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Speaker and host

Robyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. 

She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu

She has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. 

She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines.

FIRESIDE CHATS

What did George W. Bush tell Robyn Curnow about painting himself in the bath? What was it like being in the Vatican during the death of a Pope? Who isn’t a gentleman; Prince William or Harry? Who followed Robyn during Fidel Castro’s funeral in Havana? What’s it like being at Presidential press conference in the White House Rose Garden?

Topics & Keynotes

  • Fireside chats and keynote speeches

  • Behind-the-scenes stories about powerful people, off-the-record insight into what world leaders say when the cameras are turned off. How Nelson Mandela, President George W. Bush, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Oprah Winfrey, and others framed their accomplishments and regrets to Robyn Curnow

  • Knowing When to Quit – After deciding to leave her 30-year journalism career, Robyn shares the lessons she's learned from starting over and how a private conversation with President George W. Bush about a painting he made of himself in the bath gave her new perspective

  • The Importance of "Old School" Journalism – Championing listening and civil conversations in a world filled with bipartisan noise and the rise of AI

  • Championing Dyslexia – Advocating for the power of dyslexia, promoting creativity, out-of-the-box thinking, and early reading programs to harness dyslexic thinking skills in children

  • World Economic Forum, Africa with Robin Curnow

    World Economic Forum

    Africa

    Hosted panels and fireside chats annually for five years.

  • Black and white photo of a classroom with a person raising their hand, facing a presentation screen.

    YPO Annual Global Conference

    Cape Town, South Africa

    Moderated discussions over three days, introducing Trevor Noah.

  • World Childhood Foundation, United Nations with Robyn Curnow

    World Childhood Foundation

    United Nations

    Chaired two debates inside the UN on behalf of the World Childhood Foundation.

  • Made By Dyslexia World Assembly with Robyn Curnow

    Made By Dyslexia World Assembly

    London | Stockholm

    London: Moderated panel sessions with Richard Branson, Princess Beatrice, and others on dyslexic thinking.

    Stockholm: Hosted event at the Swedish royal palace where the Swedish Queen, Prince Karl Philip, Princess Sofia, and other VIPs were present.

CNN Marketplace Africa with Robyn Curnow

Strengthening Business Relationships

CNN Marketplace Africa

Robyn was the host of the weekly business programme Marketplace Africa for six years. Building repore with the leaders of global companies operating in Africa and with African CEO’s across industries.

CNN Marketplace Africa, Robyn Curnow