Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM is one of the world’s leading voices on modern leadership.
Named by Thinkers50 as one of the top 50 management thinkers globally and recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Leadership Award, Kirstin blends deep academic insight with decades of real-world leadership.
Her career began in the Royal Australian Air Force as an officer, followed by roles as CEO of a global consulting firm and board director for publicly listed, private and non-profit organisations. She served as acting chair and deputy chair of the ABC, bringing 30 years of leadership experience across corporate, military, government, and media sectors.
Kirstin holds a PhD in leadership and culture, along with honours degrees in law and history. She is an adjunct professor at QUT Business School, an award-winning alumnus of both QUT and UNSW, and a passionate advocate for human-centred leadership.
A bestselling author, her titles include Blindspotting (2025), Head & Heart (2023), and Women Kind (2018), each offering powerful, practical tools for leaders at every level. Her popular weekly column “Got a Minute?” in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age delivers straight-talking advice on leadership and life at work.
Kirstin is a trusted keynote speaker who has delivered acclaimed presentations on five continents. Whether in the boardroom or on the front line, she inspires individuals and teams to lead with impact, humility, and purpose.
Yikes! Something went wrong. Try again or call us on 1300 884 485 now.
Speaking Topics
Dr Kirstin Ferguson’s keynotes are known for their insight, warmth and practical takeaways. Her speaking engagements inspire leaders across sectors – from the boardroom to the frontline.
Each topic is available as a keynote (60 minutes) or interactive workshop (2 hours).
Leading with Impact: Mastering the Art of Modern Leadership
A bestselling keynote based on Kirstin’s groundbreaking research into “head and heart” leadership.
This session explores what it means to lead with balance – combining intelligence and empathy, strategy and humanity. Drawing on her 30-year career and lived experience from military service to boardroom leadership, Kirstin offers a powerful call to action for anyone in a leadership role.
Key takeaways include:
A framework for integrating head and heart attributes
Tools to lead effectively across work, life, and community
Personal stories and case studies that bring leadership to life
A chance to complete the Head & Heart Leader Scale for personalised insights
Ideal for CEOs, emerging leaders, and teams navigating change.
Leading with Impact: Unlocking the Power of Blindspotting
Based on her latest book, Blindspotting (2025), this highly interactive keynote challenges attendees to uncover what they don’t yet see – about themselves, their teams, and the world around them.
Kirstin introduces three core mindsets: Be Honest. Be Curious. Be Flexible. Attendees will explore the hidden gaps in decision-making and learn to lead with greater self-awareness and adaptability.
Key takeaways include:
Introduction to the three blindspotting mindsets
Nine actionable practices to apply immediately
Blindspotting Leader Self-Assessment Tool for personalised reflection
Stories that illustrate how unlearning can unlock leadership growth
Perfect for fast-paced organisations, transformation teams, and innovation leaders.
