Chantell Ilbury

Presentations by Chantell Ilbury

Strategic Content

Chantell specialises in strategic thinking and structuring strategic conversations. In a rapidly changing world shaped by uncertainty and disruption, her work focuses on helping leaders reassess traditional approaches to strategy and adopt more adaptive, scenario-based thinking.

Dynamic World, Dynamic Thinkers

This talk focuses on developing dynamic decision-making capability for leaders operating in fast-changing environments. Chantell explains why traditional strategic models risk becoming redundant and introduces scenario-based frameworks for more agile, adaptive decision-making.

Rethinking Stakeholders

This session explores the increasing complexity of stakeholder relationships in modern organisations. It provides practical approaches for managing these relationships more effectively and aligning diverse stakeholder interests with organisational purpose.

Reimagining Your Meaning of Winning

Chantell challenges conventional definitions of success by expanding the concept of “winning” beyond profit. She explores sustainability, purpose, and long-term value creation in a world where performance is measured by evolving and often external metrics.

The Leadership Evolution

This keynote explores how megatrends are reshaping leadership expectations in business and politics. It highlights the need for leaders who are agile, authentic, and able to remain relevant in rapidly shifting environments.

Moving the Dial

This presentation examines the rise of “consumer leadership” and how innovation is increasingly driven by customers rather than organisations. It explores how this shift is transforming the relationship between businesses and their markets.

Shifting Scenarios

This talk explores possible futures for South Africa within a global context. It examines shifting political and economic scenarios and encourages leaders to think critically about national and organisational priorities.

Constructing Your Future

This session focuses on strategic thinking as a competitive advantage. Using scenario planning and case studies, Chantell demonstrates how organisations can build stronger strategic capability and future readiness.

Motivational Content

Backwards and in High Heels – A Woman in a Businessman’s World

Chantell Ilbury shares her experiences as a scenario strategist working with executive teams globally, offering a candid and often humorous reflection on leadership, gender dynamics, and navigating male-dominated environments.

She discusses her work with executive teams, personal challenges, and the realities of travelling and working internationally as a woman. Her talk also explores entrepreneurship, balancing family and career, and building leadership presence in complex corporate environments.

Drawing from her book A Fox’s Tale, she challenges traditional ideas of empowerment, advocating instead for initiative, opportunity creation, and strategic awareness in leadership.

Key Themes Covered

• Leading strategic thinking in male-dominated environments
• Women navigating global business challenges
• Developing leadership and entrepreneurial capability
• Balancing family, career, and personal resilience
• Building strong partnerships and networks
• Learning from adversity, loss, and personal experience

This keynote blends strategic insight with storytelling, humour, and personal reflection, offering audiences both practical leadership lessons and memorable lived experiences.