Dr. Margie Warrell: Courage for Leadership That Matters
Dr. Margie Warrell brings a rare ability to connect intellect and emotion, helping leaders close the gap between knowing what matters and having the courage to act on it. Her work centers on emboldening people to move beyond fear, complacency, and hesitation—replacing them with clarity, confidence, and decisive leadership.
Margie has delivered high-impact presentations for organizations including NASA, US Special Operations, and Fortune 100 companies, earning consistent standing ovations across industries. Whether addressing senior executives, entrepreneurial leaders, or advisory audiences on Capitol Hill, her message cuts through complexity and lands with relevance and urgency.
Trusted Advisor to Leaders and Boards
Margie has walked the path she speaks about. As a former Senior Partner in C-Suite Advisory at Korn Ferry, she advised boards and senior leadership teams on succession, culture, leadership performance, and transformational change. Earlier, she held leadership roles with BP and KPMG before launching her own global consulting practice.
This blend of corporate leadership, advisory work, and entrepreneurship gives Margie strong credibility on stage. She understands the pressures leaders face and speaks directly to the realities of decision-making, risk, and accountability in today’s environment.
Global Perspective and Influence
Beyond the stage, Margie is a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council and a regular contributor to Forbes, Fast Company, and NBC. She is a Women’s Economic Forum honoree and has served on several advisory boards, including the International Advisory Council, Women’s Democracy Network, and the Forbes School of Business & Technology.
Margie also made history as Australia’s first Ambassador for Women in Global Business and has taken the TEDx stage to inspire audiences worldwide. Along the way, she has interviewed influential global figures such as Richard Branson, Bill Marriott, Stan McChrystal, and Steve Forbes, further deepening her understanding of courageous leadership at the highest levels.
Award-Winning Author and Thought Leader
Margie is the author of multiple books, including her latest release, The Courage Gap. The book received the 2025 Literary Titan Gold Book Award and the International Impact Book Award, and was named by The Globe and Mail as one of the Best Management Books of 2025.
Her writing and speaking explore how fear quietly shapes decisions, cultures, and careers and how leaders can transform hesitation into bold, values-driven action.
Lived Experience That Resonates
Raised on a rural Australian dairy farm as the eldest of seven siblings, Margie brings a grounded, global perspective to leadership challenges. She has lived and worked across Australia, Asia, Europe, and North America, giving her a deep understanding of cultural nuance and human behavior across geographies.
Her insights are also shaped by profound personal experiences. Margie has raised four children while relocating across continents, navigated family tragedy, and survived an armed robbery, experiences that tested her resilience and strengthened her belief in post-traumatic growth. These moments inform her compassionate yet practical approach to leadership, courage, and change.
An Unforgettable Keynote Experience
Margie’s authentic style blends research-based insights with memorable storytelling, humor, and humanity. She connects deeply with audiences at every level, creating moments that inspire reflection and action long after the keynote ends.
She embodies the courage she champions, from climbing Kilimanjaro with her four children to crossing the Sahara and, most recently, running her first New York marathon. For organizations seeking a keynote speaker who challenges people to step forward, take bold action, and lead with purpose, Dr. Margie Warrell delivers an experience that is both powerful and transformative.
Book Dr. Margie Warrell for your event to equip your leaders with the courage these times demand.