Speaker · Community Builder · Consultant · Entrepreneur
Alish Shams
I help organizations grow through community, strategy, and human connection. Over a decade of building movements, hosting 300+ events, building multiple ventures, and advising nonprofits and startups internationally.
Most people collect job titles.
I build rooms full of strangers who leave as collaborators — and companies that give them reasons to come back.
Over the past decade, I’ve made it my life’s work to bring people together — not for the sake of networking, but to create the kind of genuine human connections that change careers, launch ventures, and build movements.
I’ve founded communities like Linked.Club (333+ members strong), directed Startup Grind Calgary — one of the world’s largest startup communities with chapters in 600+ cities worldwide — and led LinkedIn Local chapters internationally. I’ve also delivered a TEDx talk and spoken at conferences and events to audiences spanning 40+ nationalities and cultures.
As Director of Operations at For Good Consultants, I bring that same people-first philosophy to the nonprofit sector — helping government-funded organizations and nonprofits across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Nunavut build capacity, secure critical funding, and create lasting impact in the communities they serve.
Read My Full Story →The Builder’s Mindset
I don’t just advise organizations — I build them. From founding communities to launching consulting firms, entrepreneurship is how I turn ideas into impact.
Founded Alish Group Inc.
Built a holding company from scratch — housing multiple ventures across nonprofit consulting, professional networking, and business advisory under one roof.
Scaled a Paid Community
Grew Linked.Club from zero to 333+ paying members — proving that people will invest in a community when the value is undeniable.
Immigrant Entrepreneur
Arrived in Canada with zero connections. Built a career, a community, and a portfolio of ventures — all from the ground up. That story now fuels every talk and every business decision.
The Alish Group Portfolio
Three ventures united by one belief: when you give people the right support, strategy, and community, extraordinary things happen.
For Good Consultants
We don’t just consult — we become part of the team. For Good helps government-funded organizations and nonprofits across multiple provinces build the operational backbone they need to fulfill their missions. From grant writing that actually gets funded to strategic planning that actually gets implemented.
forgoodconsultants.com ↗ 🔗Linked.Club
333+ ambitious professionals. One powerful network. Calgary’s premier paid professional community — curated events, meaningful connections, and a members-only circle where career-changing introductions happen every month. Not another business card exchange. A real community.
Join the Community ↗For Growth
Everything we’ve learned helping nonprofits thrive, now tailored for startups and small businesses. Strategic consulting built on a decade of community-driven growth expertise. Because growing a business shouldn’t feel like guesswork.
Coming SoonTalks That Move People to Action
I don’t do keynotes that put people to sleep. I tell real stories about what it takes to build something from nothing — the wins, the failures, and the human moments that change everything. TEDx speaker. 300+ events. Audiences across 40+ nationalities.
Building Real Relationships in a Digital‑First World
Why the deepest professional relationships still start with showing up in person — and how to build a network that actually has your back.
The Immigrant Entrepreneur’s Playbook
Arriving in a new country with zero connections and turning it into a career, a community, and multiple ventures. The unfiltered story.
Leading Without a Title
How to build influence, rally people around a vision, and create movements — without a corner office or a corporate mandate.
Why People Stay: The Psychology of Belonging
The science and soul behind communities people never want to leave. What makes the difference between a one-time attendee and a lifelong member.
Storytelling That Moves People to Action
How nonprofits, startups, and community leaders can tell stories that don’t just inspire — they make people pick up the phone and say “I’m in.”
The Art of Bringing People Together
What 300+ events taught me about designing gatherings where real things happen — partnerships form, ideas collide, and strangers become allies.
From the Blog
Practical insights from 10+ years of community building, nonprofit consulting, entrepreneurship, and leadership — written for people who’d rather do than theorize.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Alish Shams?
Alish Shams is a community builder, consultant, TEDx speaker, and entrepreneur based in Calgary, Canada. With over a decade of experience, he has hosted 300+ events, built professional communities spanning 40+ nationalities, and advised dozens of organizations — from government-funded nonprofits to growing startups. He is the Director of Operations at For Good Consultants, founder of Linked.Club, and Director of Startup Grind Calgary.
What topics does Alish Shams speak about?
Alish speaks about community building, authentic networking, the immigrant entrepreneurship journey, nonprofit leadership, cross-cultural connection, storytelling for impact, and leading without a title. His talks draw from real experience building communities and organizations internationally. View all speaking topics.
How can I book Alish Shams as a speaker?
You can book Alish for keynotes, panels, workshops, fireside chats, and podcast appearances through the contact page. He speaks at conferences, corporate events, nonprofit galas, startup summits, and community gatherings internationally.
What is For Good Consultants?
For Good Consultants is a nonprofit consulting firm that helps government-funded organizations and nonprofits across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Nunavut. Services include grant writing, strategic planning, HR consulting, financial management, and organizational capacity building. Alish serves as Director of Operations.
What is Linked.Club?
Linked.Club is Calgary’s premier paid professional networking community, founded by Alish Shams. With 333+ members from 40+ nationalities, it hosts curated events and provides a members-only network for ambitious professionals looking for meaningful career-changing connections.
Where is Alish Shams based?
Alish is based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He works with organizations across multiple Canadian provinces and territories, and speaks at events internationally. Connect with Alish on LinkedIn or through his contact page.
Let’s Build Something Together
Whether you need a speaker who actually moves the room, a strategic partner for your nonprofit, an entrepreneur who builds from zero, or a community expert who’s done it 300+ times — I’d love to hear from you.