Arlene Dickinson

Early Life and Personal Background

Arlene Dickinson was born on October 8, 1956, in Germiston, in what was then the Union of South Africa. She was raised in Canada and graduated from high school in Calgary, Alberta. Dickinson married at the age of 19 and had four children before divorcing at age 31. Her divorce, which she has stated was due to her infidelity, resulted in her ex-communication from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in which she was raised. Politically, Dickinson identifies as non-partisan and has been publicly critical of former business associates, such as when she criticized Kevin O'Leary's entry into federal Conservative politics. She has stated that O'Leary confuses the national debt with the deficit and has criticized his philosophy on greed.

Business Career and Ventures

Arlene Dickinson's business career began in marketing when she joined Venture Communications in 1988. She took sole ownership of the firm in 1998, building it into a successful agency. In October 2012, she launched Arlene Dickinson Enterprises (ADE) as a vehicle to fund and support Canadian entrepreneurs. Her current primary business focus is as the founder and general partner of District Ventures Capital, a venture capital firm. She also serves as the CEO of Venturepark. Dickinson has served on numerous corporate and charitable boards throughout her career, including Ad Rodeo, Kids Help Phone, and the Calgary Municipal Lands Corporation. In October 2016, she was appointed to the board of directors of Aphria, a licensed medical marijuana producer at the time.

Television and Media Presence

Dickinson's national profile was established through her role as an investor, or 'Dragon', on the CBC series Dragons' Den. She joined the show for its second season in 2007 and became a fixture for nine seasons, departing after the 2015 season. She returned to the Den for its twelfth season in 2017 and has continued in the role, noting her involvement spanned 18 seasons by 2026. Her television work expanded to include hosting her own spinoff series, The Big Decision, and serving as a judge on the food competition show Recipe to Riches in 2014. In 2017, she hosted the television special Under New Management, which guided aspiring entrepreneurs through purchasing a business. Dickinson also made a guest appearance on the period drama Murdoch Mysteries in 2012, playing a past version of herself.

Authorship and Public Speaking

Arlene Dickinson is the author of three books that blend autobiography with business and life advice. Her first book, Persuasion, was published in 2011 and is an autobiographical work. This was followed in 2013 by All In, subtitled 'You, Your Business, Your Life'. Her third book, Reinvention: Changing Your Life, Your Career, Your Future, was published in 2019. These publications have solidified her reputation as a thought leader on entrepreneurship. Dickinson is also a sought-after public speaker and continues to engage with business communities, as evidenced by events like 'Women Leading with Impact: An Evening with Arlene Dickinson' in Greater Sudbury in May 2026. She was a celebrated honouree at the 2026 Testimonial Dinner Award in Toronto.

Podcast and Digital Media

Beyond traditional television, Dickinson has ventured into podcasting. In 2018, she debuted as cohost with singer Jann Arden on The Business of Life, a lifestyle podcast discussing entrepreneurship, motherhood, writing and relationships. The podcast aired for 46 episodes before concluding its run on August 3, 2019. Dickinson maintains an active presence on social media platforms like Facebook, where she connects with followers and shares personal moments, including stories about random acts of kindness and her interest in cooking. A photo from October 2026 showed her in a chef's context with the caption 'Redi-whip chef-in-training', indicating her ongoing personal culinary explorations.

Board Roles and Advisory Positions

Arlene Dickinson has lent her expertise to a wide array of advisory boards and committees across different sectors. She has served on the advisory committee of the Stratford Institute at the University of Waterloo and on the Leadership Council of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. In the media and marketing world, she was part of the editorial advisory board of Marketing Magazine. These roles demonstrate her commitment to fostering education, scientific research and industry discourse in Canada. Her board service extends from corporate governance to philanthropic organizations, reflecting a broad engagement with Canadian institutional life.

Awards and Recognition

Dickinson's business achievements have been recognized with numerous awards and honours. She has been inducted into Canada's Most Powerful Women Top 100 Hall of Fame. In 2014, she was a recipient of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards presented by Canadian Immigrant Magazine. Her company, Venture Communications, was named one of Canada's Best Managed Companies in 2001. These accolades underscore her status as a leading figure in Canadian business. Her ongoing contributions were formally celebrated at the 2026 Testimonial Dinner Award in Toronto, an event highlighting exceptional Canadian leaders.

Philanthropy and Advocacy

Arlene Dickinson has been actively involved in philanthropic causes, often focusing on children's health and international development. She served as the national spokesperson for Breakfast Clubs of Canada, advocating for the importance of children having a nutritious start to their day. In 2013, she became a champion of the Give a Day campaign, which supported Dignitas International and the Stephen Lewis Foundation in their work addressing HIV/AIDS and other health challenges. Her advocacy work complements her business career, demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility and using her platform to support charitable initiatives.

Questions about Arlene Dickinson

How long was Arlene Dickinson on Dragons' Den?

Arlene Dickinson first joined Dragons' Den for its second season in 2007. She was a mainstay Dragon for nine seasons, departing after the 2015 season. She then returned to the show for its twelfth season in 2017 and has continued in the role since. By October 2026, she noted her involvement spanned 18 seasons of the popular CBC business reality series, making her one of its most enduring and recognizable investors.

What businesses does Arlene Dickinson own?

Arlene Dickinson is the founder and general partner of District Ventures Capital, a venture capital firm. She is also the CEO of Venturepark. Her business career began in marketing with Venture Communications, which she joined in 1988 and took sole ownership of in 1998. She previously launched Arlene Dickinson Enterprises (ADE) in 2012 as a funding vehicle for entrepreneurs. Her business interests are primarily focused on investing in and supporting other Canadian businesses and startups.

Has Arlene Dickinson written any books?

Yes, Arlene Dickinson has authored three books. Her first book, an autobiography titled Persuasion, was published in 2011. She followed this with All In in 2013, subtitled 'You, Your Business, Your Life'. Her most recent book, Reinvention: Changing Your Life, Your Career, Your Future, was published in 2019. These books combine personal stories with insights and advice on business, career development and personal growth.

What is Arlene Dickinson's connection to cooking and food?

While primarily known as a businesswoman and investor, Arlene Dickinson has shown a personal interest in cooking and food. In October 2026, she shared a social media photo of herself in a chef's context with the caption 'Redi-whip chef-in-training'. She has also shared stories about cooking for loved ones. Professionally, she served as a judge on the food product competition show Recipe to Riches during its 2014 season, evaluating entrepreneurial food ideas.

What awards has Arlene Dickinson won?

Arlene Dickinson has received several significant awards. She has been inducted into Canada's Most Powerful Women Top 100 Hall of Fame. She is a recipient of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award. Under her leadership, Venture Communications was named one of Canada's Best Managed Companies in 2001. Her contributions were also celebrated at the 2026 Testimonial Dinner Award in Toronto, an event honouring exceptional Canadian leaders.

Did Arlene Dickinson have a podcast?

Yes, Arlene Dickinson cohosted a lifestyle podcast called The Business of Life with Canadian singer Jann Arden. The podcast debuted in 2018 and covered topics such as entrepreneurship, motherhood, writing, relationships and managing life challenges. It was produced for 46 episodes before concluding its run on August 3, 2019. The podcast allowed her to connect with audiences in a more conversational, long-form format beyond her television appearances.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Novello Desserts desk. Last updated 2026-10-22.