Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM Book as a speaker/entertainer for your next event

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Key Points for Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM

  • With a 30-year leadership career spanning CEO roles, company directorships, and military service, Kirstin brings deep, real-world insight to every stage she steps onto.
  • Her thought leadership is globally recognised, ranked by Thinkers50 as one of the world’s top 50 management thinkers and winner of their 2023 Distinguished Leadership Award.
  • Kirstin combines academic excellence with practical impact, holding a PhD in leadership and culture and authoring Head & Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership, a guide for leaders navigating today’s complex world.
  • She’s an influential voice in Australian public life, appointed by the Prime Minister as Acting Chair of the ABC and known for her viral #CelebratingWomen campaign and popular leadership column Got A Minute?

Topics for Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM

  • Leading with impact: Mastering the art of modern leadership
    Is your leadership approach still fit-for-purpose in a rapidly changing and increasingly uncertain world? Through the use of videos, storytelling, and her down-to-earth style, Kirstin will challenge attendees to think about how they can role model leading with both the head and heart in all areas of their life and amidst the competing demands on their time. Using her latest research, Kirstin will bring a leadership lens which is guaranteed to inspire attendees to be the most effective leader they can be. She will provide practical, actionable insights which can be immediately applied to help attendees leave a positive impact.
    Keynote takeaways:
    • An overview of the attributes of head and heart leadership.
    • An understanding of the power leadership moments have at work, in our communities and in our families.
    • Inspiration for attendees to recognise we are all leaders, regardless of our position titles.
    • An understanding of the importance of integrating our leadership across all areas of our life.
      Workshop takeaways:
    •  A deeper dive into the eight attributes of head and heart leadership. 
    • Opportunity for table discussions and shared learning experiences to implement head and heart leadership.
    • Extended opportunity for questions and broader discussion with attendees.
  • Leading with impact: Unlocking the power of blindspotting
    In this highly interactive keynote, using videos, case studies and storytelling, attendees will have the opportunity to shine a light on the hidden gaps in their thinking and decision-making. These gaps can have profound consequences, not just for themselves but for the teams and organisations they lead. Attendees will be equipped with the tools needed to unlock smarter decisions, build stronger teams and oversee breakthrough innovations. This will enable them to have an even greater impact as leaders. The most effective leaders are those who can adapt to new realities, where the ability to learn, unlearn, and pivot is far more valuable than holding all the answers. Kirstin will present her research in a practical and accessible way, explaining how attendees can apply the three blindspotting mindsets - Be Honest. Be Curious. Be Flexible.
    Keynote takeaways:
    • An overview of the three blindspotting mindsets.
    • An understanding of practical ways to bring blindspotting to life immediately for leaders.
    • Reinforcing the importance of being able to acknowledge what we don’t know to offer a deeper impact as a leader.
    • Practical, actionable insights to transform teams and organisational cultures to value blindspotting at all levels, regardless of role or seniority.
      Workshop takeaways:
    • A deeper dive into the nine practices of blindspotting and how they can be applied immediately.
    • Opportunity for table discussions and shared learning experiences to implement blindspotting.
    • Extended opportunity for questions and broader discussion with attendees.

 

 

 

 

 

Testimonials for Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM

Kirstin was a fantastic speaker who is a clear expert in her field. Her presentation was informative, engaging, and thought-provoking. We have received excellent feedback and are confident our leaders learnt something new and will be able to apply her model / insights in their role as senior leaders. Thank you, Kirstin.   
HBF

So inspiring, fantastic session and amazing speaker, the imagery of the ladder v's the fishing net, will stay with me forever!
So prepared, so professional, so eloquent, so grounding!
AMAZING session!! Dr Kristen Ferguson was impressive speaker as an ambassador for gender equality.
what a great event - so on point.
What a great speaker – I have my new action list inspired by the guest speaker.
Kirstin was fantastic and her story was truly inspiring.
Wow what an uplifting discussion really enjoyed hearing Kirstin Fergusons story. Thank you.
Bristol Myers Squibb event

Thank you Kirstin - your authenticity and powerful storytelling made the perfect case for cultivating a feedback culture. Loved the reactions to “can I give you some feedback?” Spot on and very funny! I’d highly recommend you to any Australian organisation
BDO Australia

Dr Kirstin Ferguson has emerged into the speaking circuit as one of our nation’s most engaging and inspiring speakers. When Dr Ferguson addresses a room, her energy and passionate commitment to the cause of diversity and inclusiveness is infectious. People really listen and believe every word she says. Her approach is endearing, her connection to people is truly authentic and her leadership is undeniable. Like the most inspiring speakers and leaders, you will hang on every word she says and never forget how great she makes you feel.
DibbsBaker

Last night, I attended the ceremony where you delivered the key note address. I wanted to reach out and say how much I enjoyed your speech – in particular your sense of humour and humility when talking about the "sliding doors" moments that led you to where you are today. Thank you for generously sharing your story.
QUT Law Faculty

Excellent – loved her! So interesting and engaging. Very influential, loved her attitude and drive.
Women in Leadership Summit

Great speaker, very motivating. Little treasures throughout! Inspiring speaker, down to earth and approachable. Really enjoyed Kirstin’s presentation, lots of valuable tips.
Women in Leadership Summit

Good talk last night at WLAQ. The woman right next to me was quite affected by it, and from chatting with her later, she clearly took a great deal of heart from your message. For me, nice to hear a bit less of the 'pledge for parity', and a bit more of the ' I just went and did it' stuff.
Women Lawyers Association of Queensland

Thanks for the opportunity to share your leadership journey. Exceeded my expectations. Humble, engaging & honest. Impressive, frank & challenging. A gift of your time in a time of reflection.
QUT School of Management

Thanks so much for today. The women absolutely loved you!!
Australian Industry Group

I've just landed back in Sydney and still feel inspired by our lunch - thanks so much for your wonderful insights and refreshing candour, it set the scene for an open, engaged gathering where people shared and learnt from each other - that's a special kind of magic!
Australian Industry Group

Hi Kirstin, it was very helpful to hear you speak tonight - especially re your decision to move away from the law & pursue a different path. Thank you so much for sharing your honest & frank insights. They are very much appreciated.
QUT Faculty of Law

There are speakers who capture attention more than others. On the first day this speaker, for me, was Dr Kirstin Ferguson.
New Zealand Institute of Safety Management
Safeguard New Zealand Conference

I attended your presentation this morning at the Governance Institute. Just a quick note to say that I found your presentation very professional and informative.
Governance Institute of Australia

Kirstin did a great job. Good, simple tips that can be used with Boards or Executive Teams.
Campbell Institute Symposium, New Orleans

Just giving quick feedback on Kirstin’s presentation at the recent Safeguard Health and Safety Conference. I felt that out of all the presenters that she was by far the best in regard content, presentation and relevance to business. It is very pleasing to here that in her role as a Company Director that health and safety sits at the top of the agenda.
Safeguard New Zealand Conference

I attended the Institute of Directors conference in Auckland and particularly enjoyed your presentation. I would like to thank you for your presentation and the practical aspects you brought to it. Much of the discussion is about the need for better H & S laws and processes but not much practical advice seems to be forthcoming.
Institute of Directors, New Zealand

Thank you for taking the time to speak at the 2017 Campbell Institute Symposium. It was great opportunity to hear about engaging Board of Directors with environment, health and safety. I look forward to identifying opportunities to make our world safer with you in the future.
Campbell Institute Symposium, New Orleans
Office of the President, National Safety Council USA

Just wanted to say a personal thank you to you for your presentation. You have inspired me greatly to keep working on the challenges that I currently face in getting my Board and also the executive members actively involved in leading the way in health and safety and its journey. Keep up the amazing work you do spreading the word and the way in which you inspire leadership teams to take health and safety as seriously as they do other aspects of running successful & safe businesses.
Safeguard New Zealand Conference

Thank you for your presentation today. I found it interesting and thought provoking. The contrast of your examples got me thinking about the underlying premise of we believe we should invest heavily in seeking to have safer workplaces. I'm sure I'll ponder that all weekend and I wouldn't have started think about that issue, were it not for your presentation. You've had an impact. You've also given me a greater understanding of what an "integrated" (if I can use your word) business looks. All up well worth attending and you are an enjoyable presenter to listen to.
Women in Safety

Thanks for doing a spectacular job as MC for the lunch.
Founder
Aim for the Stars Foundation

I really enjoyed listening to your journey. I loved your “can do” attitude too. You spoke to each and very one of us at the luncheon and that was what made it so special. Keep up the wonderful work you are doing.
Women's Network Australia

Your story behind the celebrate women campaign was inspiring and your anecdotes highlighting the difference between inclusion and diversity really resonated with me. You are an absolute star!
DibbsBaker

Dr Ferguson was the keynote speaker for the annual Hunter Defence Conference Gala Dinner in 2017. Every piece of the experience was nothing short of exceptional! Dr Ferguson expertly customised her speech for the relatively diverse audience using humour and humility to inspire and entertain. The feedback received from the conference survey shows that all delegates thought equally as highly of Kirstin's keynote. I could not provide a higher recommendation for Kirstin.
HunterNet Defence

It was tremendous yesterday listening to Dr Kirstin Ferguson at the lexvoco legal ops masterclass. A very down to earth, authentic person with an extraordinary resume and story.
Lexvoco

Before more time passes, I wanted to thank you for squeezing into your today’s event. You are clearly a 'winner'. You come out first in whatever you decide to do, whether it's the Air Force, studying law or as a board director. I and the audience appreciated your candour, practical mind-set and simple 'smarts'. Your journey to successful leadership is clearly unique -- can't wait to see what you decide to do next. Thank you for the gift of your time and wisdom garnered over the years.
Legacies of Women

It was my great honour to host Dr Kirstin Ferguson on behalf of the EML Group today and learn, cheer and lean into her experience of authenticity, intellect, emotional intelligence and instinct in leadership. We have all benefited from her global movement of #CelebratingWomen and today from her generosity.
CEO
EMLife