General Rick Hillier (Ret)

General Rick Hillier brings three decades of tested leadership wisdom from situations where the stakes were life-and-death, resources were limited, and failure wasn’t an option—delivered with the wit, warmth, and storytelling ability that keeps audiences fully engaged from opening to close.

Drawing from his best-selling book Leadership: 50 Points of Wisdom For Today’s Leaders and leadership roles spanning military operations, emergency response, and international advisory work, Hillier delivers a frank, often humorous, always practical examination of what separates true leaders from managers. His approach cuts through corporate jargon to focus on fundamentals: vision that inspires, communication that connects, decisions made with moral courage, and above all—leadership centered on people, not processes. And delivered with Canadian pride and showcasing individuals & teams he finds exemplary.

Especially in this era of multiple local and global challenges and transformational change, confident leadership is a must. Hillier addresses both Canadian and international affairs, as well as leadership and teambuilding in times of chaos.

Audiences can walk away with frameworks for decision-making under uncertainty, building authentic team loyalty, converting crises into opportunities, and developing the confidence to lead when easy answers don’t exist. This is battle-tested wisdom from someone who’s led through everything from combat operations to vaccine rollouts, all while maintaining the optimism and humanity that defines truly great leaders.

This Presentation Resonates With:

• Senior executives navigating organizational transformation or market uncertainty
• Mid-level leaders developing their leadership voice and decision-making confidence
• Organizations building leadership development programs with practical, experience-based content
• Teams facing high-pressure situations requiring resilient, adaptive leadership
• Leadership conferences seeking authentic, engaging speakers who balance gravitas with accessibility

Sample Takeaways:

• Vision & Strategy: How to articulate compelling vision that moves people beyond compliance to commitment
• Decision-Making Under Pressure: Frameworks for making confident decisions when information is incomplete and stakes are high
• People-Centered Leadership: Why embracing those you lead and winning over those you need creates sustainable success
• Moral Courage in Action: Moving beyond risk-aversion to make decisions aligned with values, even when unpopular
• Crisis as Catalyst: Converting organizational challenges and setbacks into learning opportunities and competitive advantages
• Authentic Communication: Speaking truth to power while maintaining team morale and organizational unity

What Makes General Hillier’s Approach Distinctive:

Gen Rick Hillier’s credibility comes from leading in situations where mistakes cost lives, resources were always insufficient, and political pressures were intense. He commanded in Afghanistan when the mission was most dangerous. He led Canada’s entire military through transformation. He ran Ontario’s vaccine distribution when public trust and operational excellence both mattered.

His presentation style matches his content—direct, authentic, occasionally irreverent, always focused on what actually works.

General Hillier’s natural storytelling ability, visuals to support his message, and self-deprecating humor create an immediate connection with audiences, whether addressing 50 people or 5,000. He weaves compelling narratives from his military and civilian leadership experiences.—from parachuting accidents to NATO conferences to emergency operations—using humor to illuminate serious leadership principles. The stories stick with audiences because they’re both memorable and meaningful, connecting battlefield lessons to boardroom challenges in ways that feel accessible rather than preachy.

Audiences remember both his combat-zone stories and his practical wisdom because he connects lived experience to their daily leadership challenges. Whether you’re in the front row or the back of the ballroom, Hillier’s energy, authenticity, and ability to read the room ensures a memorable presentation.

Watching global events unfold and wondering how they might impact your organization? General Hillier is here to help your audience understand current geopolitical challenges and unpack events from around the globe. As Chair of the Ukrainian World Congress’ Strategic Advisory Council and with his experience as the former Chief of Defence, Hillier has extensive experience navigating current global affairs from a leadership perspective. 

Key Takeaways:

• The implications of current events on your organization
• Strategies and tactics to help you lead through extraordinary times

Cyber warfare. Supply chain vulnerabilities. Geopolitical instability. Today’s security threats demand leadership that can anticipate risk, build resilience, and make confident decisions when threats become reality.

General Rick Hillier brings decades of experience protecting nations and critical infrastructure—from commanding NATO forces in conflict zones to leading Ontario’s pandemic vaccine distribution, and now serving as Honourary Chair of the National Defence Innovation Hub Task Force and strategic advisor to Canada’s defence innovation ecosystem, ONE9 venture capital fund, CYPFER cyber resilience, and Eli Technology public safety solutions.

Drawing from military operations where intelligence was incomplete and threats constantly evolved, combined with his current work at the forefront of Canada’s defence and cybersecurity landscape, Hillier delivers practical frameworks for building organizational resilience, managing enterprise risk, and leading through crisis when security incidents occur.

Sample Takeaways:

• Understanding the evolving threat landscape and what it means for your organization
• How security and resilience begin with leadership decisions and organizational culture
• Decision-making frameworks for maintaining operations during active security incidents
• Building proactive resilience that turns preparedness into competitive advantage
• Crisis communication and stakeholder management during security events

Ideal For:

• C-suite executives managing enterprise risk and business continuity
• Security leaders navigating cyber threats and operational vulnerabilities
• Critical infrastructure organizations facing heightened threat environments
• Boards evaluating organizational resilience and crisis preparedness