Rachael Robertson

Rachael Robertson (CSP, MBA) is a former Antarctic expedition leader, Chief Ranger and leader with 20 years of ‘extreme’ leadership experience. She is a best-selling author and leadership guru whose talents are in great demand from leading organisations around the globe.

As only the second female to lead a team to Davis Station in Antarctica she managed a diverse group of up to 120 people, through total isolation, months of darkness, with no way in and no way out. It was a leadership laboratory in the most extreme and hostile environment on Earth, where most of the theory doesn’t apply.

This leadership role is a truly unique experience.  Antarctica in winter is totally inaccessible which means once the last ship leaves at the end of February, no one can leave the base under any circumstance (not even if you are dying) until the ship returns in November. It’s a 24 hour a day, every day of the year, leadership role.

Rachael was responsible for all aspects of life on the Station, from the safety and welfare of over 80 expeditioners in Summer, to the delivery of the Australian Government’s $20mn science program.  In any circumstance, this would be a tough role, but for a female in a male dominated environment, it was also a very challenging one!

Prior to this Rachael held senior operational management roles for 16 years in a range of complex and challenging environments, was Victoria’s youngest Chief Ranger and led the media coordination unit during the Black Saturday bushfires.

Leading an Antarctic expedition, coordinating media during the Black Saturday bushfire event and guiding teams through turmoil all require extreme leadership and the ability to inspire through tough times. As Rachael reveals using incredible and often hilarious examples, these situations demand big leadership in small moments, because it’s the small moments that build momentum.

She is now a keynote speaker and facilitator at many national and international conferences with over 350 clients including NAB, AXA, Westpac, BHP Billiton, IBM, Minter Ellison, Crown Casino, CPA Australia, Wesfarmers, BP, Choice Hotels and Melbourne Water. Rachael presents with great humour, humility and passion. No matter the event, Rachael will leave your audience inspired, challenged and equipped to take the next step in their leadership journey.

Rachael Robertson talks about

Leading on the Edge

Leadership   |  Inspiration

The job of a leader is to create more leaders, not more followers! This keynote explores how great leaders build and invest in those around them and turn “moments into momentum” by paying attention to the little things. This is all about showing BIG leadership in SMALL moments.

Future. Woman. Leader.

Women   |   Leadership

How did Rachael become the youngest female leader to Antarctica, or the youngest Chief Ranger? In this keynote Rachael outlines the key personal mantras, commitments and career tools that every woman must use to progress effectively. Perfect for both women’s and mixed events. 

365 Shades Of White

Inspiration   |   Entertainment

An hilarious and compelling account of Rachael’s time leading up to 120 people in the remotest corner of the earth for a year. Hear about “life in the freezer”, the plane crash, how “the bacon war” nearly derailed a $30M science program and other unique stories backed by uncommon insight and useful tools. 

The Future Of Teamwork

Teamwork   |  Leadership

Today’s and future teams are very different from what they once were. Now we come together quickly, remotely and are expected to perform immediately. In this keynote Rachael uncovers the critical tools she uses to quickly create cohesion, purpose and resilience in teams. Practical tools you can put to work straight away.  

Change Is The New Business As Usual

Leadership   |   Change

It’s a truism, but change is the new constant. It can be unsettling, energising but create extreme fatigue. In this keynote Rachael provides the tools to navigate this world of “flux” that dominates business today.  Self-leadership, resilience, and persistence are the keys to succeeding in a world of seemingly constant change. 

Remote and Dangerous

Safety Leadership   |   Teamwork

Workplace health and safety insights from the harshest, coldest, most isolated workplace on earth. Rachael recounts how she kept her team safe and sane through the long, dark Antarctic winter by building a culture of safety leadership. She provides practical tools each person can use to create leadership around them.