Keynote Speaker
Executive Influence & Leadership Capability
Helping organisations build leaders who communicate with authority, influence stakeholders, and represent the business at the highest level.
At senior levels, technical capability is assumed.
What often limits progression — and organisational impact — is visibility, executive presence, and strategic influence.
Sarah works with leadership cohorts to strengthen:
- Executive communication and gravitas
- Stakeholder influence and coalition-building
- Leadership visibility across complex organisations
- Confidence in high-stakes environments
Readiness for promotion and succession pathways.
Her sessions are practical, commercially grounded, and aligned to real organisational pressures — not abstract leadership theory.
Why Organisations Engage Sarah
With over two decades advising executives in high-stakes corporate environments, Sarah understands:
Board-level expectations
- Reputation risk and stakeholder scrutiny
- Political dynamics inside large organisations
The gap between performance and perceived leadership readiness
Signature Keynotes & Workshops
Campaigning for Strategic Influence
How senior leaders build alignment, shape decisions, and gain support before key moments.
Ideal for: Executive teams, high-potential programs, succession pipelines.
From Performance to Positioning
Why strong performers stall — and how to increase executive visibility and perceived readiness.
Ideal for: Emerging leaders, senior managers preparing for promotion.
Executive Presence in High-Stakes Environments
Developing gravitas, clarity and calm authority under pressure.
Ideal for: Leaders representing the organisation externally or stepping into larger mandates.
Outcomes for Your Organisation
Stronger leadership bench
Improved cross-functional influence
Greater executive readiness
Reduced derailment at senior transition points
Leaders who represent the brand with authority
Formats
- Conference Keynotes
- Leadership Offsites
- Succession & HiPo Programs
- Women in Leadership Programs
- Half-Day & Full-Day Corporate Workshops
All sessions can be tailored to organisational strategy and capability frameworks.
Testimonials
“Sarah delivered practical frameworks our senior leaders could apply immediately. The impact on confidence and clarity was evident.”
— Chief People Officer
“Her session shifted how our high-potential cohort thinks about influence and visibility.”
— Head of Leadership Development
Enquiries
To discuss alignment with your leadership strategy, succession programs, or upcoming events:
Contact Sarah Makris: Sarah@sarahmakris.com
Learning objectives and session outlines available upon request.
