Bernhard Kerres
Bernhard Kerres has built a career across worlds that rarely meet — international opera stages, executive leadership, consulting, and AI innovation. This unique background gives him a fresh perspective on leadership, performance, and human potential.
As a former opera singer, he performed with internationally renowned artists including José Carreras before moving into strategy consulting at Booz Allen Hamilton and executive roles in listed technology companies. He later became Artistic Director and CEO of the Wiener Konzerthaus, one of the world’s most respected concert venues.
Today, Bernhard works as a leadership practitioner, executive coach, keynote speaker, and founder of RolePlays.ai — an AI platform helping leaders rehearse difficult conversations before they happen in real life. His work focuses on one key question: how can leaders improve human performance in a world increasingly shaped by AI?
Leadership Beyond Theory
Bernhard Kerres combines real leadership experience with practical tools audiences can apply immediately.
His keynote speeches are grounded in lived experience rather than abstract models. He understands the realities of leading organisations, managing teams under pressure, and communicating through uncertainty. At the same time, he brings the mindset of a coach — helping leaders reflect, adapt, and improve continuously.
He challenges audiences to rethink leadership as a skill that requires practice, not just knowledge. Through his work with coaching and AI, he explores how leadership development can finally become scalable and truly effective.
Audiences leave with frameworks they can use immediately — whether they lead teams, organisations, or transformation initiatives.
Music as a Model for High-Performance Teams
One of Bernhard Kerres’ most distinctive keynote themes is the connection between classical music and business performance.
Orchestras and ensembles operate under conditions that closely resemble modern organisations: high pressure, limited rehearsal time, diverse personalities, and the expectation of flawless execution. Success depends on listening, timing, trust, preparation, and collective responsibility.
Bernhard uses these parallels to illustrate what creates high-performing teams. His stories from the world of opera and classical music offer memorable insights into leadership, collaboration, and resilience.
Rather than presenting music as entertainment, he positions it as a powerful leadership laboratory — a perspective that resonates strongly with executives and leadership teams navigating change.
AI, Coaching, and Human Performance
As founder of RolePlays.ai, Bernhard Kerres works at the intersection of leadership development and artificial intelligence.
He demonstrates how AI can help leaders become stronger communicators, coaches, and decision-makers by allowing them to practise difficult conversations, negotiations, and high-stakes situations before they happen.
His work has attracted corporate learning teams and consulting firms across Europe, with clients including:
- Beiersdorf
- Allianz
- Henkel
- Novo Nordisk
- Raiffeisen
- Strategy& (PwC)
- Austrian National Bank
Bernhard offers a practical and balanced perspective on AI — showing how technology can strengthen leadership and learning while keeping human connection at the centre.
Executive Experience Across Industries
Bernhard Kerres combines artistic excellence with strong business credentials.
He holds an MBA from London Business School and has worked across consulting, technology, culture, leadership development, and innovation. His broad experience allows him to connect naturally with executive audiences, HR professionals, and organisations undergoing transformation.
His achievements have also been recognised through the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art.
Whether speaking at leadership conferences, executive offsites, or corporate events, Bernhard delivers keynote speeches that are insightful, engaging, and highly relevant for today’s organisations.
Book Bernhard Kerres for Your Event
Bernhard Kerres is a sought-after keynote speaker for organisations looking for fresh perspectives on leadership, AI, coaching, collaboration, and human performance.
By connecting music, executive leadership, coaching, and technology, he delivers keynote experiences that are thought-provoking, practical, and memorable. Audiences leave inspired and equipped with new ways of thinking about leadership and performance in an AI-driven world.
