Matthew Corkum

Adventurer, Disability Advocate and Meteorologist

Community Building Adventurers & Explorers Educators Fresh Perspectives

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Customer Experience Diversity Equity & Inclusion Health & Wellness Healthcare Motivation & Inspiration

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Motivational Speakers

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About This Speaker

Matthew Corkum is a dynamic and passionate keynote speaker who fearlessly tackles difficult topics. He embodies a lifelong drive to excel in diverse settings, despite living with cerebral palsy.

He brings a wealth of professional experience, including a PhD in atmospheric science and 13 years as head meteorologist at a leading Calgary Hedge fund. Beyond his technical expertise, Matthew speaks candidly about his personal experiences with exclusion, bullying, and discrimination.

Matthew is actively involved in advocacy and community leadership. His roles include past membership on the City of Calgary’s Advisory Committee on Accessibility, President of Rocky Mountain Adaptive (RMA), and Community Advisory Member for Calgary Adapted Hub.

With a contagious smile and a knack for one-line jokes, Matthew often lightens the mood as he shares stories of learning to ski, including becoming a park skier who performs jumps and tricks.

He is not a typical disability advocate. Drawing on his 13 years in the corporate world, Matthew Corkum helps businesses see the tangible advantages of hiring people with disabilities, repositioning it as an asset rather than a burden. He also offers critical insights into the education system, discussing his challenges with writing and providing actionable advice for educators to better support all students. Finally, he shares real-life examples of how the healthcare system has both succeeded and failed him, offering practical recommendations for healthcare professionals on how to best support individuals with disabilities in their healthcare journey.

Videos

Speaking Topics: Matthew Corkum

Walk A Mile In My Shaky Shoes; How Businesses Can Be More Inclusive

Matthew Corkum shares his compelling life story, including being born with cerebral palsy, to illustrate how businesses can significantly boost productivity and profitability by fully including people with disabilities as both employees and customers. This talk will challenge common misconceptions about hiring individuals with disabilities, demonstrating why the prevailing myth is false. Furthermore, attendees will learn to identify and address unconscious biases within their hiring processes that may currently be preventing them from securing top-tier talent.

Walk A Mile In My Shaky Shoes; How The Education System Can Be More Inclusive And Support All Students

Matthew Corkum shares his personal journey of living with cerebral palsy, offering crucial insights for educators on effectively supporting all students, particularly those with disabilities. The talk emphasizes that a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to student accommodations is ineffective. By providing tailored, appropriate accommodations, the education system can empower every student to achieve their highest level of learning.

Walk A Mile In My Shaky Shoes; How The Healthcare System Can Be More Inclusive And Support All Patients

Drawing from his personal experience living with cerebral palsy, Matthew Corkum explores how the healthcare system can achieve greater inclusivity and provide comprehensive support for all patients. This talk will guide healthcare professionals on effective strategies to empower individuals with disabilities to reach their full potential. Audiences will learn the critical role of establishing professional, patient-centered relationships in improving health outcomes and enhancing the impact of their own work.