In challenging times, success requires leaders who are willing to defy the odds.
The accelerating pace of disruption is not merely altering the landscape—it is redefining what is possible. Organizations are no longer just reacting to chaos and uncertainty – they are being engulfed by it. In such times, it is those who move beyond perceived limitations—who act with quiet resolve and an unshakable sense of purpose—who set new standards, build sustainable culture and achieve the unexpected.
"WOW – were you secretly part of our planning meetings? You did such an incredible job capturing the spirit of VV10, setting the right energy, and positioning some of the other subjects we’ll cover across the other sessions. (read more…)
Mondelez International
Recent Clients
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You were so inspiring and made a lasting impact on our organization and me! (read more…)
President of The Junior League of Houston, Inc.
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“Carmen – I just loved your advice but also your energy! You are a dynamic force…”
LEAD Global Connect
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Carmen, your words truly were a beacon – your light traveled far and sparked more light in others. What a beautiful and much-needed impact in a world that could always use more positivity. (read more…)
Owner, Conference Incorporated
“Having been in corporate America for 15 years, I have seen many Keynote Speakers. The buzz following Juan's presentation amongst our sales team was different. The vast majority of people were energized; citing the key concepts and how they can apply in their own lives.”
Kim Osborn
Chief Administrative Officer
Carmen Ortiz-McGhee | Transformational Leader | Advocate | Visionary Speaker
Carmen Ortiz-McGhee is a dynamic leader, strategic thinker, and steadfast advocate in the asset management industry and beyond. As Chief Operating Officer of the National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC), she drives operational excellence, financial optimization, and cultural transformation for a differentiated network of alternative investment firms, whose members collectively manage over $460 billion in institutional capital. A principled and visionary leader, Carmen oversees NAIC’s key initiatives, including industry research, events, marketing, member engagement, and strategic partnerships, ensuring long-term growth and impact.
A trailblazing advocate in finance and investment, Carmen previously served as Senior Vice President at Aon, where she led game-changing growth across multiple product lines. Her leadership was recognized by Business Insurance Magazine, which named her one of the Top 25 Women to Watch. Prior to that, she was Vice President of Investor Relations at a $1 billion AUM real estate private equity firm and President of The Marathon Club (TMC), where she championed wealth creation and investment opportunities for underrepresented communities.
Beyond her professional achievements, Carmen is a sought-after speaker who has addressed global organizations and Fortune 500 companies on leadership, trust and psychological safety, and culture transformation. She has delivered compelling keynotes for industry leaders including Cushman Wakefield, Mondelez, Key Bank, Clearbridge, WorkHuman Live, Weil & Gotshal, Ropes & Gray, Wiggins & Dana, Zonta International, and the National League of Cities, leaving audiences inspired and empowered.
Committed to service and impact, Carmen serves on multiple national boards, including the University of Virginia Alumni Association Board of Managers, Communities in Schools, the MBA Fund I Investment Committee, and the HIP PowerUp Fund Impact Committee.
Carmen’s mission is clear: to empower, inspire, and transform organizations by fostering inclusive, high-performance cultures. Whether addressing corporate leaders, investors, or changemakers, she brings an electrifying presence and a message that resonates long after she leaves the stage.
Penguin Random House, August 2025
The Bumblebee Blueprint: Tiny Truths for a Bigger, Braver Life
There are lives that bloom in the cracks where no garden was ever planted. They don’t rely on a blueprint to move forward, but use persistence and faith as their tools. The bumblebee is one such metaphor, once believed too heavy to fly, yet airborne all the same.
The Bumblebee Blueprint is a lyrical reflection on becoming. It traces the unseen forces that shape a life: inherited love, faith formed in uncertainty, resilience built in silence, and identity chosen rather than assigned. The story lingers where growth truly happens, in showing up, carrying others, and continuing without recognition.
For those standing between who they have been and who they are becoming, The Bumblebee Blueprint offers a quiet reminder: flight can be learned midair.
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We got great feedback, and the audience was completely captivated. She was inspiring and on point! (read more…)
LEAD Global Connect
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Your words provided a much-needed sense of clarity, hope, and purpose. Your keynote left a lasting impression – we are incredibly grateful for your time, wisdom, and the passion you shared with us. (read more…)
Nonprofit Fundraisers Symposium
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“We would highly, highly recommend! Carmen was fantastic!”
Weil Gotshal
Keynote Topics
Carmen brings bold, transformative energy to every stage—helping audiences lead with purpose, build trust, and thrive through change. She’s spoken to Fortune 500 teams, global organizations, and industry leaders. Whether in boardrooms or ballrooms, Carmen doesn’t just inspire—she moves people to act.
Here are my keynote topics:
Leadership
The Bumblebee Blueprint: Unexpected Lessons in Leadership
Leadership Principles Inspired by Nature’s Most Underestimated Creature
High Performance
From Chaos to Harmony: The Path to Leadership Success in Tumultuous Times
Human-Centered Leadership for Thriving Amidst Chaos
Motivation
The Lighthouse Effect: How Ordinary People Can Have an Extraordinary Impact in the World
How Quiet Influence and Humble Acts Shape the World
Motivation
Flight Lessons: Becoming More Than Enough in a World That Says You’re Not
Part of The Bumblebee Blueprint Series
Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing Your Worth to Lead with Resilience and Purpose
Motivation
Unfamiliar Skies: Thriving Where You Were Never Meant to Fly
Part of The Bumblebee Blueprint Series
Embracing Change and Leading with Authenticity in Uncharted Territory
Motivation
The Power of Small: Why Little Things Create Big Change
Part of The Bumblebee Blueprint Series
How Small, Purposeful Steps Lead to Big Transformations in Life and Leadership
Better, Stronger Leaders = Better, Stronger Results
You can’t drive meaningful results without first empowering the people who lead them. In a world where disruption is constant and clarity is scarce, waiting for change to slow down isn’t a strategy—it’s a liability. The leaders of tomorrow must learn to lead themselves first.
Through powerful storytelling and decades of real-world leadership experience, Carmen Ortiz-McGhee helps audiences take control of their choices, show up with intention, and step into a more empowered version of themselves. Her insights equip teams and individuals alike to create forward momentum, foster stronger collaboration, and deliver better results—at work and at home.
74%
Gallup , 2023
Nearly 3 out of 4 employees don’t feel safe or empowered to speak up, share ideas, or challenge the status quo—key indicators of low psychological safety.
62%
Gartner, 2023
Nearly two-thirds of employees are exhausted by the pace and volume of change, and more than half doubt their leaders are equipped to handle it.
71%
Brandon Hall Group
The lion’s share of organizations say their leaders are not ready to lead in the future of work.
1 in 4 employees report feeling socially isolated at work, which is now considered as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
— Surgeon General’s Advisory on Loneliness, 2023
What recent clients say about Carmen as
a keynote speaker
Carmen helps organizations reignite purpose and empower their people to lead with clarity, courage, and impact—long after the keynote ends.
As a dynamic speaker and seasoned executive, Carmen delivers more than inspiration—she offers a practical blueprint to help leaders take ownership of their growth, navigate change with resilience, and drive meaningful results. Her powerful blend of storytelling and strategy leaves audiences energized, aligned, and ready to move forward with intention—at work and beyond.
“Carmen Ortiz-McGhee, thank you for coming to Houston and sharing your story with our members! You were so inspiring and made a lasting impact on our organization and me!” – President of The Junior League of Houston, Inc."
Confidence is our Competitive Edge.
We are facing more change, economic uncertainty, and technological disruption than we ever have before. In times like these, we don’t just need inspiration—we must ignite action and inspire leaders to build unwavering confidence so they can maximize their career and get to the next level. Because the future doesn’t wait. The question is: Will your team be ready to grow into whatever the future holds?
By developing confidence, we equip leaders with the mindset necessary to break through barriers, supercharge growth and not just navigate change, but thrive in it.
