Dona Sarkar is the keynote speaker Fortune 500 leaders book when they’re done with AI drama and ready to actually do the thing. A longtime Microsoft engineering leader, fashion business owner, wine bar co-owner, four-time author, and full-time Chief Troublemaker, she’s spent over 20 years on stage—delivering 200+ keynotes to audiences of 30,000 in person and 2 million virtually—turning the future of work into a system.
Her signature “100 Bad Ideas” framework helps teams trade AI chaos for 25 real AI wins a year. Funny, irreverent, and relentlessly practical, Dona helps leaders adopt AI, drive innovation, and banish imposter syndrome—because success isn’t magic. It’s math.
Most AI adoption stalls because teams chase one perfect idea. Dona teaches the opposite: generate 100 bad ones, run 25 experiments across 25 workflows, land 5 breakthroughs. It’s the formula that turns AI-curious teams into AI-shipping teams in 30 days — customized live to your industry, your tools, and your bottlenecks.
AI will take your job. No, AI will create more jobs. Which is it? Well, a little of BOTH. Leaning on 20+ years of job reinvention as well as the latest research on what the future of work is trending toward, Dona guides you through her framework of how you can craft your next job vs waiting for some magical “they” do it AND set up your overall organizational structure for a post-AI world.
When everyone’s prompting the same models, your humanity is the moat. Dona shares her framework for how you and your team can identify and amplify what AI can’t replicate — taste, judgment, weirdness, soul. Customized to your company’s specific human assets so your team leaves knowing exactly which edge to sharpen on Monday.
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If you’re looking for a speaker who’s 100% authentic, not afraid to engage in uncomfortable but highly necessary #RealTalk to get your audience thinking, Dona Sarkar is your answer. A powerhouse of a speaker, Dona always comes prepared with fresh ideas and actionable plans (read: homework!) to continue investing in themselves long after the event is over. Get ready to be volunTOLD, get out of your comfort zone, and discover how you can become a better human.
When Dona Sarkar speaks, something exceptional happens. She is a passionate presenter and changemaker who is making a remarkable impression globally. Single-handed, Dona is lifting up everyone in the room and instilling in them the belief that they can and will do more. Her brave, no-nonsense approach is infectious and making a world of difference.
As an Olympic athlete, I’ve listened to many motivational speakers. It’s sometimes hard to find talks that really hit home specifically to me. Dona’s presence in person and on stage grabbed me immediately. I knew she was someone I wanted to emulate and was further inspired after hearing her TEDxtalk about the Imposter Syndrome. She was engaging, relaxed and so genuine. Anyone who has taken a risk in life towards success can relate to her message of feeling like you don’t belong or are not worthy. She uses her own successful career and personal experiences to illustrate how to combat these feelings and find power on the other side of it. Every employee, college student, entrepreneur and athlete will be faced with Imposter Syndrome at some point in their lives; Dona Sarkar’s message will prepare, normalize and inspire them to conquer these feelings and teach them how to OWN their success!
Dona Sarkar is one of our favorite speakers! She is a dynamic and engaging speaker who captivates audiences with her sharp wit, intelligence, and insightful perspectives. Her keynotes and fireside conversations are both humorous and thought-provoking, making complex ideas accessible and inspiring actionable change.




