How did you start your moderation journey?
How did you start your moderation journey?After almost one and a half decades in marketing and another decade in high tech, mixed in with almost another decade of lecturing at leading universities in Europe and the United States, I became a top global speaker on change, innovation, and the future of business success.
The position of the headlining speaker puts you in close contact with top moderators. One day, a moderator called in sick, and I offered to do both, being the keynote and the moderator of the entire event, including panel discussions. I really enjoyed this experience, and I’ve enjoyed moderating ever since.
What do you find most exciting about moderating?
When I give a keynote on stage, my talks are fully planned, timed, and polished to perfection. The final delivery is like a theatre performance—it is a carefully crafted experience that delivers maximum inspiration and information.
Moderating, on the other hand, is very dynamic, hyperfluid, and always in motion. The topic is set, but the conversation between the guests is unscripted, and the experience unfolds in real time, which is also the same for me as the moderator. It goes beyond guiding the conversation—it’s about shaping insights as they emerge and keeping the energy high, ensuring a fast-paced, engaging discussion filled with unexpected insights that spark real connections and fresh ideas.
How do you typically prepare to moderate an Ortus event?
Of course, I deep dive into the subject and the individual members of the group. I also talk to the host and distil key messages and core touchpoints. This is where my background in advertising comes in handy: I can simplify complex ideas without losing depth.
The real key, however, is simply to listen! Note the most relevant aspects of the topic at hand, the most urgent questions, the biggest blocks, and the insecurities that could deliver the biggest AHA moments and the most outstanding learning for the audience.
What tips and tricks would you recommend for those aspiring to become moderators?
Preparation lays the foundation for great moderation, and experience sharpens the craft. Know your topic, the host, and the guests.
But great moderation isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about curiosity. Ask incisive questions, read the room, and truly listen. Moderate the way you’d want your perfect event to be: engaging, bold, thought-provoking, fun, and daring. Your role isn’t just to facilitate—it’s to ignite conversations that shift perspectives and spark action.
In what ways has moderating contributed to your growth as a leader in your field?
I’ve always loved to dive deep into new topics and learn new things. I do this all the time in “reception mode”: reading the latest research or listening to other speakers at events. But the active, open, and intimate engagement while moderating shows personal aspects that research papers and keynotes don’t normally show: personal challenges and personal hopes.
Events with The Ortus Club amplify this. Moderation has honed my ability to align perspectives, distil complex ideas on the fly, and drive discussions toward clarity and action. In short, it hasn’t just made me better at leading conversations—it’s made me better at leading.
How has moderating contributed to your personal and professional growth?
No matter how approachable I am on stage, there’s always an invisible divide—the keynote speaker on one side and the audience on the other. Moderating dissolves that barrier, placing me within the conversation—part of a collective experience shaped by the perspectives around me rather than just delivering my own.
Moderating has heightened my instincts, helping me read the room, navigate tensions, and steer discussions toward meaningful outcomes. It has also expanded my thinking, broadened my network, and exposed me to perspectives that challenge my own. More than a skill, moderation is a mindset—one that makes me more present, more agile, and more attuned to what truly matters.
