As a specialist in transforming potential into peak performance, Marnie McBean has left an indelible mark on Canadian sports and beyond. She is one of Canada’s most accomplished Olympians who has dedicated her career to unlocking the potential within teams and nurturing the leadership capabilities within all. Drawing upon her extensive background as a performance coach and a top-tier competitor, McBean shares her universal framework for success, revealing invaluable lessons on performance and teamwork.
McBean’s Olympic journey spans an impressive 10 games, where she donned various roles, from athlete to media representative, from mentor to chef de mission. She is one of only two Canadians to have won three gold medals in the Summer Olympics and one of two women globally to have secured medals in all six boat classes. As a team and solo performer, McBean cracked the formula for success, winning 12 World and Olympic medals.
After retiring as an athlete, Marnie joined Team Canada’s leadership for seven Olympic Games, and was the chef de mission for the 2020 Tokyo Games. Her focus as a leader has always been on empowering her team emotionally and psychologically to reach their highest levels of performance, both on and off the field of play. As a keynote speaker, her insights into valuing differences within teams resonate deeply with audiences, and her ability to connect effortlessly with everyone leaves a lasting impact.
In recognition of her record-breaking rowing career, McBean is a member of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. She is also actively involved in helping to promote the safety, health, and well-being of Canada’s youth. She was named an Officer of the Order of Canada and has been awarded with both the Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal and Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
McBean holds a degree in kinesiology from Western University, as well as four honourary doctorates. She is also the author of The Power of More: How Small Steps Help Us Achieve Big Goals, where she shares her wisdom and insight to help individuals and teams reach new heights of achievement.