Hailing from Ottawa, Ontario, Kristina Groves started skating when she was 11 because she wanted to distinguish herself from her ski-crazed family.

That has proven to be good news for Canada.

Twenty-years later, in 2007-08, Groves produced a season to remember collecting 18 World Cup medals culminating in her first overall title (1500m), a World Allround Championship bronze medal, and an historic five-medal performance at the World Single Distance Championships including gold in the 3000m.

In 2008-2009, Groves continued her success on the ice, winning her second overall title in the 1500m and producing a three-medal performance at the World Single Distance Championship and Olympic test event at the Richmond Olympic Oval.

At the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Groves carried a heavy load competing in five events, capturing a silver and a bronze medal to add to the Olympic silver medal in the women's 1500m and Team Pursuit event at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino Italy.

When she is not on the ice, Groves is sincerely committed to environmental change and has become a recognized leader and vocal advocate for Canada's sustainability movement.  In 2011, looking to do something for the community she lives and trains in, Groves launched a "bed-in" for sustainability that even drew praise from the originator of the movement, Yoko Ono.

Leading into Vancouver 2010, Groves was a founding member of the Speed Skating Canada Sustainability Committee with an aim to incorporate sustainability into its core values and day-to-day operations.  In 2008, she was invited to attend the Climate Project Canada in Montreal and was part of a group that spent time with environmental heavyweights Al Gore and David Suzuki. 

Groves is also passionate about philanthropic pursuits and is a major supporter of the children’s organization, Right to Play. As an accomplished public speaker and mentor, Kristina visits several elementary schools each year with the Youth Education through Sport program (YES).

1. Celebrity Appearances

2. Skating to Sustainability

Throughout her sustainabilty presentation, Kristina will share her most-powerful stories about the environment through her experiences with Al Gore, David Suzuki, Clean Air Champions and the Bed-In for Sustainability focusing on: -The challenge of individual and small group behavioural change -Understanding what sustainability is... and isn't -Exploring the truth behind myths and trends in the area of sustainability -Provide practical solutions to individuals and groups to have the most impact -The power of grassroots movements combined with need for political will to create change Kristina will challenge your team in a fun way to reflect on their own decisions and provide tools to examine current everyday decisions that make the environment and sustainability important today.

1. Customized Keynotes

Olympic Sports, Figure Skating,