Neri Karra Sillaman

Neri Karra Sillaman is a Thinkers50 award-winning entrepreneurship expert, professor and bestselling author of Pioneers. Through global keynote speaking, research and business leadership, she empowers entrepreneurs and organisations to build sustainable, values-driven ventures. Her work champions resilience, diversity and long-term growth, earning recognition from major media and leading business institutions.

Book Neri Karra Sillaman Today!

Female Business

Business

Female Motivational

Biography:

Neri Karra Sillaman is a globally recognised entrepreneurship expert, academic and keynote speaker whose work focuses on resilience, immigrant entrepreneurship and business longevity. As the winner of the 2025 Thinkers50 Radar Award, she has established herself as a thought leader who bridges academic insight with real-world business impact. Her bestselling book, Pioneers: 8 Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs, has earned international acclaim for its powerful lessons drawn from lived experience.

Neri holds a PhD in Management Science from Cambridge University and has built a distinguished academic career, including her role as Entrepreneurship Expert at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. She supports students and founders in building successful, sustainable ventures, and her research continues to shape thinking on fashion, entrepreneurship and resilience. Her expertise is consistently sought after through articles published in leading business and media platforms.

Her book Pioneers has been widely celebrated: named among the top business books of 2025 by Thinkers50 and the Next Big Idea Club, chosen by Financial Times readers as one of the year’s best books, and winner of the 2025 American Book Fest Award for Business and Entrepreneurship. It reached number one on Amazon’s charts in Business Entrepreneurship and Business Diversity and Inclusion. Her work has been featured across major media, including BBC, CBS News, Fortune, Fast Company and Harvard Business Review.

As a keynote speaker, Neri is known for her ability to connect deeply with audiences through storytelling, practical strategies and evidence-based insight. A three-time TEDx speaker, she inspires entrepreneurs, leaders and innovators to embrace resilience, diversity and long-term thinking. Her talks empower audiences worldwide to build meaningful businesses that thrive through change and create lasting positive impact.

Book Neri Karra Sillaman Today!

Videos:

Testimonials

“I was fortunate enough to get to know Neri when she spoke on the subject of sustainable luxury at the IBA European Regional Forum’s luxury and fashion conference in Paris last year. Her passion for positive sustainable business without compromising on quality was clear and motivational. The success she has demonstrated in her own business is a testament to her expertise, vision and strategic focus. She understands the challenges facing businesses in this area.” – Nicola Broadhurst

“Neri is a fantastic speaker who took place at TEDxBournemouthUniversity. Her talk was very personal and inspiring and it moved the whole audience. She was fantastic to work with in the lead up to the event and contributed to its outstanding success.” – Elena Dimitrova, TEDx Organizer

“Neri is very knowledgeable in her field of expertise. She has a passionate personality and an incredible ability to share her know-how with enthusiasm. Her oral skills and ability to convince people are unique.” – Nadege Nguyen

Speaking Topics

Business and Life Lessons from Imigrant Entrepreneurs
The Real Meaning of Resilience
The Myths and Realities of Business Longevity
The Secret of Entrepreneurial Success – Reading Cultural Change
“Fry in Your Own Oil” – Why Sustainability is the Key to a Brighter Future

Achievements

2025 – Won the Thinkers50 Radar Award and published bestselling book Pioneers
2025 – Pioneers selected among the year’s top business books by major organisations and publications
2024 – International media recognition for thought leadership on resilience and entrepreneurship
2023 – Expanded role mentoring founders and MBAs at Oxford Saïd Business School
2022 – Became a contributor to Harvard Business Review and Fast Company
2017 – Appointed Entrepreneurship Expert at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
2015 – Delivered the first of three TEDx talks on entrepreneurship and resilience

How to Hire Neri Karra Sillaman

To book Neri Karra Sillaman as the speaker for your corporate event, function or conference, contact The Motivational Speakers Agency on 0207 0787 876 or email us at [email protected]. Alternatively use the enquiry form below and one of our official booking agents will call you back.

Your Name*

Your Email*

Telephone*

Budget

Event Location (i.e. town or city)*

Date Required

Do you have a specific speaker in mind?

How did you hear about us?

Message*

Would you like to receive newsletters from The Motivational Speakers Agency?

The Motivational Speakers Agency would like to keep you updated by occasionally sending you newsletters that include information about exclusive free events, showcases and entertainment at venues such as The Gherkin, O2 Arena and Wembley.

CAPTCHA

Math question 3 + 1 =

Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.

Please note we do not accept requests for autographs personal messages or video messages.

Back to 'Female Business Speakers'