PANELIST PROFILE

One of Canada's most celebrated and recognized entrepreneurs, Arlene Dickinson is a self-made millionaire whose path to success reads like a classic rags-to-riches tale.

In her late twenties, Dickinson found herself divorced, with four young children, no savings and only a high school diploma. But within about a decade, she went from employee to partner to CEO of Venture Communications, and turned the company into a top-notch marketing firm with a high-profile clientele.

But it was as a panelist on CBC-TV's Gemini Award-winning series Dragons' Den that Dickinson became a household name. Now in its sixth season, the hit show cemented her reputation nationally as a business savvy yet compassionate venture capitalist.

Dickinson also garnered a number of awards and honours along the way, including being named to the Canada's Most Powerful Women Top 100 by the Women's Executive Network and having Venture Communications recognized as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies for three consecutive years.

The 20-year marketing veteran recently released a part self-help book, part how-to business manual entitled Persuasion: A New Approach to Changing Minds.

Dickinson was born in South Africa, raised in Alberta and now calls Toronto home.

Meet Arlene Dickinson in her Canada Reads video!

Hear about Arlene's debate strategy in the Canada Reads podcast.