Woman smiling outside on grassy landscape with a herd of sheep and a green house in the background.

Global Moderator & Master Storyteller

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 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 at the the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco, 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.

  • "I grew up in an authoritarian state and reported on divided societies for more than twenty years. As a new American citizen, I want to use my outsider perspective to bring together the loudest voices in the middle."

    Robyn Curnow speaking at the Nantucket Yacht Club. Summer 2024

  • “I interviewed and reported on some of the world’s greatest leaders. They all shared three traits. Humility, humor and a sense of duty.”

    Robyn Curnow

  • “There are ways the centre can hold. It’s never too late to drown out fear-mongering identity politics from the left and right.”

    Robyn Curnow

Topics & Keynotes

  • The Power of Words and a Good Story in a Divided America

  • Failure, Resilience, Optimism – How Nelson Mandela, President George W. Bush, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Oprah Winfrey, and others framed their accomplishments and regrets.

  • 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 gave her new perspective.

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

  • 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