Don't be afraid to pivot, Be afraid not to.
Mary-Beth Hosking is a dynamic thought leader in technology and organisational change, passionate about empowering leaders and professionals to embrace transformation and career pivots.
As the CEO of Women 4 STEM, Mary-Beth has played an influential role in addressing diversity challenges in the corporate and technology landscapes. Her efforts have earned her the prestigious WEQUAL Technology Leadership Award. She was also a finalist for the Outstanding Leadership Awards in STEM, further highlighting her commitment to elevating underrepresented voices in the industry.
Mary-Beth’s professional journey reflects her expertise in leading organisations through large-scale transformations. With a master’s in Business and Technology, she has successfully led restructures in multinational companies and helped them navigate complex shifts in the business environment.
In 2019, Mary-Beth transitioned her insights and experience into writing. Her debut book, In One Piece: A Step-by-Step Guide to Surviving Change, was published at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and became a critical resource for leaders managing the disruptive changes of that era.
Building on this success, she published her second book, When Now Means NOW! A Handbook for Career Change, Advancement, and Progression in 2023, which champions her powerful philosophy:
“Don’t be afraid to pivot, be afraid not to.” Her work encourages professionals to embrace career pivots, offering practical advice for those looking to navigate and accelerate their career progression in today’s rapidly evolving job market.
In April 2024, Mary-Beth released the best-selling book 'Not Another Digital Transformation: The 10xGeneration', which addresses the future of digital transformation and how organisations must rethink their strategies to succeed in the coming decade.
Through her writing, mentorship, and leadership, Mary-Beth inspires a new generation of leaders to harness change as an opportunity for growth and innovation. She remains dedicated to helping organisations not only survive but thrive.
Talking Points
From Singer to CEO – “Don’t be afraid to pivot, Be afraid not to”
When Mary-Beth Hosking was young, her life revolved around one dream: to sing. It defined her identity, her career, and her passion—until it didn’t. Realising that her once-beloved career no longer resonated was both terrifying and liberating. The challenge: how to redefine herself and pivot to something entirely new when all she was known for was one thing.From Singer to CEO – “Don’t be afraid to pivot, Be afraid not to”
A career crisis can be paralysing. You might find yourself stuck in an industry that no longer inspires you, or leaping into a new role only to discover six months later that you’re still unfulfilled. But with the right approach, you can navigate change from a position of power, not fear.
Whether you’re starting your career, climbing the corporate ladder, or contemplating your next big move, Mary-Beth’s story will inspire and equip you to face career transitions with confidence.
Join Mary-Beth as she shares her transformational journey from singer to CEO and offers a roadmap for making courageous, purposeful career changes.
Who Should Attend?
- Managers, Senior Leaders, and Executives looking to pivot to a more fulfilling career path
- Anyone seeking strategies to navigate change and redefine their professional trajectory
Key Takeaways:
- Learn how to recognise when it’s time to make a change and not make a panicked response
- Work through what brings you joy and how to manifest this in every role you embark on
- Develop a plan to help you make the career change you are seeking; everyone needs a good plan.
Tech Leadership & the Diversity Dilemma
Since the 1980s, the technology sector has seen a dramatic decline in female representation. Once perceived as a field dominated by women, computing has shifted so significantly that today, only 38% of women who major in computer science work in technology-related roles.Tech Leadership & the Diversity Dilemma
The question is: how can tech leaders actively address this imbalance and bridge the gender gap? Achieving diversity isn’t just a corporate buzzword—it’s about creating an equitable, balanced workplace that benefits from diverse perspectives.
In this keynote, Mary-Beth Hosking explores actionable strategies to promote diversity in tech, drive ESG initiatives, and build a workplace culture that attracts and retains female talent. Drawing from her experience as CEO of Women 4 STEM, Mary-Beth will share insights from senior leaders who have successfully tackled the diversity dilemma, offering practical steps to foster inclusivity and innovation in your organisation.
Who is this for:
People Leaders, People & Culture, Managers, Senior Leaders, Executives, C-Suite leaders, Board Members, anyone wanting to achieve DEI&B balance.
Key Takeaways:
- Learn how to recruit and understand what flexibility means.
- Tips on making your organisations culture inclusive.
- Creating career plans that suit the individual.
- Support new leaders to be better inclusive leaders.
Machines as Customers, the next logical step in AI
The rise of machine customers is revolutionising traditional supply-and-demand sales models, fundamentally altering business operations and reshaping the future of commerce. This seismic shift demands that organisations prepare for a world where machines, not humans, are the primary buyers.Machines as Customers, the next logical step in AI
But how does an organization adapt to this reality?
Mary-Beth explores how businesses can pivot effectively—not just at a personal level but on an organisational scale. Drawing parallels to historic failures like Kodak, she examines the risks of staying stagnant in a rapidly evolving AI-driven world. With Agentic AI already dominating call centres and bots growing smarter every day, the challenge lies in meeting the technological and ethical demands of this transformation.
Mary-Beth unpacks pressing questions:
- Is data mining enough to meet machine-driven needs?
- How do we address the ethical dilemmas emerging in an AI-dominated landscape?
- What happens when commerce shifts from B2C (business-to-consumer) or even B2M (business-to-machine) to M2M (machine-to-machine)?
This keynote doesn’t just pose critical questions—it delivers actionable strategies to help businesses navigate the new frontier of machine customers.
Who is this for:
C-Suite Executives including CIO, CTO, CISO, CEO, Executives, Sales Leaders
Key Takeaways:
- Options and ideas for this burgeoning change including Agentic AI, B2M and M2M
- Strategies that will help your organisation thrive when using AI
- AI ethics, what is the right way to deploy.
Revolutionising Digital Transformation - embracing the 10xGeneration
IDC and McKenzie estimate that by 2026 organisations will spend approximately $3.4 trillion dollars globally on digital transformations. Out of this, 70% will fail to successfully deliver the expected outcomes. Revolutionising Digital Transformation - embracing the 10xGeneration
So, why do we keep undertaking digital transformations?
Are we expecting a different outcome?
Do we even understand what a digital transformation is?
Is it a technology uplift or are we only focusing on the tech department as the source of pain?
There must be a better way, but no one is talking about it. We would rather spend extraordinary amounts of money on failed projects than pause and think differently.
Join Mary-Beth as she discusses the key tenets of the 10XGeneration state, enabling the removal of organisational silos, decreasing bloat and creating an environment of true visibility and empowerment for all staff and without the need to undeartake yet another digital transformation.
Based on her latest book, co-authored with Ady Kalra, the concepts in this book will revolutionise what you know about organisational design theory, digital transformations and increased market share.
Who is this for:
C-Suite Executives including CIO, CTO, CISO, CEO, Executives, People leaders, anyone sick and tired of yet another digital transformation.
Key Takeaways:
- Key concepts of the 10XGeneration state
- How to recognise bloat and silos
- How to create a workplace where all staff members are empowered and have the same level of visibility both horizontally, vertically and more.
MC & Event Host
Mary-Beth Hosking is a seasoned MC with a unique ability to transform complex topics into engaging, accessible conversations. Her career has spanned leadership in technology, organisational change, and diversity advocacy, and she brings a wealth of experience to the stage. Mary-Beth’s dynamic and empathetic style makes her an exceptional choice for events requiring energy, clarity, and connection.MC & Event Host
As the CEO of Women 4 STEM and an award-winning thought leader, Mary-Beth tailors her approach to your audience and objectives. She is renowned for seamlessly combining diverse perspectives and delivering events that resonate on an intellectual and emotional level. Whether moderating panels, hosting fireside chats, or guiding multi-day conferences, she keeps proceedings sharp, focused, and on time.
Panel Facilitation
Mary-Beth Hosking is a skilled panel facilitator who brings expertise, insight, and energy to every discussion. With a proven track record as a thought leader in technology, organisational change, and diversity, she is adept at guiding meaningful and impactful conversations.Panel Facilitation
Mary-Beth’s facilitation style is built on thorough preparation and active engagement. She works closely with panellists to ensure their unique perspectives shine while weaving together diverse viewpoints into a cohesive narrative. Her ability to ask insightful, thought-provoking questions keeps discussions lively, ensuring audiences are informed, inspired, and connected to the key themes of your event.
Whether the topic is digital transformation, career pivots, or leadership in a changing world, Mary-Beth creates an environment where ideas flow freely, and every voice is heard. With her at the helm, your panel session will be as compelling as it is informative, leaving attendees with valuable takeaways.
Video
Mary-Beth Hosking | Award-Winning Technology Leader
Mary Beth has an exceptional ability to engage her audience from start to finish. Her Dynamic and charismatic speaking style captivated and drew the audience in. She was able to skilfully en ... keep reading Focus Network
At our recent PMO Conference in London, Mary-Beth Hosking delivered an outstanding presentation that captivated our audience from start to finish. Her journey from a singer to CEO was both engaging and entertaining, providing valuable insights that resonated with everyone. The content perfectly met our event's brief, offering practical takeaways and inspiration. Attendees loved the session and were actively participating throughout. Given the high quality of Mary-Beth's delivery and the overwhelmingly positive response, we would definitely consider inviting her back for future events.
Mary-Beth Hosking is one of the best event chairpersons I have ever worked with. Her ease on the microphone, interviewing skills, and engaging personality make her a true asset to any event. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for an exceptional event host.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Mary-Beth for our Australian CIO Summits in the past, and I must say her ability to weave personal anecdotes with broader insights made her involvement not only informative but also genuinely inspiring. Mary-Beth has brought an incredibly positive energy to our summits, and what stood out most was her warm personality, authenticity and passion in what she does for a living. Her unique approach in combining diverse perspectives and lateral thinking to tackle complex problems in a way that was both engaging and thought-provoking, not only captivated our delegates but also sparked great conversations that continued well beyond the sessions.
