On September 11, 2001, Elias Kanaris boarded a flight from London Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare.
Like thousands of others, he expected an ordinary journey.
Instead, his plane was diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, along with 37 other aircraft. In a matter of hours, nearly 7,000 stranded passengers became part of a community that chose something remarkable in the face of uncertainty.
They chose trust.
Strangers opened their homes. Businesses gave what they could. Leaders - many without titles - stepped forward and made decisions that calmed fear and created order. There was no playbook. No time to prepare. Just people doing what needed to be done.
For Elias, that experience didn’t end when the planes took off again.
It stayed with him.
Because what he witnessed wasn’t just a moment of generosity - it was a blueprint for leadership when it matters most.
Today, Elias helps leaders and organisations navigate pressure with clarity - equipping them with practical tools to build trust, restore confidence, and move forward with purpose.
Because when people feel uncertain, what they need to hear is simple:
You’re not in trouble.
We believe in you.
We’re here to help.
This isn’t about motivation.
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It’s about giving your people something they can actually use.
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This isn’t about motivation. 〰️ It’s about giving your people something they can actually use. 〰️
Elias Kanaris
Delivering practical leadership keynotes that help organisations build trust and perform under pressure.
Elias Kanaris is a thought leader in the area of resilience, leadership and building trust. He works with CEOs and their teams, building high performing team, navigating adversity and introducing T.R.U.S.T. as a business currency. With over 25 years' experience in corporate and not-for-profit organisations, Elias has used that experience to become an expert in helping leaders lead.
He has developed a blueprint to empower organisations to navigate adversity to protect their brand, retain top talent whilst growing their bottom line. He draws on experiences and observations he gained as a result of being stranded for five days in Newfoundland, Canada, when his plane was one of 38 diverted there as a result of the terrorist acts of 9/11.
Elias is the Founder of the Insight and Strategy Group and has served as President of the Global Speakers Federation (2018-2019). He is also the CEO of Contact Centre Network New Zealand (CCNNZ). Elias talks on four topics - leadership, resilience, accountability and trust, drawing on over 25 years’ experience in the corporate and not-for-profit sectors.
Elias Kanaris - International Keynoter
Elias Kanaris is an author, professional keynote speaker, executive coach, leadership trainer, and entrepreneur. He has been a regular keynote presenter and he has frequently spoken to audiences in the I.T., telecommunications, insurance, financial services, real estate, and education sectors across thirteen countries on four continents. Since the 1990s, Elias has been using humour and energy to deliver great learning experiences to his audiences.
Leadership Lessons Learned in the Aftermath of 9/11
Twenty-five years after 9/11, Elias Kanaris shares an insider's view of being on one of the diverted planes to Gander International Airport and lessons learnt during that fateful time.
Elias Kanaris offers an insider's view of what happened on 9/11 when the plane he was flying on was diverted, alongside another 37 planes, to Gander International Airport due to the terrorist acts in NYC, the Pentagon and DC. What the passengers expected was going to be a short layover, turned into five days as they were hosted by the Salvation Army in Newfoundland, Canada. To read more. click on the link below...
As an international speaker, Elias understands how to lead multicultural teams that exist across diverse geographies.
“You are an impressive orator and speaker. It was very useful, will stay connected with you for more collaboration.”
— Girish Menon, HSBC
RESILIENCE
How To Find Your Inner Resilience In A Crisis…
Elias Kanaris was one of 198 passengers on flight UA929, flying between London Heathrow and Chicago O’Hare on that fateful day. His was one of 38 planes that descended into Gander airport on September 11th, 2001.
Now the subject of the musical, “Come From Away”, this narrative of resilience is shared by Elias 20 years on.
What you will learn in this keynote
As a result of 9/11, life seemed to shut down overnight. The airline industry was decimated, and nobody thought it could recover. Yet, despite outward appearances, business returned to normal.
Delegates will learn more about:
The power of the community
How to function after a traumatic event
Why making bets on your future based on your past events is flawed
Elias Kanaris - your next keynote speaker
Elias Kanaris is a thought leader in the area of resilience, leadership and building trust. He works with CEOs and their teams, building high performing team, navigating adversity and introducing T.R.U.S.T. as a business currency.
“Delivered in a thoroughly entertaining, thought-provoking and professional manner”
— Ken Sowman, Plastics NZ
TRUST
Building Trust in High Performing Teams - lessons from Captain Mike Ballard and the crew of UA929.
As a senior consultant in the IT and Telecommunications industry, Elias Kanaris worked in a team that looked after their top 24 clients. Between them, they billed $450M per annum.
In this role, the focus is on serving the client and adding value to the transaction. Whether you are dealing with an external client or an internal team, the principles are the same. A trusted advisor will be focused on understanding his or her client’s long-term business goals, and providing the services worth paying a premium for.
What you will learn in this keynote
In this program, Elias explores the techniques that were used to migrate their services from that of a commodity supplier to a trusted advisor. He draws on lessons learned from Captain Mike Ballard and the crew of flight UA929, when his plane was one of 38 diverted to Gander International Airport in Newfoundland, Canada as the result of terrorist acts in NYC & DC..
In this Keynote, Elias will challenge his audience to answer the following questions:
What Captain Mike Ballard did to build trust with the passengers of flight UA929.
What the five pillars of T.R.U.S.T. are.
How to create a safe platform for those who surround you during times of adversity.
Elias Kanaris - your next keynote speaker
With over 25 years' experience in corporate and not-for-profit organisations, Elias has used that experience to become an expert in helping leaders lead. He has developed a blueprint to empower organisations to navigate adversity to protect their brand, retain top talent whilst growing their bottom line.
LEADERSHIP
Leadership - lessons from leading the Global Speakers Federation.
When Elias contracted to a household brand in New Zealand, he noticed that there were gaps between perception and reality. He documented them in a 4-page report, which was forwarded to a member of the Executive Leadership Team.
Instead of leading to a meeting, where they could leverage Elias’s extensive experience, he was told to suppress his leadership instincts and be a team player. Basically, ‘pull his head in’!
What you will learn in this keynote
What do you learn when you have led a $6.5b industry and worked with cross-cultural teams across 18 international locations? You learn that it’s like the precious oil upon the head, running down the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.
In this Keynote, Elias will challenge his audience to answer the following questions:
What is happening in the Leadership Team within your organisation?
Is this a reflection of you, the leader?
Is the dysfunction starting at the top and flowing down through your organisation?
Are you willing to do something to stop it from destroying everything that you have fought hard to build?
Elias Kanaris - your next keynote speaker
With over 25 years' experience in corporate and not-for-profit organisations, Elias has used that experience to become an expert in helping leaders lead. He has developed a blueprint to empower organisations to navigate adversity to protect their brand, retain top talent whilst growing their bottom line.
Client Testimonials
Elias provided heaps of real life examples to apply, reminding me to strengthen my communications.
Glen Wilson – Health Alliance, New Zealand
I really like how you are able to explain things using a story. You have an amazing gift!
Michael Carr – Health Alliance, New Zealand
A good mix of external references and direct experience, with relevant examples to support the principles throughout.
Andrew Stringer – CBRE, New Zealand
Elias will motivate your audience into action through his engaging presence on stage.
BOOK ELIAS FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT
Elias Kanaris - your next keynote speaker
Elias is the CEO of the Insight and Strategy Group and has served as President of the Global Speakers Federation and is also a Founding Partner of the Conscious Leadership Team. Elias has spoken in 13 countries, on four continents.
Client Testimonials
Elias's content is always well prepared and relevant to the subject.
Yvonne Godfrey – MIOMO, New Zealand
I am extremely pleased with the quality and breadth of services that Elias has delivered.
Dr Dave McMillan – Kepa, The Advisors Institute, New Zealand
Elias was invaluable in selling concepts to staff.
Jan Gouws – Kaneba, New Zealand