Meet the Team Behind Shaping Excellence

Growing up in Edmonton, I struggled with confidence and articulation skills. Two inspiring teachers played a pivotal role in helping me build my self-assurance and develop as a communicator.

 

I am a Professor at Humber College. I have taken public speaking classes for over ten years when I was younger. The classes changed my life as I transformed over the years in front of an audience. I started off as shy and timid, afraid to make eye contact with my audience. The classes really built my confidence and the breakthrough moment took place at a Kiwanis festival. There was a speech competition where all of us performed our speeches. I was in a very tough grouping and there was a strong expectation that I would place 2nd as one of the other speakers was a very strong speaker and had a very impressive reputation among my parents and other community. I gave my best effort, won the competition and I remember my family celebrated a lot that night. It was at this moment that I wanted to build a career in public speaking. When I was in my 20’s, my aspirations were to be a motivational speaker. I took many classes and got my certification of Trainer’s Trainer from Las Vegas.  

 

Since that night, I knew that I wanted to be in a profession where public speaking was very important. Teaching at Humber has really inspired me to start this business and give back to the students just as my two public speaking teachers once helped me. The classes gave me a strong voice and allowed me to build resilience especially in front of an audience.

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The journey had many struggles along the way but today the speaking has built a quality of life that I believe carries very strong in any audience. I hope to inspire the students in the same way. My goals for Shaping Excellence are to develop the next generation of high achievers in public speaking.

 

My goals are for my students to win competitions such as the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) and Kiwanis festival where my triumph really helped my confidence and propelled me to take on more public speaking opportunities.

My name is Humza Raza, and I’m a fourth-year Business student at the University of Guelph-Humber, majoring in Management. I’m passionate about helping young people develop the confidence, communication, and leadership skills they need to succeed in every part of life.

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Before stepping into this role, I worked at a law firm, where I learned the importance of professionalism, organization, and persuasive communication — skills that now shape how I teach and mentor students. My goal is to show students that public speaking is more than just talking — it’s about learning to think strategically, lead effectively, and communicate with purpose.

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Through my classes, students learn not only how to speak confidently but also how to apply what they learn to achieve success in business, academics, and their future careers. Every lesson is designed to help them build the mindset and skills that will set them apart as future leaders.

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As I prepare to attend law school, I continue to combine my passion for management, education, and mentorship to help students reach their full potential and discover the power of their own voice.

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Every student has the potential to become a confident leader — they just need the right guidance to bring it out. I look forward to helping your child find their voice, build their confidence, and turn their communication skills into lifelong success.