Speaking
As a public speaker who has worked in social services, settlement services, the federal government, and four Ontario school boards, Jennilee is a sought-after facilitator.
Her topics have included culturally-responsive outreach strategies, multicultural education, the journey of a diasporic author, public speaking tips, and walking tours of North York’s Little Manila.
Whether the topics are Filipino-specific (Impacts of Separation and Reunification on Filipino Student Aspirations) or for a more general audience (The Journey of an Author), her presentations are tailor-made for audiences ranging from school board trustees to newcomer students.
Using a combination of humour, empathy, and real stories, she delivers presentations both in-person and online that are engaging and memorable.
Lastly— and most importantly— it's her personal policy to always leave her audience smiling.
Accomplishments
Developed and delivered Little Manila walking tours with Museum (formerly Myseum) of Toronto
Interviewed on Radio Kapwa
Panelist for On Canada Project’s training modules for Kids Help Phone
Interviewed on CBC Metro Morning
Interviewed on Filipino TV - The Cherie Mercado Podcast
Heritage Toronto tour guide in Toronto’s Little Manila
Profiled by Dual Citizen documentary series on leaders in the Filipino diaspora: “Jennilee Austria, Filipino Talks”
Featured Speaker for Celebrating Linguistic Diversity: “Building Bridges to Support Filipino Students”
Annual guest lecturer, University of Toronto: “Asian-Canadian Space and Place: Field Trip to Little Manila”
Official partner of the Toronto District School Board
Speaker at National Metropolis Conference: “Immigration Trajectories and Youth Post-Secondary Pathways in the Filipino Community”
Speaker at Bridges to Learning National Conference: “Digital Storytelling: Newcomer Youth Issues”
Speaker at York University, Transnational Filipinx Studies: “Filipino Youth in Transition”
Panelist at University of Ottawa, Pinoys on Parliament: “Analyzing Supports and Resources for Filipino-Canadian Youth Interested in Post-Secondary Education” / “Sino Ka Ba? Navigating Filipino Identity Through Various Mediums”
Panelist at University College London, FiliFest: “Deconstructing Filipino”
Speaker for Equity & Inclusivity Course, Halton Catholic District School Board
Keynote Speaker, York University: “Filipino Voices in the Arts and Academia”
Keynote Speaker, Toronto Catholic District School Board: “Engaging Newcomer Parents”
Guest Speaker, Seneca College: “Transformative Learning in Communities”
Annual presenter, Toronto Catholic District School Board: “Proudly Pinoy Filipino family conference”
Clients
Burlington Public Library
Canadian Council for Refugees
CBC Metro Morning
Centre for Social Innovation
Citizenship and Immigration Canada/Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
Filipino-Canadian Social and Community Workers Network
Filipino Centre of Toronto
Halton Catholic District School Board
Havergal College
Heritage Toronto
Kababayan Multicultural Centre
Kapisanan Philippine Centre for Arts and Culture
Kids Help Phone
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
Myseum of Toronto
New Roots Radio
North York Community House
On Canada Project
Ontario College of Art and Design University
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
Peel Multicultural Council
Philippine Edmonton Events and Arts Society (PHIDEAS)
Pinoys on Parliament
Seneca College
St. Mary’s University
Toronto Catholic District School Board
Toronto District School Board
Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto Public Library
United Way of Greater Toronto
University College London, UK
University of Ottawa
University of Toronto
University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
West Neighbourhood House
World Education Services
Working Women Community Centre
YMCA of Greater Toronto
York University
Top Workshop Topics
“From Settlement Worker to Author” (Audience: non-profit organizations, educators, emerging authors, readers; 30-60 minutes)
“Building Bridges to Support Filipino Students” (Audience: educators, non-profit organizations, frontline workers; 3 hours)
“Walking Tour of North York’s Little Manila” (Audience: general public, university students; 2 hours)
“The Journey of a Filipino Author” (Audience: middle school and secondary school students; 1 hour)
“Unleashing Your Public Speaking Potential” (Audience: middle school and secondary school students; 1 hour)
“Filipino Curriculum Explorations: Filipino Literature Through a Culturally-Responsive and Relevant Pedagogy Lens” (Audience: Educators; 1 hour)
“Success Strategies for Reaching Filipino Clients” (Audience: non-profit organizations, frontline workers; 1.5 hours)
“Impacts of the Caregiver Program: Education, Youth Aspirations, and Family Separation” (Audience: policy analysts, government workers, frontline workers, educators; 2 hours)
“Supports and Resources for Filipino-Canadian Youth Pursuing Post-Secondary Education” (Audience: Filipino-Canadian youth; 1 hour)
“Career Aspirations: Meeting Role Models from the Filipino Community” (Audience: Filipino-Canadian youth; 1-2 hours)
“Get Involved! The Transformative Power of Community Involvement” (Audience: Secondary school youth; 1-2 hours)