Speaking
Inspiring Audiences with Stories, Strategy, and Impact
Dr. Neri Karra Sillaman doesn’t just deliver speeches—she creates transformative experiences. Drawing on her journey as a refugee-turned-entrepreneur, academic, and author of Pioneers: 8 Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs, Neri brings a rare blend of personal storytelling, deep research, and actionable insights to the stage.
From global corporations to leading universities, her keynotes resonate with leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers who are navigating an uncertain world and seeking strategies to build businesses—and lives—that last.
Topics Neri Speaks On
The Power of the Outsider
How to turn not belonging into your greatest advantage. Drawing from immigrant entrepreneurs who’ve built billion-dollar businesses, Neri explores how “outsider” thinking unlocks resilience, innovation, and long-term success.
Business Longevity: Lessons from Immigrant Entrepreneurs
What does it take to build a business that lasts? Neri distills lessons from pioneers who’ve thrived against the odds—revealing strategies that combine vision, purpose, and sustainable impact.
Creating Purpose-Driven Businesses in a Fast-Paced World
Purpose isn’t a branding exercise—it’s a foundation for growth. Neri shares how leaders can anchor organizations in purpose to inspire teams, foster loyalty, and drive enduring impact.
Resilience in Times of Change
As someone who rebuilt her life from the ground up, Neri teaches how to navigate uncertainty, adapt to challenges, and transform obstacles into opportunities for growth.
Balancing Profit and Purpose
Sustainability, strategy, and success aren’t mutually exclusive. Neri helps leaders embrace business models that align profit with long-term purpose and values.
Why Audiences Choose Neri
Neri’s approach is personal yet universal, academic yet deeply relatable. Her keynotes are:
Authentic: Rooted in her real-life journey of overcoming adversity and building success.
Practical: Backed by decades of research, experience, and examples from global leaders and entrepreneurs.
Inspiring: Delivered with a storyteller’s touch, sparking connection and action.
Whether addressing a room of executives, aspiring entrepreneurs, or thought leaders, Neri leaves audiences with tools to rethink challenges, embrace resilience, and build businesses that stand the test of time.
Previous Speaking Engagements Include
American Club of Paris
Forbes Sustainability Summit, Paris, France
University of Oxford, Saïd Business School, Oxford, UK
Cambridge Judge Business School, Cambridge, UK (Keynote speech delivered in August, 2024)
University of Miami, Miami, Florida
Apple, London, UK
Baker Mackenzie, Paris, France
International Bar Association, Global Leaders Conference
TEDx (Three-time Speaker, including talks featured on TED.com)
Thinkers50
Global Leaders Summit, Istanbul, Turkey
Global HR Summit, Istanbul, Turkey
Luxury Innovation Summit, Geneva, Switzerland
TEDx
Thinkers50
“I was fortunate enough to get to know Neri when she spoke on the subject of sustainable luxury at the IBA European Regional Forum’s luxury and fashion conference in Paris last year. Her passion for positive sustainable business without compromising on quality was clear and motivational. The success she has demonstrated in her own business is a testament to her expertise, vision and strategic focus. She understands the challenges facing businesses in this area.”
“Neri is very knowledgeable in her field of expertise. She has a passionate personality and an incredible ability to share her know-how with enthusiasm. Her oral skills and ability to convince people are unique.”
“Dr. Karra’s work can guide anyone striving to understand or succeed in the world of fashion.”
“Neri is a fantastic speaker who took place at TEDxBournemouthUniversity. Her talk was very personal and inspiring and it moved the whole audience. She was fantastic to work with in the lead up to the event and contributed to its outstanding success.”
“Neri gave an excellent talk at the most recent Oxford Inspires Conference in the Saïd Business School, and demonstrated her fantastic public speaking skills by easily keeping the attention of her audience. Neri communicated clearly, efficiently and enthusiastically to a mix of students and professionals on a variety of her experiences.”
“Neri is a standout speaker whose commitment to sustainability is both inspiring and actionable. In an industry long associated with waste, her vision for building sustainable, thriving businesses is refreshing and transformative. A must-hear for anyone looking to align success with purpose.”
Book Neri
Ready to inspire your audience? Neri’s keynotes can be tailored to your event’s goals and audience needs.