Stefaan van Hooydonk is a globally recognised authority on workplace curiosity and one of the foremost voices on how curiosity can transform leadership, innovation and organisational performance. As the Founder and Curiosity Catalyst of the Global Curiosity Institute and author of the bestselling book 'The Workplace Curiosity Manifesto', Stefaan is hired as a motivational speaker by organisations seeking to unlock the full potential of their people. Drawing on decades of executive experience and extensive research, he inspires audiences to embrace curiosity as a powerful driver of growth, adaptability and success in an increasingly complex world.
Stefaan's career spans more than 30 years in global learning, leadership and organisational development. He began in executive education, serving as Executive Education Director at CEIBS before joining Nokia, where he held senior learning leadership roles in Greater China and globally. He later became Head of Agfa Academy at Agfa Healthcare and Dean of Philips Lighting University and the Philips Sales and Marketing Academy. Building on this expertise, he went on to serve as Chief Learning Officer at both Flipkart and Cognizant, helping shape learning cultures and talent development strategies within major international organisations.
Alongside his corporate leadership career, Stefaan has established himself as a leading thinker on workplace learning and human potential. In 2020, he founded the Global Curiosity Institute, a pioneering organisation dedicated to researching and advancing curiosity in the workplace. He also co-founded and served as Dean of Earth Academy. His thought leadership has been featured across numerous business and learning platforms, and he has appeared on respected podcasts including 'The Learning Hack Podcast', 'The Mind Tools L&D Podcast' and 'Digital HR Leaders'. His clients include global brands such as ABB, ArcelorMittal, L'Oréal, PepsiCo, Mars, Arla, Legal & General, EY, Dell, Nestlé and Unilever.
As a motivational speaker, Stefaan combines academic insight with real-world executive experience to deliver practical and inspiring presentations. His keynotes challenge conventional thinking and equip audiences with actionable strategies for becoming more innovative, resilient and adaptable. By demonstrating how curiosity fuels personal development, leadership effectiveness and business growth, he helps professionals at every level embrace change with confidence. His engaging style, evidence-based approach and global perspective make him a highly sought-after speaker for organisations looking to build future-ready teams and cultures.
