Book this speaker: Kaleb Dahlgren

About This Speaker: Kaleb Dahlgren

Kaleb Dahlgren is a Canadian gem. He is an inspiring community leader, mental wellness advocate, and survivor. Kaleb has an inexplicable ability to connect with any audience as he invites them to revisit the challenges of his past and share the valuable lessons he has learned from them.

From a young age, Kaleb has been forced to be resilient. His hockey career was threatened before it started with a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes at four years old. Yet Kaleb proved his doctors and coaches wrong by going on to play hockey at an elite level. During his career, he played for the Humboldt Broncos – a team that made national news when their bus collided with a transport truck. The accident took away 16 lives and left only 13 survivors, many of them with lifelong injuries. Kaleb is one of the survivors.

Once he recovered, Kaleb returned to the ice to play for York University’s varsity hockey team. While at York, he earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree as Valedictorian, Magna Cum Laude, and Varsity Athletics Male Graduate of the Year in April 2021. Currently, Kaleb is pursuing his dream of becoming a chiropractor at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College.

Kaleb is passionate about community service and team-building. He is the National Ambassador for two non-profit organizations, and the founder of his own, Dahlgren’s Diabeauties – a mentorship program developed to help connect children with Type 1 diabetes to role models that can help provide guidance and support. Kaleb’s work and dedication to helping others have been recognized nationally with honours, including the 2023 Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for Community Impact.

Additionally, he is the National bestselling author of Crossroads, his debut memoir. Crossroads was deemed a book that “will change your life for the better” by hockey legend Wayne Gretzky.

Between his busy schedule, Kaleb focuses on his personal growth, wellness and health while constantly seeking new challenges and experiences!

A one-of-a-kind individual, Kaleb cultivates a positive impact wherever he goes.

Speaking Topics: Kaleb Dahlgren

Creating Community & Building Strong Teams

In the face of adversity, one can either back down or stand up and fight. Kaleb never backs down. Kaleb is a natural-born leader who works hard to better every community he’s involved in. Whether it’s the Humboldt community, the diabetes community or the York Lions, Kaleb isn’t afraid to take on a leadership role. He has received nine awards for his community and team commitments. He knows what it takes to be a leader and is ready to teach others how to embrace their leadership qualities within themselves.

Embracing Adversity: A Guide Forward

Life can change in the blink of an eye without giving you time to adjust. You’re bound to face challenges and climb steep hills, but you can overcome even the toughest obstacles with the right mindset. Kaleb Dahlgren has dealt with uphill battles and used three effective strategies to combat a negative ending - stay positive, control only what you can, and be grateful. In his heartwarming and inspiring keynote, Kaleb encourages you to step back and find an easier and less stressful solution to your problems. To help you get inspired, he shares the hardships of his life journey - from diagnosis to tragedy.

Words to Live By

No matter the circumstance, Kaleb has lived by a select set of trusted principles. These principles reflect his ingrained values and positive approach to life’s challenges. Kaleb’s vibrant personality and positive outlook on life have helped him achieve his goals. His experiences and hardships have shaped him to become a great leader, on and off the ice. In this keynote, Kaleb presents the importance of holding yourself accountable in order to achieve your goals. When you believe in yourself and you hold yourself accountable, you can reach greatness, even in the face of tragedy.

Crossroads: Chapters of My Life

Life is a winding and unpredictable road, and it never fails to challenge us. Kaleb Dahlgren has faced some of life’s toughest challenges since the age of four when he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Fourteen years later, he fought for his life again following the tragic Humboldt Bus Crash. Despite the obstacles, Kaleb has learned to remain a positive force in the face of adversity.

Follow Kaleb as he takes you on an incredible journey through the crossroads of his life. Your audience will leave feeling inspired as they attain valuable lessons on grief, healing, self-motivation and the importance of community.

Leadership: Creating Communities, Teamwork, And Cohesion In Workplaces, Teams, And Institutions

What defines a great leader? Join Kaleb as he shares the key factors of leadership that foster the three Cs: cohesion, collaboration and community. Unify your team through bold risks, inclusion and the ability to understand those around you. Kaleb will teach your team to connect the dots of how to transform your organization into a synergetic masterpiece that will streamline your goals, boost productivity and bring about fresh ideas.

Related speakers

Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser

Hockey Legend | Olympic Gold Medalist, Member of the IOC and Author | Leadership Expert

Corey Hirsch

Mental Health Activist | Former NHL & Olympic Goaltender

Jeff Adams

Paralympian and World Champion

Harnarayan Singh

Play-by-Play Commentator, Hockey Night in Canada | National Bestselling Author