Book Stephanie Case, Leadership Speaker

About This Speaker

International human rights lawyer, elite ultrarunner, and founder of Free to Run, Stephanie Case, has built a career at the intersection of humanitarian crises and extreme endurance. In 2009, Stephanie made the pivotal decision to leave corporate law to advocate for human rights on the front lines. She worked for the United Nations and aid organizations in places like Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Gaza. There, she witnessed the extreme barriers facing women and girls. This inspired her to use sport as a vehicle for change. As a result, her work was recognized with Canada’s prestigious Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal in 2020. This recognition is a testament to her profound grit and purpose.

In addition to her demanding human rights work, Stephanie has conquered some of the world’s most punishing endurance races. This includes a 450km non-stop, self-navigated footrace across the Italian Alps, for which she holds the women’s course record. For her, the focus required to cross the finish line is directly parallel to the resilience needed in a crisis. She masterfully translates these lessons on how to maintain drive in the face of overwhelming challenges. Showcasing extraordinary determination, her story of winning a 100km ultramarathon just six months post-partum, while breastfeeding her child at aid stations, went viral globally. Her inspiring feat helped to redefine what’s possible for new moms.

In Afghanistan 2014, Stephanie Case combined her international expertise and passion for running, and founded Free to Run. The charity now operates in multiple hot spot locations, with the mission to boldly advance gender equity globally through running and leadership programs for adolescent girls and young women in areas of conflict. The award-winning 2022 documentary, also titled “Free to Run,” shares Stephanie’s incredible journey. The film follows her work and the heartbreaking, inspiring stories of two Afghan runners during the Taliban’s takeover of their country.

Overall, Stephanie is a powerful and inspiring keynote speaker who translates her extraordinary experiences into actionable insights. For those navigating an ever-evolving world, she provides a compelling blueprint for mastering change, embracing risk, and compassionate leadership. Consequently, she proves that the principles of endurance and compassion are universal tools to redefine limits and make a lasting impact.

What people are saying about Stephanie

Through compelling storytelling, Stephanie drew striking parallels between her work in conflict zones, ultramarathon running, and the real challenges facing Canada’s workforce – leaving leaders energized and ready to drive change.

– HRPA

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Speaking Topics: Stephanie Case

The Endurance Mindset: Lessons And Insights From One Of The World’s Toughest Sports

Drawing on her experiences in mountain footraces hundreds of miles long, Stephanie explores the parallels between physical endurance and professional resilience. This keynote unpacks how leaders can cultivate mental stamina, navigate uncertainty, and help teams thrive through disruption.

This Is Not A Comeback: Reinvention After Everything Changes

What if the goal isn’t to come back – but to become something new (and better)? In this powerful and deeply personal talk, Stephanie shares what it means to rewrite your narrative after a seismic shift, whether from loss, identity change or life upheaval. Drawing on her experiences returning to elite competition in ultrarunning after having a baby, Stephanie challenges the glorified notion of the “comeback” and offers a more honest, liberating alternative: reinvention. This talk is about moving forward. For anyone who’s had to start over, shift course, or rebuild from a place you never expected to be, this is not a story of return. It’s a story of transformation.

Endurance Leadership: Thriving Through Pressure and Change

In ultramarathons, success isn’t about running the perfect race—it’s about adapting mile after mile, adjusting to new conditions, and keeping the team spirit alive when exhaustion sets in. Stephanie Case translates the lessons from some of the toughest races on Earth into a powerful blueprint for organizations navigating rapid change, disruption, and uncertainty.

Key Takeaways:
- How to maintain focus and clarity in high-pressure environments.
- Strategies to cultivate resilience and adaptability across teams.
- Why leaders must pace themselves and their organizations for sustainable success—not burnout.
- Building a culture where setbacks fuel future breakthroughs.

Running Towards Risk: How To Say Yes When You Aren't Ready

What if the greatest opportunities for impact lie in the moments when we feel most unprepared? When women and girls in Afghanistan told Stephanie that they wanted to run outside – despite the threats, restrictions and impossibly high stakes – she didn’t have an easy solution. But she did have a choice.

In this gripping talk, Stephanie shares the story of founding Free to Run, a nonprofit that empowers women and girls through sport in some of the most dangerous and restrictive regions of the world, including Afghanistan. With no roadmap, limited resources, and significant concerns around risk, Stephanie said yes to something she wasn’t sure she could do. Founding the organization wasn’t about taking a risk on behalf of others. It was about finding a way to stand behind their courage, to build the structures and support they needed, and to say yes before everything felt ready. This talk is a call to action for anyone holding back because they think they don’t know enough, aren’t prepared enough, or fear making mistakes. Real change doesn’t wait for perfect conditions – it begins when we show up, uncertain but committed.

Fail Big, Run Far: The Unexpected Power Of Falling Short

What would you dare to attempt if success wasn’t the goal? In this unconventional talk, Stephanie explores the radical idea of choosing failure – not as a defeat, but as a path to growth, courage and self-discovery. From toeing the line at races she knew she wouldn’t finish to deliberately signing up for competitions that pushed her beyond any reasonable limit, Stephanie shares what it means to lean into discomfort and risk to discover what is possible within oneself. This isn’t a talk about winning. It’s about showing up when the outcome is uncertain, pursuing goals that terrify you, and letting go of perfection. In a world obsessed with results, Stephanie makes the case for daring anyway.

The Clown Nose: Letting Go Of Control In The Moments That Matter Most

What if the key to success isn’t trying harder – but letting go? In this talk, ultrarunner and humanitarian Stephanie Case shares a surprising moment in her journey through infertility that changed everything. With vulnerability and humour, she challenges the belief that success comes only from trying harder – and shows that sometimes, surrendering control is the bravest move that we can make.

Human-First Performance: Balancing Ambition with Wellbeing

Stephanie’s dual life as an ultramarathon runner and humanitarian has taught her that peak performance doesn’t come from relentless hustle alone—it comes from balancing ambition with recovery, grit with compassion. In this keynote, she challenges corporate teams to rethink success, showing how organizations can achieve extraordinary results while caring for the people who drive them.

Key Takeaways:
- Practical ways to cultivate grit without sacrificing well-being.
- Why empathy and human connection are competitive advantages.
- How to reframe failure as a driver of innovation and growth.
- Building environments where individuals and teams can thrive—on and off the “corporate racecourse.”