Marie Gleeson
Transform your team's ability to make decisions under pressure with Marie Gleeson, speaker and former Irish Navy Ship Captain. Marie works with diverse organisations to foster resilience, build high performing teams, and develop inclusive leadership, delivering transformational results for Microsoft, the Institute of Directors, the Northern Trust, and more.
Dublin, Ireland
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With over two decades of service in the Irish Navy, Marie’s journey from a young cadet in 1998 to the Commanding Officer of LE AOIFE, a prestigious position within the naval hierarchy, is a testament to her unwavering commitment and leadership capabilities. Her experiences navigating the tumultuous waters of the Atlantic Ocean, where she faced high-stakes challenges such as international drug interdictions and the tragic loss of a colleague at sea, have equipped her with a unique understanding of leadership under pressure.
Throughout her career, Marie has consistently shattered barriers as one of the first female officers in the Irish Navy, making her an authoritative voice on leadership in male-dominated industries. In her keynotes, Marie eloquently conveys the lessons learned from her military career, focusing on the importance of decision-making in high-pressure situations, the value of resilience in high performance arenas, and the necessity of support systems when facing adversity. Her authenticity and engaging delivery make her a sought-after speaker for audiences seeking inspiration and practical leadership insights.
Marie's work as a Leadership Consultant and Coach at NavMar Leadership also highlights her dedication to fostering leadership skills in others, focusing on the power of teamwork, diversity, and inclusion in businesses. She works with leaders and teams across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors delivering transformational results.
Invited to speak at prestigious events like the Pendulum Summit, Marie is a compelling keynote speaker who resonates with diverse audiences. Her talks, often laced with humour and passion, are not just about leadership; they are about overcoming adversity, breaking through barriers, and leading with authenticity and integrity. For anyone seeking a keynote speaker who embodies resilience and holds a deep understanding of the professional and personal challenges military and corporate environments bring, Marie stands out as an exceptional choice.
Topics, Sessions And Talks
In this session, Marie Gleeson discusses key insights from operating in high-tempo, high-risk environments where lives were on the line. She emphasises that high performance is built on systems, commitment, clarity and anchored in trust. To really operate at levels of excellence, teams have to be agile, especially when operating in a world where crisis is the new norm. Marie homes in on the concept of “Team” to ensure that attendees walk away with key insights to enhance their overall success.
To lead effectively, you have to know who you are. It sounds easy, however, developing the self-awareness needed to deliver for your team requires a depth of emotional intelligence that doesn’t always come easy. Marie Gleeson shares the key lessons she learned from leading at the highest level and how she learned the most from when she got it wrong. Authentic is not just a theory of leadership – it is the critical success factor when you get it right.
Marie Gleeson faced and overcame many challenges and barriers as one of the first women in the Irish navy. Her resilience was built through tough training, deployments in the middle of the Atlantic and in the heat of the Chadian desert. But the worst storm she faced was the one that was not forecast. She had all the skills to survive at sea in a life raft – but when life put her in a place of “sink or swim”, – she had to dig deep to survive. Her insights on resilience resonate with attendees long after this session finishes.
Military Leadership Training in the 1990s did not feature classes on feelings or emotions. Mindfulness and Wellbeing were not part of the syllabus. An Officer was always to be in control of their ship and of themselves. Standards were high; life was tough. When you operate in high-risk environments with life and limb on the line, you carry the load on the inside. Marie delivers key insights for attendees on how you can set high standards, make tough decisions, and still lead with compassion.
Looking for a custom keynote or workshop designed around your company’s goals and culture? The expert will create a tailored, interactive session that aligns with your objectives, values, and strategic priorities. From leadership and innovation to wellbeing and collaboration, each experience is built from the ground up to deliver measurable impact and lasting change.
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