Arlene Dickinson

"The purpose of marketing is to deliver business results," says Arlene Dickinson, former CBC "dragon" and one of Canada's most successful communications entrepreneurs. Whether explaining how to leverage marketing in even the toughest of economic times, sharing backstage stories from "The Den," or giving audiences a look into her personal story of success, Dickinson's experience and expertise always shine through. 

Dickinson is a serial entrepreneur and General Partner of District Ventures Capital, a venture capital fund focused on helping market, fund and grow entrepreneurs and their companies, in the food and health space. Best known to Canadians as a star of CBC’s award-winning series Dragons’ Den for over 12 seasons, Dickinson is also a podcaster, renowned speaker, and the author of three bestselling books: Persuasion, All In, and her most recent, Reinvention.

Dickinson’s success and leadership has been recognized with multiple honours and awards, including Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 Hall of Fame and the Pinnacle Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence. She is also an inductee in the Marketing Hall of Legends, and has been honoured with PROFIT and Chatelaine magazine’s TOP 100 Women Business Owners Awards. In 2012, Dickinson was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal.

Dickinson is an honourary captain of the Royal Canadian Navy and the recipient of four honourary degrees from Mount Saint Vincent University, Concordia University, Saint Mary’s University, and NAIT. She also sits on several public and private boards and is actively involved in supporting her community and country.

Arlene Dickinson's Speaking Presentations:

Reinvention +

Every one of us will feel stuck at some point in our lives. One day, you recognize that you have followed a path—personal or professional—that suddenly seems closed off or unfulfilling. Whether it’s a relationship that doesn’t connect in the way it used to or a job that started out being exciting but now feels unrewarding, suddenly you look up from your life and realize there is something else you want to do or to be. You’re ready for a reinvention. --

Lessons from the Den: Succeeding at Business and Being an Entrepreneur +

In this talk, one of Canada's most high profile business women distills a lifetime of experience to reveal everything you need to know — and do — to start, to run, and to grow a great business. (A customized clip from the hit show Dragons' Den provides buzz; though that’s just a starting point.)

On stage, as on the small screen, Dickinson displays a palpable and infectious belief in the entrepreneurial spirit; she reminds us of the major contributions Canadians have made to international business and the entrepreneurial tradition. --

Marketing Yourself +

Success is often taken for granted; few stop to think about where it came from, what shaped it, what trials were involved. In this talk, Arlene tells her story, providing a rare look into the making of one of Canada’s most powerful business women. Filled with the key lessons Arlene has learned throughout her journey, this talk is underscored by modesty, grit, and enormous heart. --

Leadership and Strategic Marketing +

Marketing plays a fundamental role in all businesses—yet it is seldom held accountable the way other departments are. A superstar marketer driven by corporate objectives, Arlene shows us why marketing must be a top concern of leadership, and why creativity and accountability must go hand in hand. Otherwise, why bother with marketing at all? She will help decision-makers grasp the essential strategic function of marketing in an insightful, accessible and frank talk, anchored squarely to the bottom line. --

Arlene Dickinson is represented by K&M Productions. For more information, *speaking fees & Arlene Dickinson's speaking schedule contact us. *Fee range listed is for live events within Canada. Contact us for virtual event pricing.