Roberta Bondar first came to international prominence as the world's first neurologist in space, as an astronaut on the space shuttle Discovery mission STS 42 in 1992. Globally recognized for her contributions to space medicine, she continued as head of an international space medicine research team working with NASA for more than a decade, finding new connections between recovering from floating in space and neurological illnesses such as stroke and Parkinson's disease.

In addition to her work as a scientist and physician, she has since that time applied the insights gained in space to helping organizations and their leaders adapt to the uncharted territory of work and life.

As both a consultant and presenter, she has worked with CEOs and business leaders around the world who face the challenges of a business environment that is in continuous change. Her insights on creative problem solving, productivity, organizational culture, process and group dynamics have earned her a reputation as a thought leader and innovator on the cutting edge of leadership and change management.

As an author, environmental educator and celebrated landscape photographer, Dr. Bondar has also earned a reputation as a leading speaker and consultant within the medical and scientific communities, and in the field of corporate social responsibility and care for the Earth's environment.

"When I was eight years old to be a spaceman was the most exciting thing I could imagine."

A childhood dream to be an astronaut was realized when Dr. Roberta Bondar launched from Earth in January 1992 aboard NASA's space shuttle Discovery as the first neurologist in space and Canada's first woman astronaut. As a payload specialist she conducted advanced scientific experiments for fourteen nations.

Back on Earth, Dr. Bondar and her team of researchers examined data obtained from astronauts on 24 space missions to better understand the mechanisms underlying the body's ability to recover from exposure to space.

Holder of the NASA Space Medal and inducted into the International Women's Forum Hall of Fame and Canadian Medical Hall of Fame for her groundbreaking research in space medicine, Roberta Bondar has also received 24 honorary doctorates from Canadian and American universities.

The world's First neurologist in space, Dr. Bondar is globally recognized for her contributions to space medicine. On the space shuttle Discovery mission STS 42 in 1992, Dr. Bondar conducted scientific experiments in the First International Microgravity Laboratory.

For more than a decade at NASA, Dr. Bondar headed an international space medicine research team, continuing to find new connections between astronauts recovering from the microgravity of space and neurological illnesses here on Earth such as stroke and Parkinson's disease. Dr. Bondar's techniques have been used in clinical studies at BI Deaconess Medical Center, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School and at the University of New Mexico.

Throughout her career, Dr. Bondar has maintained a deep interest in our own natural environment, here on Earth. A respected advisor to industry and government, she was recently selected as Canada's first national 'Biotechnology Champion'. She was also honored as Canada's national patron of UNESCOs International Year of Planet Earth which continues through 2010, and has spoken to diverse scientific, corporate and environmental organizations about social responsibility and our environment.

Dr. Bondar was Chair of the Working Group on Environmental Education for the Province of Ontario. All 32 recommendations of the working group were accepted by the Minster of Education for implementation to strengthen environmental education for elementary and secondary school students.

Dr. Bondar has completed the National Disaster Life Support Instructor course after training for both Basic and Advanced Disaster Life Support, according to the standards established by the USA National Disaster Life Support Education Consortium TM. She holds medical licenses in New Mexico, Ontario and is a Canadian Board Certified Neurologist with a subspecialty in Neuro-ophthalmology.

Space is a continuously changing environment that doesn't play by Earth rules. Similarly, people and businesses facing continuing change also operate in previously unknown environments where new ways of thinking and working must be established.

Having orbited 3,360 million miles around the Earth aboard the space shuttle Discovery, Roberta Bondar knows first hand the challenges of extreme change and disorientation.

Today, as she travels the world, she translates those challenges into powerful insights that guide organizations and senior leaders toward higher level thinking and innovative solutions.

In surroundings that don't comply with our beliefs, how do we move forward? Why do some people chart their own course and others remain in reactive mode?

As a respected business consultant, Dr. Bondar makes exciting connections between how our brains adapt in space to how we can adapt to continuously-changing environments here on Earth. Dr. Bondar shares her findings on the science of coping with change, along with specific actions that can help organizations deal with the challenges of disorientation in today's chaotic corporate world.

Dr. Bondar's energy and passion for navigating uncharted territory will inspire your attendees to thrive in any situation. She delivers tools and strategies that can be implemented immediately for effective results, customizing her presentation to suit your themes, audience and objectives.