Sam Effah
BIOGRAPHY
As a native Albertan, Sam has speed. He represented Canada at 3 World Championships, 3 World University Games, 2 Commonwealth Games and was inducted into the 2021 Canada West Hall of Fame. Most recently, Sam was named co-Chef de Mission for the 2022
Commonwealth Games (Birmingham, UK) and will lead Team Canada into competition through this new found leadership role. As a 2-time Canadian Champion in the 100m, Sam has an innate enthusiasm for sport, marketing, entrepreneurship and the Olympic movement.
As a volunteer, he’s an athlete ambassador with Right To Play and a past Classroom Champions mentor, where he focuses on using his platform to inspire the next generation of youth around the world.
But it doesn’t stop there. In 2019 he was cast on The Amazing Race Canada Season 7, where he inspired audiences with stories of injury, resilience and the hunger to be Canada’s fastest once again. Being selected for Canada’s #1 watched reality TV show – and placing second – is a testament to his marketability, strong storytelling talents and persistence to win some of the shows toughest challenges.
On the corporate side, Sam is driven. At RBC, Sam has contributed to the growth of RBC Future Launch – the bank’s largest-ever financial commitment to helping young people prepare for the future of work. He recently moved into a full time manager position on the Brand Marketing team, where he’ll help find and fund Canada’s future Olympians via RBC Training Ground, and support RBC’s broader sports marketing initiatives including Olympic Games campaigns.
Outside of athletics and in-office work, Sam loves to speak. He leads a strong stage presence, developed over the course of a ten-year career as a seminar speaker, workshop facilitator, and motivational presenter. Notable events include WE Day Alberta (60,000 students), Elevate Techfest (Canada’s biggest tech festival), and Edmonton’s Next Gen Speaker Series (Presented at Rogers Place, home of the Edmonton Oilers).
As a world class athlete and masters graduate working in corporate, Sam provides a unique perspective unseen in today’s industries.
50m: 5.67 Sec
60m: 6.57 sec
100m: 10.06 sec
200m: 20.65 sec
300m: 33.33 sec
4x100m: 38.39 sec
World Championships: Top Placing (5th, 4x100m)
World University Games: Top Placing (5th, 100m & 200m)
Commonwealth Games: Top Placing (7th, 100m)
North American Central American and Caribbean Championships: Top Placing (Gold, 100m & Meet Record) (Silver & Bronze 200m, 4x100m)
Named ‘Fastest man in Canadian University history’ (60m record holder)
Inducted into the Canada West Hall of Fame in 2021
4-Time USport Athlete of the year
3-Time Athletics Alberta Open Athlete of the year
7-Time University Sport Gold Medalist
University of Calgary Athlete of the year
2-Time and consecutive Dr. Fred Tees Memorial Trophy Recipient (given to Canada’s Top University Track Athlete)
2-Time Canadian National 100m Champion
Foundation for Global Sports Development’s Athlete in Excellence Award
2021 Black Diamond Ball Award Recipient
Canada Games Flag Bearer (Team Alberta)
Future of Ghana Top 30 Under 30 International Pioneer Award
Alberta Sprint Record Holder (100m & 60m)
World Championships 2009 Germany, 2011 South Korea, 2013 Russia
Commonwealth Games 2010 India, 2018 Australia
World University Games 2009 Serbia, 2011 China, 2013 Russia
The cornerstone event, You Belong Here, hosted by RBC Olympian Sam Effah, was tremendously inspiring and inclusive - we saw over 7,000 youtube views and counting. Thousands joined the conversation on social media - on twitter alone we tracked four million impressions
Sam delivered a keynote talk for our new student
Orientation event at UCalgary that was offered virtually in
2021 due to the pandemic. Sam’s ability to identify with
students and authentically sharing his own journey and
incredible story of determination, adaptability and growth
mindset was a powerful and inspiring keynote for our
students. His video was polished, well presented, great
quality and suited our needs perfectly.
Sam is an inspiring speaker bringing his experience in and outside of sport for the benefit of his audience. His high energy and enthusiasm is contagious and his ability to engage and translate those experiences into learnings that apply broadly is particularly impactful. He’s a great resource.
Sam has a special ability to connect with the audience because he is a genuine and engaging storyteller. Audiences of any age and background will find value in attending Sam’s talks. Sam is a professional, this was apparent throughout the process leading up to, during and after his speaking engagement. I would highly recommend Sam and look forward to working with him again in the future.
Sam is as natural a speaker as he is quick on his feet. An alumnus of the Haskayne School of Business, Sam moderated our virtual alumni town hall with deftness and skill, holding a conversation with the Dean that was authentic, unrehearsed and which raised questions on behalf of our alumni community. He was easy to work with and was comfortable with the virtual webinar format. I'd definitely love to work with Sam again and will be cheering him on in the next Olympics!
I invited Sam to speak at Elevate Tech & Innovation Festival on our Elevate Wellness stage...
Sam's ability to connect with the audience is a rare talent. Not only did he share his personal story bravely, but despite being on a stage, it felt like he was engaging directly with you regardless of where you were sitting in the 350-person theatre. Everyone was pulled in and inspired.
Regardless of whether your audience is composed of those who were or are athletes, Sam's story sparks inspiration for all.
Regardless of whether your audience is composed of those who were or are athletes, Sam's story sparks inspiration for all.
