Defining Moments with Dustin

Dustin Heise

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Defining Moments with Dustin Heise is where leadership meets high-performance sport. Dustin, CEO of Canada Snowboard, sits down with the athletes, coaches, and leaders who know what it takes to build strong teams and values-driven cultures. Expect real conversations, practical insights, and a closer look at the world of snowboarding, from Olympic drama to grassroots beginnings.

1d ago

Matthew Bongiorno - Manager, Government Relations and Public Affairs, Canadian Olympic Committee

What if the true impact of sport goes far beyond medals and podiums? In this episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with Matthew Bongiorno, Manager of Government Relations and Public Affairs at the Canadian Olympic Committee, to explore how sport can unite communities, strengthen national identity, and create lasting change. Matthew shares how the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games shaped his career and showed him the power of partnerships. He also takes us behind the scenes of the Canadian Olympic Committee and its work to support athletes, strengthen the national sport system, and advocate for greater investment in Canadian sport. Dustin and Matthew also discuss authentic leadership, the legacy of hosting major sporting events, the rise of women’s sport in Canada, growing barriers to participation, and Team Canada 2035’s goal of getting one million more young people involved in sport. This conversation is a reminder that sport is more than competition. It can create belonging, build confidence, develop leaders, and bring people together around something bigger than themselves.
Sep 8

Adam Andrasko - CEO, USA Artistic Swimming

What does it take to rebuild a culture, put athletes first, and lead an Olympic organization toward its biggest stage? In this episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with Adam Andrasko, CEO of USA Artistic Swimming, to explore the leadership lessons behind the organization’s transformation. Adam shares why culture can take years to build but only a day to destroy, and how consistent actions helped rebuild trust and belief within the organization. Adam also reflects on his unexpected path from studying biology and playing college football to building a career within the Olympic movement, and why sport became the platform through which he could make an impact. The conversation dives into athlete-first leadership, the realities of making difficult decisions as a CEO, and the importance of caring before coaching. Adam also looks ahead to the road toward LA28 and the opportunity to build lasting competitive and financial strength for USA Artistic Swimming.
Sep 1

Sara Toussaint - Co-CEO, TMJ

What does it take to turn the power of sport into lasting impact? In this episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with Sara Toussaint, Co-CEO of TMJ and a longtime sports business executive whose career has taken her across Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, brand partnerships, athlete representation, and professional team ownership. Sara shares how growing up on Chicago’s South Side showed her firsthand the unique ability of sport to bring people together. She reflects on the career leap that tested her resilience during the 2008 recession, the relationships that shaped the way she leads, and why even a simple response can make a lasting difference in someone’s career. The conversation also explores the momentum behind women’s sports, why greater media visibility and brand investment are essential to sustaining that growth, and Sara’s vision for making women footballers from around the world household names. From navigating failure to building trust and creating opportunities that extend far beyond the scoreboard, Sara shares the defining moments that have shaped her approach to leadership, business, and the future of sport.
Aug 25

Victor Bergonzoli – CEO, SportsEdTV

What if access to great coaching didn’t depend on where you lived or how much money your family could afford? In this episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with Victor Bergonzoli, CEO of SportsEdTV, Emmy Award winner, and co-founder of the International Sports Technology Association. Victor shares the defining moments that took him from a successful corporate career to entrepreneurship, including the risk of leaving a secure job to help build Dartfish and the unforgettable moment, years later, when Olympic gold medalist Jon Montgomery thanked him for the role the technology played in his success. They explore the resilience Victor developed through competitive sport, the lessons he carried into business, and why he believes the rising cost of youth sports is one of the biggest challenges facing the next generation. At the heart of the conversation is a simple idea: sport has the power to change lives, and quality education and coaching should be accessible to everyone. From technology and leadership to youth development and the future of sports education, this conversation is about using success to create opportunities for others—and building a legacy measured by impact.
Aug 18

Danny Da Costa - CEO, Osten & Victor Alberta Tennis Centre

What does it take to build a world-class sports organization from the ground up? On this episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with Danny Da Costa, CEO of the Osten & Victor Alberta Tennis Centre, to explore the leadership decisions behind the growth of one of Canada’s premier year-round tennis facilities. Danny brings three decades of experience leading sport organizations and has helped build the Centre from an idea on paper into an organization with more than 70 employees. Danny shares why his defining moment came when he realized they had assembled the right team, and how a people-first culture became the foundation for everything that followed. He and Dustin discuss empowering employees without over-managing, knowing when a leader should stay at a higher altitude, navigating organizational change, and making sport more accessible and inclusive. They also look toward the future of sport leadership, from AI and data-driven decision-making to infrastructure, funding, technology, and the growing need for year-round facilities. Danny shares the ambitious expansion plans that could ultimately grow the Alberta Tennis Centre to 27 courts and make it the largest tennis facility in Canada. It’s a conversation about building something that lasts by investing first in people, culture, community, and purpose.
Aug 11

Madison Richardson - Professional Climber, Climbing Escalade Canada

What does it take to compete at the highest level while helping shape the future of your sport? In this episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with Madison Richardson, professional climber, Canadian National Climbing Team athlete, and Chair of Climbing Escalade Canada’s Athletes Commission. Madison shares the journey that took her from a young climber to competing on the world stage, including the breakthrough performances that proved to her what was possible when she fully committed to her goals. She also opens up about the pressure that comes with high-performance sport, learning to separate self-worth from results, and the mental work required to keep growing. The conversation explores Madison’s evolution from athlete to leader, her work advocating for athletes within Canadian climbing, and the realities of competing in a sport where resources can be limited. She explains why athlete voices matter in organizational decision-making and how sharing both victories and struggles can help strengthen an entire sporting community. Madison also looks ahead to one of the biggest challenges of her career: pursuing a place at the 2028 Olympic Games. With women’s bouldering becoming its own Olympic discipline, she discusses learning to trust her preparation, embrace the pressure, and give herself permission to see just how far she can climb. It’s a conversation about resilience, leadership, community, self-belief, and continuing to evolve when the next challenge gets higher.
Aug 4

Rob Ohno – President & CEO, ANNIKA Foundation

On this episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with Rob Ohno, President and CEO of the ANNIKA Foundation, to explore how sport can shape character, leadership, and lives far beyond competition. Drawing from decades of experience across the PGA Tour and global sport, Rob shares why the greatest lessons in athletics have little to do with winning. From coaching his own children to leading a foundation that empowers young women through golf, he reflects on the defining moments that changed his perspective on success, failure, and purpose. The conversation explores why great leaders prioritize learning over results, how community transforms performance, and why every athlete has more than one mountain to climb. Rob also shares the ANNIKA Foundation's mission to develop future leaders through golf and explains why the lessons learned in sport can become the foundation for an extraordinary life. Whether you're a coach, parent, athlete, or leader, this episode is a powerful reminder that the greatest victories aren't measured on a scoreboard—they're measured by the lives we impact.
Jul 28

Nicholas Lord – Co-Founder & CEO, NOCAP Sports

College sports is undergoing one of the biggest transformations in its history, and Nicholas Lord is helping lead the way. As Co-Founder and CEO of NOCAP Sports, Nick is building the commercial infrastructure that helps universities, brands, alumni, and athletes unlock new revenue opportunities in the NIL era. In this episode of Defining Moments, he joins Dustin Heise to discuss why the future of college athletics goes far beyond sponsorships, how athletic departments can rethink their business models, and why resilience has been his greatest advantage as an entrepreneur. Nick shares his perspective on the untapped potential within college sports, the importance of adapting in a rapidly changing industry, and why creating sustainable revenue ultimately creates more opportunities for athletes. He also opens up about the lessons he's learned from building a startup, embracing failure, and leading with a long-term vision. Whether you're a sports leader, entrepreneur, or someone passionate about the future of athletics, this conversation offers an inside look at one of the most significant shifts happening in sports today.

Defining Moments with Dustin Heise is where leadership meets high-performance sport. Dustin, CEO of Canada Snowboard, sits down with the athletes, coaches, and leaders who know what it takes to build strong teams and values-driven cultures. Expect real conversations, practical insights, and a closer look at the world of snowboarding, from Olympic drama to grassroots beginnings.

Creator

Dustin Heise
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

30
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 Defining Moments with Dustin
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Defining Moments with Dustin