Keynote Speeches
Danièle teaches that you can’t reach your goal without an assist. Whether you’re aiming to score in hockey, at work or in your personal life, a little assistance from a coach, mentor or friend can go a long way.
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Danièle Sauvageau’s passion, instinct and leadership were instrumental in the historic win by the Canadian women’s hockey team at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. As general manager and coach, she transformed a fear of losing into an absolute desire for victory, a radical turnaround that enabled her players to achieve their Olympic dream. She has done undercover narcotics work for the Montreal Urban Police, busted a car full of drug dealers, and even ordered the forced entry and rescue of a double agent whose life was in jeopardy.
Danièle teaches that you can’t reach your goal without an assist. Whether you’re aiming to score in hockey, at work or in your personal life, a little assistance from a coach, mentor or friend can go a long way.
Sauvageau has taken part in six Olympic Games, as women’s hockey coach, general manager and coaching consultant. She played a key role in her team’s wins in seven consecutive world championships, and in the silver medal they won at the Nagano Olympics. With her dedication, involvement in developing her sport and her winning record, she has become the undisputed guru of women’s hockey in Canada.
For 24 years, Sauvageau has served with the RCMP and Montreal’s police department, including the narcotics division. She is currently works as advisor to the strategic development department. After completing a degree in social work, Sauvageau graduated from the RCMP academy. She obtained a master’s certificate in coaching from the National Coaching Certification Program and a management certificate from the École des Hautes Études Commerciales.
In January 2008, the University of Montreal gave Sauvageau carte blanche to set up the first women’s hockey team for the Carabins. But her expertise is not limited to just one sport! She has contributed to the success of a number of national programs, including the national synchronized swimming team and the women’s water polo team. She is involved as a coaching and performance consultant with the Canadian Olympic Committee in preparation for the Vancouver Winter Olympics. As such, she is closely associated with the success of Canadian short-track speed skaters and figure skater Joanie Rochette.
Drawing on her expertise in human resources management, coaching, leadership, situation assessment, communication and the formation of winning teams, Sauvageau speaks on various topics related to performance. In 2003, Sauvageau began to offer her services as an executive coaching consultant. She has supported and assisted numerous public- and private-sector clients in building a new vision and managing change in order to gain a competitive edge. Sauvageau is a well-known figure in the media and is often asked to comment on developments in hockey and elite sports in general.
Over the course of her career, there have been a number of reports about her on Canadian networks such as CBC, Radio-Canada, TSN and the NBC network in the US, as well as many articles in Canadian and American publications. She is also the co-author of The Golden Tears, the Journey to the Olympics. Sauvageau was the spokesperson for the Coaching Association of Canada and a member of the Coaches of Canada, as well as serving on the board of directors for Vancouver’s 2010 Winter Olympics bid.
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