention your Ottawa event in the request — date, venue, audience size, and format all help him tailor the talk.