Defining Moments with Dustin
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.
Defining Moments with Dustin
Mike Bartlett - Building a Basketball Nation: Ambition, Pride, and the Pursuit of Gold
In this powerful episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with his good friend Mike Bartlett, CEO of Canada Basketball, to explore the journey of turning Canadian basketball into a global powerhouse. From the Dream Team spark that ignited a young fan in Oakville to bold leadership decisions that put winning on the podium above simply qualifying, Mike shares the defining moments that shaped his path and the relentless ambition now driving Canada Basketball forward.
They dive deep into investing ahead of revenue, treating athletes like pros, using sport as a vehicle for social good, building authentic relationships with players, and dreaming of the day Canada steals Olympic basketball gold from the United States on the world stage. A candid, inspiring conversation between two Canadian sport leaders who refuse to accept anything less than world-leading.
If you believe sport can change a country, this one’s for you.
[00:00] Introduction & Opening
Dustin Heise thanks Mike for his time and influence as a sport leader in Canada.
[00:52] What was the moment when basketball in Canada clicked for you as more than just a sport, but a mission worth leading—and how did you even get to that point?
Mike shares growing up in a hockey town, falling in love with NBA rivalries (Bird/Magic/Jordan era), the 1992 Dream Team, the arrival of the Raptors and Grizzlies, and later recognizing the need to resource Canadian talent properly while at MLSE.
[04:46] You stepped into the CEO role at a pivotal time—what were some of the first defining decisions you made, and what successive ones have followed?
Mike on shifting the mindset from “just qualifying” to “winning is the only acceptable outcome,” spending money the organization didn’t yet have on pro-level resources for both men’s and women’s programs, achieving equity of investment, and turning Canada Basketball into an event company to generate new revenue.
[08:27] You’ve always believed sport is a vehicle for social impact—where are you leaning into that most right now, and why does it matter so deeply to you?
Mike on sport’s unique power to galvanize people, the mantra “best in the world AND best for Canada,” and intentionally using basketball’s platform for community good beyond just on-court results.
[11:47] You’re experiencing massive momentum—how do you keep that going with athletes, staff, board, and partners?
Mike on strengthening authentic relationships with players and their families, celebrating Canadian players’ pro success year-round (“when they play, we play”), and riding the wave of rising national pride in Canadian sport.
[15:20] None of this has been easy—what have been some of the biggest challenges that stretched you the most and ultimately taught you the resilience you lead with today?
Mike recounts volunteering for the “hard, ugly, no-playbook” project of producing Toronto’s 2016 NBA All-Star spectacle—crossing silos, collaborating with the NBA, and setting new league standards—proving that raising ambition above the baseline delivers outsized outcomes.
[19:03] When people look back at this era of Canada Basketball, what do you hope your defining legacy—or the legacy of this era—will be?
Mike hopes it’s remembered for unrelenting ambition on the court and an equally high standard off it—growing participation in every community, proving basketball can be a force for national unity and social good, and showing that a podium finish is only one part of the mission.
[21:32] Closing
Dustin and Mike wrap with mutual gratitude and excitement for the future of Canadian sport.
