Cynthia offers a unique and important perspective in the mental health conversation. Her long career in the RCMP means she can share stories and experiences that we need to hear and understand in order to solve some of our biggest problems. Beyond having had a full and incredible career, Cynthia is a fierce advocate for first responders and their mental health, and she has given sincere thought to how to tell her story in a way that sheds light while being sensitive to the needs of her audience and the characters in her stories. Hearing Cynthia speak has helped me understand the First Responder world better. The stories she shared helped me envision what it might be like to be a First Responder and to empathize with challenges First Responders face. Cynthia is a compelling and courageous speaker who comes with ideas that will take us forward, wrapped in a story that gets to the heart. In every audience, Cynthia has members say, ‘I felt like you were speaking right to me.’
Jilliane Yawney
Narrative Coach
Founder of A Narrative Approach
Although many of us call ourselves “speakers”, few of the women I know are at Cynthia’s level. Her message gets inside your heart and evokes deep emotion: she is on a mission to reach people, especially First Responders suffering in silence, to let them know there is help.
I’ve watched Cynthia work so hard to become the most effective and impactful speaker she can be. I feel so blessed to have heard Cynthia speak a handful of times and can’t wait until the next opportunity. If you are looking for a unique speaker who takes her craft more seriously than most, Cynthia is who you want on your stage, opening the hearts and minds of your audience.
Lyndsie Barrie
Author & Founder
YYC Fempreneurs
Cynthia Hamilton Urquhart, spoke at the Community Now! Magazine’s 4th annual mental health event in December 2021 and made a huge impact on the audience with her storytelling. Such an impact that I have received emails and calls just to tell me how great the storytelling was. Cynthia took the audience on a ride along; she told her story with passion and truth. I highly recommend her to speak at any mental health event.
Krista Malden
Founder
Community Now! Magazine
My perspective will forever be changed after listening to Cynthia speak at our retreat. Her story, her resilience, and her ability to captivate an audience of first responder spouses was something that will forever allow me to see my spouses’ experiences, and all first responder experiences in a different light. I am grateful for her ability to take her experience and turn into something that gave me a glimpse into the job that my husband does. I feel like I am able to offer more compassion and empathy by changing the perspective which Cynthia walked me through with her incredible story telling!
Lauren Cleveland
Founder
To Serve and Connect Society of Canada
I have heard many speakers over the years – BUT Cynthia is one I will never forget. Cynthia spoke at one of our monthly meetings and you could hear a pin drop. We her audience were captivated by her storytelling and presentation. She is a dynamic, intriguing speaker- yet speaks with sincerity and from her heart. Cynthia took us to the other side of seeing what it is really like being a first responder- we were in her passenger seat – doing a ride along for the day.She presented in such a way – we felt we really were there and seeing and experiencing situations and encounters through her eyes. She demonstrated that these experiences can be traumatic and sometimes mental health or one’s subconscious can be scarred. First responders are human beings just like us! Asking for help- from anyone-especially when it comes to mental health is OK and acceptable.
Brenda Davidson
President
EWI (Executive Women International) , Calgary Chapter