The Leading Speakers Bureau

German Olympic Figure Skater

Katarina Witt is a German Olympic figure skater and model. Always looking for new challenges, she is continually taking on new directions in her work, adding to her experience thus far as an Olympic figure skater, producer, moderator, actress and author. Katarina is also the founder of production agency WITH WITT Sports & Entertainment GmbH in 1995. This enterprise set new standards in the market of figure skating production.

“One of the most successful skaters of all time”

[expand title=”In detail”] Katarina’s biography and her career as a figure skater are incomparable and unique. Besides two Olympic victories, she became the World Champion four times, the European Champion six times, and the National Champion eight times. Following the 1988 World Championships, her successful amateur career came to a close. She then toured for three years as the headliner in her own show Witt and Boitano Skating which was so successful, that Madison Square Garden in New York was sold out for the first time in its history. She has toured America and Canada for 10 years as a guest star in the American figure-skating shows “Stars on Ice and Champions on Ice, while also participating in countless professional international competitions. She has worked as a figure skating expert during world championships and Olympic Games for American and German TV channels.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Katarina uses her expertise and insight to motivate, stimulate and inspire her audiences.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Katarina is an intelligent and direct presenter, with a calm and friendly style. She is a dynamic and well liked communicator.[/expand]

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TV Personality and Leadership Facilitator

After three decades working on stage, TV and radio, Ruby Wax has changed direction. Having completed an MSc in Psychotherapy, Ruby now provides workshops to corporate leaders enabling them to come to a deeper and more direct level of communication with their clients and colleagues. The workshops combine humour with scientific and theoretical learning and practical exercises. Participants leave with a set of tools to help create a climate of positivity, creating more effective teams of people, directly impacting their organisation.

“Often provocative & sometimes controversial Ruby has become one of the most recognised TV personalities”

[expand title=”In detail”] After arriving in Britain in 1977 and training as an actress, Ruby began her career acting with the Royal Shakespeare Company before developing her own brand of highly amusing “attitude TV”. In addition to performing and presenting Ruby has contributed, written and edited numerous scripts for TV shows such as French and Saunders, Happy Families and Absolutely Fabulous. With her outrageous show, Ruby Wax Meets, she has broken all the rules and conventions and created some of TV’s most memorable moments.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Ruby is upfront, sassy and with a reputation for posing questions no one else would think to ask. Having performed stand-up comedy and toured extensively, her TV shows get under the skin of celebrity and seek out the wackier side of life. She is in demand, not only for dinner speaking and entertainment, but also moderating conferences, where a sharp brain, wittiness and humour is of essence.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Ruby is amusing, engaging and open. Her brash style has been described as refreshing, charming, endearing and very funny.[/expand]

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Chilean-American Acclaimed Novelist

Isabel Allende is an internationally acclaimed author considered to be part of the Latin American feminist literary awakening. Born in Lima, Peru, she grew up in Chile and travelled around the world as the daughter of a Chilean diplomat. She is best known for her epic and highly autobiographical novel ‘The House of Spirits’, which was later released as a motion picture in 1993.

“A genius” The Los Angeles Times

[expand title=”In detail”] Isabel Allende worked with the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization in Santiago, then later in Brussels, Belgium, and in Europe. For a brief period in Chile, she also had a job translating Romance novels from English to Spanish. Reportedly, the CIA-backed military coup in 1973 “changed everything” for her because “her name meant she was caught up in finding safe passage for those on the wanted lists”. In 2006, she was one of the eight flag bearers at the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Her novels have been translated into 30 languages and sold more than 51 million copies.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Isabel has lectured, done extensive book tours and has taught literature at several US colleges. In her writing, Allende deals with politics, history, and social institutions in a way that is all but passive. [/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Isabel’s presentations give fascinating insights into how she is guided by a vision of a world in which women have achieved social and economic justice. This vision includes empowerment of women and girls and protection of women and children. [/expand]

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Adventurer, Author, Entrepreneur & TV Presenter

Debra Searle is a hugely popular motivational speaker and conference facilitator. The media worldwide went crazy for the story of the 5ft 5″ young lady who carried on rowing the Atlantic solo when her husband, a 6 ft 5″ experienced oarsman, left the boat after developing an uncontrollable fear of the ocean. Yet, she dared to believe and 111 days later she rowed into Port St Charles, Barbados, to a rapturous welcome. She set out in January 2010 to compete in the Ladies Cup of the 2010 Rally Monte Carlo Historique.

“Britain’s latest sporting heroine” – The Times

[expand title=”In detail”] Debra Searle has achieved more than most people would dream of achieving in a lifetime: a first class honours degree, medals at World Championship level with the Great Britain Dragon Boat Team, entrepreneurial success with the launch of her online art consultancy ‘The Well Hung Art Company’, had her first book published, successfully rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean and has received an MBE from the Queen. Her ease in front of the camera, drive and enthusiasm has led to a number of presenting opportunities. She has recently completed work for BBC Grandstand, CBBC Education, was the subject of a documentary for BBC Extreme Lives and presented a 1-hour ITV documentary on the Southampton Boat Show.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Debra’s overwhelming ‘positivity’ and ‘go for it’ attitude are contagious, while her modesty is endearing. Often very emotive, she shares her highs and lows, personal battles and victories, to help illustrate in a very human way what we are all capable of. Since completing her Atlantic crossing she has charmed audiences with her highly articulate, open and emotional accounts of her exploits and particularly the departure of her husband. She sets herself apart from other speakers with her level of commitment to each project.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]In her presentations Debra powerfully illustrates her ideas with slides and stunning video footage and leaves her audience in no doubt of their own ability to achieve the extraordinary. She is entertaining, articulate, attractive, adaptable and totally inspirational.[/expand]

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Leading Nutritionist, Author and Successful Entrepreneur

Vicki Edgson is one of the UK’s foremost nutritionists and spokesperson for women and health. Having trained at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, Vicki has run a private nutritional therapy and naturopathic clinic in West London for the last 15 years and travels extensively around the country speaking at lectures and seminars. She works with a variety of health conditions through dietary planning, health screening, blood tests and saliva tests to determine vitamin and mineral deficiencies and hormone imbalances. She regularly writes for the national press, women’s glossies and health magazines.

“Putting passion into nutrition and making sense of healthy living”

[expand title=”In detail”] Vicki’s expertise with the principles of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine and Naturapathic integrated medicine make her a leading authority in the design of products, and spa packages across the world. Her affiliations include originally co-founding The Food Doctor and developing many of the original food recipes for which they are now so well know; launching the Nutritionist Range for L’Oreal Garnier in the UK and Paris. She was also instrumental in developing the more stringent food policies for BBC Worldwide children’s licenced food products. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Vicki Edgson has a strong motivational message which is that it takes only one small change to make a difference. She feels passionately about how taking control of one’s lifestyle and nutrition can re-energise and motivate, as well as enable people to rediscover their zest for life at any age. Vicki is living proof that with the right diet you can successfully combat stress, feel re-energised and happy, and achieve a good life balance.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Vicki’s energy and vitality are infectious; with her combination of sound practical lifestyle advice and undefeatable optimism, she proves an adept guide on how to motivate and inspire in the workplace. Vicki is synonymous with health, beauty and vitality.[/expand]

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American Philanthropist, Co-founder & Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Melinda Gates is a global iconic figure who has devoted her energies since her foundation’s naissance in 1994 to targeting the world’s three biggest killer diseases—AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria—among other scourges. She is a former unit manager for several Microsoft products such as Publisher, Microsoft Bob, Encarta, and Expedia. She retired from the board of Drugstore.com in 2006 to spend more time working for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Melinda was ranked in Forbes magazine list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in 2006, 2007 & 2008

[expand title=”In detail”] Melinda earned a bachelor degree in computer science and economics from Duke University in 1986 and an MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business in 1987, and served as a member of Duke University’s board of trustees from 1996 to 2003. After joining Microsoft Corporation in 1987, she distinguished herself in business as a leader in the development of many of Microsoft’s multimedia products. In 1996, Gates retired from her position as Microsoft’s General Manager of Information Products. In 2005, she and her husband, along with musician Bono, were named by Time as Persons of the Year. The Gates couple received the Spanish Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation in 2006 in recognition of their world impact through charitable giving. [/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Melinda’s influence over the world’s largest foundation is enormous. she works with local, national, and international partners to further the foundation’s goal of improving equity in four areas. She shapes and approves foundation strategies, review results, and helps set the overall direction of the organization. A capable and accomplished lady, Melinda Gates was a highly successful product manager at Microsoft and she brings to philanthropy a rare combination of compassion and the business skills she honed at Microsoft.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]A passionate and a shrewd businesswoman and speaker, Melinda Gates achieved amazing success at Microsoft. She plans to do it again with her very own style of philanthropy and offers audiences inspiration, education and hope.[/expand]

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Expert in Leadership and Business Development in BRIC Countries

Meow Yee is the Program Director, Emerging Markets, for IBM’s mainframe division. She is responsible for developing the unit’s business strategy and execution plans for growing in BRIC countries. Ms Yee is also passionate about the development of Asian women leadership. She is the President and Co-Founder of the Asian Women Leadership Network, a multi-company US not-for-profit organization.

“Meow Yee was profiled for the “Pathways to Power” by Time magazine

[expand title=”In detail”] As the project executive for Asian Initiatives, in Corporate Communications, Meow led and managed a groundbreaking project to drive new levels of collaboration to share best practices across multiple global companies around the Asian marketplace and Asian talent. Prior to that, she spearheaded efforts across IBM to deliver its On Demand Business Strategy and served as president of the Westchester & Hudson Valley Chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans. She graduated with a Master of Science degree in computer science from the University of London and a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from the University of Malaya in Malaysia.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Meow Yee is a leading expert in the field of technical innovation, strategy and business development in emerging countries and particularly in BRIC. She talks about the key questions that business leaders must address in order to develop winning strategies.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Her fact filled and engaging presentations make Meow Yee a sought-after speaker at prestigious conferences around the globe.[/expand]

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Senior Associate Dean and Professor of Service Management at the Harvard Business School

Professor Frances Frei is the Senior Associate Dean, Director of Faculty Planning and Recruiting and UPS Foundation Professor of Service Management at Harvard Business School. Her research investigates how organisations can more effectively design service excellence and has been published in top-tier journals such as Management Science and Harvard Business Review. She serves on the boards of advisors of several private companies.

“She describes her deepest calling as helping leaders to remove the “pebbles” that can grow into obstacles to performance”

[expand title=”In detail”] Frances received her PhD in operations and information management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She holds an ME in industrial engineering from Pennsylvania State University, and a BA in mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania. She has published dozens of case studies across a variety of industries, including financial services, government, retail, telecommunications, software and hospitality. These cases include Zipcar, eBay, Southwest Airlines, Tiffany’s, Houston Rockets, Commerce Bank, Progressive Insurance, Orient Express Hotels and Zappos, among others.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Frances advises organisations seeking to create greater value through their service experiences. Her advisory work focuses on helping companies to make strategic choices that allow them to profitably differentiate on service. She is celebrated for her ability to engage audiences and give organisations the insight and tools to dramatically improve performance.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A highly sought-after speaker and advisor, Frances brings a level of wisdom and authenticity to conversations that compels audiences to action. [/expand]

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Blue Ocean Strategist

Dr. Zunaira Munir is an Affiliate Member of the Blue Ocean Strategy Network and has worked with numerous big and small companies all around the world in their pursuit to create Blue Oceans of uncontested profitable growth. Having lived, studied and worked in Asia, USA and Europe, Dr. Munir has truly global credentials.

“Dr. Zunaira’s ability of handling a large audience and her great performance as an orator were considered great aspects of the seminar”

[expand title=”In detail”] With a Ph.D. in Innovation Management, an MBA in Finance and a Bachelors in Computer Sciences. Dr. Zunaira Munir offers an interesting blend of multi-disciplinary knowledge and expertise. She worked under Professors Kim and Mauborgne as a visiting researcher at INSEAD and has since been involved in Blue Ocean Strategy projects, initiatives and research. [/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Zunaira is a dynamic trainer and presenter and is extremely good at giving the audience concrete ideas that can be translated into practical steps for creating blue oceans. Her experience with diverse global business environments clearly gives her an edge in effectively catering for her global clientele.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Zunaira’s insightful presentations are high in content and a source of inspiration as we clarify our thinking about where we want to be and how we plan to get there. She captures the imagination and widens her audiences’ perspective on forming strategy.[/expand]

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Engineer, Broadcaster & TV Presenter

Kate Bellingham is probably best known for her role presenting popular BBC science show Tomorrow’s World. She returned to TV screens in 2010 as a regular co-presenter for Museum of Life for BBC2 about the Natural History Museum. She sits on the advisory board for the publications arm of the Institute of Electrical Engineers. In 2003 she obtained an MSc in Electronics with distinction at the University of Hertfordshire and her most recent accomplishment has been to become a fully qualified maths teacher.

“Kate has reported on a vast range of scientific & technological innovations”

[expand title=”In detail”] Katherine Bellingham did not set out to become a TV presenter. She was ‘spotted’ whilst working for the BBC as an electronics engineer and invited to audition for a Schools TV programme, Techno. Beginning her TV career, her engineering background, along with a degree in physics from Oxford University and experience as a computer programmer, came in useful during her four years as a presenter on Tomorrow’s World. She went on to present her own weekly programme on Radio 5 Live, The Big Bang on Children’s ITV and other programmes for the Open University, BBC Schools and Channel 5. Subsequent broadcasts included a seven-part science series for the Open University, an engineering series for the BBC2 Learning Zone, and Testing Times, a series for Radio 4 about the challenges faced on major engineering projects.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]With the ability to manage events smoothly, Kate Bellingham regularly hosts conferences and seminars and has presented numerous corporate video programmes for major companies and is also involved in projects promoting science, engineering and technology to the general public. She has served as President of Young Engineers, the national network of school and college clubs, is also a Patron of WISE and recently hosted the Young Engineers for Britain Awards Dinner in London.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]A talented communicator of science and a role model for young women in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Kate Bellingham puts everyone around her at ease with her warmth and professionalism. She is passionate about sharing her experience and enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and maths.[/expand]

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