Suzanne Paulins – Chief Executive Officer, Swimming Canada

In this episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with Suzanne Paulins, Chief Executive Officer of Swimming Canada, to explore the leadership lessons she's learned from grassroots sport, parent volunteering, and guiding one of Canada's most successful Olympic organizations.Suzanne shares why feedback-rich cultures create stronger teams, how a clear sense of purpose helps leaders navigate complexity, and the remarkable story of relocating Canada's Olympic and Paralympic Swimming Trials just weeks before the event after a facility fire threatened the competition.The conversation dives into athlete-centred leadership, building accessible sport systems, creating opportunities for future generations, and why Suzanne believes sport remains one of the most powerful nation-building forces in Canada.Whether you're a leader in sport, business, or your community, this episode offers practical insights on collaboration, resilience, and leading with purpose.