Betsy Myers

Betsy Myers is a leadership expert, author, and former senior advisor to Presidents Clinton and Obama whose three decades of experience spanning corporate, political, and academic environments have made her one of the most trusted voices on authentic leadership, women in business, and the future of work. She speaks on leadership transformation, gender equity, authentic leadership, and organizational culture, drawing from her role as Chief Operating Officer of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign and her work founding the Center for Women and Business at Bentley University. Her book Take the Lead was named the Washington Post’s Best Leadership Book of the Year.

From the Clinton White House to the Obama Campaign
Myers served in President Clinton’s administration and then joined Barack Obama’s campaign in January 2007 as Chief Operating Officer, tasked with building a 100-million-dollar organization from the ground up using a business model and customer service philosophy. She later served as Executive Director of the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School and is currently a Senior Advisor at the Warren Bennis Leadership Institute at the University of Cincinnati.

Author, Researcher & Advocate
Myers has consulted, spoken, and led workshops for organizations ranging from groups of 10 to audiences exceeding 15,000, covering topics from authentic leadership to engaging men in partnership to advance women. Her research explores what it means to lead with both head and heart in an increasingly complex world. She speaks on leadership effectiveness, women in leadership, organizational culture, diversity and inclusion, and career development.

What does Betsy Myers speak about?

Betsy Myers speaks on women’s leadership and executive presence, drawing on firsthand experience at the highest levels of American politics and government. Her keynotes give audiences practical strategy for building influence and leading with authenticity.

What is Betsy Myers’s background?

Myers served as chief operating officer of the Obama White House and has advised at senior levels in both the Clinton and Obama administrations, with deep expertise in women’s leadership.

Who books Betsy Myers to speak?

Meeting planners book Betsy Myers for women’s leadership conferences, government and policy events, and corporate audiences focused on executive presence.

Leadership Creates a Feeling

Research and statistics indicate that as many as one in two American workers feel disconnected in their workplace. This accounts for $350 billion of lost productivity each year. At the same time, American companies spend millions a year on leadership development programs. Leadership speaker Betsy Myers challenges us by asking, “Are we teaching the right practices to our future leaders?” Her newest book describes an often counterintuitive view of leadership. When people “feel” valued, supported, appreciated, included, and understood, they are inspired to do their best work. The job of any leader is to bring out the productive feelings of their people. Myers describes seven principles that serve as a road map for any leader who aspires to bring out the best in their people. This is not just the right thing to do, but is a proven strategy to profitability and success.

Authentic Leadership & the Leader in You

The leader in each of us is realized the moment we say, “This is the real me.” What is the pearl that each of us is adding to the world and how do we identify that special quality? During the past 50 years, leadership scholars have conducted more than 1,000 studies to determine definitive styles, characteristics, or personality traits of the ideal leader. None have produced a clear profile or consistent skills, traits, or styles that led to success; rather, leadership emerged from our life stories. Authenticity is an understanding of our personal story and what gives us meaning in our lives. We trust leaders who are authentic and not trying to be someone else. In this session, leadership speaker Betsy Myers will take listeners through the journey of authentic leadership, what it looks like for each of us, and how we can help others around us live their most authentic life.

Women & Leadership

In this provocative presentation, keynote speaker Betsy Myers discusses important research and thinking around women in leadership. She explores the history of the movement for equality and shares insights gleaned from her work with Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, and Bella Abzug. Tracing her own career path from the financial services industry to her roles in the Clinton Administration, the Harvard Kennedy School Center for Public Leadership, and the Obama Presidential Campaign, Myers brings perspective from her experiences as a successful female leader. She helps audiences understand what it will take to continue closing the confidence gap, how to confront the balance question (“Is it really possible?”), the different leadership styles of men and women, and leadership necessary for the next generation of women.