Howard Behar
Former President, Starbucks International | Bestselling Author | Servant Leadership Pioneer
Former SVP, Apple Retail & CEO, Burberry | Lead Independent Director, Ralph Lauren | Chair, Save the Children International | DBE
Few executives have led two of the world's most iconic brands at the highest level. Angela Ahrendts DBE tripled revenue as CEO of Burberry, then reimagined retail for a billion annual visitors as SVP at Apple. Now Lead Independent Director at Ralph Lauren and Chair of Save the Children International, she brings a rare blend of commercial rigor and purpose-driven vision to conversations on leadership, culture, and digital transformation.
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Speaker Angela Ahrendts DBE is one of the most influential leadership speakers in global business. She currently serves as Lead Independent Director at Ralph Lauren Corporation, Senior Independent Non-Executive Director at WPP, and board member at Airbnb — a portfolio of governance roles that reflects her standing at the intersection of technology, luxury, and brand strategy.
Her career-defining chapter at Apple, where she served as Senior Vice President of Retail from 2014 to 2019, saw her reimagine the customer experience for over 500 stores across 24 countries. She oversaw 70,000 employees, launched the “Today at Apple” educational initiative, and transformed Apple’s retail spaces into community hubs 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, elevating the heritage brand into a global digital luxury powerhouse.
Beyond corporate governance, Ahrendts has devoted herself to causes that mirror her leadership philosophy. She has served as Chair of Save the Children International since 2021 and sits on the boards of charity: water and the HOW Institute for Society. She also serves as Senior Operating Advisor at SKKY Partners. In 2013, she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her services to business.
As a speaker, Angela Ahrendts draws from her rare experience leading two of the world’s most iconic brands to challenge audiences on what it means to lead with empathy, authenticity, and purpose. Her keynotes move beyond theory — she offers hard-won frameworks for building trust across diverse teams, navigating digital transformation, and creating cultures where people choose to give their best. Senior executives and boards leave her sessions with a renewed understanding of why human-centered leadership is not just admirable but essential for long-term business performance.
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.
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