Dr Kate Barker keynotes in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Dr. Kate Barker – Visionary Futurist, Leadership Strategist & Global Voice on the Future of Work
Dr. Kate Barker is an award-winning futurist, board advisor, keynote speaker, and global expert in human capital, leadership, and generative AI. With over 30 years of experience, she has helped shape transformative strategies for Fortune 500 companies, governments, and royal leadership across the globe.
Currently serving as Chief Futurist and Executive Board Member, Dr. Barker is also an External Advisor to McKinsey & Company and BCG. Her insights have been featured by CNN, BBC, and FOX, and she serves as adjunct faculty at Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan Management, and HULT Executive Education.
Dr. Barker brings rigorous academic depth and real-world impact to every engagement. Holding a Doctorate in Leadership in the GenAI Era, an MBA, and a Master’s in Organizational Psychology, she blends evidence-based strategy with bold vision to help organizations thrive in a fast-changing world.
Notable Achievements & Stories
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Chief Futurist of NEOM, the $500B mega-city in Saudi Arabia, shaping visionary strategies for a future-focused society.
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Advisor to Royalty and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE on leadership transformation and economic strategy.
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Top Global Recognitions, including:
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Global No.1 Voice on the Future of Work (2023)
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Top Global Power Leader (2024)
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Top 10 Global Women in Tech (2022 & 2024)
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Most Admired Women Leader (2024)
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Top 10 Executive Coaches Globally
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International Board Advisor & C-Suite Consultant, with successful engagements across Microsoft, Amazon, Aramco, SAP, Deloitte, CITI, Google, and more.
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Former Global Consulting Partner at EY (New York) and PwC (Singapore).
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Keynote Speaker at 100+ Global Events Annually, and contributor to high-level executive roundtables and summits.
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Academic Leader, with 14+ years in faculty roles at elite institutions, merging psychology, leadership, and future-tech strategy.
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Marathon Runner and Life Enthusiast, with a self-deprecating love for cooking, dancing, and singing — despite claiming no talent for any.
Language spoken by the keynote speaker:
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English
Key Themes & Expertise
🌐 The Future of Work & Leadership in the GenAI Era
How generative AI is transforming the nature of leadership, skills, and human capital in business and government.
🧠 Human Capital Strategy & Organizational Transformation
Blueprints for developing agile, people-first organizations in an era of disruption and automation.
🚀 Futurism, Innovation & Strategic Foresight
Empowering boards and C-suite leaders to anticipate, prepare for, and lead through global megatrends.
🤖 AI, Digital Ethics & Trust in Technology
Balancing innovation with responsible leadership to create trust in digital systems and algorithms.
🌍 Global Leadership & Inclusive Economies
Guiding leaders to build inclusive, future-ready cultures that thrive across borders and demographics.
💡 Executive Coaching & Board-Level Strategy
Mentoring global leaders through complexity with evidence-based, forward-thinking leadership models.
As industries face unprecedented transformation, Dr. Kate Barker’s keynote equips organizations with the vision, tools, and mindset to lead into the unknown. With cutting-edge insights on GenAI, human capital, and boardroom strategy, she empowers leaders to shift from reactive to proactive — and from today’s challenges to tomorrow’s opportunities.
Her talks aren’t just inspiring — they’re strategic, evidence-based, and deeply relevant to the global business and policy landscape.
