Keynote Speaker on Change, Leadership and a Future Mindset
Keynote Speeches – Workshops – Speaker Coaching
MAKING. CHANGE. HAPPEN.
Ilja Grzeskowitz loves, lives and leads Change.
is one of the leading and renowned speakers on the topics of change, leadership and digitalization and, as a thought leader, he deals with topics such as New Work, generational change and dealing with the digital future.
- Former top manager for Karstadt, Wertheim, Hertie and IKEA
- Author of 14 books (including 3 bestsellers)
- Economist, behaviorist, former lecturer at the Berlin School of Law and Economics
- 2-time TEDx Speaker
- Honoured as CSP (USA) and FPSA (United Kingdom), as well as with many other awards
- Keynote speaker for congresses, corporate events, kickoffs, customer events, leadership meetings, sales events and much more.
- Keynotes in 27 countries on 5 continents
- Raving customer reviews
Videos of how I work
I empower global leaders to shift their perspectives and ignite Change.
Watch my Keynote Speaker Trailer
Watch my EPK (Electronic Press Kit)













What Leaders Say
Dear Ilja, THANK YOU for your inspiring keynote speech. This was by far the best keynote. We were truly inspired and energized. OhYEAH! Again, big thanks, it was awesome!
Pall Corporation
Oh Yeah! Your inspiring and encouraging words were the highlight at our management conference.
DPD Deutschland
Ilja Grzeskowitz was just great as our keynote speaker. He left a lasting impression.
Nespresso
Thanks, Ilja, you touched and encouraged our SWISS audience with your witty life and business anecdotes. Audience reviews stated it was the best event of this kind ever!
SWISS Int. Air Lines
Ilja's speech at our kick-off was awesome! He integrated the previous presentations excellently and inspired and motivated the team even more.
neuraxpharm
We are blown away. The lecture was very relaxed, suitable for the audience, and with a message that was very important to us.
Daimler AG
Ilja added lots of value to our conference, and he nailed it with his closing keynote speech. He was the perfect choice as a speaker.
Cancom GmbH
We were all delighted with Ilja – his keynote speech was 'on point' and exactly what we were looking for.
Marriott Hotels
Best in class – that´s the only way to express the excellence of Ilja’s presentation. The positive feedback was overwhelming.
Kao Salon
Ilja inspires, challenges and
changes hearts and minds.
Ilja Grzeskowitz is an economist, author and global keynote speaker. As Germany’s youngest managing director at Karstadt and IKEA, he was responsible for a total of eleven locations throughout Germany for Karstadt, Hertie, Wertheim & IKEA, led thousands of employees and was responsible for a sales volume of over 500 million euros.
In times marked by permanent restructuring, staff cuts and the threat of store closures, the change expert succeeded in developing motivated and committed teams in a wide variety of locations. At the height of the department stores’ crisis, he quickly realised what really mattered: putting people at the centre. Only with the right mindset is it possible to no longer fear change, but to see it as a great opportunity for the future. With the experiences and learnings from this time, he now inspires people from all over the world as a keynote and conference speaker.
Whether it’s live on stage, a hybrid or even a virtual-only event – as a meeting planner you need the security that your speaker and keynote speaker is able to inspire, entertain and inspire the audience.
Iljas keynote speeches are full of research-based content, strong messages with an impact and always humorous and entertaining. Whether you’re planning an event for 3000, 300 or 30 people, he will inspire your audience with the right mix of content and entertainment, will create a magical change experience and provide them with practical tools and takeaways for their daily business.
Watch Ilja Live at TEDx
Keynote Speaker for Change, Leadership and Digitalisation
Ilja Grzeskowitz is available globally. We are looking forward to hearing from you.