Kevin Vallely is an internationally recognized explorer, award-winning architect and leadership expert who has spent his life pushing the limits of human potential—both in the wildest places on Earth and in the Boardroom.

A Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and a member of the esteemed Explorers Club, Kevin has led and participated in some of the most extreme human-powered expeditions on the planet. His adventures are more than physical feats—they are powerful case studies in leadership, resilience, teamwork, and adaptability under pressure.

As a keynote speaker Kevin delivers inspiring and practical keynote presentations on leadership, resilience, teamwork, and navigating uncertainty. He connects the lessons learned from all of his journeys to the challenges of today’s fast-changing business world, inspiring leaders and teams to lead with courage, clarity, and adaptability.

Some of his notable expeditions and achievements include:

• Ellesmere Island Crossing (2025): Completed a 500-kilometre ski expedition across Canada’s Ellesmere Island, one of the most remote and unforgiving landscapes on Earth, demonstrating resilience, strategic adaptation, and endurance at age 60.
• Northwest Passage Rowing Expedition (2013): Led an international team on a bold human-powered attempt to row the legendary Northwest Passage in a single season—a journey covering over 1,800 km through some of the most dangerous and remote Arctic waters in the world.
• South Pole World Record (2009): Alongside two teammates, broke the world record for the fastest unsupported trek to the South Pole, covering 1,130 km in just 33 days in brutal Antarctic conditions.
• Sandakan Death March (2006): Retraced the infamous World War II Sandakan Death March route in Borneo, the first retracing since the war, commemorating the POWs and exploring themes of human resilience and remembrance.
• Iditarod Trail Winter Expedition (2000): Completed the grueling 1,180-mile journey on Alaska’s Iditarod Trail by ski in winter, testing physical and mental limits in extreme cold.
• Multiple Extreme Expeditions: Has completed multiple journeys in some of the world’s most isolated environments, including polar, jungle, and mountain adventures.

In addition to his work as an explorer, Kevin is a licensed architect based in British Columbia, specializing in sustainable design and high-performance buildings. He is a Certified Passive House designer, committed to creating spaces that enhance well-being and environmental sustainability.

He is also a leadership consultant with Peak Teams, where he applies his expedition experiences to help organizations build resilient, high-performing teams capable of navigating change, challenge, and uncertainty.

In 2022 Kevin published Wild Success: 7 Key Lessons Business Leaders Can Learn from Extreme Adventurers, where he distills the leadership insights gained from some of the world’s most accomplished explorers and adventurers. His thought leadership has been featured in numerous publications, and his story has been covered by global media outlets.

He is also the author of Rowing the Northwest Passage: Adventure, Fear, and Awe in a Rising Sea, a gripping account of four adventurers navigating a climate-altered Arctic while facing deadly storms, shifting ice, and fierce criticism from climate change deniers.

Based in North Vancouver, Canada, Kevin continues to train, explore, and challenge his limits into his 60s. Whether on an icy trail or in the boardroom, his mission is the same: to help people unlock their full potential and thrive in the face of adversity.