Vanessa Gilles

Vanessa Gilles

Ottawa, Ontario
Leadership and Change | Executive Coaching | Transformation | Agility & Transitions | Resilience
Vanessa Gilles, a Canadian central defender, has risen to prominence in women's soccer through her perseverance and talent. Despite going undrafted, she refused to be deterred and played in Cyprus, where she honed her skills and gained international experience. Her exceptional performances caught the attention of scouts, leading her to join Angel City and later Olympic Lyonnais. Representing Canada in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Vanessa Gilles's stellar defensive displays contributed to their gold medal win. Off the field, she is known for her humility and dedication, inspiring aspiring soccer players worldwide. Vanessa's story highlights the power of determination and passion, showing that with hard work, resilience, and self-belief, extraordinary achievements are possible.
  • Communications
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Leadership
  • Mental Health
  • Peak Performance
  • Personal Growth
  • Resilience & Adversity
  • Teamwork
  • All Staff Meeting
  • Annual General Meetings
  • Athletes & Sports
  • Career Development
  • Celebrity
  • Conference
  • Corporate Audience
  • Corporations & Businesses

VANESSA GILLES BIOGRAPHY

Vanessa Gilles is a Canadian central defender who has risen to prominence in the world of women’s soccer through her perseverance, talent, and unwavering determination. Born and raised in Canada, Vanessa’s journey to becoming one of the top women’s soccer players is a testament to her passion and resilience.

Despite her exceptional skills, Vanessa Gilles faced a setback early in her career when she went un-drafted. Determined to pursue her dreams, she refused to let this deter her and decided to play in Cyprus, a lesser-known soccer destination. This experience turned out to be a pivotal point in her career, as she honed her abilities and gained invaluable international experience.

Vanessa Gilles’ exceptional performances in Cyprus caught the attention of scouts, and it wasn’t long before she received an opportunity to showcase her talent on a larger stage. She seized the chance and joined Angel City, a renowned women’s soccer team. Her commanding presence on the field, strong defensive skills, and leadership qualities quickly established her as a crucial player within the team.

Continuing her upward trajectory, Vanessa Gilles later made a move to join Olympic Lyonnais, one of the most successful women’s soccer clubs in the world. Her relentless work ethic and commitment to excellence played a significant role in the team’s continued success.

Vanessa Gilles achieved her long-term dream when she represented Canada in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Her stellar performances in defence were instrumental in Canada’s remarkable journey, which culminated in winning the gold medal. Vanessa’s contributions to the team’s success showcased her ability to perform under pressure and solidified her reputation as one of the best central defenders in women’s soccer.

Off the field, Vanessa Gilles is known for her humility, dedication, and determination. She has become an inspiration to aspiring soccer players worldwide, proving that hard work, resilience, and unwavering belief in oneself can lead to extraordinary achievements.

As Vanessa Gilles continues to excel on the soccer field, she remains a shining example of how perseverance and passion can help individuals overcome obstacles and reach the highest levels of success.

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Vanessa Gilles Topic Presentations

leadership through sport

  • Virtual PresentationKeynote PresentationWorkshop SessionHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
  • Soccer players often develop leadership skills through their roles as team captains or influential players. They learn to lead by example, inspire their teammates, and make strategic decisions on the field. These leadership qualities can be transferred to other areas of life, enabling players to become effective leaders in their communities, workplaces, or even in their personal relationships.

diversity and inclusion

  • Virtual PresentationKeynote PresentationWorkshop SessionHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
  • Soccer is a sport that brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Soccer players have the opportunity to embrace diversity and promote inclusion within their teams and communities. By valuing different perspectives and creating an inclusive environment, players can foster teamwork, respect, and understanding both on and off the field.

personal development

  • Virtual PresentationKeynote PresentationWorkshop SessionHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
  • Soccer provides a platform for personal growth and development. Through training, players develop discipline, time management skills, and a strong work ethic. They also learn the importance of goal setting, perseverance, and continuous improvement. These skills and qualities can be applied to various aspects of life, such as education, career, and personal relationships, leading to overall personal development.

mental toughness & resilience

  • Virtual PresentationKeynote PresentationWorkshop SessionHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
  • Soccer players face numerous challenges that require mental toughness and resilience. They must handle pressure, cope with setbacks, and maintain focus in high-stakes situations. Developing mental toughness helps players overcome adversity, stay motivated, and perform at their best even in challenging circumstances. These skills can be applied to other areas of life, enabling players to navigate difficult situations and bounce back from setbacks.

peak performance

  • Virtual PresentationKeynote PresentationWorkshop SessionHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
  • Soccer players strive for peak performance, which involves optimizing physical, technical, and mental capabilities. They work on their skills, physical fitness, and tactical knowledge to achieve their best performance. This pursuit of excellence can be translated into other areas of life, such as academics or professional endeavours, by setting high standards, continuously learning and improving, and striving for success.

tackling adversity

  • Virtual PresentationKeynote PresentationWorkshop SessionHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
  • Soccer players often encounter adversity, such as injuries, defeats, or criticism. Learning to tackle adversity builds resilience, determination, and problem-solving skills. Players develop the ability to bounce back, adapt to challenges, and find solutions. These skills are transferable to other aspects of life, where individuals must navigate obstacles and find ways to overcome them.

experience as an athlete and applying to business and life skills

  • Virtual PresentationKeynote PresentationWorkshop SessionHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
  • The experience of being a soccer player equips individuals with valuable skills applicable to business and life. Attributes like teamwork, communication, goal setting, and discipline translate into effective leadership, collaboration, and personal success. The ability to handle pressure, make quick decisions, and adapt to dynamic situations is also valuable in business environments.

resilience expert

  • Virtual PresentationKeynote PresentationWorkshop SessionHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
  • Soccer players, through their experiences, become experts in resilience. They learn to cope with setbacks, recover from injuries, and face constant challenges. Their expertise in resilience can be shared with others, serving as role models and sources of inspiration. Soccer players can provide insights on building resilience, maintaining motivation, and overcoming obstacles, both within the sports realm and in broader life contexts.

Testimonials

I think what we’re quickly learning is Vanessa is an absolute legend in Ottawa. This city is so, so proud of Vanessa’s achievements … She’s an absolute legend and will do anything to keep a clean sheet and do whatever it takes to win, and I think they’re attributes loved by all Canadians.

Bev Priestman

Head Coach
Canada Soccer

Articles & Media

Canadian centre back Vanessa Gilles poised to reach new heights with Lyon

CBC

Just when you think Vanessa Gilles' amazing ascent has stopped dead in its tracks, the Canadian women's team defender finds a way to reach new dizzying heights. Originally a tennis player growing up in Ottawa, Gilles switched to soccer as a teenager and eventually earned a scholarship to the...
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Gilles in a new French adventure with Olympique Lyonnais

Concacaf

MIAMI, Florida – Resilience and compromise are some words that can describe a professional footballer. Some have lived through it all since a very young age, having to show character on and off the pitch. Canadian center back Vanessa Gilles is the perfect example on how those words embody a...
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Cyle Larin, Vanessa Gilles named Canada Soccer's players of the month for March

Yahoo Sports

Forward Cyle Larin and defender Vanessa Gilles have been named Canada Soccer’s players of the month for March. Larin scored three goals in two games for Canada while Gilles helped Olympique Lyonnais advance to the Coupe de France Féminine Finals. Larin scored once against Curaçao and...
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VANESSA GILLES WINS THE COUPE DE FRANCE FÉMININE

Canada Soccer

Vanessa Gilles won her first club title with Olympique Lyonnais at Stade de la Source on Sunday 14 May. The Canadian centreback won the 2023 Coupe de France Féminine following a 2:1 win over club rivals Paris Saint-Germain. This marks the 10th Coupe de France féminine win for Olympique...
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CBC Sports

Signa Butler

Canadian defender Vanessa Gilles on Angel City FC's NWSL debut
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Infosports75 TV

SBC

Interview avec Vanessa Gilles , Défenseure de l’OL après leur victoire face au PSG
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How to book Vanessa Gilles for an event?

Vanessa Gilles keynote speaker is an expert presenter and has a wide range of experience speaking to a wide variety of audiences and organizations. Vanessa Gilles delivers keynotes, workshops & training sessions. They may also host or emcee events. Hire Vanessa Gilles from Ottawa, 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 Vanessa Gilles for an event?

Are you looking to hire Vanessa Gilles for your event? Vanessa Gilles Ottawa, Ontario is a dynamic and engaging speaker that offers audiences researched content paired with expertise and a dynamic speaking ability. Vanessa Gilles is also a Canadian corporate consultant and coach and facilitates workshops and training sessions for a corporate audience. Vanessa Gilles 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 Vanessa Gilles 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 Vanessa Gilles 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, Vanessa Gilles 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 Vanessa Gilles from Ottawa, Ontario offers organizations a fresh perspective to assist the people of the organization. No matter if it is a government, association, or business crowd, Vanessa Gilles is a perfect speaker for your event. Through unique practical insights for trending topics and years experience speaking to different organizations, Vanessa Gilles 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 Vanessa Gilles 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 Vanessa Gilles’s presentations and speeches, with measurable results set to shift the people of the organization and core direction of the company. Book Vanessa Gilles speaker for your annual general meeting, conference, summit, or convention in Canada.

How much does it cost to hire Vanessa Gilles for a keynote presentation or virtual event?

Vanessa Gilles 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 Vanessa Gilles 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 Vanessa Gilles to check availability or confirm the pricing and associated costs to hire a great speaker like Vanessa Gilles for your event. As Vanessa Gilles'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 Vanessa Gilles 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.

Vanessa Gilles Disclaimer
Speakers Bureau Canada assists companies and event planning teams seeking to hire talent like Vanessa Gilles for speaking engagements, virtual meetings, conference appearances, training sessions and workshops facilitations. Our Canadian speakers bureau does not claim to exclusively represent Vanessa Gilles, 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 Vanessa Gilles 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 Vanessa Gilles 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 Vanessa Gilles, 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.

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