Karina LeBlanc

Toronto, Ontario

Olympic Bronze Medalist, UNICEF Ambassador, FIFA Legend and Motivational Speaker

Keynote speaker, Karina LeBlanc is an Olympic bronze medalist who has the honour of being one of the longest-serving soccer players for Canada. As a retired professional athlete she is currently the General Manager of the Portland Thorns FC and was recently appointed to the Order of Canada. Karina LeBlanc inspires and motivates her audience to ask hard questions, engage in challenging conversations and ultimately become a better version of themselves.

Change Management
Diversity & Inclusion
Health & Wellness
Leadership
Peak Performance
Personal Growth
Resilience & Adversity
Teamwork
Business Management

Athletes & Sports
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Conference
Corporate Entertainers
Education & Teachers
Event Hosts & Moderators
Finance & Insurance
Guest Panelist & Guided Q&A

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KARINA LEBLANC BIOGRAPHY

Karina LeBlanc is a retired professional athlete and Olympic bronze medalist. She has the distinguished honour of being one of the longest-serving soccer players in Canada. With a prestigious career that spanned almost 18 years at the international level, she participated in 5 FIFA World Cups and two Olympic Games, winning an Olympic medal, and making her and her team household names.

Karina LeBlanc has many accolades that speak to her contributions to sports and society in general. In 2019, Karina’s home city of Maple Ridge, British Columbia, acknowledged her contributions by dedicating and naming a field in her honour, The Karina LeBlanc Field. More recently, in 2020, Karina was inducted into the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame.

Karina is especially proud of her role as Honorary Captain of the Canadian Navy. In 2018 Karina accepted the position of Head of Women’s Football for CONCACAF and its 41 countries where she works in leading the confederation in developing and growing the women’s game and using football as a means of empowering young women globally.

Born to parents who sacrificed a lot to move from the Caribbean island of Dominica to Canada, as a child Karina felt lost and disconnected in her new home. Sports – soccer – helped her find her way. She inspires and motivates her audience to ask hard questions, engage in challenging conversations and ultimately become a better version of themselves.

In Karina’s own words, she truly believes that we all have greatness within us. Sometimes we just need to be reminded that we should live every day aiming to be the best version of ourselves. Years of rigorous training, determination and countless hours on the pitch helped her gain confidence and a sense of belonging. She believed in her dreams and they helped her overcome endless obstacles

Karina LeBlanc’s career path takes her around the globe both in person and digitally, where she participates in global leadership initiatives and delivers motivational keynote addresses, speaking to diverse audiences. She has spoken at the United Nations General Assembly events on two separate occasions, as well as the United Nations Race Against Climate Change.

A dynamic speaker, she has engaged large audiences at major events including Canada’s 150th Celebration, Women Empowerment Conferences, and Leadership Conferences, and was the Host of TEDx Vancouver. Karina’s authenticity and vulnerability make her relatable and allows her to connect with all audiences, ranging from fortune 500 companies to small businesses, to 20,000-seat venues filled with adults and kids alike.

In March 2020, amid the COVID-19 world crisis, Karina LeBlanc gave birth to her daughter. Shortly after delivery, Karina suffered heart failure and had to be re-admitted to the hospital, separating her from her newborn and her husband. Due to possible COVID exposure, she then had to do a 14-day self-quarantine allowing no contact with her newborn or her husband. It was in this challenging and uncertain time that Karina found herself redefining her purpose.

A positive role model and highly sought-after motivational speaker, Karina LeBlanc is a passionate advocate for inclusion, diversity, and humanitarianism. She has spoken on developing the mindset of an Olympian, her experiences traveling to some of the world’s poorest places as a UNICEF ambassador, her transition from an elite athlete to a leader in the corporate world, and living in the uncomfortable of change. Karina knows how to create an Olympic culture in any organization.

In 2021, Portland Thorns FC have appointed former Thorns FC goalkeeper and current Head of Women’s Football for Concacaf Karina LeBlanc as their general manager. LeBlanc is responsible for the overall management of the technical soccer operations of the club, reporting directly to the owner and CEO Merritt Paulson. She will serve as the central leader for Thorns FC on all soccer aspects while also having an integral voice in key business decisions related to the club, helping to create, cultivate and manage the culture of Thorns FC.

Most recently, Karina LeBlanc was appointed to the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest honours. LeBlanc was recognized for her ‘contributions to the sport of soccer worldwide as well as for her use of soccer as a tool for social change.’ LeBlanc was announced on December 29, 2022, by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada. LeBlanc is just the second Canadian international footballer appointed to the Order of Canada after her former teammate Christine Sinclair, who was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2017.

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Karina LeBlanc Topic Presentations

discovering your why...?

Virtual PresentationKeynote PresentationWorkshop SessionHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
“That moment when I thought I was going to die is forever etched in my heart…. now I see that it all prepared me, for the greatness that is to come”. Life presents many challenges and obstacles but these are the very things that shape us, define us, and if we allow them to, make us better.

Why am I here on this earth? What do I uniquely bring to this earth? Have you ever asked yourself these questions? Karina will take you through an intimate conversation where she will share a few of her personal stories that helped shape her into the person she is today, including a recent near-death experience after giving birth during COVID. That and subsequent 17-day separation from her husband and newborn daughter due to Karina having to quarantine, helped to redefine her “WHY”.

Having faced adversity throughout her life, Karina has learned that beyond your greatest trials are your greatest successes. In her 13th year of playing soccer at the international level for her county, Karina had an interesting conversation with her coach right after winning an Olympic medal. It challenged her beyond the sport, which up to that moment, defined her… “If you think your purpose on this earth is to kick a soccer ball for Canada, then I have failed you!”

As in life, you will always find what you are looking for. This statement began a journey for Karina of getting comfortable living in the uncomfortable. A new journey towards truly finding her purpose here on this earth. In hearing her story, it will help you as a leader to see the greatness within you, and within your team. This conversation will leave you inspired, challenge you to truly live purposefully, and be the best version of yourself beyond leadership or your job but in life.

redefining your purpose through covid

Virtual PresentationKeynote PresentationWorkshop SessionHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
“Our Lives Have Prepared Us For Greatness – An Olympian’s Story Of How She Redefined Her Purpose Through COVID”

Karina LeBlanc will take you through her journey from immigrating to Canada as a shy 8-year-old, to becoming an Olympic medalist, and recently, just a week after giving birth, surviving heart failure and a COVID scare, which led to a 17-day separation from her husband and daughter. It was during this time that she realized that all of her life experiences and the mindset that made her a two-time Olympian, had prepared her for these difficult times.

In telling her story of how in the midst of a pandemic, she was able to redefine her purpose, she will leave you recognizing the greatness you have within yourself during difficult times. Karina will challenge you to commit every day to live purposefully, to be the best version of you and to connect to a purpose greater than yourself.

race, diversity and inclusion

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Karina LeBlanc will take you through an intimate conversation on her experiences of being a Black Woman in today’s world. Her father told her at an early age “You are a Black Woman, that can either be two strikes against you or for you”. She has always approached life making sure people see her for “WHO” she is, not :WHAT’ she is, or what she looks like.

Karina is able to speak on race, diversity, and inclusion from her own experiences. Born to Jamaican and Dominican parents, Karina immigrated to Canada as a shy 8-year-old who felt she had no value on this earth. Through impacting moments and her high-performance mindset, Karina found her voice and way. Karina went on to win an Olympic medal and represent Canada internationally for 18 years as a player, and has travelled to various regions of the world as a UNICEF ambassador. She is now the head of Women’s Soccer at CONCACAF, representing 41 countries in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. All of this combined has given Karina a deep understanding of issues surrounding race, diversity, and inclusion. With her authenticity and honesty, she will speak from the heart on an issue and conversation we all need to have and go towards.

by empowering yourself first, you can empower others

Virtual PresentationKeynote PresentationWorkshop SessionHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
Achieving personal empowerment allows a leader to empower others. Sharing her own journey to personal empowerment, learning to embrace failures and celebrate successes, Karina will take participants on a journey to discovering self and to recognizing the leadership potential within each of us. In this session, Karina will guide participants to explore aspects of self-empowerment that will help them, as leaders, to empower others.

enhancing the culture by enhancing yourself

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In 2011, Karina and the Canadian Women’s national team came last at the World Cup in Germany. Nine months later, they stood on the podium watching the Canadian flag rise with a medal around their necks. The difference was John Herdman and the leadership group (which included Karina), who were able to connect on something greater than themselves and greater than an Olympic medal. Their goal was to leave a true legacy and inspire a generation. Through sharing this powerful journey, Karina will provide details that will connect you as a person, an employee, or a company, to change an environment so that in the end, you deliver a podium performance.

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Karina LeBlanc can deliver customized presentations within the following topic themes.

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BOOK Karina LeBlanc

How to book Karina LeBlanc for an event?

Karina LeBlanc keynote speaker is an expert presenter and has a wide range of experience speaking to a wide variety of audiences and organizations. Karina LeBlanc delivers keynotes, workshops & training sessions. They may also host or emcee events. Hire Karina LeBlanc from Toronto, Ontario for your event to inspire the audience to take action and make change in their work and their lives. Your workplace will benefit from our keynote speaker and their keynote talks and speeches will shift the mindsets or behaviours for the audience members in Canada.

Interested in booking Karina LeBlanc for an event?

Are you looking to hire Karina LeBlanc for your event? Karina LeBlanc Toronto, Ontario is a dynamic and engaging speaker that offers audiences researched content paired with expertise and a dynamic speaking ability. Karina LeBlanc is also a Canadian corporate consultant and coach and facilitates workshops and training sessions for a corporate audience. Karina LeBlanc is an expert keynote presenter and speaks on wide variety of topics. Hiring a great speaker for your event is important and working with a thought leader like Karina LeBlanc from Speakers Canada’s roster will engage audiences into the content of the presentation to bring awareness and a fresh perspective for their approach to their work and their lives. Book Karina LeBlanc to educate, motivate and activate the audience through an interactive and entertaining presentation at corporate meetings and gatherings.

Known as a popular key note speaker in Canada, Karina LeBlanc creates life changing experiences for the participants with practical insights and strategic advice they can implement right after the session. Working with a one our leading expert speaker like Karina LeBlanc from Toronto, Ontario offers organizations a fresh perspective to assist the people of the organization. No matter if it is a government, association, or business crowd, Karina LeBlanc is a perfect speaker for your event. Through unique practical insights for trending topics and years experience speaking to different organizations, Karina LeBlanc focuses on changing individuals to make better decisions at work and their lives. No matter if you are holding an in person or virtual event, having an influential speaker such as Karina LeBlanc will engage, motivate, and activate the audience to make a change in their lives and inspire action for results to meet organizational goals. Your workforce will benefit from Karina LeBlanc’s presentations and speeches, with measurable results set to shift the people of the organization and core direction of the company. Book Karina LeBlanc speaker for your annual general meeting, conference, summit, or convention in Canada.

How much does it cost to hire Karina LeBlanc for a keynote presentation or virtual event?

Karina LeBlanc is an expert professional key note speaker with a lot of experience speaking and delivering engaging talks to organizations and audiences in Canada. Each of Speaker Bureau Canada’s talent have different ways to assess their fees, and Karina LeBlanc speaker fee ranges depending on the size of the audience, event format (in person or virtual), event location, and if the organization booking them is a non profit, association, government department/government agency or business/corporation. The speakers we work with are flexible with their fees, and it is important for us to learn more about your event before we approach them, as it is our role to work for you, and to help you find a speaker within budget.

Please contact Speakers Bureau of Canada and provide us with your event details so that we can contact Karina LeBlanc to check availability or confirm the pricing and associated costs to hire a great speaker like Karina LeBlanc for your event. As Karina LeBlanc's agent and as a Canadian top speaker bureau and talent agency for speakers, we are able to propose each event opportunity from each host organization’s behalf to try to help you get in touch with Karina LeBlanc and confirm them for your in person or online meeting/event. We can also provide and advise on the booking process and potentially negotiate their fee. Speakers Canada is a client focused speaker agency, and we work for you in finding good speakers for your team meetings and booking processes.

Karina LeBlanc Disclaimer

Speakers Bureau Canada assists companies and event planning teams seeking to hire talent like Karina LeBlanc for speaking engagements, virtual meetings, conference appearances, training sessions and workshops facilitations. Our Canadian speakers bureau does not claim to exclusively represent Karina LeBlanc, however they are represented by Speakers Canada, and we work with them closely for their Canadian speaking opportunities and bookings. As Canada’s top speaker bureau, we represent Canadian motivational keynote speakers and professional guest speakers that will be available on your upcoming events date and location that are withing the budget. Our talented bureau speaker booking agency can help find business speakers or celebrity speakers that aligns with each organization, audience, event theme and the topic themes you hope for the speaker to address in their presentation.

When SBC receives a request to book Karina LeBlanc we provide you with their speaker fees, travel costs and check their schedules. We work closely with the host organization’s event planning team and the speaker to handle the logistics and to relay or negotiate associated costs. Our talented team members then will work with our talent directly or their agent/manager/assistant to confirm the Canadian speaker fee and travel expenses, so that event planning teams can receive an official quote for the speaker appearing at the event. Speaker fees and travel costs vary per speaker and our role is to contact Karina LeBlanc about your event, after we have connected with the event organizers to learn all the event details and/or conference program. Each booking request is unique since session durations and audience sizes can vary which may affect the speaker’s fees. If you are looking to hire Karina LeBlanc, we recommend filling out the booking request form so a booking agent from Speakers Bureau Canada can get in touch with our talent to help you coordinate with your team to engage the speaker for a successful event.