NSB Logo Lt. Gen (Ret) Hon. Roméo Dallaire Lt. Gen (Ret) Hon. Roméo Dallaire

Lt. Gen (Ret) Hon. Roméo Dallaire

Speaker Featured

Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

Leadership & Crisis Management Expert, International Champion of Human Rights & Mental Health Advocate

Lt. Gen (Ret) Hon. Roméo Dallaire embodies brave ethical leadership, and his motivational words inspire audiences to challenge the status quo, to be passionate about their work, and take pride in their team. One of the world’s most sought-after leadership speakers, his infectious humanity leaves lasting impressions and renewed optimism in all who hear him speak. Dallaire is able to take a positive approach towards very emotional subject matter, or in times of crisis, by focusing on the solutions, rather than the problems. Dallaire’s words will echo in the hearts and minds of audiences long after an event concludes.

Keynote Speeches

Virtual Keynotes & Webinars

General Dallaire appears live from his home/studio to your screens for your next virtual conference, meeting or webinar, to bring his experienced insights into Leadership in Challenging Times, Communication Skills, Risk Management, Mental Health and more. He’ll customize to your group and engage in Q&A.

Introducing a Benevolent Leadership Culture

Leadership is in crisis. The stresses and strains of the pandemic have created a fragile state for leaders, and many are struggling in secret to avoid showing their vulnerability. We have reached a tipping point where we must rebuild our systems and values with empathy and reciprocity.

For this co-presentation, Dallaire & Marie-Claude Michaud will introduce their new work, combining his expertise as an on-the-ground leader and crisis management expert and her 25 years of leadership and development within the Department of National Defense. Together, they share the principles and application of a Benevolent Leadership Culture.

This approach offers practical ways to reform the human aspect of leadership, initiating a transformation of workplaces and changing the culture of our society and institutions to put people first. We continue to shift away from a “warrior culture” built on militaristic and male-dominated values, towards a more progressive practice that sees workers as more than resources, celebrates mistakes, and emphasizes the value that women bring as leaders.

Key Takeaways: 

  • The right to make, express, and even celebrate mistakes. 
  • End “warrior culture” mentality by seeing strength in vulnerability and transparency.
  • Recognize your ego and its impact on your effectiveness as a leader.
Leadership through Crisis

General Romeo Dallaire—leader of the UN forces during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda—understands crisis. He understands the desire to get ahead of crises and prevent them, but he also understands that crisis is often unavoidable. He understands the demands of leadership in perilous situations, and how to get ahead of them rather than merely reacting.  And he, more than most, understands the serious potential ramifications of inadequate leadership in the new world disorder we find ourselves in, be it financial, political, corporate, or social. Calling on his years of experience as a military general, a Senator, and a humanitarian, General Dallaire will share tactics and strategies for leading a corporate team through a crisis situation; to reduce staff losses, to inspire internal and public confidence, to promote innovate team thinking, and to move beyond crisis management to Crisis Leadership.

Inspiration | General Dallaire's Story of Courage and Conviction 

General Romeo Dallaire led the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide during which 800,000 lives were brutally taken in less than 100 days. His courage and leadership during that mission earned him international respect and commendation which continue to this day. For more than two decades since that time, General Dallaire has been an outspoken advocate for human rights, bringing attention to situations too-often ignored, whether the atrocities of genocide, the struggle of veterans with PTSD, or the recruitment and use of child soldiers. General Dallaire shares powerful first-person stories which shed light on the human condition, the lessons to be learned and how we can be agents of change. Audiences will leave this presentation inspired by practical solutions and limitless hope.

Ethical Leadership | A Humanistic Approach

Throughout his military career, Romeo Dallaire was lauded for his role in providing exemplary leadership during missions fraught with obstacles, most significantly as force commander of the UN mission in Rwanda during the genocide. He spearheaded critical reforms and professional development in the Canadian Forces, before going on to serve in the Senate. With the aim of encouraging pro-active leaders, Dallaire shares advice on regaining the initiative in the present while simultaneously anticipating the needs of the future; leading rather than reacting. His inspirational presentations encourage leaders to embrace new forms of communication with their team, giving them the confidence to go beyond the perception of their own abilities. Professional longevity, a competitive edge, and personal fulfillment are awaiting those who put the quality of life for themselves and their team at the forefront.

Mental Health | Invisible Wounds

Bearing witness to the horrors of genocide, and an international community’s disregard for humanity, General Dallaire was grievously injured with post-traumatic stress disorder, resulting in his medical release from the military in 2000. Since then, he has tirelessly worked to raise awareness about mental health issues and PTSD.  Dallaire’s courage in going public about his own experience gives him undeniable credibility on the issue. This presentation will inspire audiences to break the stigma around mental health. Speaking with compassion and insight, Dallaire makes clear how the challenges around mental illness affect us all. As mental health wounds are not always visible, Dallaire speaks passionately about how much more needs to be done so that those suffering in silence can not just survive, but thrive.

Platform Plus Presentations

Unique formats and ways to connect with audiences.
Panelist/In Conversation
A decorated lieutenant-general and former Canadian senator, Dallaire brings forth stimulating & powerful discussions drawing on his 35 years service with Canadian Armed Forces & UN Mission for Rwanda. He is very passionate to discuss topics such as Mental Health & PTSD, Global Security, Child Soldiers & Conflict, Humanitarian Issues and Leadership.

Audience reviews:

  • General Dallaire was delightful to work with and very inspirational! I loved his many important messages and stories. - Director, Educational Programs, Canada at the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP)
  • On behalf of everyone I would like to express our sincere gratitude for your inspiring and informative presentation on stigma around mental illness and for sharing your past with PTSD. Your courage, leadership, and advocacy are truly admirable and have touched us deeply. We learned a lot from your personal experiences, as well as from the valuable insights and resources you shared with us. Your message of resilience, and compassion resonated with us and will motivate us to take action to support mental health awareness and prevention in our workplace and community. - Natural Resources Canada
  • Through all your trials and sorrows, you have come to exemplify the greatest ideals to which we can aspire. You move us to come together and express our common humanity...you have made us all more human, more feeling, more emotionally attached to people and situations half a world away. We know one thing - you will not quit - and this in itself is a reason for all of us to remain hopeful, to keep looking for reasons for optimism.

    - Former Governor General, Adrienne Clarkson
  • The overall feedback about the General’s attendance was overwhelming. Many stated that this was the best keynote of the last 10 years.
    I also want to extend my personal thanks to Mr. Dallaire, whose attendance has not only impressed many of our more “experienced” participants but also left quiet an impression with the younger student crowd.



    - Coordinator, Humanitarian Congress
  • Romeo Dallaire was the most moving, real and compelling speaker we've hosted in over 20 years of Ramsay Luncheons. I would highly recommend him to any audience because he speaks with such passion and conviction to everyone.

    - Ramsay Luncheon Group
  • Vastly comprehensive, weaving together many different complex ideas in a way that was fully accessible. While highly analytical, the entire speech was infused with a passion for the particulars of his subject matter and for making the world a more decent place. And, I believe that General Dallaire is one of the kindest people I have ever encountered. What a humanist!

    - Michigan State University
  • You helped in changing us into becoming better contributors to Canada's success on the world stage. Your presentation today brought to light in the clearest terms what we need to do. You challenged everyone in the room to pick up their game in order to meet the needs of the institution and the country. Your analysis of where Canada fits in the world and our role as a leading middle power drew together your experience coupled with our curriculum. I have heard you speak on many occasions and today was one of the most insightful talks I have heard you give.

    - Brigadier General David Fraser
  • Gen. Dallaire likened our work as healthcare providers to humanitarian work and said "humanity will thrive not just survive". That’s what we want for our patients. It was an inspiring and eye opening talk…He is an inspiring and amazing human and so down to earth. If even in the midst of monumental pain and hopelessness, he can walk a sacred path of kindness, generosity and humanity, surely so can we.

    - Executive Assistant, Peterborough Family Health Team

Speaker Biography

A passionate and moving speaker, General Dallaire inspires audiences to challenge the status quo and take action in shaping a new future.  His candid presentations weave together complex ideas in very accessible ways and bring a positive approach to difficult subject matter by focusing on solutions. The General’s words will echo in the hearts and minds of audiences long after the event concludes.

A respected leader, his organization the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace, and Security, is lauded worldwide for taking on some of our world’s most challenging issues. In 2020, the institute celebrated their 10 years of impact preventing the recruitment and use of children as soldiers.

His humanitarian commitment and integrity have made lasting impressions around the world. A celebrated advocate for human rights, General Dallaire is also a respected author, government and UN advisor, and former Canadian Senator. 

Throughout his long and distinguished military career, General Dallaire most notably led the UN peacekeeping mission in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide when 800,000 lives were brutally taken in less than 100 days.  His courage and leadership during that mission, and his decades-long battle with PTSD, have earned him international respect and commendation which continue to this day.  

General Dallaire is an outspoken advocate for human rights, bringing attention to situations too-often ignored, whether the atrocities of genocide, the struggle of veterans with mental health injuries, or the recruitment and use of child soldiers. He inspires with practical solutions and limitless hope.