Rob Kalwarowsky

Rob Kalwarowsky is an executive coach, keynote speaker, and author whose work focuses on the intersection of engineering principles and human-centered leadership. Kalwarowsky earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was a three-time Academic All-American in NCAA water polo and played on the U18 Canadian National Water Polo team. Before transitioning into leadership coaching and speaking, Kalwarowsky spent more than 10 years as an engineer in mining, oil pipelines, and consulting within heavy industry, developing expertise in operational excellence and organizational development.

Kalwarowsky draws on his experience as a corporate leader, engineer, and certified coach to employ research-based strategies, including Internal Family Systems, to support clients in leadership development, executive performance, and organizational growth. His client roster includes Fortune 500 executives, C-suite leaders, and Olympic gold medalists. Kalwarowsky has coached the CIO of IDEO through a job transition that led to speaking engagements at conferences such as Fast Company Innovation Festival and Web Summit Collision, and has supported business growth initiatives, including scaling a $3 million business to $11 million.

Kalwarowsky is the author of the book "Capitalizing on Chaos" and also wrote "Antidote for the A$$hole Boss," which addresses toxic leadership and employee engagement. "Capitalizing on Chaos" is recognized as a resource for leaders navigating organizational change, emphasizing the importance of resilience, clarity, and vision in leadership. Kalwarowsky's TEDx talk, "How to Handle a Bad Boss," has received more than 300,000 views. He has also spoken at TEDx Kumamoto in Japan.

Kalwarowsky's personal experience with mental health challenges and recovery informs his approach to leadership coaching, podcasting, and public speaking. He is the co-host of "The Leadership Launchpad Project," a top-rated leadership podcast in Canada. Kalwarowsky was named a Top 100 Most Dynamic Leader by Exeleon Magazine and is recognized for his work in leadership transformation, psychological safety, and mindset shifts in executive leadership.