Keynote speaker Cathy Cena empowers audiences to find their authentic voice, build lasting confidence, and transform communities through impactful speaking.
The room fell silent as Cathy Cena stepped to the podium, her heart pounding with the familiar weight of self-doubt. Years earlier, she had been that person in the audience, the one with something important to say but lacking the courage to speak. Now, as hundreds of faces looked up expectantly, she knew this moment would define not just her own journey, but the lives of everyone listening. In a world where authentic voices are desperately needed but often silenced by fear, Cathy had discovered something powerful: the key to unlocking human potential lies not in perfection, but in the courage to be genuinely heard.
The Spark That Ignited a Mission
Cathy’s transformation didn’t happen overnight. As Managing Partner at FDT Academy and Director of Admissions, she witnessed daily the profound impact that finding one’s voice could have on young lives. Working with hundreds of students in debate and public speaking, she saw firsthand how communication skills could unlock confidence and open doors to futures these students never imagined possible.
“We may encounter many defeats; however, we must not be defeated,” Cathy often tells her audiences, drawing from her own experience of overcoming the internal barriers that once kept her silent. This quote, her personal mantra, reflects the resilience that defines her approach to empowering others.
The revelation came through her own struggle with authenticity. Despite her natural enthusiasm and gift for connecting people, traits that earned her the nickname “the people connector”, Cathy had to learn that her voice mattered not because it was perfect, but because it was uniquely hers.
Breaking Through the Noise
The path to becoming a sought-after keynote speaker wasn’t without its challenges. In a crowded field of motivational speakers, Cathy faced the skepticism that comes with promising transformation. How do you prove that someone can truly find their voice when the very act of speaking authentically feels impossible to those who need it most?
The answer came through her work in the community. Serving on numerous boards, including the Port Moody Arts Center, Tri-Cities Community TV, Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation Gala Committee, and Port Moody’s Transportation Committee, Cathy demonstrated her commitment to lifting others’ voices alongside her own. Each role reinforced her belief that when people feel heard and valued, entire communities thrive.
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Her reputation grew organically through these connections. Community leaders began requesting her presence not just as a board member, but as someone who could inspire others to step into their own leadership potential.
From Connector to Voice Builder
The breakthrough came when Cathy launched “Catching up with Cathy,” her talk show for Tri-Cities Community TV. Suddenly, she wasn’t just connecting people; she was giving them a platform to share their stories with the world. The show became a laboratory for her philosophy that everyone has something valuable to contribute when given the right encouragement and framework.
This experience crystallized her signature approach to keynote speaking. Rather than delivering generic motivation, Cathy focuses on “Finding Your Voice, It Matters”, keynote experiences that go beyond inspiration to provide practical tools for building authentic confidence.
Her methodology centers on helping audiences understand that their unique perspective isn’t a liability to overcome but an asset to embrace. Through interactive elements and real-world application, participants leave with concrete strategies for owning their identity and recognizing the impact of their personal stories.
What Sets Cathy Apart
In a field often dominated by one-size-fits-all approaches, Cathy’s enthusiasm becomes her differentiator. But it’s not surface-level energy; it’s the genuine excitement that comes from witnessing transformation in real-time. Her audiences don’t just hear about change; they experience it during her presentations.
Her community involvement adds credibility that many speakers lack. When someone is actively engaged in boards, committees, and local initiatives, their message carries the weight of lived experience. Cathy’s nomination for the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Awards in the “Community Spirit” category validates what those who know her have always recognized: her commitment to elevating others is authentic and measurable.
The combination of her role at FDT Academy, where she works with students discovering their voices, and her position as a media personality hosting “Catching up with Cathy,” creates a unique perspective. She understands both the technical aspects of effective communication and the emotional journey required to speak with conviction.
Building Bridges Through Voice
What truly distinguishes Cathy is her ability to create connections that extend far beyond individual speaking events. Known as “the people connector,” she recognizes that finding your voice isn’t just about personal empowerment; it’s about building the bridges that strengthen entire communities.
Whether she’s networking at major community events throughout the Tri-Cities area or working behind the scenes to connect organizations with the people they need, Cathy embodies her message. She demonstrates that when we embrace our authentic selves and speak with conviction, we don’t just transform our own lives, we create ripple effects that benefit everyone around us.
Her approach recognizes that confidence isn’t built in isolation. Through her work, audiences discover that their voice matters not because they’ve achieved perfection, but because their unique perspective contributes to a larger conversation that wouldn’t be complete without them.
The Ripple Effect of Authentic Communication
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The results speak through the transformed lives of students who’ve found their confidence in debate and public speaking, community members who’ve discovered their leadership potential, and professionals who’ve learned to advocate effectively for their ideas. Cathy’s work creates a multiplier effect; every person who finds their voice goes on to encourage others to do the same.
Her vision remains elegantly simple yet powerfully ambitious: to empower every individual to claim their space, share their truth, and understand that their voice truly matters. In a time when authentic leadership is desperately needed across all sectors, this mission resonates with audiences seeking not just motivation but practical pathways to meaningful impact.
When balanced against her roles as a devoted wife to Dave and mother, Cathy’s commitment to her community work and speaking career demonstrates the very authenticity she teaches. She doesn’t just talk about finding balance and speaking truth; she lives it daily.
Your Voice Matters: Taking the Next Step
If your organization is seeking a keynote experience that goes beyond temporary motivation to create lasting transformation, Cathy Cena delivers exactly what today’s audiences need. Her signature approach to helping people find their authentic voice provides the tools and confidence necessary to turn potential into powerful action.
About Cathy Cena
Cathy Cena is a keynote speaker, host, and community connector passionate about helping others discover their identity and the courage to use their voice. As Managing Partner and Director of Admissions at FDT Academy, she supports hundreds of students in debate and public speaking while serving on numerous community boards and hosting “Catching up with Cathy” on Tri-Cities Community TV. Connect with Cathy through her official website, follow her journey on Instagram or connect professionally on LinkedIn.
