Herminia Ibarra

Herminia Ibarra is a globally renowned authority on leadership, organisational behaviour and career transformation, best known as the Professor of Organisational Behaviour at London Business School and the former Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. Herminia is celebrated for helping leaders navigate change, authenticity and professional reinvention, recognised among the 50 Gurus of the World’s Most Influential Businesses and named in the Thinkers50 rankings. Her keynote speeches combine academic rigour with practical insight, making her one of the most sought-after leadership speakers for organisations undergoing transformation, innovation and cultural change.

Herminia began her academic journey studying organisational behaviour at Yale University, where she earned both an MA and PhD. In 1989, she joined Harvard Business School as a Professor of Organisational Behaviour, spending 13 years shaping future business leaders and developing influential research on leadership and identity. In 2002, she joined INSEAD as the Cora Chaired Professor of Leadership & Learning, where her work led to the creation of the Leadership Transition executive programme. She later moved to London Business School as the Charles Handy Professor of Organisational Behaviour, while also contributing to the World Economic Forum as a member of its Expert Network and Global Agenda Council.

An award-winning author, Herminia wrote the acclaimed books ‘Act Like a Leader’, ‘Think Like a Leader’ and ‘Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career’. Her articles have appeared in publications including the Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal and Academy of Management Journal. Her achievements include being elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 2019, winning the Warren Bennis Prize and receiving the Academy of Management’s Scholar-Practitioner Award. In 2024, she was recognised at The Case Centre Awards and listed among the Top 50 Bestselling Case Authors.

As a speaker, Herminia is valued for translating complex leadership theories into actionable strategies for modern organisations. Her TED talk on “The Authenticity Paradox” established her as a leading voice on leadership identity, while engagements with Wired, TEDx and international HR conferences have demonstrated her ability to connect with audiences worldwide. Combining academic excellence with real-world business understanding, she equips leaders with the confidence to embrace change, develop influence and lead effectively in uncertain environments.

Herminia Ibarra is hired as a speaker for her unrivalled expertise in leadership transformation, organisational behaviour and career reinvention. Drawing on decades of research at Harvard Business School, INSEAD and London Business School, she delivers practical frameworks that help leaders adapt to change and strengthen influence. Her talks and appearances at global conferences, including Wired and TEDx, have made her a respected authority on modern leadership. Herminia’s engaging style, combined with evidence-based insight, enables organisations to better navigate innovation, talent development and executive transition.

Here are some of the key milestones that define Herminia Ibarra’s remarkable career:

  • 2024 – Awarded The Case Centre Awards 2024 for her continued influence on business education and leadership studies.
  • 2023 – Listed among the Top 50 Bestselling Case Authors for her globally used business case studies.
  • 2023 – Named in the Thinkers50 rankings as one of the world’s leading management thinkers.
  • 2023 – Published ‘Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career’, exploring career reinvention and professional identity.
  • 2022 – Received the Best Teacher Award in recognition of her impact on executive education.
  • 2021 – Awarded the Scholarly Contributions to Educational Practice Advancing Women in Leadership Award.
  • 2019 – Elected Fellow of the British Academy and won the Excellence in Teaching Prize.
  • 2017 – Appointed the Charles Handy Professor of Organisational Behaviour at London Business School.
  • 2015 – Published ‘Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader’, one of the leading books on executive leadership development.
  • 2008 – Served as an instructor for the World Economic Forum, advising global leaders on leadership and organisational transformation.