Hilary Ballantyne

Hilary Ballantyne is a Toronto-based entrepreneur, public speaker, and lifelong advocate living with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Diagnosed in 1992 at just six months old at Sick Kids Hospital, the same hospital where the CF gene mutation was first identified, Hilary was not expected to live past the age of 27. Now 33, she is thriving, thanks in part to decades of relentless advocacy and access to cutting-edge therapies.

In late 2021, following a steep decline in her health, Hilary began treatment with Trikafta, a revolutionary gene-modifying drug that directly targets the root cause of CF. The result was a complete turnaround in her health – one that has allowed her not only to regain her strength but to build a business and a life on her own terms.

Hilary speaks candidly about resilience, the psychological cost of chronic illness, and the life-altering power of access, particularly in healthcare systems where innovation and affordability often collide. Her lived experience makes her a powerful voice on the value of time, the limits of endurance, and the return on investing in people. She has shared her story with national audiences and continues to champion awareness, research, and equity within the CF community and beyond.

Hilary’s keynotes are heartfelt, unflinching, and ultimately hopeful – offering a perspective that is at once deeply personal and widely relevant.