Ian Bremmer
Founder & President, Eurasia Group & GZERO Media | NY Times Bestselling Author | UN AI Advisory Body Rapporteur | Professor, Columbia SIPA
Angela Ahrendts
Former SVP of Apple Retail & CEO of Burberry | Lead Independent Director, Ralph Lauren | Chair, Save the Children International | Airbnb & WPP Board Member | DBE
Angela Ahrendts DBE is one of the most accomplished executives in global business, known for leading two of the world's most iconic brands. She tripled revenue as CEO of Burberry and reimagined retail as SVP at Apple, and now serves as Lead Independent Director at Ralph Lauren and Chair of Save the Children International. On stage, Ahrendts shares hard-won lessons on leading with empathy and building cultures where people choose to give their best.
Want to book Angela Ahrendts as a speaker for your event? Please provide the info below and we’ll get in touch within 24h:
Angela Ahrendts biography
Leadership speaker Angela Ahrendts DBE is one of the most accomplished executives in global business, known for leading two of the world’s most iconic brands. She tripled revenue as CEO of Burberry, then reimagined retail for more than a billion annual visitors as Senior Vice President at Apple. Today she serves as Lead Independent Director at Ralph Lauren and Chair of Save the Children International, bringing a rare blend of commercial rigor and purpose-driven vision to leadership, culture, and digital transformation.
Ahrendts’s career-defining chapter came at Apple, where she served as Senior Vice President of Retail from 2014 to 2019, leading more than 500 stores across 24 countries and some 70,000 employees. She launched the “Today at Apple” education program and turned Apple’s stores into community spaces that blended technology with human connection. Before Apple, she spent nearly a decade as CEO of Burberry, where she tripled revenue and quadrupled the share price, transforming the British heritage label into a global digital luxury leader.
Purpose-Driven Leadership Beyond the Boardroom
Today Ahrendts holds a portfolio of roles at the intersection of technology, luxury, and brand strategy. She is Lead Independent Director at Ralph Lauren, Senior Independent Non-Executive Director at WPP, a board member at Airbnb, and a Senior Operating Adviser at SKKY Partners. Beyond the corporate world, she chairs Save the Children International and sits on the boards of charity: water and the HOW Institute for Society. In 2013, she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her services to business.
Her path to the top began in a small town in Indiana, and her earlier executive roles included Executive Vice President at Liz Claiborne and President of Donna Karan International. Across every chapter, Ahrendts has built her leadership around a consistent belief: that businesses perform best when they lead with empathy, develop their people, and stay true to a clear sense of purpose.
As a speaker, Angela Ahrendts draws on her experience leading two of the world’s most iconic brands to challenge audiences on what it means to lead with empathy, authenticity, and purpose. She offers hard-won frameworks for building trust across diverse teams, guiding digital transformation, and creating cultures where people choose to give their best. Senior executives and boards leave with a renewed conviction that human-centered leadership is not just admirable but essential to lasting performance.
Angela Ahrendts Speaking Videos
Leading From the Heart with Angela Ahrendts
Angela Ahrendts - Responsible Leadership in an Artificial World
Angela Ahrendts Keynote Topics
True leadership isn't defined by a title — it's earned through trust and connection. Angela Ahrendts challenges today's leaders to reflect deeply by asking, "If my team could choose their leader, would they choose me?" Drawing from her experience as CEO of Burberry and SVP of Retail at Apple, Angela shares how she successfully led diverse, multi-generational teams across the globe. Her approach centered on empathy, authentic communication, and empowering others — not command and control. By choosing to coach rather than dictate, she fostered loyalty, creativity, and long-term commitment. Attendees leave inspired to lead with purpose, build genuine human connections, and create environments where people feel empowered to thrive.
The rise of the smartphone and social media has given younger generations a powerful platform to express themselves — and they've grown up knowing their voices matter. Yet in many workplaces, that same sense of agency and inclusion is often missing. In this keynote, former Apple Retail executive Angela Ahrendts explores how today's digital-native employees expect more than just direction — they seek purpose, connection, and a voice. Angela shares how leaders must evolve their approach to meet these expectations by fostering authenticity, open communication, and meaningful engagement. Attendees gain actionable strategies to better connect with younger talent, inspire loyalty, and create a culture where every team member feels empowered to contribute and grow.
Drawing from her experience as CEO of Burberry and SVP at Apple, Angela Ahrendts reveals the leadership principles behind two of the most successful brand transformations in modern business. She shares how she digitized Burberry from a traditional fashion house into a digital-first luxury brand, and how she reimagined Apple's retail spaces to deepen human connection in an increasingly digital world. Audiences gain practical strategies for leading brand evolution without losing the authenticity and heritage that made the brand valuable in the first place.
Few leaders have shaped modern retail as directly as Angela Ahrendts. In this keynote she explores where physical and digital experiences are heading, and why the most successful brands treat their stores, channels, and people as one connected experience rather than separate silos. Drawing on the reinvention of Apple's stores into community spaces and Burberry's digital-luxury transformation, she offers a forward-looking view of how to build customer experiences rooted in human connection, and how to keep brands relevant as expectations keep rising.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Angela Ahrendts
Why Angela Ahrendts?
Booking Angela Ahrendts for your event means securing one of the most accomplished leaders in global business. As the executive who tripled Burberry's revenue and then reimagined Apple's retail experience for over 500 stores worldwide, she offers unmatched insight into brand transformation, digital innovation, and purpose-driven leadership. Her keynotes resonate deeply with senior audiences because they are rooted in real decisions made at the helm of two of the world's most iconic companies. Book Angela Ahrendts through Aurum Speakers Bureau for your next corporate event or leadership summit.
Was Angela Ahrendts the CEO of Apple?
Angela Ahrendts was not CEO of Apple — that role was held by Tim Cook throughout her tenure. She served as Senior Vice President of Apple Retail from 2014 to 2019, making her one of the highest-ranking executives at the company. In this role, she oversaw more than 500 stores across 24 countries and 70,000 employees. She led the transformation of Apple Stores into community gathering spaces and launched the "Today at Apple" educational initiative. Before Apple, she was CEO of Burberry from 2006 to 2014.
What is Angela Ahrendts known for?
Angela Ahrendts is known for her transformative leadership at two of the world's most iconic brands. As CEO of Burberry, she tripled revenue and quadrupled the share price, turning the British heritage brand into a global digital luxury leader. At Apple, she reimagined the retail experience for over a billion annual visitors and launched "Today at Apple." She was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2013. Today, she serves as Lead Independent Director at Ralph Lauren, board member at Airbnb and WPP, and Chair of Save the Children International.
What topics does speaker Angela Ahrendts cover?
Angela Ahrendts speaks on human-centered leadership, digital transformation, building purpose-driven cultures, and the future of retail and customer experience. Her keynotes draw from her experience leading Burberry's global turnaround and Apple's retail transformation, offering practical frameworks for empowering teams, navigating disruption, and creating genuine connections between brands and people. Her sessions are especially impactful for senior leadership teams, boards, and organizations seeking to evolve their culture alongside their strategy. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to book Angela Ahrendts for your next event.
How to book Angela Ahrendts as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Angela Ahrendts as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Angela Ahrendts's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Angela Ahrendts or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Angela Ahrendts speaking fee?
Angela Ahrendts speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Angela Ahrendts to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Angela Ahrendts.
How can I contact Angela Ahrendts?
We only work with Angela Ahrendts on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Angela Ahrendts and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Angela Ahrendts speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Angela Ahrendts for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Angela Ahrendts for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Angela Ahrendts is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Angela Ahrendts for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
