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.
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.
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.
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.
