Raise the Floor: Lessons in Fear, Connection, and Excellence from Representing Canada Abroad
Tuesday, Jan 13, 2026
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Lecture by:
Kelly VanderBeek
In this talk, Kelly shares how representing the maple leaf on the world stage shaped her identity as a Canadian and deepened her understanding of what it means to serve something greater than oneself. Drawing from her journey, she explores the lessons learned from competition and connection, the power of facing fear, and why storytelling is central to building stronger communities.
About Kelly VanderBeek
Kelly VanderBeek
For over a decade, Kelly VanderBeek professionally threw herself down mountains at speeds exceeding 145 km/h – earning her place as an Olympian and World Cup medallist. Today, she channels that same energy and passion into her entrepreneurial work, which specializes in communications excellence. Her work as a broadcaster, photographer/videographer, speaker, and educator focuses on connecting people through story.
Since retiring from competition, Kelly has helped cover nine Olympic Games and brings a creative edge to storytelling both in front of and behind the camera. As a professional speaker and entrepreneur, she has worked with government ministers, corporate executives, and everyday people—helping them strengthen connections within themselves, their communities, and their brands.
Beyond her public-facing roles, Kelly remains deeply committed to high-performance sport, serving as a Director with both WinSport and Alpine Canada—helping shape the next generation of Canadian athletes.