Alison Levine: Leadership Adventurer

  • Highlights:
    • Team Captain of the first American Women’s Everest Expedition. 
    • Former Wall Street investment banker, bringing real-world business insights to her speeches. 
    • Author of On the Edge: Leadership Lessons from Mount Everest and Other Extreme Environments, a New York Times bestseller, providing actionable leadership strategies.
    • Delivered speeches at Fortune 500 companies, TEDx events, and elite global forums. Known for captivating storytelling, real-life lessons, and actionable takeaways.
Reading time: 2 min
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  • Travels from: Morrison, CO
  • **Fee range: $35,001 - $50,000

Keynote Topics

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.

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.

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.

The world will always be full of challenges—and whether we choose to rise up or retreat after them will change our destiny.

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 the war-torn area between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In this session, 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.

Her Women Moving Mountains™ program (keynote, panel discussions, and coaching sessions) demonstrates how having the courage to take small steps can lead to big changes and gives people a roadmap to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

Alison Levine is a trailblazing leadership expert, polar explorer, and mountaineer whose extraordinary experiences in extreme environments provide unique and powerful insights into navigating challenges in both life and business. With a career that spans conquering sub-zero temperatures, surviving avalanches, and enduring hurricane-force winds, as well as thriving in the high-pressure environment of Wall Street, Levine offers a fresh perspective on leadership. Her ability to draw authentic parallels between the unforgiving conditions of mountain climbing and today’s dynamic business landscapes has positioned her as one of the most sought-after keynote speakers globally.

Alison Levine’s expertise is rooted in her ability to apply the principles of extreme adventure to leadership and decision-making. As the team captain of the first American Women’s Everest Expedition, she demonstrated the importance of teamwork, adaptability, and resilience under the most challenging circumstances. Her extensive experience climbing the highest peaks on every continent and skiing to both the North and South Poles positions her as one of the few individuals to achieve the Adventure Grand Slam.

Alison Levine’s qualifications stem from her rich, multifaceted career. Her mountaineering achievements exemplify her hands-on understanding of leadership in volatile and uncertain environments. She has led expeditions in some of the harshest climates on Earth, demonstrating practical leadership skills that resonate deeply with audiences navigating corporate challenges.

In her corporate life, Levine has held leadership roles in investment banking and management consulting, where she honed her strategic thinking, risk assessment, and crisis management skills. Her ability to connect lessons from both worlds gives her a unique edge as a keynote speaker. Whether addressing CEOs or emerging leaders, Levine speaks the language of both adventure and business fluently, making her messages universally relatable and impactful.

Alison Levine’s expertise and reputation are bolstered by her academic contributions, such as her role as an adjunct professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Her experience training cadets in leadership principles speaks volumes about her authority and ability to inspire future generations of leaders.

Alison Levine is a leadership expert whose unparalleled experiences in extreme environments and corporate settings make her a powerful voice for resilience, adaptability, and teamwork. Her ability to connect with audiences through authentic, actionable messages ensures she leaves a lasting impact.

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