Bobbie Racette

Keynote Speaker | Calgary, Alberta

Tech Entrepreneur & Equity Advocate
Mission Led Startups, Inclusive Hiring & Indigenous Innovation

Bobbie Racette Expertise: Entrepreneurship, Business Growth, Business Leadership, Innovation & Creativity, Indigenous Business & Economics, Purposeful Work, Resilience & Adversity, Business Technology and Strategic Thinking.

Bobbie Racette

About Speaker Bobbie Racette

Bobbie Racette is Founder of Virtual Gurus, acquired, Indigenous entrepreneurship leader, and 2SLGBTQIA+ advocate known for building one of North America’s fastest growing remote talent platforms. She is the first Indigenous woman in Canada to close a Series A funding round and the first to exit a tech company. Under her leadership, Virtual Gurus generated over $40 million in revenue and created thousands of jobs for underrepresented talent. As a Métis Cree entrepreneur, she is recognized for advancing inclusive innovation across the technology sector. She has received the Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year award from the University of Victoria and honours from EY and Pow Wow Pitch. Her leadership continues through board roles with QueerTech, the Indigenous Prosperity Foundation, and the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation.

Meet Bobbie Racette - CEO & Founder of @Virtual Gurus

Meet Bobbie Racette - CEO & Founder of @Virtual Gurus

2019 Startup Canada Awards Acceptance Speech Bobbie Racette

2019 Startup Canada Awards Acceptance Speech Bobbie Racette

2024 Nacca Indigenous Prosperity Forum: Embracing Change: a Prospero

2024 Nacca Indigenous Prosperity Forum: Embracing Change: a Prospero

2022 Rbc Momentum Award Finalist | Bobbie Racette, Virtual Gurus

2022 Rbc Momentum Award Finalist | Bobbie Racette, Virtual Gurus

Bobbie Racette Biography

Bobbie Racette is Founder of Virtual Gurus (acquired), Indigenous entrepreneurship leader, and 2SLGBTQIA+ advocate known for building one of North America’s fastest growing remote talent platforms. She is the first Indigenous woman in Canada to close a Series A funding round and the first to exit a tech company. Under her leadership, Virtual Gurus generated over $40 million in revenue and created thousands of jobs for underrepresented talent. As a Métis Cree entrepreneur, she is recognized for advancing inclusive innovation across the technology sector. She has received the Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year award from the University of Victoria and honours from EY and Pow Wow Pitch. Her leadership continues through board roles with QueerTech, the Indigenous Prosperity Foundation, and the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation.

Bobbie Racette built Virtual Gurus after being laid off during Alberta’s oil and gas downturn in 2016. That experience informed her approach to building a platform designed to create economic opportunity for remote workers across diverse and underrepresented communities. The company was developed to support businesses seeking flexible workforce solutions while expanding access to meaningful employment.

Virtual Gurus has become a recognized platform in the remote talent industry, supporting thousands of virtual assistants and freelancers. The organization operates with a focus on connecting skilled professionals with organizations that require scalable support structures. Bobbie Racette has positioned the company as a contributor to both economic growth and workforce inclusion.

Her recognition as a business leader includes the Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year award from the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business. She has also been acknowledged by EY through entrepreneurial recognition programs and by Pow Wow Pitch for her contributions to Indigenous business leadership. These honours reflect her measurable impact within both the business and social innovation sectors.

Bobbie Racette is a Métis Cree entrepreneur who integrates cultural identity into her leadership approach. Her work consistently highlights the importance of representation in business and technology environments. She has become a recognized advocate for Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities across North America. Her advocacy extends to her leadership roles within organizations focused on equity and access. As Chair of QueerTech, she contributes to advancing opportunities for 2SLGBTQIA+ professionals within the technology sector. As Chair of the Indigenous Prosperity Foundation, she supports initiatives that strengthen Indigenous economic development.

Bobbie Racette also serves on the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation board, contributing to initiatives that support community impact and social responsibility. Her board involvement reflects her focus on aligning business growth with broader societal outcomes. She participates in governance and strategic oversight that supports long-term organizational objectives. Her career is defined by a consistent focus on opportunity creation, workforce development, and scalable impact. She has maintained a clear focus on building systems that support both business performance and community advancement. Her work demonstrates how technology platforms can be structured to support inclusive economic participation.

Bobbie Racette’s personal and professional journey is shaped by resilience and lived experience. Her early experiences, including time spent traveling and navigating personal challenges, contributed to her leadership perspective. These experiences informed her approach to building organizations that reflect both purpose and performance. She is recognized for her ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity and directness. Her leadership style is grounded in accountability, strategic execution, and measurable outcomes. This approach has contributed to her success as a founder and board leader.

Bobbie Racette continues to focus on expanding opportunities through entrepreneurship and collaboration. Her work emphasizes the importance of inclusive access to economic participation across industries. She remains engaged in initiatives that support innovation and workforce transformation. Her contributions position her as a significant figure in Canadian entrepreneurship and technology. Bobbie Racette’s work continues to influence how organizations approach remote work, talent acquisition, and inclusive growth strategies. Her impact is reflected in both the performance of her company and the broader communities she supports.

Bobbie Racette Topic Presentations

Bobbie Racette From Calgary, Alberta, Canada delivers keynote presentations, workshops, fireside chats, moderated Q&A, and other presentation formats on a wide variety of topics. Each presentation is unique, customized and tailored for audiences, industries, conferences and event formats.

Leading with Purpose: How an Indigenous Queer Founder Built One of North America’s Top Remote Work Platforms.

No is Not an Option: Resilience, Identity & Redefining Leadership

Inclusive Innovation: Building a Future of Work That Works for Everyone

Interviews
Bobbie Racette
  • Building out a Marketplace
  • Indigenous Entrepreneur Using Tech to Help Alberta Women Find Work
Podcasts
Bobbie Racette
  • How Virtual Gurus’ Bobbie Racette Handled 170 Rejections Before Securing an Investor
  • The Power of Inclusive Employment: Insights from Bobbie Racette
  • The Success Story of Virtual Gurus with CEO Bobbie Racette
  • Scaling with Purpose: Inclusion, Innovation, and Impact
Articles
Bobbie Racette
  • Bobbie Racette on Going from Unemployed to Mogul
  • Strength in Community: Bobbie Racette on Small Business, Technology and the Power of Partnerships
  • The Future of Stem is Bold, Tech-enabled, and Deeply Human
  • Q&a with Bobbie Racette

Bobbie Racette Speaking Testimonials

Coming Soon!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bobbie Racette known for and what is their expertise as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Bobbie Racette is known for defined subject matter expertise based on professional experience and industry background. As a keynote speaker in Canada for conferences and conventions, their presentations align with organizational objectives and audience outcomes. Corporate keynote speakers in Canada are selected based on credibility, relevance, and practical application. Expertise alignment supports informed booking decisions. Read More

What topics does Bobbie Racette speak on for conferences, conventions, corporate events, and annual general meetings in Canada?

Bobbie Racette delivers keynote presentations on defined topic areas confirmed during booking. Canadian business speakers for corporate meetings in Canada align topic selection with event objectives and audience priorities. Conference speakers in Canada adapt messaging for conventions, trade shows, and summits. Topics are finalized prior to written confirmation. Read More

How do I know if Bobbie Racette is the right fit for my audience, conference, convention, or AGM?

Bobbie Racette is evaluated based on audience alignment, event objectives, and subject matter relevance. Event planners booking keynote speakers in Canada for corporate conferences review experience, delivery style, and industry context. Canadian business speakers for annual general meetings must align with program goals and audience expectations. Fit is clarified during the pre decision call. Read More

Where is Bobbie Racette from and where do they speak across Canada?

Bobbie Racette is from Calgary, Alberta and is available for events across Canada. Conference speakers in Canada frequently travel nationally with defined travel terms. Corporate keynote speakers coordinate scheduling through structured agreements. Availability is confirmed through formal inquiry. Read More

Is Bobbie Racette available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, webinars, or hybrid events in Canada?

Bobbie Racette is available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, corporate webinars, and hybrid events in Canada. Virtual keynote speakers in Canada deliver structured presentations adapted for remote audiences. Format, platform coordination, and timing are confirmed during booking. Virtual availability is documented through written agreement in Canada. Read More

Does Bobbie Racette deliver keynote presentations, workshops, training sessions, breakout sessions, fireside chats, or panel discussions?

Bobbie Racette may deliver keynote presentations as well as workshops and breakout sessions. Canadian business speakers for corporate training in Canada define session length and format during booking. Conference speakers may also participate in fireside chats or panel discussions depending on program design. Session formats are confirmed in writing. Read More

How do I contact Bobbie Racette to check availability and begin the booking process in Canada?

Bobbie Racette is contacted through Speakers Bureau of Canada to confirm availability and event details. Event planners and meeting planners typically schedule a pre decision call to clarify format, objectives, and scope. Booking begins once event requirements are defined. Written confirmation follows agreement execution. Read More

How do I book Bobbie Racette for a conference, convention, trade show, summit, or corporate meeting in Canada?

Bobbie Racette is booked through a structured agreement process confirming availability, fee structure, and logistics. Booking keynote speakers in Canada for conventions and trade shows includes written contracts and defined payment terms. Canadian business speakers for annual general meetings require scope confirmation before date holds convert to confirmed status. Booking is finalized upon agreement execution. Read More

How much does it cost to book Bobbie Racette as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Bobbie Racette keynote speaker fees depend on event type, audience size, format, and location. The cost to book a keynote speaker in Canada varies based on preparation scope and delivery structure. Corporate keynote speakers in Canada confirm fees through a booking agent and written agreement. Final pricing reflects defined scope and contract terms. Read More

Are there additional costs to hire Bobbie Racette for a corporate event, convention, or trade show in Canada?

Additional costs to hire Bobbie Racette may include travel expenses, extended sessions, workshops, meet and greets, emcee duties, or event host roles. Keynote speakers in Canada for business conventions often separate honorarium from travel and related logistics. Canadian business speakers confirm these components in writing before agreement execution. All additional costs are outlined contractually. Read More

How far in advance should I book Bobbie Racette for a conference, convention, or business meeting in Canada?

Bobbie Racette should be booked once event dates, location, and format are confirmed. Conference speakers in Canada often secure dates several months in advance. Corporate keynote speakers for annual general meetings may have limited availability during peak seasons. Early inquiry improves confirmation certainty. Read More

Is Bobbie Racette represented by an agent in Canada and how is the agreement handled?

Bobbie Racette is represented by Speakers Bureau of Canada for booking coordination and agreement management. Keynote speakers in Canada often work through an agency to formalize contracts and payment handling. Agent representation ensures structured communication between organizers and the speaker. Representation clarifies agreement terms before confirmation. Read More