Dr. Margie Warrell ignites action, closing the gap between knowing what’s needed and having the courage to do it.
Drawing on decades of experience emboldening people and organisations worldwide, Margie brings a rare ability to bridge intellect and emotion—connecting strategy with psychology to equip leaders to navigate today's complexity with greater clarity, conviction and courage.
A dynamic keynote speaker with authentic Australian warmth, Margie has delivered high-impact presentations for organisations ranging from NASA to Google to US Special Operations. Her message resonates whether she's advising Fortune 500 executives or business owners: courage is the ultimate differentiator—essential for taking smart risks, bridging divides, accelerating adaptation, and shaping a stronger future.
As a former Senior Partner in C-Suite Advisory at Korn Ferry, Margie brings executive-level depth to her speaking, having guided boards and C-suite leaders through critical challenges in leadership, team performance, succession, and cultural transformation. Her research-backed insights provide practical tools to overcome hidden derailers to ensure stronger decision making, accelerated innovation and critical conversations.
Margie’s journey from rural Australian dairy farm to global thought leader brings rare credibility to her work. Having lived and worked across four continents—Australia, Asia, Europe, and North America—she offers a globally grounded perspective on the universal challenges we all face. This rich international experience enables her to cut through complexity, cut straight to the heart of what both limits and unlocks human potential across industry sectors, cultures and geographies. Her authentic style enables her to connect deeply with audiences at all levels, blending data-driven insights with memorable storytelling that leads to lasting behavioural shifts that move the needle.
Based in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, Margie embodies the courage she champions in others—from climbing Kilimanjaro with her four children to crossing the Sahara to, most recently, running her first (New York) marathon. For an unforgettable keynote that emboldens people to take the bold action these times demand, Margie delivers.
Talking Points
Make the Brave Choice: How leaders turn uncertain moments into defining decisions
We’ve never had more information–or faster tools to process it. Yet at decision making tables across the world, leaders are getting more hesitant, not less. More risk-averse. Less decisive.Make the Brave Choice: How leaders turn uncertain moments into defining decisions
The problem isn’t insight. It’s the internal capacity to act on it.
In a world of accelerating AI disruption, relentless complexity, and rising stakes, the ability to make values-anchored, brave decisions–with clarity, conviction, and consistency–isn’t a soft skill. It’s a fundamental leadership capability. And most leaders have never been explicitly taught it.
Audience takeaways
- Recognise the "fear traps" that derail decisions
- Right-size risk–and recognize the “Timidity Tax” that compounds
- Read emotional signals accurately so pressure expands possibilities
- Apply a 3-step framework for making values-anchored decisions
- Manage decision fatigue and reset the nervous system
Courage to Lead in an AI World: The deeper intelligence no algorithm can replicate
AI is changing how organizations operate, but the deeper human intelligence that makes leadership work has never mattered more. The capacity to bring full presence under pressure is the defining leadership competency of our era.Courage to Lead in an AI World: The deeper intelligence no algorithm can replicate
As uncertainty pulls leaders to move faster to feel safer, the durable edge belongs to those with the interior depth to lead with wisdom over knowledge, and the courage to make the calls that data alone could never justify.
Audience Takeaways:
- Distinguish what AI can accelerate from what it can’t replace
- Recognize when fear is governing your decisions
- Make high-stakes calls when data is incomplete
- Name what’s driving you before it drives your decisions
- Build psychological safety that invites bigger thinking
Ideal for
- Leadership Conferences
- Technology & Innovation
- HR & People Leaders
- Financial & Professional Services
- Women’s Leadership Forums
Dare to Change Before You Have To™: Grow courage to be change-ready, not just change-managed
Audience takeawaysDare to Change Before You Have To™: Grow courage to be change-ready, not just change-managed
- Understand why even chosen change triggers the fear response
- Spot the early signals that say "change now"
- Interrupt the instincts that protect an eroding status quo
- Regulate emotion under pressure to widen your options
- Build proactive courage to reinvent ahead of disruption
Ideal For:
- Organisational Transformation
- Mergers & Restructures
- HR & Change Champions
- High-Potential Programs
- Teams Facing Change Fatigue
Speak Bravely: Brave the awkward conversations in a world built for avoidance
After 25 years working with leaders across every sector, Margie has found one pattern behind dysfunctional teams and low-performing cultures: the awkward conversation nobody had, for fear of what might happen if they did.Speak Bravely: Brave the awkward conversations in a world built for avoidance
In today’s world of digital distance, avoidance has never been easier. And its cost compounds silently through eroded trust, stalled decisions, and talent that checks out long before it leaves.
Audience takeaways:
- Name the true cost of avoided conversations
- Apply the 3C Framework: Clarity, Courage, and Connection
- Deliver honest feedback that strengthens relationships
- Navigate tension without appeasement or shutdown
- Build cultures where honesty is a reflex, not a risk
Ideal For:
- Leadership Development Programs
- High-Potential Programs
- Women’s Leadership Forums
- Culture & Trust Initiatives
Video
Dr. Margie Warrell | Speaker Reel 2026 | Courageous Leadership & Decision-Making
Dr. Margie Warrell is a globally recognized leadership speaker, executive coach, and bestselling author who helps people close the Courage Gap - the space between knowing the right decision and being brave enough to act on it. A former Senior Partner in CEO Succession at Korn Ferry, Margie brings a global lens and 25+ years advising leaders and organizations - from Google to NASA - blending behavioral science with diverse lived wisdom to help people make braver decisions anchored in values, not fear. As a leading keynote speaker on managing fear and activating courage, she equips audiences with practical, evidence-backed tools to make braver choices and take bolder action under pressure and be more resilient in today’s VUCA world.A Trapeze Lesson: Fear creates the gap between thought and action. Courage closes it.
Dr. Margie Warrell shares in a keynote speech at Google HQ how to close the know/do gap between thought and action. Margie’s book, The Courage Gap, provides a roadmap to close the gap between what we’re capable of doing and the reality we createHow to be brave | Dr Margie Warrell | TEDxButler
Courage and comfort can't ride the same horse. Do you ever wish you were braver? If I just had the guts. Margie shows you how to find all the courage you need. A global authority on courage who has walked her ‘live brave’ talk since growing up the big sister of seven on a dairy farm in rural Australia. The first in her family to attend college, Margie has lived in multiple countries and recently returned to the US. Margie pairs a global perspective with her diverse background in psychology, coaching and Fortune 500 business to unlock the potential that fear holds captive – in individuals and organizations alike. Trusted by Salesforce, NASA, Dell, Morgan Stanley and United Nations Foundation to deliver transformative programs that foster courage, creativity and collaboration, her 5 bestselling books reflect her passion for helping people overcome timidity, step into their brilliance and lead more purposeful lives with greater impact. Margie loves adventure travel and hiking in beautiful places, most recently climbing Mt Kilimanjaro with her husband and their four children.Margie Warrell | Introduction | Saxton Speakers Bureau
Margie Warrell is an expert in overcoming personal adversity and a passionate advocate for gender equality and inclusive leadership. Margie draws on her background in Fortune 500 business and the latest research to equip people with the mindset, strategies and skills essential to lead themselves and others to better outcomes.Margie Warrell | Power has No Gender | Saxton Speakers Bureau
For women who want to do more & be more but too often doubt they can Despite the compelling case to have more women seated at decision-making tables, too few still are. The reasons for the 'leaky pipeline' are many and the solutions complex, yet one thing is certain: empowering women to challenge gender norms and step into their power as change makers is not just the right thing to do, it's commercially smart.Margie Warrell | Embracing Change | Saxton Speakers Bureau
Over 40% of what university students are learning today will be obsolete ten years from now. In a rapidly changing workplace, embracing change is increasingly vital to being successful. Margie discusses importance of being proactive in the face of change and embracing discomfort in order to make the most of it.Margie Warrell | Building a Culture of Courage | Saxton Speakers Bureau
The greatest threat to organisation is not coming from the outside, its coming from within. Fear as an emotion is contagious and fear of change is dangerous. Margie discusses the steps that leaders can take to create a culture of courage within their workplaceMargie Warrell | Brave Leadership | Saxton Speakers Bureau
How exceptional leaders harness the potential in themselves and others Empower your leaders with a deeper sense of purpose, passion, courage and confidence. Drawing on the latest research in leadership and neuroscience, plus interviews with some of the world's most respected change makers, Margie will get to the heart of what undermines leadership effectiveness, sharing science-based strategies to embrace disconfort, rethinl risk and lead from possibility.If you are looking for a powerful yet practical message to inspire our team to take action, Margie is the speaker for you! The audience feels the positive and personal message she delivers w ... keep reading National Instruments
Margie is a true expert in her field who immediately captivates an audience.
Margie facilitated an outstanding program with my Asia Pacific leadership team. She connected immediately and had everyone fully engaged and participating. Even the skeptics in my team were very impressed with her approach and style and we all left inspired to execute action plans to improve their leadership effectiveness. I recommend Margie to any company seeking to up the ante on their leadership capability.
Margie's insights and ability to deliver thought-provoking and empowering sessions for leaders of all levels from diverse backgrounds is impressive. I've since engaged Margie for many leadership events, always with incredible feedback.
Margie's keynote on creating a culture of courage was dynamic, passionate and thought provoking. The feedback from our top 100 leaders was overwhelmingly positive. We will all go forward a little bolder and braver than before!
Margie is a truly sensational speaker. She had our audience hanging off her every word - her thought provoking, engaging and professional presentation style along with her unique ability to be down to earth was truely refreshing and motivating. I would recommend Margie as a keynote speaker anytime.
I've been meaning to write to thank you very much for your wonderful presentation. The room were highly engaged and the content was relevant to both genders. I know we will be reaping the positive rewards from this event and your words of wisdom for a long time!! I often hear around the office, when someone is delaying doing something, now come on, be courageous Thank you very much for delivering perfectly what we discussed and giving the team the courage and push they needed to be brave.
Margie sets herself apart with a powerful and inspiring message, paired with her energetic, down-to-earth, and disarming delivery. Inviting her to speak here at the United Nations Foundation helped me bolster my personal vision for a candid, collaborative, and forward-leaning workplace. Margie reminds us about the hidden costs of inaction while offering a refreshing and realistic perspective on how we can challenge ourselves and others to be more courageous, take more risks, and find more success. Feedback from her program was overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic. We would welcome her back any time!
