Julio Velasco
Most Decorated Volleyball Coach in History | 2024 Olympic Gold, Paris | 3x World Champion | Volleyball Hall of Fame
Margie Warrell
Bestselling Author | Former Korn Ferry Senior Partner | Global Leadership Advisor to Fortune 500 Executives | Courage Strategist
Courage is the ultimate competitive advantage—and Dr. Margie Warrell has spent decades helping leaders and organizations claim it. As a former Senior Partner in C-Suite Advisory at Korn Ferry and advisor to Fortune 500 executives, NASA, and US Special Operations, she bridges behavioral science with strategic execution to help leaders close the gap between knowing what to do and having the conviction to act. Her work dismantles the psychological barriers that silently undermine performance.
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Margie Warrell biography
Dr. Margie Warrell is a globally recognized authority on courageous leadership whose work bridges the gap between knowing what must be done and having the conviction to act. As a former Senior Partner in C-Suite Advisory at Korn Ferry, she has guided executive teams through transformation, succession planning, and high-stakes cultural change. Her career spans leadership roles at BP and KPMG before establishing her own global advisory practice, giving her firsthand insight into the pressures facing today’s leaders.
Leadership speaker Margie Warrell is best known for her research and practical frameworks on what she calls “the courage gap”—the space between intention and execution where fear, risk aversion, and psychological barriers silently erode performance. Her approach helps leaders dismantle these invisible obstacles and build organizations where bold thinking, candid dialogue, and adaptive action become cultural norms rather than exceptions.
Her latest book, The Courage Gap, earned the 2025 Literary Titan Gold Book Award and the International Impact Book Award, and was named by The Globe and Mail as one of the Best Management Books of 2025. She is a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, a regular contributor to Forbes, Fast Company, and NBC, and was Australia’s first Ambassador for Women in Global Business.
From Rural Australia to Global Stages
Raised on a dairy farm in rural Australia as the eldest of eight siblings, Margie has delivered keynotes across more than 30 countries for organizations including NASA, US Special Operations Command, and Fortune 100 companies. She has interviewed global icons such as Richard Branson, Bill Marriott, and General Stanley McChrystal, and has served on advisory boards including the Women’s Economic Forum and the International Advisory Council for the Women’s Democracy Network.
As a leadership speaker, Dr. Margie Warrell delivers keynotes that combine behavioral science with strategic clarity, helping senior audiences move from insight to impact. Her authentic style—grounded in real-world advisory experience and personal resilience—resonates with executive teams, high-potential programs, and organizations navigating complexity, disruption, or transformation. Audiences leave equipped not just with ideas, but with practical tools to lead with greater conviction when it matters most.
Margie Warrell Speaking Videos
Dr. Margie Warrell | Keynote Speaker Reel on Courage, Leadership & Growth
How to be brave | Margie Warrell | TEDxButler
Margie Warrell Keynote Topics
In periods of relentless disruption and rising complexity, knowing the right strategy isn't enough—leaders must cultivate the conviction to execute it. This keynote challenges the assumption that hesitation is prudence, revealing how fear-driven caution exacts a hidden "timidity tax" that erodes trust, stalls innovation, and weakens competitive positioning. Dr. Margie Warrell unpacks the psychological barriers—imposter beliefs, risk aversion, fear of judgment—that prevent bold execution, and provides a proven framework to dismantle them. Drawing on her experience advising Fortune 500 C-suites and executive teams, she equips leaders to foster psychological safety, drive candid dialogue, and scale courageous action across organizations. Audiences leave with practical tools to lead from values rather than insecurity, turning insight into impact and hesitation into momentum.
Over 85% of professionals cite fear of failure as their greatest barrier to action—yet the cost of inaction is far higher than most realize. This keynote teaches leaders and teams how to reframe fear as useful data rather than a stop signal, transforming discomfort into clarity and connection. Dr. Margie Warrell shares evidence-based strategies to navigate uncertainty, brave difficult conversations, and make high-stakes decisions without a clear roadmap. She introduces practical language tools to reframe setbacks as "plot twists" that build agency and momentum, and provides simple micro-habits to sustain resilience and prevent burnout. Whether leading through organizational change, personal transition, or high-pressure environments, audiences learn to move forward with confidence, deepen trust, and unlock collective courage grounded in genuine psychological safety.
The moments that define leadership aren't scripted—they're the awkward conversations, uncertain decisions, and uncomfortable truths that require stepping forward when retreat feels safer. In this keynote, Dr. Margie Warrell reveals how the instinct to avoid discomfort quietly undermines trust, connection, and growth. She provides a decision lens to help leaders distinguish between smart caution and unproductive hesitation, enabling wiser risk-taking and faster adaptation. Drawing on decades of global advisory work, she demonstrates how braving the awkward becomes the birthplace of meaningful change—deepening relationships, fostering belonging, and creating cultures where bold thinking thrives. Audiences gain actionable frameworks to lead with conviction, communicate with candor, and drive transformation even when the path isn't clear.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Margie Warrell
Why Dr. Margie Warrell?
Booking Dr. Margie Warrell delivers immediate strategic value for organizations facing transformation, disruption, or high-stakes growth. As a former Senior Partner in C-Suite Advisory at Korn Ferry, Margie brings rare credibility—she's advised Fortune 500 boards and executive teams through succession planning, cultural transformation, and critical leadership challenges, not just spoken about them. Her frameworks on closing "the courage gap" directly address the psychological barriers—fear of failure, risk aversion, imposter beliefs—that undermine execution, stall innovation, and weaken trust. Audiences gain actionable tools to lead with conviction, foster psychological safety, and drive bold decision-making at scale. Her keynotes have earned standing ovations at NASA, US Special Operations, and across industries worldwide. For senior leaders navigating complexity and change, Margie offers more than inspiration—she delivers proven strategies that turn hesitation into momentum. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to bring Dr. Margie Warrell to your next event.
What is "the courage gap" concept?
The courage gap is the space between knowing what needs to be done and having the conviction to actually do it. Dr. Margie Warrell's research identifies how fear-based decision-making—driven by risk aversion, fear of judgment, or psychological insecurity—creates a "timidity tax" that quietly undermines organizational performance. Leaders may recognize the right strategic move but delay action, avoid difficult conversations, or default to safe choices that protect the status quo. Margie's frameworks help leaders and teams close this gap by addressing the inner obstacles that limit outer results, enabling bolder execution, stronger trust, and sustained competitive advantage.
Has Dr. Margie Warrell worked with military or government audiences?
Yes. Dr. Margie Warrell has delivered keynotes and workshops for US Special Operations Command, NASA, and Congressional Chiefs of Staff on Capitol Hill. Her work with military and government audiences focuses on decision-making under uncertainty, building resilience in high-pressure environments, and leading through complexity. Her frameworks on courage and risk management resonate strongly in mission-critical contexts where hesitation carries consequences. She has also advised executive teams in the defense and aerospace sectors, bringing the same evidence-based approach to performance psychology that she applies in corporate environments.
What topics does leadership speaker Dr. Margie Warrell cover?
Leadership speaker Dr. Margie Warrell specializes in courageous leadership, decision-making under uncertainty, psychological safety, resilience, and driving cultural transformation. Her keynotes address the behavioral and psychological barriers that prevent bold action—fear of failure, imposter syndrome, risk aversion—and provide practical tools to dismantle them. She works with Fortune 500 executives, senior leadership teams, high-potential programs, and organizations navigating growth, disruption, or change. Margie's content is ideal for audiences focused on innovation, adaptive leadership, executive presence, and building high-trust, high-performance cultures. Her approach blends behavioral science, strategic frameworks, and authentic storytelling to deliver lasting impact. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to book Dr. Margie Warrell for your event.
How to book Margie Warrell as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Margie Warrell as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Margie Warrell'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 Margie Warrell or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Margie Warrell speaking fee?
Margie Warrell 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 Margie Warrell 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 Margie Warrell.
How can I contact Margie Warrell?
We only work with Margie Warrell on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Margie Warrell and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Margie Warrell 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 Margie Warrell for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Margie Warrell for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Margie Warrell is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Margie Warrell for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
