Peter Urs Bender was born in 1944 in Basel, Switzerland. He emigrated to Canada in 1967. Peter worked as a Sales manager for a large American software company before he started his own business in the mid 1980's. Peter taught 3 business courses in the continuing education department of Ryerson University for almost 15 years, teaching his last class in 1981. He has published 5 books and was an international lecturer/motivational speaker. In 1994 Peter received his Certified Speaking Professional designation from the U. S. National Speakers Association. In 1995 he received the Communications and Leadership Award from Toastmasters International and the Ted Kemper Leadership Award in 1996. Finally in 2001 he was named a member of the Canadian Speakers Hall of Fame. Peter Urs Bender died in 2005.