Faced with a life altering decision after the birth of her first child and losing half of her eyesight to a genetic eye disease, Victoria had to decide: Should she risk having a second child knowing it could mean further loss of sight? Ultimately she chose hope over fear embracing uncertainty. Her remaining sight disappeared, but it ignited determination to push beyond limits. She went on to represent Canada for fourteen years, winning the World Championships and breaking the world record in New Zealand. 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.
What people are saying
Victoria Nolan, a champion athlete and an incredible guest speaker, truly transformed our organization during a time of significant change.Don Macintosh
VP sales and Marketing
Victoria's insights from her own experiences of empowerment, self-reflection & focus on her athletic career were directly applicable and incredibly uplifting. Her words guided us towards a unified vision for our future. We are grateful for her contribution and the lasting impact she has had on our collective team spirit.”
Victoria was able to find relatable aspects of her journey that not only motivated us but also helped each of us find a renewed sense of purpose amidst the uncertainty of our organizational change.
Victoria’s ability to craft a speech that resonated with every member of our team was nothing short of inspirational.
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.
