NSB Logo Chantal Petitclerc Chantal Petitclerc

Chantal Petitclerc

Speaker

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Paralympic Champion & Canada's Chef de Mission for the Rio Paralympic Games 2016

Chantal Petitclerc is the most successful wheelchair racer of all time, boasting multiple medals from all three of the world’s top athletic competitions: The Olympic and Paralympic Games, the World Championships, and the Commonwealth Games. Canada’s Lou Marsh Trophy winner for Athlete of the Year (2008) and a Companion of the Order of Canada, Chantal tells her incredible story to show others that challenges are simply a starting point for success.

Keynote Speeches

Determination, Perseverance, Discipline: Enhancing your Natural Advantage

Together on the Podium: Recognizing that Personal Success is the Outcome of Team Effort

Together on the Podium: Recognizing that Personal Success is the Outcome of Team Effort

Audience reviews:

  • Ms. Petitclerc exemplifies perseverance and excellence-two qualities that attracted Alcan to become associated with her. In the past three years, Chantal has had the opportunity to meet thousands of Alcan employees across Canada and around the world. We know how much she is appreciated and how proud our employees are to be associated with such a great athlete and such an extraordinary person.

    - Vice President, Alcan Primary Metal Group
  • Your personal story of courage and determination intently engaged every person in the audience. As is most likely the case wherever you go, you captured the hearts of all the government employees who were present at this event. Your enlightening spirit was the perfect finishing touch in making the day a success.

    - Natural Resources Canada
  • Chantal is so knowledgeable and so down-to-earth, she was a big hit with participants – they could not stop talking about how great she was!

    - Principal, Finance, Management and Reporting, CPA Canada
 

Speaker Biography

Determination, perseverance, discipline. These three qualities truly capture the strength and character of the great Canadian athlete, Olympian and wheelchair race specialist, Chantal Petitclerc. A paraplegic from the age of 13, Chantal discovered a passion for sports while seeking a physical activity suited to her post-accident condition. Wheelchair racing helped Chantal regain confidence in her abilities and sharpened her desire to test her limits. Her coach was struck by her determination and less than a year later, Petitclerc competed in her first race. Twice breaking the world record in the 100m and now a multiple Gold medal Paralympian, Chantal’s perseverance, and discipline has allowed her to triumph over any obstacle impeding her success. In June 2009 Petitclerc was honored with a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame and in July 2009 she was appointment as Companion of the Order of Canada (the highest level of the Order) for “her achievements as a Paralympic champion known internationally as an inspiration, and for her commitment to developing sports for athletes with a disability.” Chantal participates in projects by various Paralympic athletics and sports organizations, in addition to working as a spokesperson for Défi Sportif in Montréal and as an ambassador for the international Right to Play organization. Chantal was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 where she sits among the remarkable athletes who serve as a profound reminder of the depth and breadth of our nation’s rich sporting landscape. In 2016, Chantal was named Canada’s chef de mission for the Rio Paralympic games. During her lifetime, she has learned a thing or two about resilience, work, competition, achievements and stress and pressure. She has been sharing her life’s lessons with a touch of humor for the last fifteen years, and this across Canada and abroad, in front of groups from all walks of life, during fund-raising events and also working meetings.