About Neil Pasricha

“It’s easier to act your way into a new way of thinking than to think yourself into a new way of acting.”  

• Global bestselling author of The Happiness Equation and Two-Minute Mornings with over 2 million copies sold
• Former Director of Leadership Development at Walmart
• One of the 10 Most Inspiring TED Speakers of all time

Neil Pasricha is a top-rated leadership keynote speaker, bestselling author, and positive psychology researcher focused on the relationship between happiness and leadership in business. Neil is one of the most popular TED speakers. His first TED Talk The 3 A’s of Awesome ranked as one of the ten most inspiring of all time. His second TED Talk How will you maximize your tiny, short life? was the world’s first ever TED Listen, composed entirely of questions. Neil gave the most attended feature keynote at SXSW 2019 called Building trust in distrustful times. Neil has written five global bestsellers including: The Book of Awesome, Awesome Is Everywhere and The Happiness Equation. His books have been on bestseller lists for over 200 weeks and sold millions of copies. Before leading The Institute for Global Happiness and keynote speaking, Neil spent a decade running Leadership Development and working directly for two CEOs at Walmart, the world’s largest company. He was responsible for CEO onboarding, executive development, and talent management across all levels of the organization. Audience testimonials “Neil is a rock star! He visited the Googleplex and you could hear a pin drop while he was speaking. Many people commented that he was the best speaker we have had!” Rachel O’Meara, Google “Neil Pasricha was the highlight of the day. From my perspective, the highlight of the year at Microsoft! What a genuine, authentic, inspiring person. He connected with the audience and made our themes come to life in the best possible way.” ~ Rekha Rao-Mayya, Microsoft “It is rare to find a speaker that can ignite such passion and unify the audience on a common theme that transcends generation and function. Please keep writing books. Yours changed my life.” ~ Britta Lesaux, 3M “We all LOVED Neil’s keynote and received amazing feedback from our clients. His presentation earned a 4.9/5!!” ~ Sonia Bell, Indeed “Neil joined the Audi Executive Team his lessons were the highlight of the show, engaging and invigorating the audience. He is always on point, thought-provoking, and receives near-perfect ratings. Listen to him!” ~ Peter Donnellan, Audi “Before Neil came to Uber we had seen his TED Talk, Google Talk, and some had read his books so our expectations were already pretty high. But he exceeded them! A life-changing talk. Thank you, Neil!” ~ Kristy Bates, Uber

About Sanna Marin

“The strength of a society is measured not by the wealth of its most affluent members, but by how well its most vulnerable citizens are able to cope. The question we need to ask is whether everyone has the chance to lead a life of dignity.”

• Former Prima Minster of Finland
• Youngest Prime Minister of the world (at 34)
• Finland’s leader during Covid, start of the war with Ukraine and Finland’s NATO accession

Sanna Marin is the Former Prime Minister of Finland (2019-2023) and the leader of the Finnish Social Democratic Party. Appointed at the age of 34, Marin served as the youngest Prime Minister of the world when taking office.


Marin’s government has been considered one of the most successful in handling the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in terms of lost lives and economical damage caused by the pandemic. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Marin led her country through the most swift NATO accession process in the whole history of the alliance.


Marin made history as the longest-serving woman Prime Minister of Finland, leading a parliamentary coalition entirely headed by women and a majority-women cabinet.


In addition to the historical challenges during her leadership Marin’s government passed many progressive reforms in Finland. Including world’s most ambitious climate laws aiming for carbon neutrality by 2035, family leave reform sharing paid leave with both parents equally. As well as major reforms improving healthcare, education and human rights.



Audience testimonials

“Her session was ranked the highest out of the entire agenda.”
~ Cherry Ventures Management


“Sanna Marin was a wise and good decision. Full house, great content, amazing feedback, a lot of selfies with attendees after her slot… 100% recommended.”
~ Cloudfest


“Sanna Marin was very accessible and kind to everyone she interacted with. She is a powerful speaker, and she made a fantastic impression on our guests. She is exactly what she projects: an excellent human being.”
~ Candriam

About Simon Sinek

“The primary ingredient for progress is optimism. The unwavering belief that something can be better drives the human race forward.”

• TED Talk Start with Why (60+ million views) and interview on millennials (100+ million views)
• Author Start with Why, Leaders Eat Last & The Infinite Game
• Podcast A Bit of Optimism

Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect”, Simon Sinek is an unshakable optimist who believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together. He envisions a world where the vast majority of people wake up every single morning feeling inspired, safe, and fulfilled by the work they do.

A trained ethnographer, Sinek is fascinated by the people and organizations that make the greatest and longest lasting impact. Over the years, he has discovered some remarkable patterns about how they think, act, and communicate, and also the environments in which people operate at their best.

Sinek may be best known for his TED Talk on the concept of “WHY”, which has been viewed over 60 million times, and his video on millennials in the workplace — which reached 80 million views in its first week and has gone on to be seen hundreds of millions of times.

Sinek’s unconventional and innovative views on business and leadership have attracted international attention, and he has met with a broad array of leaders and organizations in nearly every industry. He frequently works with different branches of the US Armed Forces and agencies of the US government, and is an adjunct staff member with the RAND Corporation — one of the most highly regarded think tanks in the world.

Sinek is the author of several bestselling books, including the global bestseller Start with Why and New York Times bestsellers, Leaders Eat Last and The Infinite Game. In partnership with Penguin Random House, Sinek publishes works by other inspiring thinkers and doers through his imprint, Optimism Press. He is also the host of the podcast, A Bit of Optimism, and the founder of The Optimism Company, a leadership learning and development agency.

In addition, Sinek is active in the arts and with not-for-profit work, or what he likes to call the for-impact sector. In 2021, he founded The Curve, a diverse group of forward-thinking chiefs and sheriffs committed to reforming modern policing from the inside-out. Their purpose is to build a profession dedicated to protecting the vulnerable from harm while advancing a vision of a world in which all people feel justice is administered with dignity, equity, and fairness.

Simon Sinek in quotes:
“Good leaders share the credit when things go well and take responsibility when things go badly.”

“Vision is the ability to talk about the future with such clarity, it is as if we are talking about the past.”

“Don’t show up to prove. Show up to improve.”

“If no one ever broke the rules, then we’d never advance.”

About Jitske Kramer

Jitske Kramer, a corporate anthropologist and author, is known for her fresh perspectives on teamwork, culture, and leadership. Her best-selling book ‘Work Has Left the Building’ topped the charts, and her latest release, ‘Tricky Times,’ has also gained widespread acclaim. Her presentations are highly praised for their insightful and innovative ideas.

As a corporate anthropologist, Jitske provides a unique and practical approach to organizational challenges. She addresses questions like how to foster connections within teams, give minorities a voice, and manage power and conflict constructively. Her work focuses on fostering real, meaningful conversations beyond traditional metrics and checklists.

Jitske is the founder of HumanDimensions, where she applies anthropological insights to improve organizational cultures. 

About Kim van Wilgen

Kim is a seasoned leader in software and cloud technology, currently serving as the Chief Technology Officer at Schuberg Philis, a premier IT-outsourcing company renowned for its mission-critical solutions that are designed never to fail. 

 With a deep passion for technology, Kim’s expertise extends to cutting-edge domains such as edge computing and streaming data platforms. However, her interests go beyond just technology; she is equally committed to the human aspect of tech, advocating for continuous learning, addressing social debt, and offering coaching to help tech teams thrive and grow. 

Kim is particularly skilled at optimizing tech processes, with a strong focus on DevSecOps, agile methodologies, and fostering self-organizing teams. She firmly believes that success in technology is driven by a critical balance between technology, culture, organization, and people. This holistic approach ensures that businesses not only adopt the latest technologies but also achieve real, tangible value from them. 

With over a decade of experience in bridging the gap between business and IT, Kim brings a unique perspective and invaluable expertise to her role. Her leadership continues to inspire and drive innovation within the tech community. 

 

Talk Show: “Authentic Leadership in Transformations” 

The courage to use your personal values as a compass to lead organizational change. 

In this inspiring and insightful talk show, we explore the powerful stories of remarkable women who have successfully led transformational changes within large organizations. While these leaders have navigated the complexities of change, it raises the question of how their values played a role during those times. Did they always follow their values, or were there moments of compromise? This session offers an opportunity to hear their stories, not just about successes but also the complexities they faced. 

Expect to hear genuine, vulnerable stories and examples that highlight the importance of authentic leadership. Panellists will share how personal values have influenced their journeys, with space to explore moments where those values may have been challenged. The discussion will be balanced, with each participant having the opportunity to share their experiences and engage in meaningful dialogue, sparking reflection on what it truly means to lead with authenticity.

About Anke den Ouden

As General Manager of Microsoft Netherlands, Anke is at the helm of bringing Microsoft’s mission to life: empowering every person and organization on the planet to achieve more. Her leadership focuses on driving this vision for all Microsoft customers and partners in the Netherlands. Anke has been a vital part of the Microsoft family for 25 years, starting her journey with Microsoft Germany in various roles spanning marketing, sales, and business management. Her career trajectory has also seen her take on key leadership roles in the business and consumer markets at Microsoft Russia and Poland, as well as in Central and Eastern Europe. 

Anke’s deep knowledge of the Microsoft organization, its culture, and its ecosystem of customers and partners, positions her uniquely to guide the company’s efforts in enabling digital transformation across the Netherlands. Her experience and insight continue to shape the future of Microsoft, aligning it more closely with the evolving needs of its customers and partners. 

 

Talk Show: “Authentic Leadership in Transformations” 

The courage to use your personal values as a compass to lead organizational change. 

In this inspiring and insightful talk show, we explore the powerful stories of remarkable women who have successfully led transformational changes within large organizations. While these leaders have navigated the complexities of change, it raises the question of how their values played a role during those times. Did they always follow their values, or were there moments of compromise? This session offers an opportunity to hear their stories, not just about successes but also the complexities they faced. 

Expect to hear genuine, vulnerable stories and examples that highlight the importance of authentic leadership. Panellists will share how personal values have influenced their journeys, with space to explore moments where those values may have been challenged. The discussion will be balanced, with each participant having the opportunity to share their experiences and engage in meaningful dialogue, sparking reflection on what it truly means to lead with authenticity.

About Candice Dillon

Candice is the Chief Information Officer at VodafoneZiggo, bringing over 20 years of experience in the technology sector. A recognized leader in digital transformation, Candice has a proven track record in post-merger integration, IT strategy, and core system implementation across a range of industries, including Financial Services and Telecommunications. Her career has spanned multiple continents, with leadership roles in global programs across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and professional experience in South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. 

Candice is driven by a clear mission: to enhance VodafoneZiggo’s standing as an innovative market leader. She believes that staying ahead in today’s dynamic environment demands agility, rapid adaptation to change, and a pioneering mindset. Her leadership continues to shape the future of VodafoneZiggo, helping the company maintain its competitive edge in a rapidly evolving industry. 

 

Talk Show: “Authentic Leadership in Transformations” 

The courage to use your personal values as a compass to lead organizational change. 

In this inspiring and insightful talk show, we explore the powerful stories of remarkable women who have successfully led transformational changes within large organizations. While these leaders have navigated the complexities of change, it raises the question of how their values played a role during those times. Did they always follow their values, or were there moments of compromise? This session offers an opportunity to hear their stories, not just about successes but also the complexities they faced. 

Expect to hear genuine, vulnerable stories and examples that highlight the importance of authentic leadership. Panellists will share how personal values have influenced their journeys, with space to explore moments where those values may have been challenged. The discussion will be balanced, with each participant having the opportunity to share their experiences and engage in meaningful dialogue, sparking reflection on what it truly means to lead with authenticity.

Ikenna Azuike started his career as a lawyer, but is now a sought-after journalist, presenter, speaker and filmmaker. Ikenna was born in Lagos, Nigeria, grew up in the UK, studied law in the UK and France and has been living in The Netherlands with his family since 2004.

 

FROM LAWYER TO BROADCASTER

After working as a lawyer with Shearman & Sterling in London, Singapore and New York, and with Clifford Chance LLP in Amsterdam, he decided to change course and follow his passions for broadcasting and social activism.

Together with his wife, Mette te Velde, he created the satirical news show What’s Up Africa. Since 2017 Ikenna has worked on a variety of longer form journalistic projects including the 6-part travel series ‘Planeet Nigeria’ (Planet Nigeria) for BNNVARA and the documentary ‘De Post-Racistische Planeet’ (The Post-Racist Planet) for VPRO Tegenlicht. 

 

CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBER

In addition to his work as a journalist, Ikenna was also the chairman of The Correspondent Foundation, a foundation launched by the Dutch journalism platform De Correspondent from its inception to 2023. In 2023 he was appointed to the Board of Tony’s Chocolonely Mission Foundation B.V.

 

EVENT HOST

Ikenna is regularly invited to host national and international events where he interviews professionally and enthusiastically with his trademark disarming charm and sense of humour. 

 

Ikenna was host of Amsterdam Business Forum 2022 and got an insanely high rating of 9.04/10. And 35% gave him a perfect 10/10. The highest rating of all people on stage that day. We had no doubt: Ikenna needs to return to Amsterdam Business Forum!

“WHEN JOSEPH SPEAKS, EVERYONE FALLS SILENT.”