Karen Furneaux, HLCol, OLY, is a 3-Time Olympian and 2-Time World Champion and winner of 9 medals at the World Championships over her 20-year professional sprint kayaking career.  Karen is the founder of I Promise Performance, Inc.  Through her business, she speaks with audiences about the connection between health, mindset and performance.  Karen is a published author, her book, “Strong Beauty: Power Up the Champion Within” encourages youth to set goals and gives tools and best practices to achieve their dreams.  Karen does broadcast work with CBC as an analyst and has been part of the Olympic broadcast teams in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 in 2021.

Her formal training includes a Masters of Science Degree from Dalhousie University in Kinesiology, with specialization in Sport Psychology.  She holds multiple certifications, and has undergone Team and Leadership training through Cornell University and is a licensed HeartMath provider to help her clients build resilience and stress management skills.

Karen is a 2016 inductee to the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame and has been named as one of the top 15 most successful athletes in Nova Scotia sport history.  Karen is an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel with the Canadian Armed Forces, Military Police and volunteers her time with the 3MP Regiment and Military Cadet teams.  Karen is most passionate about engaging and empowering youth, donating her time with Kids Help Phone and the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame – Education Program.

Karen lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia.