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Leadership speaker & McKinsey expert

Joanna Barsh

Explore effective strategies for leadership transformation and empower your team to embrace challenges with Joanna Barsh, speaker and Director Emerita At McKinsey & Company.

Trusted by McKinsey & Company, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Sesame Workshop, Genesco

Joanna Barsh, Speaker | Leadership Expert & Author

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New York City, United States

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Joanna Barsh's biography

At a glance

  • Director Emerita At McKinsey & Company
  • Led the creation of Centered Leadership which helps leaders to transform their organizations and communities
  • The best-selling author of "How Remarkable Women Lead" and "Centered Leadership"
Joanna Barsh, Director Emerita at McKinsey & Company, has over 30 years of experience advising consumer-facing clients on growth strategy, performance transformation, organisational effectiveness, and leadership development. In 2007, she established Centered Leadership to support leaders aiming to transform their organisations and communities. Joanna has worked with over 100 companies, governments, and organisations globally, including in Australia, Brazil, China, and several European countries. She facilitates executive workshops, leads discussions for top teams, and delivers keynotes on centred leadership, women's potential, and engaging Millennials in the workforce. A strong advocate for women, Joanna served on New York City's Commission on Women’s Issues for a decade, appointed by Mayor Bloomberg. She conducted significant research for The Wall Street Journal’s Women in Econ Task Force and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Joanna has spoken at various high-profile events, including Fortune’s Most Powerful Women summit and Women on Wall Street. She is a member of former Secretary Clinton’s International Council of Women Business Leaders and co-chairs its Leadership Working Group. Joanna is the best-selling author of "How Remarkable Women Lead" and "Centered Leadership". Her latest book, "Grow Wherever You Work', aims to help emerging leaders accelerate their growth by embracing challenges, with translations in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese forthcoming. Currently, Joanna is conducting research titled "MAKERS" on the Front Line, involving nearly 50 companies to identify effective actions for advancing women and people of colour. She holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Chicago, and Harvard Business School, where she was a Baker Scholar. After 20 years as a trustee for Sesame Workshop, Joanna now serves on the board of Genesco.

Joanna's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

The Centered Leadership Project
In this session, Joanna Barsh draws on a decade of research and extensive global training to present a toolkit centred on the five dimensions of Centered Leadership. Attendees will explore how to find meaning in their strengths, manage emotions in challenging situations, build supportive relationships, embrace risks, and effectively manage their energy. By the end, participants will gain practical strategies to enhance their leadership capabilities and drive their vision forward.
How Remarkable Women Lead
In this session, Joanna Barsh presents an optimistic perspective on success, introducing innovative concepts of leadership. She emphasises the importance of self-awareness and the power of choice, providing attendees with practical takeaways and a clear roadmap for making a positive impact. Participants will learn how to harness their potential and redefine their approach to leadership.
Grow Wherever You Work
In a rapidly evolving workplace, rising leaders must navigate new challenges effectively. Joanna Barsh, through interviews with over 200 high-performing leaders across 120 companies, identifies key obstacles in American business today. Her session offers strategies for managing work pressure, overcoming self-criticism, and embracing risk-taking. While aimed at millennials, the insights are equally valuable for Human Resources Executives and Managers seeking innovative ways to support young employees. Attendees will learn practical approaches to enhance leadership and foster workplace resilience.

Why we recommend booking Joanna

Book Joanna to inspire your team with her unparalleled expertise in leadership and organisational transformation. Her insights on centred leadership and diversity will empower your workforce, drive engagement, and unlock potential. With a proven track record across global industries, Joanna is the catalyst your organisation needs for meaningful change.

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Trusted by McKinsey & Company, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Sesame Workshop, Genesco

Testimonials

Practical advice from a role model of purpose, passion, and perseverance.

Angela Duckworth

Author of Grit & Professor of Psychology

A prominent thought leader on talent and leadership, Joanna helps us turn difficult work challenges into personal and professional growth, spinning gold from inspiring stories, valuable coaching, and the caring mentorship we all want and need. Treasure this book.

Eileen Naughton

Vice President, Human Resources, Google

Joanna draws upon decades of experience as a leadership advisor, along with real-life stories from high performers, to provide professionals at any stage of their career with an empowering and very practical toolkit on how to grow through challenges and drive toward purpose at work.

Global Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company

Global Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company

Featured Projects

Grow Wherever You Work
Centered Leadership
How Remarkable Women Lead

frequently asked questions

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How do I book Joanna Barsh for my next event?
Email joanna.barsh@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience. As speaker agents, PepTalk can secure Joanna Barsh for commercial and corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity brand endorsements & partnerships, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Joanna Barsh's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. Please note, for media interviews, autographs, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Joanna Barsh directly.
What is Joanna Barsh's speaking style like?
Joanna delivers practical, inspiring advice with warmth and expertise, blending real-life stories and actionable strategies. Her style empowers professionals to grow through challenges and pursue purpose with confidence.
What topics does Joanna Barsh specialise in?
Joanna Barsh specialises in discussing leadership development, women's empowerment, organisational effectiveness and more.
What does 'typical fee range' mean?

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