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Helen Hirsh Spence

Age Provocateur; Speaker; Author

Helen is the founder of “Top Sixty Over Sixty,” a trailblazing initiative aimed at transforming the narrative of ageing from negative to positive. Fearlessly tackling the challenges facing older adults, she champions age diversity and strives to educate others about ageism.

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Bio

Helen Hirsh Spence’s five-decade career as an educator is defined by her passion for lifelong learning. It began in Munich in the early 70s, where she embarked on her teaching journey and gradually assumed increasingly senior leadership positions in the Canadian public and private education sectors. Her path, however, took a significant turn when she experienced the direct impact of ageism and recognized the potential implications of the upcoming demographic shift on North America’s social and economic fabric.

Helen is the founder of “Top Sixty Over Sixty,” a trailblazing initiative aimed at transforming the narrative of ageing from negative to positive. Fearlessly tackling the challenges facing older adults, she champions age diversity and strives to educate others about ageism. Recognized as a prominent figure in the field of longevity, Helen has been invited to share her insights at conferences, on podcasts, radio and TV, and in various publications. She seizes every opportunity to promote an empowering perspective on aging, inspiring change for all generations.

Times change, things evolve, and humans adapt. Yet we stubbornly cling to some outdated norms, like retirement, despite the reality that we are living significantly longer than ever before. Let’s redefine the concept of aging, appreciate the unique strengths of older generations, and break free from age discrimination. Longevity Literacy will help you understand the possibilities and obstacles that come with longer life spans and a growing older population.

A well-respected and sought-after thought leader, Helen Hirsh Spence has appeared on a TEDx stage, in major national media outlets, on television, radio, and podcasts. She believes intergenerational collaboration and age equity are essential to thriving personally, professionally and economically in the 21st century.

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Keynotes

Featured Keynote

Resetting Old: Reframing the Conversation

Explore what it means to age in the 21st century. Opportunities for businesses and individuals are unlimited when ageing is viewed as momentum not failure.

Longevity Literacy is a 21st-Century MUST-HAVE

Longevity Literacy is a 21st-Century MUST-HAVE

Longevity, or living longer, means we need to design a whole
new map of life, yet most of us are stuck in the 20th-century
paradigm where life supposedly tapers off at the retirement
age of 65.
Age Bias: In Ourselves, Others, Policies, and Institutions

Age Bias: In Ourselves, Others, Policies, and Institutions

This wake-up call presentation identifies what ageism looks,
sounds, and feels like. Helen’s talk debunks common myths
about ageing and leaves audiences aware and uplifted.
The Benefits of Age and Our Older Brains

The Benefits of Age and Our Older Brains

Our brains change, but cognitive decline is not the norm. Helen
walks through compelling research to illustrate how a longevity
mindset helps us take charge of how we age and become
happier and more fulfilled.
Age is a Strategic Imperative

Age is a Strategic Imperative

Populations are becoming older. Fertility rates are declining.
How will organizations fill their talent pipelines if they don’t
acknowledge and take advantage of what older adults have to
offer?
Intergenerational Power

Intergenerational Power

Segregation based on age permeates our society and
workplaces and undermines our work communities and our
productivity. Break down age silos, adjust attitudes and spot
opportunities to build better organizational cultures.
Reaching personal and professional potential is a lifelong journey

Reaching personal and professional potential is a lifelong journey

Understand lifelong learning at work. Learn how to help older
employees maximize their potential by making professional
development available for all employees.
The Future Of Work Includes Older Workers

The Future Of Work Includes Older Workers

Multigenerational workforces are the new norm. ”Ageing Out”
will no longer be the employee path for strategic businesses.
From technology to experience, Helen addresses the reasons
that our ageing workforce won’t disappear with Boomers.
Longevity Strategies for the 21st Century Workforce

Longevity Strategies for the 21st Century Workforce

Helen provides a context for this century’s new ageing realities.
Emerging demographic trends have huge implications for
employers and leaders. Age diversity improves productivity,
innovation and the bottom line.