Karen Wendt

Karen Wendt empowers organizations to lead with sustainability, innovation, resilience, and future-focused transformation.

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Switzerland

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Dr. Karen knows what she has to say, both from wisdom or experience and knowledge. She has a truthful personality and doesn't judge but always analyse things with fresh and open eyes and she think forward before problems arise. She can strategize and give tips and tricks in many domains including business and finance as well as how to communicate and make friends. As Poincaré said "Fact doesn't speak" but you can trust me I describe them.

Matias Affolter

Co-founder @Pixagram

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Non-binding request for Karen Wendt

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+1 347 223 5128 +44 20 3744 5675

Why you should book speaker Karen Wendt

Gain practical strategies for sustainable growth, digital transformation, and resilient leadership in rapidly changing markets.
Learn from a globally experienced banking and fintech leader with deep expertise in investment and innovation.
Inspire teams with actionable insights that strengthen agility, collaboration, and long-term organizational success.

Non-binding request for Karen Wendt

Sustainability, fintech, innovation and transformational leadership expert

Karen Wendt is an internationally recognized expert in sustainability, fintech, leadership, and digital transformation. With more than 20 years of experience from leading financial institutions, she helps organizations navigate change with confidence and clarity. As President of SwissFinTechLadies and CEO of Eccos Impact GmbH, Karen combines strategic insight with practical tools that inspire teams to embrace innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth. Her engaging keynotes equip audiences with fresh perspectives on the future of business and leadership.

Book Karen Wendt for your event

Karen Wendt is one of the most influential voices in sustainability, fintech, innovation, and transformational leadership. With an extensive international career spanning more than two decades in banking and financial services, she has built a reputation for helping organizations adapt to change, embrace innovation, and create long-term sustainable success.

Her keynote presentations combine strategic vision with practical experience, making complex topics accessible, engaging, and highly relevant for modern organizations. Karen’s ability to connect sustainability, digital transformation, investment strategies, and leadership creates a unique perspective that resonates with executives, teams, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers across industries.

Organizations booking Karen Wendt for events, conferences, leadership summits, and corporate workshops gain access to deep industry knowledge combined with inspiring and actionable insights that can be implemented immediately.

Leadership in sustainability and innovation

Karen Wendt has dedicated her career to driving meaningful transformation in business and finance. She has co-created international standards, led strategic initiatives, and overseen numerous transactions within global financial institutions. Her expertise allows organizations to better understand how sustainability and innovation can work together to strengthen competitiveness and future readiness.

As CEO of Eccos Impact GmbH, Karen actively supports organizations in implementing sustainable business practices and navigating the evolving demands of global markets. Her work focuses on helping companies move beyond traditional approaches and build strategies that create both financial and societal value.

Karen’s presentations explore topics such as:

Sustainable finance and ESG strategies
Digital transformation and innovation
Leadership during times of change
Future-focused business models
Resilience and organizational agility
Investment trends and fintech developments

Her approach is practical, motivating, and grounded in real-world experience, making her a sought-after speaker for organizations looking to prepare for the future while staying competitive in rapidly changing industries.

Inspiring organizations to embrace change

One of Karen Wendt’s greatest strengths as a speaker is her ability to inspire organizations to see change as an opportunity rather than a challenge. Her keynote talks are designed to motivate teams, strengthen leadership capabilities, and encourage innovative thinking across all levels of an organization.

Drawing from her extensive background in banking, sustainability, and digital transformation, Karen shares practical frameworks and strategies that help teams become more agile and resilient. She understands the pressures organizations face in today’s fast-moving business environment and offers realistic approaches that support long-term growth and adaptability.

Audiences value Karen’s engaging presentation style, which combines expert insight with clarity and inspiration. She creates an atmosphere that encourages reflection, discussion, and action, helping participants leave with both renewed motivation and concrete tools they can apply in their own work.

Global expertise in fintech and finance

As President of SwissFinTechLadies, Karen Wendt plays a central role in shaping conversations around fintech innovation, diversity, leadership, and the future of finance. Her international perspective and strong network within the financial and technology sectors allow her to provide valuable insights into emerging trends and opportunities.

Karen’s expertise in investment and financial transformation makes her an especially valuable speaker for organizations operating in finance, banking, insurance, technology, and sustainability-driven sectors. She understands how digitalization is reshaping industries and helps organizations identify the opportunities that come with technological change.

Her experience includes collaboration with international stakeholders, strategic development initiatives, and innovation-focused projects that support both business growth and sustainable progress. This combination of strategic understanding and practical implementation makes her presentations highly relevant for modern organizations seeking long-term success.

Author, thought leader, and trusted advisor

Beyond the stage, Karen Wendt is also a respected author, editor, and media contributor. As editor of the Sustainable Finance Series, she contributes to important conversations about the future of finance, sustainability, and responsible leadership.

Her published work and media presence reflect her deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities shaping today’s global business landscape. Karen is known for translating complex ideas into clear and inspiring insights that organizations can use to create meaningful progress.

With international certifications and a strong track record as a change leader, Karen has become a trusted advisor for organizations looking to strengthen their strategic direction and build resilient, future-ready teams.

Why organizations book Karen Wendt

Organizations book Karen Wendt because she delivers more than inspiration. Her presentations provide practical value, strategic insight, and a forward-looking perspective that helps leaders and teams navigate uncertainty with confidence.

Karen combines expertise in sustainability, fintech, leadership, and innovation into engaging keynote experiences that empower organizations to rethink their approach to growth and transformation. Her ability to connect global trends with practical business realities makes her presentations highly relevant for conferences, executive events, leadership programs, and innovation-focused gatherings.

Whether speaking to corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, financial professionals, or teams preparing for change, Karen Wendt delivers impactful keynotes that inspire action, strengthen resilience, and support sustainable success in an increasingly complex world.

Customer Reviews

Matias Affolter Co-founder @Pixagram

EBRD has invited Karen to several events as a committed and inspiring speaker on topics including alternative conflict resolution, risk assessment and management, sustainability, global administrative law, reporting, and introducing theories of change into investment and finance. Her speeches are dynamic, engaging, and thought-provoking, often challenging audiences in a sophisticated and impactful way. We are extremely grateful for the great collaboration and the inspiration Karen brings to every event.

Darius Prazek Former Director EBRD, now Sustainabilty Advisor

Keynotes

Keynote by Karen Wendt:

Change Leadership: Rabbit holes or Elephants in the Room

Managing change effectively necessitates strong leadership that can both initiate and maintain the process. This article proposes an integrative approach to change leadership, outlining its key dimensions and demands.

Audience takeaways:

In change leadership, fostering a sense of social identity is paramount, surpassing mere urgency.
Craft a leadership persona that is inherently appealing, prompting others to emulate and trust you based on shared identity. Here, I delve into strategies for fostering purpose and solidarity toward the overarching mission.

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Keynote by Karen Wendt:

From the Margins to the Mainstream: Sustainable Finance, Impact Investing & Green Economy

In recent years, the focus of investors has shifted significantly. While once the primary concern was risk-adjusted returns, Sustainability has now become a prominent consideration in mainstream investing. This shift is evident in various approaches, ranging from smart beta strategies to norms-based screening, inclusion of environmental and social governance criteria, and calculations regarding carbon risk.

Audience takeaways:

This keynote presentation will delve into the advantages and drawbacks of each strategy, providing valuable insights into their respective merits and limitations.

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Keynote by Karen Wendt:

Change Management: EQ versus IQ: Translating Change into organizational commitment

Instill a sense of urgency while anchoring stability during periods of transition. Explore strategies for fostering positive momentum and aligning teams effectively. Delve into the essence of a robust change management process and strategies for surmounting obstacles.

Audience takeaways:

Insights gleaned from Change Management experts in executive leadership.
Specialized approaches to change management within digital enterprises, along with tactics for overcoming impasses.

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Keynote by Karen Wendt:

Business Foresight Leverage Points & Digital Transformation: The 7 Qualities of a Digital Leader

Ignite your vision and strategic approach towards digital transformation. Drawing insights from diverse future scenarios and digitalization trends, Karen illustrates the process of shaping these scenarios into compelling visions and strategies. Have you explored leverage point analysis to navigate your strategic choices effectively?

Audience takeaways:

Understanding the correlation between the 7 personal qualities and organizational attributes.

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Keynote by Karen Wendt:

From Green and Black Swans: Using Leverage Point Analysis for implementing Sustainability.

From Risk Management to Seizing Opportunities: Integrating leverage point analysis with forward-looking strategies, driving actionable business solutions that foster sustainability, compliance with global standards, and risk mitigation. Converting uncertainty into early business advantages.

Audience takeaways:

Gain deep insights into leverage point analysis and how to pave the way for sustainability in an engaging and accessible manner.

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Keynote by Karen Wendt:

Impacts of the EU Action Plan for Business Owners & Asset Managers

Introducing the EU Action Plan, EU Taxonomy, and the New Green Deal: Exploring the Decision Agenda, Identifying Quick Wins, and Key Leverage Points. Merging Effective Leadership with Change Management for Sustainable Transformation.

Audience takeaways:

Understanding the EU Action Plan and its implications for business, asset management, and finance.
Examining business opportunities and pathways towards sustainability in an engaging and accessible manner.

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Keynote by Karen Wendt:

The Four Insights to Exponential Leadership: Leadership & Sustainability in the Board Room

The four principles of the Exponential Leadership Framework highlight the essential assets, mindsets, and capabilities organizations need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. By combining leadership, sustainability, and strategic transformation, the framework helps leaders build resilient organizations that are prepared for future challenges and opportunities.

Through practical insights and forward-thinking strategies, this keynote explores how boards and leadership teams can strengthen adaptability, improve decision-making, and create long-term value. The framework supports organizations in navigating complexity while aligning sustainability with business growth, innovation, and organizational transformation.

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Keynote by Karen Wendt:

The Fifths Discipline: The art of Open Banking & Open Finance

Discover the pathway to cultivating smarter banking through leveraging economic ecosystems. Develop customer-centric solutions and advocate for customer needs, ushering in a tide of innovation within the industry. Additionally, as guidelines, governance, and compliance requirements continue to expand, it's crucial to adapt accordingly.

Audience takeaways:

Implement Platform Strategies and Foster Customer Journeys within Ecosystems.

Navigate business, market, and policy disruptions effectively to formulate your open banking and open finance strategy.

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Keynote by Karen Wendt:

Antifragility: How diversity helps creating it

Especially during times of crisis, it is crucial for leadership to adopt a multifaceted approach to fortify their position, navigate through challenges, and potentially emerge even stronger.

The notion of antifragility, coined by Professor Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of "The Black Swan," underscores the capacity to not just withstand failure, but to thrive amidst adversity. Unlike resilience, which focuses on bouncing back from setbacks, antifragility encompasses the ability to resist failure and flourish despite stressors, shocks, volatility, and other disruptive factors. This concept becomes particularly pertinent in environments characterized by unpredictability and instability, where traditional notions of risk management fall short.

Audience takeaways: