Speaker Topics
Diversity and Inclusion for Modern Leaders
Kirstin engages and encourages audience members of men and women to consider the role they can play in creating an inclusive workforce and why this is so important for modern leaders of purpose led organisations.
Read lessHead and Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership
In this keynote address, Kirstin utilises personal stories, the latest research and highly practical advice to provide audiences with an inspiring and entertaining call to action for audiences to think about their own personal leadership and to becoming modern leaders- regardless of their formal position - who lead from the head and the heart.
Read lessLessons of Leadership: From the parade ground to the boardroom
Inspiring those in the audience to consider how they might look back on the advice they would have given themselves at the start of their careers and prompts them to think about the advice they hope to have listened to from themselves in the future.
Read lessLessons of Leadership: From the parade ground to the boardroom
Dr Ferguson was one of only a small percentage of women who went through the Australian Defence Force Academy in the early 1990's, a period which has come under broad criticism for its treatment of female cadets at the time. Yet Dr. Ferguson was able to succeed in that challenging environment and went on to be awarded the highest prize on graduation of her Air Force class before serving as an Officer in the Air Force at an F-11 Squadron.
In this presentation, Dr Ferguson draws on her experience in those early years in the military to discuss how it can be applied in a corporate context. Dr Ferguson inspires those in the audience to consider how they might look back on the advice they would have given themselves at the start of their careers and prompts them to think about the advice they hope to have listened to from themselves in the future.
Read lessTrust and Purpose for Modern Leaders
In this keynote address, Kirstin inspires audiences to think about the role they play as leaders - regardless of their level in an organisation - in leading a purpose led organisation through ethical leadership.
Focusing on the skills of emotional intelligence, Kirstin uses case studies, current research and personal examples to provide audiences with aways that leaders can lead with purpose, build and maintain trust and lead in a way that ensures all members of their team are motivated to speak up.
Read lessDr Kirstin Ferguson
Leadership Development Expert
Dr. Kirstin Ferguson AM is a highly regarded leadership expert hailing from Australia. She is known for her significant contributions to business and gender equality, earning her the recognition as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2023. Kirstin's global impact is underscored by her inclusion in the Thinkers50 list of the world's top 30 "Thinkers to Watch," as well as her shortlisting for the Distinguished Award in Leadership in 2021 and 2023.
Kirstin's extensive career spans three decades and encompasses various leadership roles. She served as the Acting Chair and Deputy Chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, acted as the CEO of a global consulting firm, held senior executive positions at a leading corporate law firm, and dedicated nearly a decade to the Royal Australian Air Force.
Her academic achievements include a PhD in leadership and culture, along with Honors degrees in Law and History. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor at the QUT Business School and is a Sir Winston Churchill Fellow.
Kirstin's literary accomplishments include co-authoring the award-winning book "Women Kind: Unlocking the power of women supporting women" with Catherine Fox. Additionally, her second book, "Head & Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership," received acclaim and was recognized by Thinkers50 as one of the top 10 best new management books in the world in 2023. It was described by #1 NYT bestselling author, Adam Grant, as "A timely, actionable book on the virtues that every great leader needs to learn."
Kirstin is a regular columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, where she pens the popular weekly column "Got a Minute?" addressing work, leadership, and culture questions. She also contributes to the Financial Review.
Passionate about women, diversity, and inclusion, Kirstin initiated the viral social media campaign #CelebratingWomen, celebrating 757 women from 37 countries worldwide. This campaign, along with her leadership expertise and advocacy work, solidifies Kirstin Ferguson's reputation as a prominent figure in the field of leadership and gender equality.