Bill Benjamin
Emotional Intelligence, Performance & Leadership Expert | Partner at the Institute for Health and Human Potential | Contributor to NYT Bestseller Performing Under Pressure
Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez
Creator of the Project Economy | Two-Time Thinkers50 Thinker | Vice President, Association for Project Management | HBR's Most Published PM Author
Called 'the father of modern project management' by Harvard Business Review, speaker Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez created the Project Economy concept and ranks twice among the Thinkers50. He has advised more than 80 organizations and trained over 10,000 leaders in strategy execution and transformation. Senior teams book Antonio for the frameworks and clarity they need to prioritize ruthlessly and turn ambitious strategy into results, even amid AI disruption.
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Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez biography
Management speaker Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez is the world’s leading champion of project management and transformation at scale, described by Harvard Business Review’s Adi Ignatius as “the father of modern project management.” He created the influential “Project Economy” concept, first set out in his acclaimed HBR article “The Project Economy Has Arrived,” which reframed projects, rather than routine operations, as the primary engine of value creation in modern organizations.
His career spans senior roles across consulting, financial services, and pharmaceuticals. He spent a decade at PricewaterhouseCoopers, rising to global lead practitioner for change and project management, and later held leadership positions at BNP Paribas Fortis and GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines. That experience grounds his thinking in the practical realities of executing complex programs at scale, and it shapes the frameworks he brings to executive audiences today.
Defining the Project-Driven Organization
Antonio has contributed 35 articles to Harvard Business Review, more than any other author on the subject, and has written seven books, including the Harvard Business Review Project Management Handbook, The Focused Organization, The Project Revolution, and his latest, Powered by Projects: Leading Your Organization in the Transformation Age (HBR Press). A Fellow and former Chairman of the Project Management Institute, he now serves as Vice President of the Association for Project Management. As founder of Projects & Co and co-founder of the Strategy Implementation Institute, he has built globally recognized certifications in artificial intelligence for project leaders and in strategy implementation. He has advised more than 80 companies, among them Nestlé, Google, L’Oréal, Roche, and Moody’s, and trained over 10,000 leaders worldwide. He teaches at Hult, Duke CE, IE Business School, Solvay, Vlerick, and Skolkovo.
As a speaker, Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez has delivered more than 600 presentations across six continents, at events including TEDx and the Gartner Summits, consistently earning top-speaker ratings. His keynotes on management, strategy execution, and organizational transformation give senior leaders the frameworks they need to prioritize ruthlessly and turn ambitious strategy into measurable results.
Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez Speaking Videos
Antonio Nieto Rodriguez - Yes, our brain is masochist
Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez - The Importance of Project Management Skills
Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez Keynote Topics
Most organizations run dozens of initiatives at once, and the ones that win are those that prioritize with discipline. Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, creator of the Project Economy, explains why execution fails far more often from a lack of focus than from a lack of ideas. Using his Hierarchy of Purpose framework and cases from companies such as Apple, Lego, and Singapore Airlines, he shows how the best-run organizations concentrate energy on the projects that matter most. Leaders leave with a practical toolkit for aligning teams, retiring low-value work, and building execution into the culture.
The operating model built on stable, repeatable processes no longer holds up in a world of continuous change. Drawing on his latest book Powered by Projects and his Harvard Business Review research, Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez makes the case for the project-driven organization, where projects sit at the center of how companies are structured, led, and rewarded. He works through the practical challenges of the shift, from governance and talent to measurement and culture, and offers a roadmap senior executives can start applying right away.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping every function in the enterprise, and project management is no exception. As the creator of globally recognized certifications in AI for project leaders, Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez guides audiences through what is changing in project planning, risk assessment, resource allocation, and stakeholder communication. He is equally clear about what AI cannot replace: strategic judgment, stakeholder empathy, and the human leadership that turns good plans into real outcomes. A grounded, practical talk for any organization adopting AI without losing the human element behind successful transformation.
Why do some organizations reliably deliver on their strategic promises while others accumulate stalled initiatives? Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez has spent decades on this question, advising more than 80 companies, among them Nestlé, Google, L'Oréal, Roche, and Moody's, and codifying his findings across 35 Harvard Business Review articles. In this keynote he identifies the cultural, structural, and leadership factors that separate high-execution organizations from those trapped in overcommitment and underdelivery. Attendees gain a clear method for diagnosing their own execution gaps and a set of proven interventions for completing strategic projects on time, on budget, and with measurable impact.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez
Why Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez?
Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez is the world's leading champion of project management and strategy execution, described by Harvard Business Review as 'the father of modern project management' and ranked twice among the Thinkers50. He created the Project Economy concept, is the most published project management author in the history of Harvard Business Review with 35 articles, and has advised more than 80 organizations while training over 10,000 leaders worldwide. With more than 600 presentations delivered across six continents and consistently top-rated evaluations, he pairs genuine intellectual depth with the credibility of someone who has led complex transformations firsthand. Book Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez through Aurum Speakers Bureau to bring world-class strategy and execution expertise to your next event.
What is the Project Economy?
The Project Economy is a concept coined by Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez and introduced in his Harvard Business Review article 'The Project Economy Has Arrived.' It argues that projects, rather than routine operations, have become the primary engine of value creation in the modern economy. Instead of creating value mainly by optimizing stable, repeatable processes, organizations increasingly create it by launching, executing, and completing strategic initiatives. Digital transformation, shifting markets, and the constant need for reinvention have accelerated the trend, and Nieto-Rodriguez's frameworks help leaders restructure their organizations to thrive within it.
What are Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez's most influential books?
Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez has written seven books on project management and strategy. The Harvard Business Review Project Management Handbook offers a comprehensive guide to launching, leading, and sponsoring successful projects. The Focused Organization examines how companies achieve better results by concentrating resources on fewer, higher-impact initiatives. The Project Revolution explores the rise of the Project Economy and its implications for business and society. His latest, Powered by Projects: Leading Your Organization in the Transformation Age (HBR Press), sets out a blueprint for the project-driven organization. Together they form a coherent body of work that has shaped modern management practice.
What can audiences expect from an Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez keynote?
Audiences consistently rate Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez among the top speakers at any event. His keynotes combine Harvard Business Review frameworks with real cases from organizations such as Nestlé, Google, L'Oréal, and Roche, delivered in an accessible, engaging style with takeaways senior leaders can apply immediately. Whether the focus is strategy execution, the Project Economy, AI in project management, or organizational transformation, he connects with executive audiences through a blend of intellectual depth and practical relevance. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to discuss how Antonio can tailor his presentation to the goals of your event.
How to book Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez'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 Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez speaking fee?
Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez 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 Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez 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 Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez.
How can I contact Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez?
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Can I book Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
