Carly Fiorina

Carly Fiorina is a transformational leader and bestselling author who specialises in unlocking potential through practical problem-solving and courageous decision-making. As former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, she led the company to become the 11th largest in the US during the technology industry's worst recession in 25 years, and previously transformed Lucent Technologies through a bold $90 million brand-building campaign that modernised the company. Now founder of Unlocking Potential and Distinguished Clinical Professor in Leadership at The Catholic University of America, she equips leaders with the tools, behaviours and disciplines to solve real challenges in their organisations and communities, delivering sessions that inspire audiences to lead with clarity, take meaningful action, and create lasting impact.

When Carly Fiorina took the helm at Hewlett Packard in 1999, she stepped into one of the most challenging moments in technology history: the worst industry recession in a quarter century. Her leadership transformed HP into the 11th largest company in the United States, whilst securing recognition as one of the World's Most Respected Companies by The Financial Times and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Before HP, she had already demonstrated her capacity for bold reinvention at Lucent Technologies, where she spearheaded a $90 million brand-building campaign that modernised the company and drove her division to generate over 60 percent of Lucent's total revenue. Her willingness to take on complex, high-stakes challenges established her reputation as a leader who delivers results under pressure.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Carly has dedicated herself to unlocking potential in others through multiple channels. She founded Unlocking Potential, a non-profit organisation that invests in local leaders solving problems in their communities and workplaces, equipping them with practical disciplines and tools to increase their leadership capacity. As founder and chairman of Carly Fiorina Enterprises and host of the By Example leadership podcast, she shares real-world solutions drawn from innovators and problem-solvers facing similar challenges to her audiences. Her commitment to service has extended to chairing Good360, the world's largest product philanthropy organisation, and Opportunity International, which lifts millions from poverty through microfinance. She also served as chairman of the CIA's External Advisory Board following 9/11, holding the highest civilian security clearances whilst focusing on recruitment, technology capabilities and organisational integration. Since February 2019, she has served as Distinguished Clinical Professor in Leadership at The Catholic University of America's Busch School of Business, integrating her leadership curriculum directly into the business student experience.

Carly equips leaders with the clarity and confidence to tackle their most pressing challenges head-on. Through her speaking engagements, she translates decades of experience navigating corporate transformation, political campaigns and civic leadership into actionable frameworks that audiences can apply immediately. Her approach combines strategic thinking with practical problem-solving, enabling organisations to move from analysis to implementation. Whether addressing students, businesses or non-profits, she inspires audiences to lead with courage, make tough decisions with conviction, and create meaningful change in their organisations and communities. Her sessions deliver lasting impact by showing leaders not just what to do, but how to build the capacity to solve problems long after the event concludes.