Kate O'Neill, professional global keynote speaker

As a globally recognized keynote speaker and thought leader, I deliver transformative insights at the intersection of technology, business, and human experience. My talks inspire and equip leaders to navigate digital transformation while creating meaningful human experiences at scale.

Selected speaking engagements demonstrate impact across sectors:

- GLOBAL LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
    - United Nations: Multiple keynotes on data-driven innovation and human experience
    - World Government Summit (Dubai): Future of work presentation to world leaders
    - Amsterdam's Future-Readiness Initiative: Strategic city transformation
- FORTUNE 500 & ENTERPRISE
    - Executive keynotes for Google, IBM, Adobe, Microsoft, Cisco
    - Digital transformation strategies for Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Charles Schwab
    - Innovation workshops for HCA Healthcare, Northwestern Mutual
- SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE
    - Tech Innovation: Talks at Google series, Etsy Engineering Day
    - Academic Leadership: Guest lectures at Cambridge, Harvard, Yale
    - Industry Events: INBOUND, O'Reilly Strata + Hadoop World London

Speaking topics include:

- • The Tech Humanist Approach to Digital Transformation
- • AI Ethics and Responsible Innovation
- • Future-Ready Leadership in a Tech-Driven World
- • Creating Meaningful Human Experiences at Scale

Available for keynotes, executive workshops, and strategic advisory sessions. Past audiences have included C-suite executives and senior leaders from Fortune 500 companies, tech innovators, and global organizations committed to responsible digital transformation.

Professional Keynote Speaker

The Tech Humanist Show

The Tech Humanist Show is a multi-format program exploring how data and technology shape the human experience. Available as both a podcast and video series, the show features in-depth conversations with influential thinkers and leaders in ethical AI, privacy, and emerging technology. Distinguished guests have included Dr. Rumman Chowdhury (former Twitter Director of ML Ethics), David Ryan Polgar (Founder of All Tech Is Human), Dr. Safiya Noble (author of "Algorithms of Oppression"), and Yanis Varoufakis (former finance minister of Greece and author of “Technofeudalism”), among other visionary voices shaping the future of technology and humanity.

Creator, Host, Executive Producer

KO Insights

KO Insights is a premier strategic advisory firm transforming how global organizations navigate the intersection of technology and humanity. We specialize in human-centric digital transformation, AI ethics, and meaningful innovation at scale.

Our expertise delivers measurable impact through executive advisory services, transformative keynotes, and strategic workshops. We help organizations harness emerging technologies while prioritizing meaningful human experiences and responsible innovation.

Select client engagements showcase our impact across sectors:

- Guided a FORTUNE 50 TECH GIANT in developing ethical AI frameworks and human-centric product strategies
- Partnered with a GLOBAL CONSUMER BRAND LEADER to revolutionize their digital customer experience across 100+ markets
- Led digital transformation strategy for a MAJOR HEALTHCARE NETWORK, focusing on patient experience optimization
- Advised a LEADING SMART CITY INITIATIVE on human-centric IoT implementation
- Facilitated strategic innovation workshops for MULTIPLE FORTUNE 100 EXECUTIVE TEAMS

Our client portfolio includes Fortune 100 corporations, global tech leaders, prestigious universities (including Harvard, Cambridge, Yale), major healthcare institutions, government agencies, and the United Nations. We've worked with recognized brands such as Google, IBM, Adobe, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, and McDonald's, delivering transformative insights that drive both business success and human benefit.

We share our insights globally through books, articles, and thought leadership collaborations with major organizations. My upcoming book "What Matters Next: A Leader's Guide to Making Human-Friendly Tech Decisions in a World That's Moving Too Fast" (2025, Wiley and Thinkers50) continues this tradition.

Founder & CEO / Chief Tech Humanist (Expert Consultant/Advisor, Author, Speaker)

Professional Global Keynote Speaker

Leading Authorities, Inc.

BigSpeak Speakers Bureau

Keppler Speakers

London Speaker Bureau

Faith Popcorn's BrainReserve

Have consulted on strategy projects for Fortune 500 clients, including go-to-market consumer strategy for a new pharmaceutical device, as well as providing expert input on trends for client projects from time to time.

Consulting Strategist / Member of "TalentBank" Panel of Experts

Deep Focus

Stepped in temporarily to lead strategy definition for a client roster including household-name consumer brands and global organizations.

Strategy Consultant

Known globally as the "Tech Humanist," Kate O'Neill is a leading voice on AI ethics, responsible tech, and human-centric digital transformation. As a sought-after expert, she advises Fortune 500 leaders and speaks at high-profile events worldwide on navigating our tech-driven future while prioritizing human experiences.

Kate's unique blend of "Strategic Optimism" and tech expertise has made her an in-demand consultant for organizations facing complex challenges in emerging technologies, climate change, and rapid digital transformation. Her insights help businesses innovate responsibly, balancing technological advancement with human values.

Career highlights:

- Author of six books, including the forthcoming "What Matters Next: A Leader's Guide to Making Human-Friendly Tech Decisions in a World That's Moving Too Fast"
- Shortlisted for the prestigious Thinkers50 Digital Thinking Award
- Featured expert on BBC, WIRED, NPR, and other major media outlets
- Pioneering roles: First content management position at Netflix, built Toshiba's first intranet

With over 25 years of cross-functional expertise in technology, strategy, and innovation, Kate has consistently been at the forefront of digital industry practices. Her work spans from data analytics and IoT to AI and machine learning, always with a focus on creating meaningful, scalable human experiences.

Recognized as "Technology Entrepreneur of the Year" and "Strategist of the Year," Kate continues to shape the global conversation on how businesses can thrive in the digital age while making a positive impact on humanity.

For more information, visit: http://www.koinsights.com/about/about-kate-oneill/

Latest book available for pre-order at: 
https://www.amazon.com/What-Matters-Next-Human-Friendly-Decisions/dp/1394296428/

Kate O'Neill

Gavin Ivester

Cisco

Global design & UX leader for the world’s most comprehensive portfolio of human collaboration devices. Guiding business and values-driven transformation of hardware and software product strategy and design.
• New industrial design language delivers substantial reduction of carbon footprint through mass reduction and elimination of waste.
• UX design upgrades reduce cognitive load and streamline workflows.
• Driving substantial hardware and tooling cost savings— direct, bottom line impact.
• Guiding cross functional organization and process improvements to create pipeline of innovation from invention to profits.
• Regular presenter of product portfolio and AI & design strategy to customers, analysts, and press.

Senior Director, Design & UX

Bang & Olufsen

Global design leader for 95-year-old legendary luxury audio brand.
• Aggressive product portfolio upgrade now delivering double-digit year-on-year growth for the third quarter in a row as well as positive EBIT and positive free cash flow. New principle-driven design strategy and twenty five new products.
• Key products: Beoplay E8 family - accelerated earphone expansion strategy, delivering record-high volumes; Beoplay H95 - created a new premium price level for headphones; Beosound Level - created first mobile wifi speaker.
• Transformed internal design culture toward openness and collaboration, with greater focus on cost and sustainability. Upgraded external talent base for more responsiveness and technical skill; still winning design awards.
• Updated brand story, recasting 95 years of history and design principles in modern context and became the opening presenter in major corporate partnership conversations.

Vice President, Design & UX

FLO | THINKERY

FLO | THINKERY grew businesses through innovation.
• Created Blue Chair Bay Rum from scratch— holds the record for the highest first-year sales of a startup spirits brand (and continues to grow.)
• Incubated and advised The Made In Network digital media company which generates more than 500 million views / 4 billion minutes watched per month.
• Advised on innovation, product and brand strategy in consumer products, entertainment, healthcare, banking, and nonprofit.

Founding Partner, Strategic Advisor

Under Armour

Architected Global Footwear product division turnaround, including talent, organization, processes, product line merchandising, design direction and engineering principles.

Creative Consultant

Gibson Guitar

Led communications design and product management, increasing bang for the buck from marketing investments.

Chief Creative Officer

PUMA

Global product responsibility for core business, grew over 400% to €2 billion/80 million pairs.
Led international team comprised of product management, design, and development, plus advanced innovation.
• 4,000 SKUs under management, 2,500 new including 100+ new designs every six months.  Global merchandising, product cost & margin management, multiple KPIs.
• Olympic medals won with Usain Bolt, F1 championships with Michael Schumacher, lightest football boot in 2006 World Cup. Personally invented new, patented cushioning system.

Senior VP & General Manager, International Footwear

Nike

Updated and focused global product design direction for core business.  Led team of 65 of the world's best athletic footwear designers.

Global Creative Director, Footwear

Tonic Industrial Design

Founded financially successful Silicon Valley consultancy, providing production design and future technology design innovation to diverse clients including Samsung, Sony, and Nike.

Founder, President, Creative Director

Apple

Designed the original PowerBook, PowerBook Duo, Newton PDA, Personal LaserWriter printer, and Macintosh IIcx/IIci desktop computers.
Began career at Apple driving a forklift— stayed through design school.  Roles in Engineering department included detailed, toleranced internal component design satisfying all functional and manufacturing requirements.

Senior Industrial Designer

I'm a design executive who's driven exceptional growth in strong brands: Apple, Nike, PUMA, Bang & Olufsen, Cisco. I know what great looks like from the inside.

Silicon Valley tech, European sport/fashion, and entertainment have been my training grounds for brand strategy, innovation, and culture transformation— ultimately to win consumers with commercially and critically successful product portfolios.

• As VP of Design & UX at Bang & Olufsen, I spearheaded a principle-driven design strategy that catalyzed double-digit growth, achieving a positive EBIT and free cash flow. Our team's collaborative spirit and focus on sustainability and cost-efficiency were instrumental in revitalizing a 95-year-old luxury audio brand.
• Led core Footwear division of PUMA to 400% growth in GM/SVP role. Rallied the organization, gave the culture a makeover, and drove strategy, design, and merchandising of 4,000 SKU/$2Billon global product line.
• Global design leader at Nike. Designer of original Apple PowerBook.
• Track record of commercializing innovation to drive strategy and fuel growth, and attracting groups to push together to achieve greatness. Patent holder in footwear and computer design & technology.
• Created Blue Chair Bay Rum business from scratch in collaboration with singer/songwriter Kenny Chesney, in partnership with great friends in FLO {thinkery}. First-year sales set the new all-time record for a startup spirits brand and the business continues to grow.
• Inspiring leader with record of positive impact on development of key team members.

CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER • CHIEF DESIGN OFFICER • CHIEF PRODUCT OFFICER • CONSULTANT/ADVISOR • BOARD MEMBER

Global design & UX leader for the world’s most comprehensive portfolio of human collaboration devices.
• Guiding business and values-driven transformation of hardware and software product strategy and design.
• Guiding cross functional organization and process improvements to create pipeline of innovation from invention to profits.

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