Michelle Obama, Biden in Toronto

Two prominent figures in U.S. politics were north of the border in Toronto on Tuesday for separate speaking engagements that were both closed to the media.

Former first lady Michelle Obama spoke about education and equality for girls and women around the world at an event hosted by the Economic Club of Canada and Plan International Canada.

Later in the day, former vicepresident Joe Biden gave a keynote speech on leadership at a conference called The Art of Leadership - an event organizers also closed to the media.

Dozens of ticket holders — most of them young women — filled the atrium of Ryerson University’s Mattamy Athletic Centre in anticipation of Obama’s appearance Tuesday morning.

“I’m excited to hear her talk about ... education and women’s equality, (topics) I’m really interested in learning more about,” said Karen Zhuang, a high school student from Toronto. “She’s always been a role model for me.”

Kanwarpreet Karwal, a Plan Canada youth ambassador and fourth-year life sciences student at McMaster University said it was inspiring to see so many young people turn up, hoping to create change.

“I’m just excited to learn whatever I (can) take away and implement in my life so that I can make a positive contribution in this world,” Karwal said.

The Economic Club of Canada has said the former first lady would be participating in a “fireside chat-style” conversation at the event.

The organization’s president and CEO has said some tickets to the event were to be donated to a young person between the ages of 14 and 24.