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Laura Liswood

Secretary General

Council of Women World Leaders Advisor

Keynote Speaker

Author

Global Leadership and Diversity

About

Laura Liswood is an international, award-winning speaker who conveys her insights regarding leadership, diversity, women in politics, and business to both large and small audiences. In her speeches, she explores the questions surrounding myths of leadership and lessons of leaders. She looks at best practices of excellent leaders drawing upon the interviews she has conducted with women heads of state and heads of government. She shares insights on how to enhance opportunities to lead and shape one's career successfully. Liswood is an expert on diversity and unconscious bias and why they matter.

Liswood is the Secretary General of the Council of Women World Leaders, located in Washington, DC, which is composed of women presidents, prime ministers, and heads of government. The work of the Council expands the understanding of leadership, establishes a network of resources for high-level women leaders, and provides a forum for the group to contribute input and shape the international issues important to all people. Liswood co-founded the Council with President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir of Iceland. It is the only organization in the world dedicated to women heads of state and government.

There's no such thing as a glass ceiling for women. It's just a thick layer of men.

  • Myths and Lessons of Leadership (larger audiences)
  • Communication Styles and Managing Well – Men and Women at Work (larger audiences)
  • Finding the Leader Within
  • Women World Leaders
  • Challenges of Diversity – The Loudest Duck
  • Moving Beyond the Unconscious Bias

"Laura Liswood's presentation was, without question, the most galvanizing and inspiring session of the two weeks. Her knowledge, humor, and ability to describe the mechanisms of exclusion provided a perspective that fundamentally altered students' understanding of the political world"

Mary Goldschmidt, Ph.D. Director Women's Leadership Programs, The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars


"Laura Liswood's address was one of the highlights of the conference. Not many people have the ability to step in with virtually no notice and present such an informative, well organized, thought provoking, insightful and thoroughly entertaining speech. She certainly knows how to captivate her audience."

Susan Mangels Vice President and Manager, Seafirst Bank


"Laura Liswood's talk was excellent, informative, and thought-provoking for improving the experience of diversity in law firm settings."

Steven Sonberg Managing Partner, Holland and Knight LLP

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