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Ross Pambrun - <p>Futurist Ross Pambrun brings AI, leadership and change to life through humour, storytelling, frontline experience and human-centred insight.</p>

Ross Pambrun

Futurist Ross Pambrun brings AI, leadership and change to life through humour, storytelling, frontline experience and human-centred insight.

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5.00 of 5

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5 of 5

"Ross MEMPHIS can light up a room with his larger-than-life personality. I’ve had the ability to connect with him in many ways. As a business leader and showman, he brings the whole room into focus, but he is always so engaging with an audience. I’ve seen him Emcee, Speak and Moderate where you can tell he’s enjoying the experience just as much as the audience. This fellow is a must have speaker or emcee very professional and engaging. Ross can make you feel like he has known you all his life and he does that with audiences as well. He can think on the fly and ensure a smooth delivery of any content he is provided. He is always well prepared. He has a way of endearing himself to the audience and is a powerful salesman. "

Theresa Majeran , CEO

Karma Business Solutions

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Why you should book Ross Pambrun for your next event

  • Gain practical, human-centred perspectives on AI, ethics, cybersecurity and responsible adoption from an experienced technology leader.
  • Explore leadership and change through lessons shaped by entrepreneurship, critical care, firefighting and organizational transformation.
  • Engage audiences through humour and storytelling while exploring Indigenous relationships, innovation, resilience and the future of technology.

Non-binding request for Ross Pambrun

Futurist and keynote speaker on AI, leadership, change, cybersecurity, Indigenous culture and innovation

Ross Pambrun is an international keynote speaker and futurist who makes complex conversations about AI, leadership and change engaging, relevant and distinctly human. Named the 2026 Most Compelling Calgarian by the Calgary Herald, he brings experience as an Indigenous Métis business leader, technology CEO, entrepreneur, retired Registered Nurse and firefighter Captain. Having spoken at the Wall Street Journal Future of Everything Festival and studied at MIT, Harvard and the Alan Turing Institute, Ross combines humour, storytelling and practical insight to help audiences navigate AI, cybersecurity, transformation, innovation and the human decisions shaping our future.

 

Book Ross Pambrun for your event

Ross Pambrun is an international keynote speaker, futurist and storyteller whose experience spans artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, healthcare, firefighting, cybersecurity, Indigenous culture and organizational leadership. This unique background allows him to connect emerging technology with the realities facing people, communities and organizations.

Named the 2026 Most Compelling Calgarian by the Calgary Herald, Ross has also spoken at the Wall Street Journal Future of Everything Festival in New York City on the social progress of artificial intelligence.

Using humour, storytelling and real-world experience, Ross makes complex subjects accessible and relevant. Whether exploring responsible AI adoption, leadership through uncertainty, cybersecurity risk or Indigenous relationships, he connects big ideas with practical human experience.

His background as an emcee, actor and musician further shapes his engaging stage presence and natural ability to connect with audiences.

 

AI, cybersecurity & the human future

Ross is CEO of The Memphis Group, an award-winning artificial intelligence company and 2023 Innovation Award winner. The company applies AI, machine learning and cybersecurity approaches to help protect communities and values at risk from wildfires and environmental threats around the world.

This work places Ross at the intersection of emerging technology, risk and human responsibility. His presentations explore the opportunities of AI alongside the challenges organizations must navigate, including literacy, ethics, bias, trust, cybersecurity and responsible implementation.

Studies at MIT, Harvard and the Alan Turing Institute have further strengthened his expertise in AI, ethics and innovation.

Ross also speaks extensively on cybersecurity, exploring cyber risk leadership, cyber literacy, security culture and the convergence of AI and cybersecurity. His focus goes beyond technology to examine how people, leadership and organizational systems shape security and resilience.

 

Leadership built through experience

Ross' approach to leadership has been shaped by environments where decisions carry real consequences.

Before working in AI, he built VIP Occupational Health into a national success and led the company through a successful sale. That entrepreneurial experience informs his presentations on transformation, purposeful growth, resilience and change management.

Ross also spent seven years as a Registered Nurse in advanced critical care and more than 25 years as a firefighter, rising to the rank of Captain. He has received service medals from the Government of Canada, the Province of Alberta and the City of Calgary.

He is also an Emeritus Chief Science Officer in Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine with the Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Society.

Together, these experiences give Ross a practical perspective on resilience, emotional intelligence, organizational culture and leading people through change in the age of AI.

 

Keynote topics with real-world relevance

Ross Pambrun's keynote presentations span five core areas:

  • Artificial Intelligence: AI literacy, ethics, bias, trust, cybersecurity and responsible adoption.
  • Change Management & Leadership: resilience, systems thinking, emotional intelligence, culture and human-centred transformation.
  • Indigenous Peoples & Culture: reconciliation, relationship building, sovereignty, community and heritage.
  • Innovation & Entrepreneurship: curiosity, storytelling, continuous learning and purposeful growth.
  • Cyber Security & Cyber Innovation: cyber risk leadership, AI-cybersecurity convergence, cyber literacy and responsible security culture.

With a strong Métis heritage, Ross also speaks about navigating the Indigenous landscape and strengthening relationships through informed conversations around reconciliation, community, sovereignty and heritage.

 

A storyteller on stage & screen

Storytelling is central to Ross' approach. His experience in healthcare, emergency response, business and technology provides a wealth of real-world stories, while his work in entertainment helps him turn those experiences into memorable presentations.

Ross completed a 100-episode podcast series featuring guests from diverse backgrounds and appears weekly on the five-time nominated treasure-hunting television show Red River Gold, filmed across Canada and the UK and aired internationally.

For organizations looking to book Ross Pambrun, his keynotes combine technological insight with real-world leadership experience. He helps audiences understand how technology is changing the world, how leaders can respond to uncertainty, and how curiosity, empathy and responsible innovation can help organizations navigate what comes next.

Ross Pambrun - <p>Futurist Ross Pambrun brings AI, leadership and change to life through humour, storytelling, frontline experience and human-centred insight.</p>

Customer Reviews

5 of 5

"Ross MEMPHIS can light up a room with his larger-than-life personality. I’ve had the ability to connect with him in many ways. As a business leader and showman, he brings the whole room into focus, but he is always so engaging with an audience. I’ve seen him Emcee, Speak and Moderate where you can tell he’s enjoying the experience just as much as the audience. This fellow is a must have speaker or emcee very professional and engaging. Ross can make you feel like he has known you all his life and he does that with audiences as well. He can think on the fly and ensure a smooth delivery of any content he is provided. He is always well prepared. He has a way of endearing himself to the audience and is a powerful salesman. "

5 of 5

“MEMPHIS Ross’s skill is taking complex AI subject matter such as Large Language Models, or satellite computer vision wildfire detection and making it real for people. Ross MEMPHIS helps audiences feel the impact of these technologies by telling the story of AI can help make their lives better, what the risks are and what the potential is for society. I have seen MEMPHIS speak many times, and it’s his passion and professionalism for delighting and inspiring audiences that allows him to create an unforgettable experience that makes him a must-see host and speaker.”

5 of 5

“I wanted to let you know how happy we were to have had Ross Pambrun as our keynote speaker. He is professional and delightful to interact with, and delivered a fantastic address that impressed the audience greatly. The visuals of his presentation, combined with his delivery and content, hit all of our goals for the address. I highly recommend him to others who are seeking a dynamic and fascinating speaker in the field of Ethics and Artificial Intelligence.”

5 of 5

“Ross brought such an incredible energy to the Prairie Business Summit – from start to finish, he truly elevated the experience. We were especially grateful for his flexibility in pivoting last minute to accommodate time constraints. His professionalism, presence, and ability to connect with the audience didn’t go unnoticed.”

Rated 5.00/5 based on 4 customer reviews

Keynotes

Keynote by Ross Pambrun:

Simplifying the Complexity of Artificial Intelligence: A Manageable Conversation & Understanding

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can often seem like a daunting and complex subject reserved for tech experts and specialists.

However, understanding the fundamentals and implications of AI is becoming increasingly important for everyone, regardless of their background.

In today's fast paced and ever evolving business landscape, individuals with little to no prior knowledge of AI; non-technical professionals seeking to understand AI's impact on their industry; students and educators interested in integrating AI into their studies or teaching; community leaders looking to foster informed discussions about AI in their communities.

Ross Pambrun provides a clear, concise, and comprehensive understanding of AI so that the audience can be equipped to confidently discuss and make decisions surrounding AI and its implications.

Ross provides a history and status update of where we are at, and where we are going to activate autonomy surrounding when and how to use or not to use open-source platforms. Learn about the common misconceptions, explain how AI works, and highlight its impact on everyday life.

This easy to understand and authentic conversation helps others familiarize themselves with the current basics of AI, understand its potentials, its practical applications, ethical considerations, and future trends that are taking over our technology and systems.

This presentation aims to demystify AI, transforming the way people perceive the new technology, while making it accessible and part of their everyday work.

It will also break AI down to its core concepts through relatable terms, engaging examples, practical applications, and interactive discussions between colleagues and friends.

By simplifying complex concepts and focusing on real-world relevance, this presentation will bridge the gap between hype, necessity and technical jargon we are experiencing in the markets.

Request a quote: Ross Pambrun Simplifying the Complexity of Artificial Intelligence: A Manageable Conversation & Understanding

Keynote by Ross Pambrun:

The Pulse of Change Management: A Human Framework for the Age of AI

Organizations are pouring resources into the next wave of technological transformation — AI adoption, automation, global restructuring — and treating the rollout as a logistics problem.

It isn't. According to Prosci research, projects with excellent change management are up to 7 times more likely to meet their objectives than those with poor change management, yet most leaders still spend their budget on the technical side of change and almost nothing on the human side. The result is predictable: the software works, the org chart updates, and the people quietly opt out. As Ross Pambrun puts it, we don't resist change — we resist being changed.

For 30+ years, Ross Pambrun made high-stakes decisions for a living. As a Retired Registered Nurse with 7 years of advanced critical care experience and a 25-year fire captain, he spent his career reading human beings in the exact moment their world became unfamiliar and unstable — then guiding them through it, safely, in real time, with no room for a second attempt. He has applied that same instinct to business: Ross built VIP Occupational Health into a national success before leading the company through a successful sale — an exit that demanded the same change-management discipline he now teaches, from leading teams through transition to integrating into a new organization without losing momentum or morale. 

Today, as CEO of The Memphis Group, an award-winning AI company, Ross applies those frontline and entrepreneurial instincts to organizations navigating technological globalization, where the tools shift faster than the humans using them can emotionally absorb.

Rather than borrowing the standard change-management vocabulary, Ross translates the individual change journey through the language of his own clinical and emergency-response background — what he calls the PULSE Method:

  • a. Pulse Check — Before any intervention, you read the vitals. Leaders learn to diagnose where their people actually stand — fear, fatigue, curiosity, resistance — before announcing change, not after.

  • b. Urgency to Understanding — Converting "this is happening" into "this matters to me."  The shift from imposed urgency to personal motivation that turns compliance into genuine buy-in.

  • c. Learn the Protocol — The specific skills people need, taught the way a code team trains under pressure — repeatable, practical, and built for the moment it's actually needed, not just a slide deck.

  • d. Stabilize the Skill — Knowledge under pressure is different from knowledge in a classroom. Ross shows leaders how to help a change hold once it's tested by real conditions, not just rehearsed in a training room.

  • e. Embed for Endurance — The recovery phase. Ross shows leaders how to keep a change alive long after the initial launch has lost everyone's attention, so it survives past the first wave of enthusiasm.

Central to the talk is what Ross calls The Critical Window — the dip in morale and performance that follows almost every change initiative. Drawing on his critical-care background, Ross reframes this not as a crisis to be feared but as a window for active intervention: the moment where the right leadership response determines whether a change initiative recovers or fails. Audiences leave with a practical, repeatable framework for diagnosing where their people are in the change journey, building urgency without triggering fear, and leading transformation as something done with people — not to them.

This presentation is built for leaders navigating AI adoption, technological globalization, and organizational change of any kind, anywhere in the world — because while the specific technology will keep changing, the human nervous system adjusting to it does not.

Request a quote: Ross Pambrun The Pulse of Change Management: A Human Framework for the Age of AI

Keynote by Ross Pambrun:

The Adaptive Edge: How Leaders Build Resilient, High-Performance Teams

Economic instability, emerging technology, and heightened competition have accelerated the pace of business, placing leaders in environments where teams must adapt in the moment to meet new challenges. Leaders must prepare themselves and their teams to perform under pressure, where decisions carry significant responsibility and impact.

Drawing on experience in critical care, firefighting, AI development, and environmental protection, Ross Pambrun identifies the forces reshaping industries and shows how systems thinking clarifies interdependencies and risk. He provides insight into how leaders can become both risk-aware and risk-ready, creating the mindset and culture necessary for innovation and transformation.

This presentation helps leaders focus on what matters most in complex environments. Through the application of design and systems thinking, leaders learn how to help employees understand the current environment, anticipate what is coming next, and embrace the purpose behind every action. The session equips leaders to align culture and teams toward innovative change and transitions, creating organizations where responsibility is shared, collaboration is prioritized, goals are achieved, and opportunities are capitalized on with speed and precision.

The result is a culture that sustains innovation, develops new leadership capacity, and establishes performance as the foundation for long-term growth.

Request a quoet: Ross Pambrun The Adaptive Edge: How Leaders Build Resilient, High-Performance Teams

Keynote by Ross Pambrun:

The AI Trust Paradox: How to Create Two-Way Trust

Artificial intelligence systems are increasingly designed to evaluate, question, and sometimes override human decisions.

This creates a two-way trust challenge: leaders must decide when to trust AI recommendations, and at the same time respond when AI systems appear not to trust them. Understanding this relationship is essential for leaders integrating AI into decision-making across industries.

Ross Pambrun draws on experience in critical care, firefighting, AI development, and environmental protection to show how two-way trust can be built between humans and machines. He breaks down misconceptions about AI decision-making, explains how AI evaluates human choices and AI algorithms, and provides frameworks for maintaining human authority while leveraging AI insights.

Participants will learn how to interpret AI feedback, identify when to prioritize AI analysis over instinct, and design transparent feedback loops that support collaboration. They will also understand the pitfalls and limitations of both humans and AI, and how to integrate systems effectively into daily operations.

The session equips leaders with tools to increase productivity, strengthen decision accuracy, and drive technology innovation with sustainable growth. Attendees will also gain foresight on emerging AI capabilities and practical insights on how to apply the technology to manage workloads, expand output, and advance organizational performance.

Request a quote: Ross Pambrun The AI Trust Paradox: How to Create Two-Way Trust

Keynote by Ross Pambrun:

Artificial Intelligence and Leadership Strategies – Powering the Future Safely

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries and reshaping the future of business, making effective leadership more critical than ever. In this keynote, Ross Pambrun explores the essential role of leadership in fostering innovation and guiding the investment in AI models.

It addresses the operational, legal, and reputational risks associated with unrestricted AI implementation and provides strategies for leaders to adopt AI responsibly. Emphasizing top-down participation, this talk highlights the importance of leadership commitment to cybersecurity and managing threat risks. Key themes include leadership in AI innovation, risk management, and the strategic adoption of AI technologies.

This presentation helps bring attention to the crucial role of leadership in AI innovation and the potential risks of AI implementation. Ross discusses the potential risks of unrestricted AI implementation, including operational, legal, and reputational hazards, and provides strategies to mitigate these risks. He emphasizes the importance of top-down participation and support in effective AI adoption, offering leadership strategies that ensure responsible and strategic use of AI technologies. Additionally, Ross highlights the necessity for leaders to prioritize cybersecurity and manage the associated threat risks, underscoring the critical role of leadership commitment in safeguarding AI initiatives.

Through compelling case studies, practical guidelines, and interactive discussions, this talk equips attendees with the knowledge and tools to advocate for and implement responsible AI systems. Ross Pambrun highlights the crucial role of leadership in AI innovation, elucidates the risks associated with AI implementation, offers strategic approaches for responsible AI adoption, and underscores the importance of leadership commitment to cybersecurity — protecting your assets, systems, processes, and people.

By focusing on practical leadership strategies and emphasizing the importance of responsible AI adoption, this presentation will empower leaders to navigate the future of AI safely and effectively.

Request a quote: Ross Pambrun Artificial Intelligence and Leadership Strategies – Powering the Future Safely

Keynote by Ross Pambrun:

Future of Work: Employee Engagement and Building a Winning Work Culture

The future of work is rapidly evolving, with a focus on employee engagement and cultivating a winning work culture. In this keynote, Ross Pambrun explores strategies for building strong teams through diverse and inclusive hiring models. Emphasizing the significance of the Employee Experience, Ross offers insights into building an effective Talent Management Process. Additionally, the talk delves into the opportunities and pitfalls of implementing Artificial Intelligence systems into human resources practices, highlighting both the benefits and challenges they present.

This presentation helps organizations familiarize themselves with the evolving dynamics of the workplace, understand the practical applications of AI in HR, and develop inclusive and talent driven hiring practices. Ross provides a clear, concise, and comprehensive understanding of how diverse hiring models, flexible workforce environments and winning workplace cultures focus on employee experience and their skills development at the core of productivity for career driven employees. He examines the integration of AI into HR practices, explaining the potential benefits and challenges, and offers practical strategies for effective talent management and employee engagement strategies to attract the right workforce needed to compete in today's markets.

Key themes include the importance of diverse and inclusive hiring, enhancing employee experience, and developing effective talent management processes. The presentation also addresses the impact of AI on HR practices, offering strategies to navigate the associated opportunities and challenges.

This keynote is designed for HR professionals, business leaders, organizational decision-makers, managers, and team leaders seeking to enhance employee engagement and foster a positive work culture. By simplifying complex concepts and focusing on practical solutions, Ross Pambrun empowers attendees to create inclusive work environments, prioritize employee engagement, and effectively leverage technology to enhance HR practices.

Request a quote: Ross Pambrun Future of Work: Employee Engagement and Building a Winning Work Culture

Keynote by Ross Pambrun:

Leadership Evolution: Strategies for Personal Awareness, Compassion and Acceptance

Leadership is constantly evolving, requiring a deep understanding of oneself and others. In this keynote, Ross Pambrun delves into the role of leadership in communication, goal setting, and decision-making. He guides attendees in identifying their strengths, weaknesses, and values as leaders, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and value driven decision making.

Exploring how emotional intelligence, authenticity, self-reflection, and acceptance contribute to personal growth and effective leadership, this talk aims to empower attendees to evolve as new leaders in unforeseen landscapes within companies and industries. Ross highlights strategies for fostering meaningful connections within teams and organizations, essential for driving success in today's dynamic workplace and the needs of the 21st century workforce.

Ross provides clear, concise, and comprehensive insights into leadership communication, goal setting, and decision-making. He covers the significance of self-awareness, guiding attendees to recognize their strengths and weaknesses. Ross Pambrun also explains how emotional intelligence helps others understand the evolving dynamics of leadership.

His presentations include practical applications and strategies for building meaningful connections within teams and organizations. Through emotional intelligence, confidence, authenticity, self-reflection, and acceptance, Ross fosters personal growth and effective leadership. By simplifying complex concepts and focusing on practical solutions, Ross empowers attendees to unlock their leadership potential and drive success in their professional journeys.

Request a quote: Ross Pambrun Leadership Evolution: Strategies for Personal Awareness, Compassion and Acceptance

Keynote by Ross Pambrun:

Cultural Connections: Navigating the Indigenous Landscape Through Relationship Building

An Indigenous Métis business leader, Ross Pambrun promotes how building genuine relationships and fostering cultural understanding is essential for navigating the Indigenous landscape. Recognizing the vital role that individuals and organizations play in building connections and relationships with Indigenous peoples, Ross emphasizes the need for cultural, societal, and economic development perspectives.

Through an understanding of the unique challenges and strengths within Indigenous communities, participants are enabled to approach interactions with empathy and cultural sensitivity. Individuals can contribute by actively listening, showing respect, and engaging in meaningful dialogues. Organizations can foster inclusion by implementing policies that honor Indigenous traditions and by supporting economic initiatives that benefit Indigenous communities.

Gain valuable insights into Indigenous cultures, traditional knowledge, and historical perspectives blended with the outcomes required to build community between individuals, organizations and sectors. Discover the significance of active listening, open dialogue, and collaboration in fostering trust and forging authentic connections. Navigate the complex landscape of Indigenous culture by learning about protocols, ceremonies, and customary practices. Understand the significance of land, language, and spirituality in Indigenous communities, and how these elements shape relationships and worldviews.

With impactful and strategic storytelling, interactive discussions, and cultural insights, Ross Pambrun provides participants with tools to navigate the Indigenous landscape with respect and authenticity. This transformative presentation aims to deepen your understanding of Indigenous culture, strengthen your relationship-building skills, and foster meaningful connections with Indigenous communities. By understanding and appreciating the cultural significance of land, language, and spirituality, both individuals and organizations can support the growth and empowerment of Indigenous peoples. Ross's presentation equips participants with the knowledge and strategies needed to make a positive impact, promoting mutual respect and collaboration for sustainable development and societal harmony.

Request a quote: Ross Pambrun Cultural Connections: Navigating the Indigenous Landscape Through Relationship Building

Keynote by Ross Pambrun:

Ross ‘Memphis’ Pambrun – Emcee / Moderator / Interviewer

Ross  Pambrun brings a unique blend of talent, energy, and diverse experiences to every event he hosts. With a background in moderating conference sessions, interviewing global leaders, and emceeing some of Canada’s largest corporate parties and events, Ross elevates the experience for participants. His dynamic presence and ability to engage audiences stem from his travels with Hall of Fame rockstars and his celebrated career as a keynote speaker, actor, musician and entertainer. Typically, he is never too far from a guitar. For Ross, each event he participates in is akin to his ‘Saturday night’—a culmination of passion, professionalism, and unforgettable moments.

Well known by event planners, organizers, and professionals in the entertainment industry Ross Pambrun is a charismatic and experienced emcee, moderator, or interviewer for events. Ross can work closely with corporate executives, conference organizers, and individuals interested in enhancing the impact and excitement of their events through engagement.

Ross Pambrun will showcase his unparalleled ability to captivate and entertain audiences, making every event an unforgettable experience. With his dynamic personality and diverse talents, Ross brings a level of excitement and professionalism that ensures the success of any occasion.

Request a quote: Ross Pambrun Ross ‘Memphis’ Pambrun – Emcee / Moderator / Interviewer

Host of APTN’s Red River Gold, Ross Pambrun, says he’s ‘living his best life’ | Face to Face

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