Nando Parrado

Nando Parrado is a globally celebrated motivational speaker and New York Times bestselling author whose extraordinary survival story has inspired millions across five continents. A survivor of the 1972 Andes plane crash, he endured 72 days at 4,500 metres before trekking ten days across the mountains to secure the rescue of 16 teammates, an act of courage that became the basis for his international bestseller *Miracle in the Andes* and the acclaimed films *Alive* and *Society of the Snow*. Named Best Speaker in the World by the World Business Forum in 2010, Nando is also a successful entrepreneur who understands the realities of leadership in business. His keynotes equip leaders and teams with actionable strategies for crisis management, resilience under pressure, and decision-making when hope seems lost, transforming survival lessons into practical wisdom that drives lasting organisational impact.

On 13 October 1972, Nando Parrado's plane crashed at 18,000 feet in the Andes Mountains, an event that would transform him from a young rugby player into one of the most powerful voices on leadership, resilience, and human endurance. Over 72 days in the most hostile conditions imaginable, he lost his mother and sister, recovered from a severe skull fracture, and made the decision that ultimately saved 16 lives: a ten-day trek across the frozen peaks with teammate Roberto Canessa to secure rescue. His story, immortalised in the international bestseller *Miracle in the Andes*, the film *Alive*, and the recent global phenomenon *Society of the Snow*, has inspired millions across five continents and continues to resonate with audiences who face their own mountains, whether personal or professional.

Since first addressing the Young Presidents' Organisation in 1992, Nando has established himself as one of the world's most sought-after keynote speakers, delivering presentations across the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. In 2010, he was recognised as Best Speaker in the World by the World Business Forum in New York, an acknowledgement of his unique ability to connect survival lessons with business leadership. Beyond the stage, Nando has built a successful career as an entrepreneur and businessman, serving as president of several companies whilst also working as a television producer and technical advisor on multiple documentaries and films about the Andes survival story. His dual expertise in both extraordinary crisis management and practical business leadership sets him apart from typical motivational speakers. Nando's forthcoming appearance at Nordic Business Forum 2026 reflects his continued relevance to contemporary business audiences seeking authentic insight into trust, teamwork, and purpose under pressure.

Nando's keynotes deliver far more than inspiration; they equip leaders and teams with actionable strategies for navigating uncertainty, making critical decisions when hope seems lost, and building the kind of trust that sustains organisations through turbulent times. His presentations address strategic planning, conflict resolution, motivation, and handling fear, all grounded in lived experience that touches the heart whilst elevating perception of human capability. Audiences leave with renewed understanding of what true teamwork requires, how to lead when conventional wisdom fails, and how to transform adversity into opportunity. Whether speaking to corporate leaders facing market disruption or teams managing organisational change, Nando delivers practical wisdom on survival, both human and commercial, that creates lasting impact long after the event concludes.