Keynote Presentation

“I have been formally trained in some of the best institutions in the United States including US military flight school, where upon completion I flew over 50 combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan as a Helicopter Aircraft Commander. Needless to say, I have a high standard regarding executive development & training, and Professor Sattar Bawany in his Keynote Presentation masterfully weaves “VUCA” principles into his deep insight into leadership qualities creating training that far exceeds expectations and is immensely valuable to all leaders who inevitably will be faced with decisions of disruption no matter the industry.”

Dr. Christopher J. Garnier
Executive Director, AIT Extension, Asian Institute of Technology
Former Captain, US Marine Corps Combat Helicopter Pilot.

HIGH-IMPACT & INSPIRING KEYNOTE SPEECHES

In today’s rapidly evolving global business landscape, organizations are grappling with unprecedented disruptions. From geopolitical shifts and pandemics to rapid technological changes and evolving workforce expectations, leaders are being tested in ways never before seen. In this volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous, and disruptive (VUCAD) world, the demand for transformational leadership is not just critical—it is existential.

Amidst this backdrop, Professor Sattar Bawany, CEO of the Disruptive Leadership Institute LLC (DLI) and C-Suite Master Executive Coach at the Centre for Executive Education (CEE), emerges as one of the most authoritative and inspiring voices in the realm of disruptive leadership, crisis management, and the transformation of next-generation leaders. Engaging Prof Bawany as a keynote speaker for your event is not only a strategic decision but also a powerful opportunity to catalyze change and thought leadership within your organization or community.

Why Professor Sattar Bawany?

Professor Bawany brings over 30 years of international experience in leadership development, organizational transformation, talent management, and executive coaching and has delivered extensive keynote sessions, both in person and virtually, across industries. His unique value lies in his ability to distill complex leadership concepts into actionable strategies grounded in empirical research and real-world application. He knows what it takes to deliver content that will engage and inspire your workforce—and create organizational change aligned with your strategy and goals. As the author of acclaimed books such as Transforming the Next Generation of Leaders (2019), Leadership in Disruptive Times (2023) and The Making of a CR.I.S.I.S. Leader, (2025) Prof Bawany blends academic insight with executive-level practicality-making him an unparalleled resource for today’s organizations.

Some key differentiators include:

Global Thought Leadership: Recognized globally for his work on disruptive leadership and executive development, Prof Bawany’s insights are regularly featured in international journals and industry panels.

Research-Based Expertise: His leadership frameworks are rooted in extensive research conducted through DLI and CEE, ensuring credibility and practical application.

Dynamic Presentation Style: Known for his engaging delivery, Prof Bawany combines storytelling, data, and case studies to captivate and inspire audiences.

Tailored Content: Each keynote is customized to the specific audience and contextual challenges faced by the organization or industry.

Each Keynote sessions vary from 1 to 3 hours in length and can be delivered in person or virtually. They are designed to provide a quick, but intensive exploration of a critical topic. Packed with actionable takeaways, we invite you to select the session that best fits your talent development goals to ensure maximum impact. Keynote sessions can be used as a stand-alone leadership development opportunity or leveraged as part of a broader initiative, inclusive of consulting, coaching, and leadership assessment.

KEYNOTE THEMES ALIGNED TO CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS

1. CRISIS AND DISRUPTIVE LEADERSHIP IN A VUCAD WORLD

As the world becomes more complex and connected, the threat of a corporate crisis grows. There are instances everywhere: we have experienced first-hand how when a pandemic spreads worldwide, it causes massive global business disruption and a public health disaster; a corruption scandal causes a corporate leader to step down; the sudden death of a CEO without succession planning in place; a data breach shakes customer confidence; quality issues trigger a widespread product recall. These are just a few examples among many of the recent corporate crises.

In this keynote session, Professor Sattar Bawany articulates why the right leadership is critical for organizations to thrive in a disruptive business environment. In an era where crises are no longer episodic but continuous, the traditional leadership playbook no longer suffices. Leaders must now embrace agility, resilience, and innovation to navigate constant disruption. Prof Bawany’s keynote on this topic also addresses:

The anatomy of a crisis and how leaders should respond in real-time.
Characteristics of disruptive leaders and how to cultivate these traits.
Strategic decision-making under uncertainty and complexity.
Leading through the lifecycle of disruption—from reaction to recovery to reinvention.
Case studies of companies and leaders who thrived amid crises.

Attendees will walk away with a clear roadmap for building personal and organizational resilience, equipped with proven tools for navigating chaos with confidence and clarity.

2. AUGMENTED LEADERSHIP: HARNESSING AI FOR SUSTAINABLE ORGANIZATIONS AND HIGH-PERFORMING PEOPLE

Artificial Intelligence is not just transforming business processes—it’s reshaping what it means to lead, to perform, and to build organizations that last. As AI evolves from a tool to a strategic partner, today’s leaders face a critical challenge: how to lead humanely and strategically in an AI-augmented world, ensuring both organizational sustainability and elevated employee performance.

In this thought-provoking keynote, Professor Sattar Bawany unpacks the seismic shifts that AI is triggering in the leadership landscape. Far from replacing leaders, AI demands a new kind of leadership—one that is data-informed, values-driven, and deeply human. He will explore how forward-thinking leaders can integrate AI not just to automate, but to amplify human potential, foster innovation, and build organizations that are resilient, inclusive, and purpose-led.
Key focus areas include:

Leading with augmented intelligence: Blending human judgment with machine insights for smarter decisions
Driving sustainability through predictive AI: Anticipating risks, managing resources, and optimizing impact
Enhancing employee performance: Using AI to personalize development, reduce burnout, and boost engagement
Redesigning leadership mindsets for the AI era: From control to collaboration, from process to purpose
Creating ethical frameworks for trustworthy AI integration in the workplace

This keynote challenges leaders to reimagine not just how they use AI, but how they lead with it—ensuring a future where both organizations and their people can thrive together.

3. FROM DIGITAL NATIVES TO HUMAN-CENTERED INNOVATORS: SHAPING FUTURE LEADERS FOR INDUSTRY 5.0

As the world moves beyond automation and into the age of Industry 5.0, where technology and humanity converge, a radical transformation in leadership is underway. The future belongs to those who can lead with empathy as well as efficiency, intuition as well as intelligence, and values as well as vision.

This inspiring keynote by Professor Sattar Bawany delves into the urgent need to redefine leadership for a new era—one where human-centric innovation, collaborative intelligence, and purpose-driven transformation are the cornerstones of progress.

Industry 5.0 demands more than digital fluency—it calls for leaders who can harness emerging technologies like AI, robotics, and quantum computing while staying deeply attuned to the needs of people, the planet, and future generations. Prof Bawany presents a compelling case for reshaping leadership pipelines and cultivating next-gen leaders who are adaptive, ethical, and visionary.

Key takeaways include:

Core competencies for Industry 5.0 leadership: from technological acumen to emotional intelligence
Creating human-machine synergy in decision-making and team dynamics
Designing leadership development ecosystems that are agile, inclusive, and future-ready
Equipping emerging leaders to manage sustainability, innovation, and social impact
Case studies of organizations pioneering next-gen leadership transformation

This keynote is not just a roadmap—it’s a rallying call for organizations to future-proof their leadership strategy, and empower a new generation to lead with courage, compassion, and creativity in an era defined by unprecedented change.

BRIEF PROFILE OF KEYNOTE SPEAKER – PROF SATTAR BAWANY

Professor Sattar Bawany is the CEO of Disruptive Leadership Institute (DLI) LLC, New York, and the C-Suite Certified Master Executive Coach of the Centre for Executive Education Pte Ltd.

He has 35 years of international business management experience, including 25 years in executive coaching, group facilitation, and leadership development and training with global management consulting firms. He has over 25 years of concurrent academic experience as an Adjunct Professor at various leading universities and currently serves as a Professor of Practice in Disruptive Leadership and Digital Transformation with the European International University – Paris (EIU). He is also a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council.

CEO Weekly magazine in its October 2, 2023 Edition, named Prof Sattar Bawany alongside Dr Marshall Goldsmith and Tony Robbins as the top 15 exceptional executive coaches who have had a major influence in leadership development and coaching.

He was recognized as one of the “Top 10 Best CEOs in Singapore” by CEO Insights Asia magazine in 2023. He was honored with the “2019 Executive of the Year for Human Resources Consulting” award during the 2019 Singapore Business Review (SBR) Management Excellence Awards.

Prof Bawany is an accomplished author and has published an extensive series of articles and books on leadership. His book “Transforming NextGen Leaders: Meeting the Leadership Challenges in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0)” was published in July 2019 by Business Expert Press (BEP). His second book entitled “Leadership in Disruptive Times” (2020) also published by BEP examines the best practices approaches and tools for meeting the leadership challenges in a disruptive, VUCA, and digital-driven workplace. The revised edition of “Leadership in Disruptive Times: Negotiating the New Balance” was published in April 2023.

Prof Bawany’s latest book “The Making of a C.R.I.S.I.S. Leader” (Business Expert Press, 2025) was released globally on 7 March 2025.

VIEW PROF SATTAR BAWANY'S IN ACTION