Some people are born leaders. The rest of us find ourselves in positions where leadership is required. Self-described as an “accidental leader,” Dr. Joe MacInnis has led or participated in more than fifty of the world’s most important expeditions and logged more time beneath the surface of the Arctic Ocean than any other scientist on earth. A medical doctor and expert on human performance in high-risk, high-stress environments, MacInnis is an eloquent and stirring speaker who shares the leadership lessons he’s learned from the high seas and beyond.
MacInnis is a physician, scientist, and author who led the teams that made the first science dives at the North Pole and built the world’s first polar undersea station. He was among the first to dive to the Titanic and has worked with the US Navy, the Canadian government, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and NASA. MacInnis also spent 80 days working with James Cameron on Cameron’s “DeepSea Challenge Project.” As Cameron’s digital journalist and team physician, MacInnis recorded the final construction of the sub, the initial tests in Australia, the first research dives in Papua New Guinea, and Cameron’s epic, 7-mile dive into the Mariana Trench. He has given keynote presentations on leadership to IBM, Microsoft, GE, National Geographic and the US Naval Academy.
The author of 10 books, MacInnis’ research has earned him six honorary degrees and Canada’s highest honour, The Order of Canada.
