Mark Gasparotto

Keynote Speaker | Ottawa, Ontario

Leadership & Team Building Expert
Resilience & Wellness Advocate | Entrepreneur

Mark Gasparotto Expertise Business & Corporate, Entrepreneurship, Inclusive Leadership, Leadership, Personal Growth, Resilience & Adversity, Mindset & Attitude, Peak Performance and Stress Management.

Mark Gasparotto

About Mark Gasparotto

Colonel (Retired) Mark Gasparotto is a three-time decorated combat leader, successful entrepreneur, and author who fuzes his varied academic, military, and business backgrounds to bring to life the art and science of leadership and resilience. Mark Gasparotto credits much of his battlefield results and subsequent recovery to the intentional work on his Inner Game, believing that he has a duty to share his hard-won experiences in the service of building stronger communities. Employing those same battle-tested techniques, Mark Gasparotto helps people and teams to Struggle WellTM and Clear the WayTM — to live, learn, and lead into their potential.

Mark Gasparotto Videos

Overcoming Perfectionism and the Fear of Failure

Legacy of Leadership

Vlog: the Vulnerability Loop

Leaders Eat Last

Mark Gasparotto Interviews & Podcasts

Mind Your Farm Business — Ep. 96: Boosting Farm Leadership Through i

MARK GASPAROTTO BIOGARPHY

Colonel (Retired) Mark Gasparotto is a three-time decorated combat leader, successful entrepreneur, and author who fuzes his varied academic, military, and business backgrounds to bring to life the art and science of leadership and resilience.

Mark Gasparotto is the President of Gasparotto Group, a boutique consultancy that provides clients with customized, pragmatic, and evidence-based leadership solutions. Mark Gasparotto combines his 10+ years of entrepreneurial experience, 20+ years of uniformed service as a combat engineer officer, and a master of leadership to deliver impactful and practical leadership insights for clients such as Rogers Communications, General Dynamics Land Systems, The Ontario Provincial Police, NAV Canada, and the Ottawa Redblacks.

As a military officer, Mark Gasparotto served in key leadership roles in international hotspots such as Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Haiti and credits much of his battlefield results and subsequent recovery to the intentional work on his Inner Game. From commanding small tactical units to overseeing large, multinational peacekeeping operations, his emphasis on results, teamwork, and effective communications elevated him to the upper ranks of the Canadian Armed Forces. Mark Gasparotto was awarded his first Meritorious Service Medal for his actions under fire in Kandahar. His role as a senior leader in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Haiti earned him a second Meritorious Service Medal and a Brazilian Army Medal.

With an Engineering Degree, a Master’s in Defence Studies, and a Master of Leadership, his rugged intellectualism allows him to translate his intense experiences into practical and actionable leadership participant takeaways. Mark Gasparotto is certified in many psychometric assessments, including Myers-Briggs, Emotional Quotient, and the full suite of Human Synergistics tools. Functionally bilingual in English and French, Mark Gasparotto enjoys engaging in bi-lingual exchanges during his presentations.

A member of the TEC Canada (Vistage) community, Mark Gasparotto was awarded the Impact Speaker Award for 2020. Mark Gasparotto is the co-author of Clearing the Way: Combat Engineers in Kandahar — now an award-winning documentary film. With a second book in his sights, in 2025 Mark Gasparotto and his team at Gasparotto Group intend to conduct a 1000 km canoe expedition of the Ottawa River, departing from its headwater and finishing at the Nation’s Capital. Mark Gasparotto has been interviewed by CBC News, National Post, Ottawa Sun, and Canadian Military Family Magazine.

Mark Gasparotto believes that he has a duty to share his hard-won experiences in the service of building stronger communities. Employing those same battle-tested techniques, Mark Gasparotto helps people and teams to Struggle WellTM and Clear the WayTM — to live, learn, and lead to their potential.

Mark Gasparotto is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys pushing his personal limits in cycling, cross-country skiing, and wilderness expeditions. That, and parenting two vibrant adult daughters — his greatest leadership challenge.

Mark Gasparotto Topic Presentations

Mark Gasparotto Ottawa, Ontario, 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.

Clear the Way™: Master Your Inner Game™

Struggle Well™: Thrive in the Storm

Mark Gasparotto Books & Articles

Clearing the Way: Combat Engineers in Kandahar
Clearing the Way: Combat Engineers in

The story of 23 Field Squadron, Canadian Combat Engineers, during their deployment in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. Chronicling how they...

Former Military Commanders Offer Ideas for Keeping Sane, Healthy in Covid-19 Lockdown
Former Military Commanders Offer Ideas for

Living and working in the same space with family in ever-present proximity — even with the occasional walk and blast of Netflix — is a...

Retired Colonel Mark Gasparotto Makes Leadership His Business
Retired Colonel Mark Gasparotto Makes Leadership

Mark Gasparotto’s leadership skills were put to test during two tours of duty in the crucible of Afghanistan. “I think the experience...

Christie Blatchford: Spare the Austerity, Spoil the Military
Christie Blatchford: Spare the Austerity, Spoil

With Canada’s combat mission in Afghanistan ending this week and the nation awash in an attendant flurry of publicity, the usual...

Unlocking the Many Mysteries of Ptsd
Unlocking the Many Mysteries of

When Virginia Shaw heard of the recent murder-suicide in Springhill her mind flashed back to October 2013. “There was a behaviour in...

Mark Gasparotto Speaking Testimonials

"There was such a powerful silence in the room! Mark Gasparotto was able to capture all our 900 delegates’ attention immediately. A powerful storyteller with great stage presence, he offered genuine, authentic, practical, and generous insights that can be put to work immediately. Participants are now better equipped with tips, tricks, and a toolset to help them lead themselves and others. Mark Gasparotto exceeded expectations and more!"

Jérémie Emond

Director General – Real Property and Environment at Natural Resources Canada / RPIC National Workshop Co-Chair
Real Property Institute of Canada

"Mark Gasparotto did a really good job drawing connections between leadership of self and how that helps teams develop collaboration and trust, with outcomes being healthier, stronger, psychologically safe teams. Outputs are then much more effective and impacted by that leadership of self, leadership in teams, and finally, leadership in organizations."

Superintendent Derek Needham

Ontario Provincial Police

"A captivating story and inspirational message leading to practical leadership lessons — genuine and real life. The team was quite captivated by his message; we used Mark’s inspiration to have our own discussion on how everyone at Searidge could be a better leader."

Moodie Cheikh

CEO
Searidge Technologies

"Mark spoke at our annual Client Conference, which Vistage recommended. His 3-hour session was a roller coaster ride of self-awareness, offering insanely insightful perspectives on decision-making that extended into personal life interactions. His experiences, from military service to the entrepreneurial arena, resonated deeply with our global audience, prompting us to engage the Gasparotto Group for additional leadership development programs."

Kenny Johnston

President
Bill Gosling Outsourcing

"Mark’s keynote presentation breaks down leadership to its fundamental core by telling a compelling and captivating story. Orangutech’s executive team had a few new members, and through spending the day going “Outside the Wire” with the Gasparotto Group, the team gelled by learning from Mark’s keynote and by experiencing team challenges, decision-making, and problem-solving."

Barry Doucette

CEO
Orangutech

"Mark is a remarkable speaker who seamlessly blended his real-world experience with a deep understanding of technical and theoretical leadership concepts. His ability to intertwine personal anecdotes with academic insights created a captivating experience that resonated with each of our leaders. Mark created immersive learning experiences that provoked thoughtful and insightful conversation while sharing invaluable lessons learned along the way."

Kristi Cawthorn

CEO
Startec

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mark Gasparotto known for and what is their expertise as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Mark Gasparotto 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 Mark Gasparotto speak on for conferences, conventions, corporate events, and annual general meetings in Canada?

Mark Gasparotto 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 Mark Gasparotto is the right fit for my audience, conference, convention, or AGM?

Mark Gasparotto 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 Mark Gasparotto from and where do they speak across Canada?

Mark Gasparotto is from Ottawa, Ontario 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 Mark Gasparotto available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, webinars, or hybrid events in Canada?

Mark Gasparotto 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 Mark Gasparotto deliver keynote presentations, workshops, training sessions, breakout sessions, fireside chats, or panel discussions?

Mark Gasparotto 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 Mark Gasparotto to check availability and begin the booking process in Canada?

Mark Gasparotto 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 Mark Gasparotto for a conference, convention, trade show, summit, or corporate meeting in Canada?

Mark Gasparotto 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 Mark Gasparotto as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Mark Gasparotto 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 Mark Gasparotto for a corporate event, convention, or trade show in Canada?

Additional costs to hire Mark Gasparotto 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 Mark Gasparotto for a conference, convention, or business meeting in Canada?

Mark Gasparotto 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 Mark Gasparotto represented by an agent in Canada and how is the agreement handled?

Mark Gasparotto 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