Book this speaker: Colonel (Retired) Mark Gasparotto

About This Speaker: Colonel (Retired) Mark Gasparotto

Colonel (Retired) Mark Gasparotto is a three-time decorated combat leader, entrepreneur, and author who masterfully translates his battlefield experiences into leadership strategies for the business world. For over 20 years, he served in the Canadian Armed Forces, leading teams in high-stakes hotspots like Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Haiti. His distinguished career saw him rise through the ranks. From commanding small tactical units to overseeing large, multinational peacekeeping operations, his leadership emphasized results, teamwork, and effective communication.

His leadership under extreme pressure earned him significant recognition. For his actions under fire in Kandahar, Mark Gasparotto received his first Meritorious Service Medal. He earned a second Meritorious Service Medal and a Brazilian Army Medal for his role as a senior leader in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Haiti, particularly for his crisis response efforts after Hurricane Matthew. These experiences form the foundation of his core message: true leadership forges adversity.

Since retiring from the military, Colonel (Retired) Mark Gasparotto has dedicated himself to helping others lead more effectively. He is the President of Gasparotto Group, a boutique consultancy that provides customized, evidence-based leadership solutions to corporate clients. He fuses his rugged operational background with a strong academic foundation in engineering, defence studies, and leadership.

As a keynote speaker, Mark Gasparotto introduces audiences to his powerful frameworks for success. This includes mastering the “Inner Game™” of leadership and learning how to “Struggle Well™”. A member of the TEC Canada (Vistage) community, Mark won the 2020 TEC Impact Speaker Award. He is also the co-author of the book Clearing the Way: Combat Engineers in Kandahar, which has been adapted into an award-winning documentary film. Furthermore, he provides battle-tested techniques required to build resilience and trust, and Clear the Way™ for improved performance and profitability.

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