Turning the impossible into reality

Image of Victoria
Image of Victoria
Image of Victoria
Image of Victoria
Image of Victoria and team
image of Canadian rowing team
Victoria and seeing eye dog kneeling down with a canada flag
Image of Victoria
Image of Victoria
Image of Victoria
Image of Victoria
Image of Victoria and team
image of Canadian rowing team
Victoria and seeing eye dog kneeling down with a canada flag
Image of Victoria
Image of Victoria
Image of Victoria
Image of Victoria
Image of Victoria and team
image of Canadian rowing team
Victoria and seeing eye dog kneeling down with a canada flag

Our Expertise

01

Elevator Pitch

When you go blind you lose your sight, but you gain the wisdom to share lessons in resilience and grit.

02

Biography

Victoria Nolan is a world champion rower, author, tv personality and advocate for people living with blindness and other disabilities.

read more
03

Education

Executive (Accelerated) M.B.A. – Smith School of Business (Queens University) August 2024-Present
M.A. Child Study and Education University of Toronto 1997 -1999
H.B.Sc. University of Toronto 1992-1996

04

Expertise

At Beyond Vision Speaks, I combine my experience as a Paralympian, transformational leader, and strategist to help organizations thrive.

read more
05

Current Position

National Manager, Canadian National Institute for the Blind 2022 -Present

06

Keynote Title and Description

Conquering rough waters with power and grace.

read more
07

Publications

Autobiography
Beyond Vision: The Story of a Blind Rower, Victoria Nolan, 2014 Iguana Publishing  Website: www.blindorwer.com

Refocus: The Essential Guide to Living a Happy and Successful Life With Vision Loss
By Shawn Maloney & Victoria Nolan ,  2025 Amazon Publishing

5

World Championship medals including 1 Gold

4

Paralympic Appearances including 1 bronze medal

1

World Cup Gold Medal
World Masters Gold Medal

1+

1 award for each

King Clancy Award recipient
Toronto Sports Hall of Fame Inductee

I wasn’t to express my gratitude for your outstanding presentation you delivered at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, your insights on accessibility were invaluable and were received with enthusiasm by everyone present.

Phoebe Di Siemen, Special advisor to the Vice Provost
Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Image of Victoria

Privacy Preference Center

Privacy Preferences

What I Bring
  • Inclusive Leadership & DEI – practical strategies to build equity and accessibility into culture and operations.
  • Resilience & High Performance – lessons from elite sport to help teams adapt, focus, and excel under pressure.
  • Strategy & Change – proven success leading national initiatives, digital transformation, and organizational growth
  • Accessibility & Design Thinking – advisory support to create environments and services where everyone can succeed. I partner with corporations, nonprofits, and teams who want more than inspiration—organizations ready to embed resilience, inclusion, and performance into how they work every day.

Keynote Title and Description

Have you ever felt nervous or unsure about your environment? Have you ever felt like things were happening around you that you had no control over? How often do you feel like you are missing important information to make a sound decision? Uncertainty, insecurity and lack of control are all at the root of fear. They are also a direct result of change, And they are part of life every single day for someone who is blind. With organizations facing more intense change than ever before, It’s no wonder that job dissatisfaction, disengagement and burn out are on the rise. Together we will redefine what is possible when facing the unknown

Biography

Victoria Nolan is a world champion rower, author, tv personality and advocate for people living with blindness and other disabilities. Vicky went blind when her daughter was born and has since faced the world in the dark. She chooses hope over fear, and embraces uncertainty as a challenge to overcome. Vicky is determined to push limits: she has won 8 medals for Team Canada and competed in four Olympic games. Now pursuing her MBA at Queens University, she also serves as national manager for one of Canada’s largest non -profit organizations. Victoria's story is one of resilience, tough choices and inspiring others to overcome life’s challenges.