Throughout my career, I have been invited to speak in many different settings — conferences, executive workshops, leadership offsites, client events and international programmes. What organisations usually ask for is not motivation alone, but perspective grounded in real experience. They want insight that connects strategy with reality, and leadership with execution.
Having worked for more than 25 years across consulting, engineering, property, ventures and advisory roles in over 30 cities worldwide, I have seen how growth actually happens inside organisations. It rarely comes from a single decision. It comes from the way leaders respond to change, how they build partnerships, and how willing they are to rethink what worked in the past.
One of the subjects I am most often asked to speak about is Leading Through Change: Resilience, Reinvention and Growth. The pace of change in business has accelerated dramatically, and leaders are expected to remain confident even when the path forward is not obvious. Research consistently shows that organisations that invest in leadership capability during periods of uncertainty are significantly more likely to outperform their competitors. In my talks, I focus on practical frameworks leaders can use to stay effective when markets, teams and expectations are evolving at the same time.
Another frequent theme is Cross-Border Growth: From Local Strategy to Global Impact. Many companies want to expand internationally, but underestimate the complexity involved. Global growth requires more than opportunity — it requires alignment, partnerships and cultural awareness. Because I have worked across multiple countries and sectors, I often share examples of where expansion succeeded and where it failed, and what leaders could have done differently.
A topic that now appears in almost every event is AI in Business: Leadership, Capability and the Future of Work. There is enormous excitement around artificial intelligence, but also uncertainty. The organisations that benefit most from AI are not necessarily the most technical, but the ones with leaders who understand how to integrate new capability without losing trust, judgement or purpose. Technology changes quickly, but leadership principles still matter.
I also speak frequently on Inclusive Leadership and Second-Career Value Creation, a subject that has become more relevant as workforces become more diverse in age, experience and background. Progressive organisations are starting to recognise that reinvention, later-career entrepreneurship and diverse thinking are not risks — they are competitive advantages. My own work with founders, investors and executive teams has shown that some of the most innovative ideas come from people who are willing to start again.
These themes are explored in a different way through my novel Nifty. The story follows a woman in her 50s who launches a sustainable fashion venture with her best friend, navigating confidence, identity, business risk and the courage to begin a second chapter. Although it is fiction, the conversations it opens are very real. When used as part of a keynote or workshop, the story helps audiences connect emotionally as well as intellectually, making discussions about resilience, entrepreneurship and inclusion far more meaningful.
More about the novel here: https://nifty.lenabenjamin.com/novel
Earlier in my career, I created the Inspiring Women in the 21st Century events at the Houses of Parliament, later followed by the Empowering Women Summit at the Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel and the Royal Institution. Those events brought together leaders from business, politics and entrepreneurship, and shaped my belief that the most valuable conversations happen when strategy, experience and storytelling come together.
Today, alongside my speaking work, I act as a fractional growth advisor and strategic partner to founders, investors and leadership teams. I also lead initiatives such as the Empower Business Legacy Club, focused on collaboration, second-stage growth and long-term value creation. These experiences form the foundation of the sessions I deliver, whether the audience is corporate, entrepreneurial or investor-led.
Speaking engagements are available in-person, hybrid or virtual, across Europe and internationally, and work particularly well for conferences, leadership programmes, innovation events, executive workshops and client experiences.
If you would like to book me as a keynote speaker, panel contributor or workshop facilitator, details are available here: https://lenabenjamin.com/bookspeaker