Kathy Varol built the global purpose strategy for Adidas, a 22-billion dollar company. Now Varol shares her knowledge with audiences on how to embed a purpose into their company to stand out in a competitive environment, attract the best talent, drive employee engagement, gain enviable consumer loyalty, and fully harness the innovative brainpower of their employees.
Varol is called a “force for change” and a “transformative storyteller.” The global purpose strategy Varol built for Adidas encompassed everything Adidas does to positively impact people and the planet, including:
A holistic sustainability strategy that further established adidas as a leader in retail sustainability, and inspired an army of loyal brand advocates to join a movement to end plastic waste. An impactful social equality strategy that provided access to sport for girls around the globe, developed new products, and initiated bold corporate actions to stand against inequality (including equal bonus pay for Women's World Cup winners, and supporting the fight for racial justice in the USA).
A progressive Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) strategy that fostered a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement with internal processes, metrics, and accountability.
This Global Purpose strategy created impact. A thorough assessment by S&P in 2021 awarded adidas an ESG score of 85, placing the company among the top 10% rated by S&P Global Ratings.
Varol started her career as a bright-eyed idealist, joining the Peace Corps straight out of college. Along her journey, the idealist combined with her inner strategist, creating a catalyst for good. Now Varol has 20 years of experience in brand marketing, strategy, and impact, working at established brands like adidas, MillerCoors, and Microsoft.
Varol is a sought-after speaker, Purpose Strategy Expert, and CSR & ESG consultant who has spoken and led workshops around the globe. She shares her knowledge with audiences on how to embed a purpose into their company in order to transform their culture, their business, and impact the world.
Varol also hosts the “Purpose and Profit” podcast, where she interviews some of the most innovative business leaders using business as a force for good. The “Purpose and Profit” podcast is rated in the top 2.5% of podcasts globally.
Varol is an explorer at heart. She has created as many opportunities as possible to discover the different corners of the world. As a result, she has bartended in Australia, served coffee in the UK, made rugs and taught kickboxing in Morocco, gutted fish in Alaska, created sportswear strategy in Germany, and developed new beers in middle America.
Varol now lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and two dogs. She has an MBA from Georgetown University, and sits on the board of advisors for Masawa (the world's only social impact fund focused solely on mental wellness) and Lucky Envelope Brewing.
How do you stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace? How do you attract top talent? How do you increase profitability?
You do something remarkable. Purpose makes brands remarkable.
As consumers, we're putting our dollars toward companies with aligned values. 85% of millennials in the United States would switch brands for a good cause, and 50% of growth in consumer goods went to sustainability-marketed products between 2013 and 2018.
As employees, we’re looking for meaning in our careers, and the best talent is choosing to work for organizations that feed their hearts as well as their bank accounts. 92% of millennials believe that working for an environmentally and socially responsible company is important.
In the modern world, companies without a purpose beyond profit will be left behind. You can either be a pioneering force for good in your industry, or the disrupted.
Kathy built the global purpose strategy for adidas, a 22 billion dollar company, encompassing everything adidas does to positively impact people and planet. Through trial and error, Kathy has learned what works, and what doesn't.
Through her work, a model emerged.
A way to successfully use purpose to drive profit.
In the Drive Profit with Purpose keynote, Kathy will reveal her 4-step Brand Purpose Model to engage your organization, inspire innovation, and win the hearts of your consumers.
You Will Learn:
This Keynote Is Perfect For Leaders And Companies:
At its core, ESG (environmental, social, governance) is about fixing what’s broken in business, fueling efficiency, equality, and integrity. And guess what? It’s a goldmine for resilience and profitability.
An effective ESG strategy future-proofs the business strategy.
From 2011 to 2018, the proportion of S&P 500 companies reporting on their sustainability efforts, corporate social responsibility activities, and ESG performance increased from just under 20% to 86%.
ESG has become an expected way of operating, and you don't want to get left behind.
Kathy helps businesses create an effective ESG strategy that moves beyond a feel-good exercise and drives real change across the metrics that matter to their business. In this keynote, through captivating stories and real-world business examples, Kathy will reveal a step-by-step process that will help your company set the ESG gold standard for your industry.
You Will learn:
This Keynote Is Perfect For Leaders And Companies:
Data clearly shows that businesses that nurture their purpose, people, and culture unlock exponential results: engaged employees, loyal consumers, increased innovation, and accelerated growth.
In this keynote, through captivating business stories, Kathy will share why shifting the focus from your output (revenue) to your inputs (purpose, people, and culture) will drive better results. Kathy will also share concrete strategies you use right away to nurture each of these business inputs.
You Will learn:
This Keynote Is Perfect For Leaders And Companies:
Sustainability isn’t merely a trend—it's a revolution reshaping industries.
No longer a “nice to have,” sustainability has become a key indicator for companies' long-term success. This keynote will elevate your understanding of sustainability, explain its significance for your business's success, highlight the forces accelerating sustainability across industries, and share how sustainability isn't just about saving the planet; it's about saving and making money.
During this keynote, Kathy will share three accelerating areas of sustainable innovation that can create value, enhance your reputation, reduce risk, and boost your financial performance. Kathy will bring these three areas of innovation to life with real-world examples of companies across industries that are setting the gold standard for sustainability.
If you're ready to lead rather than follow in the evolving business landscape, this keynote provides the roadmap to a future where profitability and sustainability go hand in hand.
You will learn:
This keynote is perfect for leaders and companies who:
How do I book Kathy Varol to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Kathy Varol 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 Kathy Varol, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Kathy Varol or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Kathy Varol for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Kathy Varol, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Kathy Varol are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Kathy Varol, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Kathy Varol speak about?
Kathy Varol is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Environment, Sustainability, Non-Profit & Association, Energy, Environmental Policy, Business Ethics, Communication, Leadership, Business Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Business, Business Growth, Ethics & Integrity, Corporate Strategy and Finance.
Where does Kathy Varol travel from?
Kathy Varol generally travels from Portland, OR, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Kathy Varol?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Kathy Varol 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 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Kathy Varol for your next private or corporate function.
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Kathy Varol is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Environment, Sustainability and Non-Profit & Association. The estimated speaking fee range to book Kathy Varol for live events is $20,000 - $30,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Kathy Varol generally travels from Portland, OR, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Afdhel Aziz, Nidhi Chadda and Andrew Winston. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Kathy Varol for an upcoming event.
How do you stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace? How do you attract top talent? How do you increase profitability?
You do something remarkable. Purpose makes brands remarkable.
As consumers, we're putting our dollars toward companies with aligned values. 85% of millennials in the United States would switch brands for a good cause, and 50% of growth in consumer goods went to sustainability-marketed products between 2013 and 2018.
As employees, we’re looking for meaning in our careers, and the best talent is choosing to work for organizations that feed their hearts as well as their bank accounts. 92% of millennials believe that working for an environmentally and socially responsible company is important.
In the modern world, companies without a purpose beyond profit will be left behind. You can either be a pioneering force for good in your industry, or the disrupted.
Kathy built the global purpose strategy for adidas, a 22 billion dollar company, encompassing everything adidas does to positively impact people and planet. Through trial and error, Kathy has learned what works, and what doesn't.
Through her work, a model emerged.
A way to successfully use purpose to drive profit.
In the Drive Profit with Purpose keynote, Kathy will reveal her 4-step Brand Purpose Model to engage your organization, inspire innovation, and win the hearts of your consumers.
You Will Learn:
This Keynote Is Perfect For Leaders And Companies:
At its core, ESG (environmental, social, governance) is about fixing what’s broken in business, fueling efficiency, equality, and integrity. And guess what? It’s a goldmine for resilience and profitability.
An effective ESG strategy future-proofs the business strategy.
From 2011 to 2018, the proportion of S&P 500 companies reporting on their sustainability efforts, corporate social responsibility activities, and ESG performance increased from just under 20% to 86%.
ESG has become an expected way of operating, and you don't want to get left behind.
Kathy helps businesses create an effective ESG strategy that moves beyond a feel-good exercise and drives real change across the metrics that matter to their business. In this keynote, through captivating stories and real-world business examples, Kathy will reveal a step-by-step process that will help your company set the ESG gold standard for your industry.
You Will learn:
This Keynote Is Perfect For Leaders And Companies:
Data clearly shows that businesses that nurture their purpose, people, and culture unlock exponential results: engaged employees, loyal consumers, increased innovation, and accelerated growth.
In this keynote, through captivating business stories, Kathy will share why shifting the focus from your output (revenue) to your inputs (purpose, people, and culture) will drive better results. Kathy will also share concrete strategies you use right away to nurture each of these business inputs.
You Will learn:
This Keynote Is Perfect For Leaders And Companies:
Sustainability isn’t merely a trend—it's a revolution reshaping industries.
No longer a “nice to have,” sustainability has become a key indicator for companies' long-term success. This keynote will elevate your understanding of sustainability, explain its significance for your business's success, highlight the forces accelerating sustainability across industries, and share how sustainability isn't just about saving the planet; it's about saving and making money.
During this keynote, Kathy will share three accelerating areas of sustainable innovation that can create value, enhance your reputation, reduce risk, and boost your financial performance. Kathy will bring these three areas of innovation to life with real-world examples of companies across industries that are setting the gold standard for sustainability.
If you're ready to lead rather than follow in the evolving business landscape, this keynote provides the roadmap to a future where profitability and sustainability go hand in hand.
You will learn:
This keynote is perfect for leaders and companies who:
"I've been to a lot of these conferences over the years and Kathy Varol was by far my favorite speaker."
Strategic Conference
- Mar 06 2024
“Impactful and high-energy presentation. Kathy really got the show moving!”
Stibo Systems
- Mar 06 2024
Kathy is a force for change. An inspiring speaker that energized us to aim higher, while sharing the tools to implement change. Kathy is a natural connector of people, and infectiously optimistic in the power of innovation to create the future.”
Lululemon
- Mar 06 2024
“Kathy was able to engage the entire collection of creative minds on a tour of what is possible. I left feeling empowered, inspired, and well equipped.”
adidas
- Mar 06 2024
What would it feel like to wake up every work day excited to go to work? When the sound of your alarm clock goes off, springing out of bed with the giddy excitement of a 10 year old at summer camp. The thrill of possibility rushing through your veins. The pure anticipation—you will get to learn something new, contribute and collaborate with others.
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