Ron Shlien

Curiosity, Leadership & Change Speaker, TEDx Presenter, Co-Founder of Mad Science; Former Senior Government of Canada Executive

Montreal, Canada
Live Event: $10,000 - $20,000 Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000 More Fee Info
Artificial Intelligence, Business Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Executive Leadership, Government, Human Resources, Innovation, Leadership, Political, STEM Education, Technology, Thought Leadership
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Ron Shlien Biography

Ron Shlien is a TEDx speaker, entrepreneur, former senior Government of Canada executive, co-founder of Mad Science, Canada’s first Entrepreneur-in-Residence, senior mentor with Creative Destruction Lab, and current presiding official at Canadian citizenship ceremonies. His work sits at a rare intersection: business, government, AI, education, civic life, innovation, belonging, and human engagement. In a world flooded with answers, Shlien helps leaders, teams, and organizations ask better questions — and turn curiosity into action.

A builder and operator rather than a theoretical consultant, Shlien has spent more than four decades turning curiosity into real-world impact. He co-founded Mad Science, which grew from a teenage curiosity project in Montreal into a global STEM education brand reaching millions of children through hands-on learning. Long before curiosity became a leadership buzzword, Shlien was building experiences that helped children, families, schools, and communities question, experiment, discover, and engage.

Shlien later brought that same entrepreneurial mindset into public service as Canada’s first Entrepreneur-in-Residence. In that role, he worked at the intersection of government, science, innovation, commercialization, and public purpose — helping senior institutions think differently about how ideas move from possibility to action. He has also served as a senior mentor with Creative Destruction Lab, working with entrepreneurs and emerging ventures at the frontier of science, technology, AI, and commercialization.

Currently presiding over Canadian citizenship ceremonies, Shlien welcomes new Canadians at one of the most meaningful moments in their lives. That role has deepened his understanding of belonging, participation, purpose, and the power of creating moments where people feel seen, included, and invited to contribute.

Shlien's keynotes connect strategy with humanity. He speaks on curiosity, leadership, AI, innovation, future of work, employee engagement, workplace culture, entrepreneurship, public-sector innovation, education, STEM learning, belonging, and change. His core message is that curiosity is not a soft trait or a slogan — it is a practical leadership discipline that helps people ask better questions, challenge assumptions, strengthen judgment, adapt faster, and turn uncertainty into meaningful action.

Audiences value Shlien's rare combination of founder experience, public-sector insight, civic perspective, entrepreneurial energy, and human warmth. His presentations are practical, engaging, story-driven, bilingual, and fully customized to the audience, industry, event theme, and desired outcomes. He delivers keynotes, fireside chats, executive conversations, workshops, leadership labs, and moderated discussions.

Shlien has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of his service and contributions.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Ron Shlien and other top speakers and celebrities.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 08/07/2026.

Ron Shlien Speaking Topics

  • The Courage of Curiosity

    How Better Questions Help People Lead, Adapt, and Act in a Changing World

    In a world flooded with answers, the leaders and organizations that matter most are the ones still capable of asking better questions. This keynote shows why curiosity is not a soft trait or a slogan — it is a practical leadership discipline for innovation, engagement, judgment, and change. Drawing from Shlien's experience building Mad Science, serving as Canada’s first Entrepreneur-in-Residence, mentoring emerging ventures, and presiding over citizenship ceremonies, this talk helps audiences turn uncertainty into courage, ownership, and meaningful action.

  • Leadership in the Age of AI

    Why Curiosity, Judgment and Initiative Are the Human Advantage

    AI is changing work, leadership, and decision-making. This keynote helps leaders and teams move beyond fear or fascination with AI and focus on the human capabilities that become more valuable as technology accelerates: curiosity, judgment, initiative, trust, creativity, and better questions. Shlien shows how AI can become a catalyst for deeper thinking, faster learning, and more confident adaptation — not a replacement for human leadership.

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Ron Shlien Videos

The Courage of Curiosity: How Questions Build the Future | Ron Shlien | TEDxHEC Montréal

The Courage of Curiosity: How Questions Build the Future | Ron Shlien | TEDxHEC Montréal

Curiosity is not a personality trait. It is a discipline, one that can shape careers, companies, institutions, and the future itself. In this TEDx...

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  • How do I book Ron Shlien to speak at my event?

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  • What are the speaker fees for Ron Shlien

    Speaking fees for Ron Shlien, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Ron Shlien are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Ron Shlien, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

  • What topics does Ron Shlien speak about?

    Ron Shlien is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Artificial Intelligence, Business Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Executive Leadership, Government, Human Resources, Innovation, Leadership, Political, STEM Education, Technology, Thought Leadership

  • Where does Ron Shlien travel from?

    Ron Shlien generally travels from Montreal, Canada, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

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Ron Shlien is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as The Courage of Curiosity, Leadership in the Age of AI, Curiosity Starts Things. Hustle Finishes Them., The Engagement Advantage and Innovation Inside Complex Systems. The estimated speaking fee range to book Ron Shlien for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Ron Shlien generally travels from Montreal, Canada and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Silvia Wiesner, Joanna Peña-Bickley, Jill Young, Sylvia Acevedo and Harish Shah. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Ron Shlien for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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