Arlene Dickinson

Nationally recognized as one of the top business leaders in Canada, Arlene Dickinson is the CEO of Venture Communications and YouInc.com, and the Founder and General Partner of District Ventures Capital. She has been a prominent figure on CBC's "Dragons' Den" and "The Big Decision," making her the longest-running female Dragon in the history of "Dragons' Den" for 15 seasons. As an author, she has published two best-selling books, "Persuasion" and "All In." A seasoned public speaker, Dickinson frequently travels the country to inspire teams, students, and leaders with her practical advice on communications, entrepreneurship, and marketing, emphasizing the importance of marketing, creativity, and accountability in business.

Dickinson immigrated to Canada with her family at age three, arriving with few belongings but full of hope and excitement at the prospect of a new life. Deeply influenced by the curiosity and gratitude that her father, a teacher, displayed towards their adopted country, she set out to make the most of the opportunity. After a start at a TV station, she quickly fell in love with the world of marketing. While raising four children, she climbed up the ladder, eventually owning and running her own business.

Dickinson now sits on many public and private boards and is highly active in community organizations, with an enduring passion for health, food and beverage, and women in business. She has received multiple honors, including Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 and the Pinnacle Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence, and holds honorary degrees from Mount Saint Vincent University, Saint Mary’s University, and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. An Honorary Captain of the Royal Canadian Navy and recipient of The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Dickinson is also the national spokesperson for The Breakfast Clubs of Canada since 2010. She is deeply involved in various charities and foundations and has made a priority of giving back to the communities and country that afforded her the opportunity to have such an incredible life and career. Her presentations are known for their blend of modesty, grit, and significant heart, drawing from her personal journey in the business world.