There’s no frustration quite like showing up prepared, qualified, and ready—only to be dismissed. For those who are part of overlooked industries and marginalized communities, being underestimated isn’t just an occasional setback; it can feel like a constant uphill battle. But what if the very thing that holds you back is actually the key to unlocking your biggest wins?

Erika Casupanan is a media personality, host, storyteller, and the first Canadian to win Survivor. A Filipino immigrant from an English-as-a-second-language household, she climbed the corporate ladder in tech communications before making history on reality TV. Time and again, she has faced skepticism about her skills, appearance and bubbly personality—only to shatter expectations and reach new heights.

In this session, Erika shares personal stories of how she navigated being one of the only Filipino kids in her school, spent years in a background role in the corporate world and transformed from an underdog on Survivor into a historic champion and now a purpose-driven entrepreneur. Through her journey, she explores the power of community, resilience in the face of adversity, and how embracing the role of being underestimated can become your greatest advantage—especially for those in industries often overlooked.

This talk will inspire and empower individuals who have felt invisible in their careers, showing them how to embrace their unique perspectives and turn every challenge into an opportunity for success.

Key takeaways include:

• Being underestimated is an opportunity to innovate – When others don’t expect much from you, it gives you the freedom to strategize, surprise, and succeed on your own terms.
• Don’t focus on proving your worth—focus on your values – Your value is inherent. Instead of seeking external validation, define what truly matters to you and let that guide your decisions.
• Community is essential when you’re winning and challenged – Support isn’t just important when overcoming obstacles—it’s also needed in moments of victory. Whether through mentorship, peers, or those who see themselves in your journey, community provides both resilience and encouragement.

Change is constant. We experienced a lot of it over the last few years. It’s easy to get caught up in how the circumstances are always changing and nothing is clear. In this talk, I demonstrate through personal storytelling how when the rules of the game are always in flux, focusing on people leads to the win.

As the first Canadian winner of the TV series Survivor, I share my story of going from on-paper perfectionist to flexible, people-focused player. I persevered through being underestimated and figured out how to be successful in a game where the rules changed and looked very different from what I expected.

Learning Outcomes: 

• How a people-focused mindset is the ultimate asset when navigating times of change
• How a fulsome life outside the “game” fuels perseverance and makes for a “better player”
• The importance of celebrating the rewarding parts of one’s work, even when facing adversity

People love the prestige of being “the first” but the road to getting there is often a rocky one.

In this keynote, Erika shares her story of navigating uncharted paths as the first Canadian and Filipino winner of Survivor. While many associate her with primetime reality TV victory, Erika reveals the challenges and triumphs that shaped her journey to becoming the “first.” From early moments growing up as an immigrant in Canada to facing judgment in her career and dealing with Internet trolls, she emphasizes the power of meaningful support and open-minded mentorship when you feel misunderstood. This keynote is a testament to how the willingness to see potential in the people around you can chart a course to success.

Key Learnings:

• There’s magic in the people around us: Opportunities for growth and transformation are abundant in the people around us, if we are willing to see it. Through open-mindedness and recognizing the magic in others, we can contribute to a world where more people achieve their own “firsts.”
• Curiosity unlocks potential: The right questions, asked with genuine curiosity, can expand possibilities and open new paths. While judgmental questions can limit growth, questions that invite exploration can empower people to recognize their full potential and abilities.
• The Impact of Supportive Relationships: The journey to success is significantly shaped by those who see potential in us and nurture it. Audience members will be inspired to recognize and celebrate uniqueness and potential.
• The Power of Being a “First”: The first can mean anything, whether it’s the first in your country, city, family or a first for yourself. It’s intimidating to head into uncharted territory with no blueprint, but by embracing the uncertainty, you can forge a path that’s unique to you and encourage others to do the same.

In a world filled with expectations, being yourself can be an act of bravery. Living the accepted way rather than the authentic way can feel comfortable in the short term, but be a tiring compromise in the long run. When you live with authenticity, you live life based on your values, beliefs and expectations instead of those of others. Sometimes it can feel like swimming against the current, but following your own path can be the most rewarding.

Erika tells her story of growing up as one of the only Filipino kids in school, holding onto a successful career that she knew wasn’t right for her, becoming a historic reality TV champ on her terms and coming out as queer in her 30s.

Learning Outcomes:

• How to honor the voice inside that’s guiding you towards your authentic self
• Having self compassion when figuring out your path
• Why blazing your own trail can be scary, but worth it
• How building trust in yourself attracts trust from others

Those big decision-making moments like deciding on a career path, choosing a college or planning your life after graduation can be terrifying. The stakes are high and the wrong decision feels like it could send you down a path to failure. When the road ahead is unclear, letting go of perfectionism and embracing exploration can help you discover your purpose and passions.

As the first Canadian winner of the TV series Survivor, I share my story of being so focused on doing the “smart” thing that I ended up in a decade-long career I wasn’t passionate about. After accepting that what felt good didn’t look right on paper, I found the freedom to make even bigger dreams come true.

Learning Outcomes:

• The benefit of figuring out what you love to do, instead of what you should do
• Normalizing not having it figured out and accepting that our journeys are not straightforward
• Trusting yourself to try is the ultimate win