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Lisa Witter    

CEO of Apolitical Foundation, Co-founder of Apolitical, Behavioral Science Expert

For nearly forty years, Lisa Witter has been immersed in leadership, starting from her childhood response to a gun violence epidemic and extending into her work with a diverse range of professionals, including scientists, CEOs, entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists, and politicians globally.

As a serial entrepreneur, Lisa Witter applies her diverse expertise as the CEO and co-founder of the Apolitical Foundation, aiming to cultivate capable 21st-century political leaders. She is also the co-founder and board member of Apolitical, a peer-to-peer learning platform that serves over 175,000 public servants across 170 countries and was recognized as one of Fast Company’s "Most Innovative Companies in the World." Additionally, she heads WITTER Ventures GmbH, collaborating with NGOs, foundations, and corporations to foster innovative solutions.

Witter is a seasoned public speaker, engaging audiences globally at prestigious venues like TEDWomen, the World Economic Forum, and the Clinton Global Initiative. Her insights are sought after in media outlets such as CBS, MSNBC, and NPR, and she has been published in The Seattle Times, Newsday, and Fast Company. A World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Witter has co-chaired the Forum’s Council on Agile Governance and served on their Brain and Behavior Council. Her recognition includes the 2020 Creative Bureaucracy Award and being named a BMW Foundation Futurity Fellow in 2022. She holds deep expertise in behavioral science, politics, psychology, and public service, and is an advocate for women's empowerment, influence science, and corporate social responsibility.

Educated at the University of California Santa Cruz, the University of Washington, Yale, and Harvard, Witter identifies as an obsessively curious autodidact. She is a certified NeuroLeadership coach and is currently exploring the synergies between nature and leadership in the AI era. Witter, originally from the Pacific Northwest and now based in Berlin, balances her urban life with a passion for the outdoors. She continues to co-lead 'climate leadership' expeditions to Greenland and serves as a leadership coach and trainer for National Geographic.

Speech Topics


The Nature of Leadership: What nature and science can teach you about leadership and collaboration, and why this is good for your start-up and the Speedvest ecosystem

In this highly interactive and kinetic session, you will identify your ‘nature-based’ leadership typology, apply learnings in small groups, and consider the benefits of integrating nature-based solutions into your leadership. (Don’t worry, it will be fun and fruitful.)

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