Keynote Speaker | Award-Winning Author | Leadership Psychologist | Expert in Applied Social Neuroscience
Helping organizations thrive through authentic leadership
Margarita Mayo, PhD
Hi, I am Margarita Mayo. I help leaders unlock their most human advantage—authenticity.
My work lives at the intersection of science and leadership. Whether I am researching the neuroscience behind trust, speaking to global audiences, or coaching senior executives, my mission is clear:
To turn psychological insights into practical tools that help people lead with purpose, connect deeply, and grow boldly.
I focus on three areas:
Research – I apply social neuroscience to understand how leaders can build human and social skills that matter most today: emotional intelligence, trust, empathy, and meaningful relationships. Because the future of leadership is not artificial—it is profoundly human.
Speaking – My keynotes are crafted to spark transformation. I inspire professionals to think differently, feel more confident, and take intentional action. Audiences walk away with a new mindset—and a new map—for how to build human and social capital in a world that thrives on connection.
Executive Coaching – I work with leaders to help them become more intentional, authentic, and future-ready. Together, we design personal growth strategies that align who they are today with who they aspire to be tomorrow.
What made you successful in the past may not be what will make you thrive in the future.
That’s why leadership today is not about being the smartest in the room—it is about building trust, creating belonging, and leading others by being fully yourself.
Because at the end of the day, our brain is wired for connection. And building real relationships is the most powerful leadership tool of all.
What Others Say About My Work
In this 2-minute video, others share how my work has helped shape people, teams, and organizations—from leadership classrooms to boardrooms. As a Fulbright scholar at Harvard and a long-time professor at IE Business School, I have spent over 25 years researching what makes leaders truly human and effective. Being named to the Thinkers50 Radar is an honor, but what matters most to me is the impact this work has in building trust, unlocking potential, and creating cultures where people thrive—at work and beyond.
Featured in Leading Global Media
My insights on leadership, authenticity, and human potential have been shared in top media publications including Harvard Business Review, Financial Times, Forbes, The Economic Times of India, and Le Monde—helping to shape conversations about the future of work across the globe.
What if the most powerful thing a leader can do… is be themselves?
A Journey of Leadership and Authenticity
Margarita Mayo is a globally recognized expert in authentic leadership, psychology, and trust in organizations. A top-ranked professor at IE Business School in Madrid and a trusted speaker at international stages, Margarita brings a rare combination of academic rigor and real-world relevance. Her mission: to help leaders lead with purpose, build trust, and create cultures where people—and performance—flourish.
With the clarity of a psychologist and the heart of a storyteller, Margarita turns science into human strategy. Her keynotes do not just inform—they transform. Whether in the boardroom or on stage, she delivers fresh, evidence-based insights that challenge assumptions and inspire action.
She is the author of the award-winning book Yours Truly: Staying Authentic in Leadership and Life, and the Spanish edition Confianza: La Revolución del Liderazgo Auténtico. Her work has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Financial Times, and Forbes, and recognized by Thinkers50 Radar as one of the world’s most promising management thinkers.
A Fulbright Scholar at Harvard and a top educator in executive development, Margarita has worked with clients including Novartis, Merk, ABB, TotalEnergies, ArcelorMittal, and the United Nations—helping leaders navigate complexity, unlock talent, and lead lasting change.
A Global Academic Journey of Learning, Collaborating, and Shaping Minds
From UPenn, Harvard, and SUNY Buffalo to Ivey, Lancaster, Concordia, ESMT Berlin—and at IE Business School since 2000. A career dedicated to advancing leadership and psychology through world-class research and education.
Sport and Leadership
Small Steps, Big Energy: Why I Started Running at 50
I never imagined I would do a triathlon—until I did one at 50. Since then, running with friends and local clubs has become part of my routine. In this video, I share how movement has transformed my energy, clarity, and well-being. If I can do it, so can you.
Watch below to see how sport became a part of my journey—inside and outside of work.
