Keynote Speakers

Benja Stig FAGERLAND

Award-winning Associate Professor, Author, Board Member, and Researcher specializing in Sustainable Leadership, Social Sustainability, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB), and Artificial Intelligence. Founder of Corporate Diversity Responsibility (CDR™) and SHEconomy®, dedicated to fostering inclusive leadership and systemic change.

Recognitions & Honors
  • Women Inspiring Europe: Recognized as one of 12 “Women Inspiring Europe” by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE).
  • European Diversity Awards: Highly Commended for “Campaigner of the Year.”
  • UN Women Acknowledgment: Celebrated as a “shining star for gender equality.”
  • Norwegian Recognition: Listed among Norway’s Most Impressive Women.
  • Award Shortlists: Nominated for “Society Builder of the Year” and “Woman of the Year.”

International Media Commentator
A respected voice on DEIB, women in leadership, board diversity, social sustainability, and sustainable leadership. Frequently featured in:

  • Print & Online Media: The New York Times, The Independent, The Guardian, Financial Times, International Herald Tribune, El País, Le Figaro, Der Spiegel, The Australian Financial Review, The Sunday Times Magazine, ABC News, etc.

Television & Radio Appearances
Regular contributor to discussions on leadership, diversity, and sustainability on major news networks:
  • Global Networks: BBC World, ABC News, Good Morning Australia, BBC, DR NEWS, TV2 NEWS (Denmark & Norway), NRK NEWS, Icelandic Broadcasting, ORF (Österreichischer Rundfunk), etc.

Keynote Speaker at Global Events
Invited keynote speaker at major international conferences, including:
  • UN Women Annual Conference (Seoul)
  • The Nordic Council of Ministers (Korea)
  • Google AI (Silicon Valley & Switzerland)
  • National Australia Bank & Australia Post (Sydney, Melbourne, London)
  • UN ILO (Geneva)

Academic & Research Expertise
As an Associate Professor and researcher at the USN School of Business, I specialize in:
  • Sustainable Leadership
  • Strategic & Social Sustainability
  • Leadership Innovation
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)

My research focuses on integrating these principles into leadership practices to foster long-term organizational success and drive systemic transformation.

Founder & Leader: SHEconomy®
SHEconomy® is a pioneering platform dedicated to driving systemic change in leadership through Corporate Diversity Responsibility (CDR™) and social sustainability. By uniting industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers, it addresses structural barriers and promotes inclusive leadership.

Through research-driven insights, strategic collaborations, exclusive annual summits, roundtables, and forums, SHEconomy® strives to create lasting, measurable impact.

Board Member & Strategic Advisor
  • Board Member, GoForIT: Providing strategic guidance for diversity and growth within the tech sector.
Architect of NHO Female Future: Instrumental in elevating over 2,000 women to board positions.