<p>One of the top leadership speakers of our time, extreme adventurer Alison Levine shares invaluable principles for surviving—and thriving—in today’s toughest business environments.</p><p>Alison Levine understands what it takes to lead teams through challenging situations. Not only did she make history leading the first American Women’s Everest Expedition, scaling the “Seven Summits,” and skiing to the North and South poles, she also survived three heart surgeries… and a career on Wall Street.</p><p>A renowned leadership expert, Alison is able to draw relevant, authentic parallels between mountaineering and business because she has experienced both firsthand—on multiple mountains, in multiple organizations, and in multiple industries.</p><p>Climbing the corporate ladder in sales, marketing, and business development in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, she earned her MBA from Duke University and transitioned to finance, working in various positions for Goldman Sachs. She left Wall Street in 2003 to serve as Deputy Finance Director for Arnold Schwarzenegger in his successful bid to become governor of California.</p><p>Alison went on to author the <em>New York Times</em> bestseller, <em>On the Edge: Leadership Lessons from Everest and Other Extreme Environments</em>, asserting that the principles that apply to the world of extreme adventure also apply to demanding business environments. She currently serves on the faculty of the Thayer Leadership Group and previously spent four years as an adjunct professor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.</p><p>Alison is the recipient of the 2019 Ellis Island Medal of Honor, which recognizes individuals' accomplishments in their field and inspired service to our nation. The Medal has been officially recognized by both Houses of Congress as one of our nation’s most prestigious awards and is annually memorialized in the Congressional Record.</p><p>On stage, Alison uses stunning imagery from her various expeditions to demonstrate how progress can be made by going backward, why ego is a <em>good</em> thing, and how complacency can kill you. One of today's most dynamic and innovative speakers, she inspires audiences to push themselves further than they ever thought possible.</p>
Preeminent Business Leadership Expert, First American Women's Everest Expedition Team Captain, Faculty Member at the Thayer Leader Development Group at West Point, <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author of <i>On the Edge</i>
<ul><li><strong>On the Edge: The Art of High-Impact Leadership</strong></li><li>Imagine yourself on the highest mountain in the world. You have to deal with the physiological effects of extreme altitude--along with bone-chilling temperatures, battering winds, and a climbing team that's counting on all of its members to make smart decisions. There's simply no room for poor judgment -- one mistake or misstep can result in an "unrecoverable error." In any situation where lives on are the line or the stakes are exceptionally high--there's no better training ground for leaders than settings where people are pushed beyond their perceived limits. Drawing on her experience as team captain of the first American Women's Everest Expedition, Alison Levine makes a compelling case that the leadership principles that apply in the world of extreme adventure also apply to today's rigorously competitive business environments.</li><li><strong>Rise Up: Finding Strength and Conquering Challenges in Tough Times</strong></li><li>Why is it that some people experience fear and anxiety following stressful events (like living through a pandemic), while others come out of it as a better version of themselves? In her new speech focused on post-traumatic growth (PTG), history-making polar explorer Alison Levine recounts some of the most epic survival stories of all time: from a teenage holocaust survivor who outsmarted the Nazis (who happens to be a family member) to famed Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton—there is much to be learned from those who have survived the unthinkable.</li><li>Throughout this moving presentation, Alison uncovers the specific tactics we should use to stack the deck in our favor so that we (and the people around us) experience growth from tough times vs. feeling overwhelmed by stress and doubt. She takes audiences to the most remote, extreme places on the planet and demonstrates how leaders can help people succeed in unpredictable environments and move toward PTG.</li><li>The world will always be full of challenges—and whether we choose to rise up or retreat after them will change our destiny.</li><li><strong>Women Moving Mountains™</strong></li><li>Although she made history climbing the world's highest peaks, Alison Levine will tell you that her most memorable climb wasn't Mount Everest—it was little known peak called Mount Stanley in the Rwenzori Mountains in Africa, where her climb changed the lives of thousands of local women. In this deeply moving presentation, Alison takes you to the war-torn area between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has been plagued by conflict for decades. She recounts how asking ONE QUESTION resulted in lifting barriers for women who were previously prevented from earning a sustainable living wage because of longstanding cultural beliefs. Alison teaches us that having the courage to take small steps can lead to big changes that open up opportunities and level the social and economic playing field. Every single one of us has the ability (and responsibility) to be an agent of change…all we have to do is ask the right questions.</li></ul>