Dr. Roberta Bondar
Astronaut, Author, Environmentalist, Neurologist, Photographer, Space Scientist - Speaking Engagements
The first Canadian woman to fly in space, physician, scientist, astronaut and photographer, Dr. Roberta Bondar was aboard the space shuttle Discovery for its January 1992 mission, realizing a personal dream and capturing the imagination of millions. An incredible sense of self-worth and a dedication to expanding her personal horizons are evident in every task she undertakes.
An electrifying speaker with groundbreaking insights on innovation, discovery, leadership and high-performance thinking, Roberta Bondar has been inspiring audiences for more than a decade as one of North America's most sought-after and respected presenters. [more...]
The first Canadian woman to fly in space, physician, scientist, astronaut and photographer, Dr. Roberta Bondar was aboard the space shuttle Discovery for its January 1992 mission, realizing a personal dream and capturing the imagination of millions. An incredible sense of self-worth and a dedication to expanding her personal horizons are evident in every task she undertakes.
An electrifying speaker with groundbreaking insights on innovation, discovery, leadership and high-performance thinking, Roberta Bondar has been inspiring audiences for more than a decade as one of North America's most sought-after and respected presenters.
As the world’s first neurologist in space, Dr. Roberta Bondar is globally recognized for her pioneering contribution in space medicine research. Aboard the Discovery mission STS-42 in 1992, she conducted experiments in the shuttle’s first international microgravity laboratory.
For more than a decade at NASA Dr. Bondar headed an international research team, continuing to find new connections between astronauts recovering from the microgravity of space and neurological illnesses here on Earth such as stroke and Parkinson’s disease. Her techniques have been used in clinical studies at the B. I. Deaconess Medical Center, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School and at the University of New Mexico.
Dr. Bondar has been recognized with the NASA Space Medal, inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame and into the International Women’s Forum Hall of Fame for her pioneering research in space medicine. She is a recipient of the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario. In addition, she has received 24 honorary doctorates from Canadian and American universities. In 2003, TIME magazine named her among North America's best explorers. UNESCO has designated 2008 through 2010 as the International Year of Planet Earth and Dr. Roberta Bondar is the Honorary Patron for Canada.
With innovative ideas about how to navigate in uncharted territory, she offers her abilities as a leader and visionary to corporations and organizations throughout North America. Dr. Bondar demonstrates the adaptive thinking necessary for changing perspectives in our contemporary world.
In 2007 the Ontario Government appointed Dr. Bondar to chair the Working Committee on Environmental Education, to strengthen environmental education in the curriculum of elementary and secondary schools. The Committee presented the report and all 32 of their recommendations have been implemented in 2008.
Dr. Bondar has been recognized with the NASA Space Medal, inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame and is an Officer of the Order of Canada. In addition, she has received 24 honorary doctorates from Canadian and American universities. In 2003 TIME Magazine named her among North America's best explorers.
A true renaissance woman, Dr. Bondar is an acclaimed photographer of the natural wonders of our planet. Roberta Bondar’s photographic essay books include: Touching the Earth about her astronaut experiences, Passionate Vision - Discovering Canada’s National Parks and Canada - Landscapes of Dreams, both bestsellers are in their third printings and available in bookstores across the country. She has also published a catalogue of her desert photography entitled, The Arid Edge of Earth.
Dr. Bondar recently completed her second term as Chancellor of Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario and she continues photographing the extremes of our planet.
In October of 2011 Roberta was one of six famous Canadians who were awarded stars on Canada’s Walk of Fame. CWOF was conceived to recognize the achievements and accomplishments of deserving Canadians.
[less]A cross-discipline thought leader with groundbreaking insights on the environment, innovation, discovery and leadership, Dr. Roberta Bondar is one of North America's most sought-after and respected presenters.
Meeting and conference planners from organizations as diverse as Yale University, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Gartner, Investors Group, Capgemini, Pfizer, Oracle, and the FBI have come to depend on her as a valued partner in planning and delivering customized presentations that consistently move audiences to their next level.
Dr. Bondar draws on her remarkable depth of expertise as an astronaut, physician, scientific researcher, photographer, author, environment interpreter and team leader to stimulate, motivate, educate and inspire.
By customizing each speech and keynote, Dr. Bondar brings added value with her maturity, wisdom gained from "in the trenches" life experiences, broad educational background and depth of personality. This unique combination will ensure that any event will be extraordinary.
SAMPLE TOPICS >>>
Energy for Critical Thinkers
To function at survival level and to move beyond, it is imperative to develop the skills to think critically. Today’s world seems to be overflowing with information that can overpower a simple weekend grocery list or stress the choice of a fitness routine. Thinking critically will decrease the Fear Factor.
When to Lead, When to Follow and When to Stay Put
A leader is one who can instill a sense of purpose in others. A good leader encourages leadership in others. A great leader knows when to let others lead. This is all about having a sense of where you are, respecting and trusting other minds.
Flexibility and Agility through Diversity
Without a doubt, one of the greatest challenges facing us in a rapidly changing world is constantly to be both reactive and proactive. Flexibility to change accordingly and to stay ahead of the curve implies agility of mind at all ages. Diversity of knowledge and diversity of life experience are keys to creativity and success.
Changing Perspective - Enhanced Productivity
A perfect solution is fleeting if ever found. The mind can be retrained to seek a new perspective to cope and exploit constant change. This ability of the human brain allowed me to develop new skills to work in the non-traditional environment of space, and to reframe my earthbound practices. To see things differently changes expectation of self and others, in business and at home.
Dream Building - Vision Planning
From interest and curiosity come dreams and ideas. There are as many variants to a dream as there are people in the world. We all have a personal human touch on what will give us an emotional focus. A step towards sharing a vision means understanding and respecting where the dreams come from and how they can blend in, whether around the edges or in the middle.
Personal and Professional Goals - An Advanced Ethic
We all want to lead happy productive lives but it is fulfilling when both personal and professional lives can feed off each other. As far as I have seen on Earth and beyond, nothing is clearer than the fact that we have a precious relatively short Earth-life that is limited by time. It makes sense to develop ourselves for each hour that we are awake by learning from the potential life experiences that are all around us.
Team Machine - Exploring what Lies Inside
Typically, one machine is the product of many minds, all tied together for a common purpose. An individual also can be a team in oneself if there is diversity of knowledge and experience. If we can read, write and communicate, we have the basic tools. To move forward to innovate, we look to the largely untapped resource of our brain to create new problems so we can develop new solutions.
Management Lessons from Space
Successful businesses anticipate and respond rapidly to a world in constant flux where human relations are keys to effective change. As professional flexibility reflects personal adaptability, valued team members know when to lead, when to follow and when to stay the course. They embrace culture challenges as positive influences on both their continued professional and personal development.
Never a Distance too Great: Bridges for Life
It is not enough just to advocate a vision: you must realize it. The gap between a dream and reality is bridged with interest and insight, skill and determination, focus and discipline. Because of their timeless value, these bridges also give us the flexibility that we will need in the future to cope with inevitable change. Dynamic bridges of the human mind can be virtual or real, but they must be agile. They form the link between other worlds, ideas and relationships.
Vision and Leadership
In a world of extremes, a leader’s vision must be bold yet within reach of fellow team members. Sharing a vision is more than setting out objectives and goals for other to follow. If there is no overlap of interest or passion by everyone, a vision will be blind to fulfilling its potential. By definition, a leader knows about leadership but a successful leader understands followership. Experience offers each of us an opportunity to learn from another person’s life lesions which combine the richness of education, with the insight of critical thinking. By linking this resource to respect for a shared vision, a strong team will be focused on success.
Additional Topics >>>
Creativity, Innovation, Education & Transformation
- Creating Innovative Space – Technology and Transformation
- Infinite Possibilities – If We Continue to Do Better
- Dreams, Curiosity, Ideas – The Creative Elements of Innovation
- Flexibility and Agility in the Knowledge Economy
Environment & Sustainability
- Shifting Patters – Navigating an Uncertain Future
- Repairing the Carpet of Life – One Thread at a Time
- Acting Today – Shaping Tomorrow
- Evolving with Earth
Change, Adaptation & Risk
- Continuous Change – Defying Gravity at Any Height
- What Will It Take For Us To Change?
- Train the Brain – Adapting for Success
- Risk, Reality and the Art of Moving Onward
Space, Discovery & Exploration
- Suspended in Air – Lessons in Exploring Human Potential
- When We Get to Mars Will Our Legs Be Flippers?
- Touching the Earth and Other Tales
- Reach for the Stars – Will I See You There?
Dr. Roberta Bondar is represented by K&M Productions for speaking engagements. For more information and booking Dr. Roberta Bondar, simply contact us.
A wonderful speaker ... exuding intelligence, great warmth and compassion.
–Yale University
A wonderful speaker ... exuding intelligence, great warmth and compassion.
–Yale University
Inspirational, humourous and enlightening.
–Federal Bureau of Investigation
An enthusiastic delivery and fascinating speech content… Every person in the room was affixed to her and listening intently, as she spoke about her education, her dreams, her choices and life after her space flight.
–General Motors
...a standing ovation...and in return a standing ovation for us for including her as part of our agenda...a great finishing touch to the day!
–BMO
Absolutely fantastic ...captured the audience with your first words and kept us mesmerized until the end.
–Rogers Media
