.png)
Speaking Engagements
Award Winning Transformational Leader
CEO | Board Member | Speaker | Podcast Host
Nihad is a dynamic keynote speaker who brings together behavioral science, neuroscience, and real-world leadership to fuel innovation and business transformation. She has captivated audiences at major venues like the Vancouver Convention Centre and the Calgary Convention Centre, as well as in high-stakes boardrooms and executive off-sites.
​
Whether speaking to thousands or an executive team, Nihad delivers sharp, practical insights that leaders can use immediately. Every session is tailored, designed to tackle specific transformation goals, shift mindsets, and spark meaningful change. The result: engaging, high-impact experiences that move people to think differently and act decisively.
Speaking Topics
Neuro-Driven Workplaces
Bridging Humanity, Behavior,
and the Future of Work
​
Ethical Leadership in Action
Navigating Energy Transition & Social Responsibility for a Sustainable Future
Adaptive Leadership
Harnessing Neuroscience and Culture to Drive Strategic Change, Operational Excellence, and Resilience
Longevity Demystified
Tapping into Ancestral Wisdom,
Science and Nature’s Intelligence
Bridging Generations
Unlocking the Power of Gen Z for a Collaborative Future for All
​
Interested in hiring Nihad for your next event on any of these topics or more?
​
Please reach out to her management team using the link below!
Note From Nihad
I’ve spent decades in the trenches of business, scaling organizations globally, leading teams, launching new ventures, and turning around underperforming operations. From Fortune 500 companies across Africa, Europe, and North America to the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship, I’ve seen one constant: culture makes or breaks both people and performance.
​
I founded Acquence 16 years ago to help organizations reimagine how they work, designing cultures that fuel innovation, well-being, and sustainable growth. My work sits at the intersection of governance, corporate finance, risk, behavioral science, and neuroscience, turning complex challenges into practical strategies that drive real, measurable change.
​
On stage, I blend energy, candour, and a global perspective. Whether it’s a keynote, executive workshop, or panel, I create bold, science-backed conversations that challenge assumptions and unlock new ways of thinking. I don’t speak from theory, I speak from lived experience leading through uncertainty, transformation, and high stakes.
​
If you’re ready to move beyond buzzwords and spark real transformation, let’s talk about how we can bring these conversations to your next event.
Advisory Boards
As an advisor, Nihad brings a practical operator’s lens to strategy, growth, risk, and governance, serving on boards and advisory boards for organizations ranging from scaling SMBs to publicly listed enterprises. She advises Fortune 500 executives, board leaders, and growth‑stage founders who want low‑risk, high‑confidence transformation and global expansion without compromising their culture, governance, or sanity. Her work helps leadership teams navigate international expansion, market entry, cross‑border operating models, culture alignment, and complex transformations, while strengthening enterprise risk, board reporting, and regulatory readiness. She also supports risk and governance for Nasdaq‑ and NYSE‑listed companies.
Nihads Bio
Nihad is an award‑winning transformational leader with a distinctive mastery at the intersection of strategy, culture, and risk. She became a board member at 35 and launched her first joint venture at 28, early proof of the sharp judgment and courage she brings to every mandate.
​
She has started and scaled businesses, led high‑stakes turnarounds, and advised Global 500 companies in 20+ countries across five continents, delivering pragmatic strategies that de-risk execution.
​
Since 1999, Nihad has also been a committed champion of the not‑for‑profit sector and has spent over 15 years mentoring the next generation of leaders.
​
As Founder and CEO of Acquence, a strategy consultancy serving clients across North America and the Caribbean, she helps organizations navigate complexity, align strategy and culture, and grow with confidence.
​
Her global perspective and real‑world operator experience make her a sought‑after speaker and advisor for organizations that view enlightened leadership and sustainable success as core to their growth and expansion.
FEATURED ARTICLES
Global Expansions: The State's Real IRR-Why Your JV Model Keeps Getting Reopened
Transformation: Real-Time Payments, Tokenization, and AI-Driven Risk Management
Thought Leadership: The Unseen Drain of Unaligned Persistence
Beyond Podcast
Hosted by Nihad Karabernou
Nihad launched her audio series, Beyond…, before podcasting went mainstream. Beyond brings together trailblazers, scientists, and innovators who are redefining what's possible for our planet and society.
Launched in 2022, Beyond has achieved 1,182 organic downloads across 22 episodes, without advertising. Our audience spans 52 countries and 279 cities (64% North America, 20% Europe). Beyond proudly maintains a 5/5 rating.
​
Tune in to Beyond... on Spotify, Audible, and Apple Podcasts!
