A social media advocate, who champions authentic connection and heart-based leadership, Bobby has appeared on dozens of podcasts, TV & radio shows. With a background in brand marketing (Kraft & Unilever), engineering (Bombardier) and the performing arts (Second City), Bobby has led Raeallan for over a decade and is now a recognized thought leader in Networking, Social Media and Personal Branding. He founded the DYPB – Discover Your Personal Brand conference, the largest event in North America dedicated solely to personal branding, featuring 60 experts and over 300 delegates. 100,000+ people from across the world have experienced Bobby’s high-energy keynotes, interactive teambuilding activities, and engaging workshops.

Bobby’s varied career has included serving as Program Manager and Faculty Head of Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Engineering and Arts for McMaster University’s Shad Valley summer program for gifted high school youth. He has also worked in brand management for Tier-1 companies such as Kraft in Cheese Marketing and Unilever for Dove Masterbrand. Working specifically on the Campaign for Real Beauty, he was Director of the Dove Self-Esteem Fund, supporting organizations across Canada that fostered positive self-esteem in young women. While working at Bombardier as an Aerospace Design Engineer, he founded and ran a musical theatre company, Markham Thespian Society, where he produced, performed, stage directed and supervised a team of over 100 people.

During his Degroote (McMaster) MBA studies, Bobby was President of the MBA Association, received awards in case competitions, academics and leadership, and he graduated at the top of his class as a co-valedictorian. He is most proud of 2 things – one is getting the MBA students a healthcare plan. Secondly, Bobby helped put McMaster on the MBA map by organizing the first MBA Games team in 2000 and then developing a long-term plan to win and host the event within three years. Since that time DeGroote has maintained a strong presence, winning the event and hosting several times.

Most importantly, Bobby is a fiercely proud father. He just loves playing ultimate Frisbee, chess and strategy board games like Catan, predicting the Oscars, and remembering the lyrics to every 80’s TV show theme song. He has a passion for music, singing, and musical theatre. Bobby has never lost a thumb war, ever.

Bobby brings an engaging presence, endless exuberance and dynamic people skills essential to developing and nurturing Raeallan participants.