Alison Levine

Alison Levine

Keynote Speaker: Team Captain of the First American Women's Everest Expedition; Faculty Member at Thayer Leadership at West Point, Resilience & Leadership Speaker; New York Times Bestselling Author

Alison Levine Biography

Alison Levine is a history-making polar explorer and mountaineer. She served as team captain of the first American Women’s Everest Expedition, and is one of the few people in the world to have climbed the highest peak on each continent and skied to both the North and South Poles—a feat known as the Adventure Grand Slam.

In January 2008, she made history as the first American to complete a 600-mile traverse across west Antarctica to the South Pole following the route of legendary explorer Reinhold Messner. Levine completed this arduous journey on skis while hauling 150 lbs. of her gear and supplies in a sled harnessed to her waist. She made history again in 2016 when she completed two first ascents: Hall Peak in Antarctica and Khang Karpo in Nepal. Her success in extreme environments is noteworthy given she has had three heart surgeries and suffers from Raynaud’s disease, which causes the arteries that feed her fingers and toes to collapse in cold weather—leaving her at extreme risk for frostbite.

In addition to climbing mountains, Levine has also spent time climbing the corporate ladder. She had a successful career in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries in the US and in Asia. After earning her MBA she transitioned to the world of finance and worked in various positions on Wall Street before serving as Deputy Finance Director for Arnold Schwarzenegger in his successful bid to become governor of California.

When not challenging herself in the outdoors, Levine focuses on training others to become strong leaders. She spent four years as an adjunct professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point in the Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership. In 2014 she transitioned from training cadets to working with corporate leaders and currently serves on the board and faculty of the Thayer Leadership Group at West Point—one of the nation’s premiere executive leader development programs. She was a contributing author to the book "Leadership in Dangerous Situations: A Handbook for the Armed Forces, Emergency Services and First Responders." She also served as a board member and Senior Fellow at the Coach K Center on Leadership & Ethics at Duke University.

Levine has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of jobless women in western Uganda by training them to be trekking guides and porters in their local mountains, thus allowing them to earn a sustainable living wage through climbing-related tourism. Prior to her work in Uganda, women’s only avenue to earn money in this area of the country was through prostitution. Her efforts enabled the very first group of local women to climb Uganda’s highest peak—Mt Stanley. Her work to change the lives of women in Africa is the subject of the PBS documentary Living Courageously.

In 2019, Levine was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor which has been officially recognized by both Houses of Congress as one of our nation’s most prestigious awards and is annually memorialized in the Congressional Record.

A sought-after consultant and keynote speaker on the subject of leadership development, Levine has addressed audiences ranging from Fortune 500 companies to professional sports teams to the World Economic Forum at Davos. She is the author of the New York Times best-seller On the Edge: Leadership Lessons from Mount Everest and other Extreme Environments. Having spent prolonged periods of time in some of the world's most dangerous and inhospitable places, she tackles the topics of creating cohesive teams, taking responsible risks, and developing no-nonsense leaders that can succeed in times of uncertainty.

Levine was inducted into the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame in 2018. She holds a BA and honorary PhD from the University of Arizona and an MBA from Duke University, where she currently serves on the Board of Visitors. She served as executive producer of the documentary film "PASANG: In the Shadow of Everest," which chronicles the life of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa (1961-1993), the first female Sherpa to summit Mt. Everest.

FUN FACT: Levine’s life story was the inspiration for a craft beer called Conquer the Route Chocolate Stout which was distributed by Bold Missy Brewery and featured her likeness on the label.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Alison Levine and other top speakers and celebrities.

Alison Levine Speaking Topics

On the Edge: Leadership Lessons from the First American Women’s Everest Expedition

Drawing on her experience as team captain of the first American Women's Everest Expedition, Alison Levine shares the lessons learned from the mountain and explains how these can help you thrive in today's ultra-competitive business environments. Her immersive keynotes reveal what it really takes to lead, make decisions, and keep moving in performance-critical moments.

Her lessons are unconventional: Embrace fear, go backwards to make progress, stray from your plan, and pay homage to your failures. But complex situations call for non-traditional approaches. They worked for her…and they can work for you. Audiences will come away confident that they are equipped to tackle any challenge that comes their way.

From Setback to Superpowers: Why Your Team’s Limitations Might Be Your Biggest Asset

With humor and humility, Alison Levine recounts her history-making expedition to the South Pole, where she skied more than 600 miles across the punishing terrain of Antarctica on a quest to become the first American to complete the brutally demanding Messner route. Her trip was fraught with unexpected challenges, yet what she struggled with most wasn’t the extreme temperatures or dangerous terrain; it was the realization that she couldn’t keep pace with her taller, stronger teammates — until a creative solution turned what initially seemed like a disadvantage into her greatest strength.

This journey to the coldest place on earth will leave you with a new perspective on teamwork, perceived “limitations,” and the value each person brings to the table — especially those whose strengths look different from everyone else’s. You'll come away with strategies to unlock hidden potential in yourself and in your teammates...as well as a deep, DEEP appreciation for heated car seats.

Alison Levine Videos

Alison Levine - Complacency Will Kill You
Unorthodox Lessons From Scaling Mount Everest with Alison Levine
Alison Levine at TedX Midwest: Complacency Will Kill You - YouTube

How do I book Alison Levine to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Alison Levine for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Alison Levine, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Alison Levine or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Alison Levine for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Alison Levine, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Alison Levine are $30,000 - $50,000 for live events and $20,000 - $30,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Alison Levine, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Alison Levine speak about?

Alison Levine is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Change Management, Adventure, Human Resources, Teamwork & Teambuilding, Personal Growth, Ethics & Integrity, Inspirational, Women, Author, Overcoming Adversity, Motivational, Leadership, Influential Women, Climbing, Sales, Business, Black History Month, Black Heritage, Social Activism, Anti-Racism, Diversity & Inclusion, Women's History Month, Female Leadership and TED.

Where does Alison Levine travel from?

Alison Levine generally travels from Denver, CO, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Alison Levine?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Alison Levine for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Alison Levine for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Alison Levine or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Alison Levine is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Change Management, Adventure and Human Resources. The estimated speaking fee range to book Alison Levine for live events is $30,000 - $50,000, and for virtual events $20,000 - $30,000. Alison Levine generally travels from Denver, CO, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Carey Lohrenz, John "GUCCI" Foley and Molly Fletcher. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Alison Levine for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 30/10/2026.

Alison Levine Speaking Topics

  • On the Edge: Leadership Lessons from the First American Women’s Everest Expedition

    Drawing on her experience as team captain of the first American Women's Everest Expedition, Alison Levine shares the lessons learned from the mountain and explains how these can help you thrive in today's ultra-competitive business environments. Her immersive keynotes reveal what it really takes to lead, make decisions, and keep moving in performance-critical moments.

    Her lessons are unconventional: Embrace fear, go backwards to make progress, stray from your plan, and pay homage to your failures. But complex situations call for non-traditional approaches. They worked for her…and they can work for you. Audiences will come away confident that they are equipped to tackle any challenge that comes their way.

  • From Setback to Superpowers: Why Your Team’s Limitations Might Be Your Biggest Asset

    With humor and humility, Alison Levine recounts her history-making expedition to the South Pole, where she skied more than 600 miles across the punishing terrain of Antarctica on a quest to become the first American to complete the brutally demanding Messner route. Her trip was fraught with unexpected challenges, yet what she struggled with most wasn’t the extreme temperatures or dangerous terrain; it was the realization that she couldn’t keep pace with her taller, stronger teammates — until a creative solution turned what initially seemed like a disadvantage into her greatest strength.

    This journey to the coldest place on earth will leave you with a new perspective on teamwork, perceived “limitations,” and the value each person brings to the table — especially those whose strengths look different from everyone else’s. You'll come away with strategies to unlock hidden potential in yourself and in your teammates...as well as a deep, DEEP appreciation for heated car seats.

Alison Levine Videos

Alison Levine - Complacency Will Kill You
Unorthodox Lessons From Scaling Mount Everest with Alison Levine
Alison Levine at TedX Midwest: Complacency Will Kill You - YouTube
Lessons from the ledge: Alison Levine at TEDxMidwest

Alison Levine Reviews

  • Heitman - Jun 10 2025

  • Alison was fantastic in her delivery.
    Facebook - Oct 26 2019

Alison Levine News

  • How do I book Alison Levine to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Alison Levine for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Alison Levine, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Alison Levine or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Alison Levine for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Alison Levine, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Alison Levine are $30,000 - $50,000 for live events and $20,000 - $30,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Alison Levine, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Alison Levine speak about?

  • Where does Alison Levine travel from?

    Alison Levine generally travels from Denver, CO, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Alison Levine?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Alison Levine for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Alison Levine for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Alison Levine or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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