Aimee Mullins | Keynote Speaker

Aimée Mullins: A Trailblazer Who Turns Adversity Into Advantage

Aimée is known for breaking barriers and resetting norms. She set Paralympic world records as a double amputee athlete, graced international fashion runways, and built a screen career that includes acclaimed film and television shows. An advocate, actor and public speaker, she shares a clear, human take on personal and professional challenges. Her signature keynote, Embracing Adversity, leaves audiences with practical ways to move forward when the ground shifts.

A Pioneer on the Track and Beyond

Aimée earned a full scholarship to Georgetown University and became the first amputee to compete in NCAA Division I track and field. She represented Team USA at Atlanta 1996 and set Paralympic world records in the 100 m, 200 m and long jump. Early in her career she raced on prototype sprinting legs modelled on the hind legs of a cheetah, helping to popularise the carbon fibre “cheetah” design now seen across elite para sport. Coverage from Life magazine and Sports Illustrated showcased her achievements and led to frequent public speaking appearances, including the world famous TED Conference.

Crossing Into Fashion, Art and Media

Aimée’s influence reaches far beyond sport. She opened an Alexander McQueen show in London wearing hand carved wooden prosthetic legs that later entered a fine art context at the Victoria and Albert Museum. She has appeared in fashion advertising and editorials for titles including Harper’s Bazaar, with further features in Sports Illustrated and Life magazine. On screen, she appeared in the hit series Stranger Things and in Apple TV+’s Extrapolations, and she has worked with contemporary artist Matthew Barney on projects that shaped avant garde cinema. Her work has been highlighted by institutions such as Tate Modern and in design and culture settings worldwide.

Advocate and Advisor

In 2012, Aimée served as Chef de Mission for Team USA at the London Paralympic Games. That same year, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appointed her to the State Department’s Council to Empower Women and Girls Through Sports. A former president of the Women’s Sports Foundation, founded by Billie Jean King, Aimée continues to advise on inclusive design, performance and leadership across established industries that are ready to spin off new ideas.

Embracing Adversity

In her keynote, Aimée reframes “crisis as usual” for today’s business leaders. She shows how constraint can spark innovation, how to make confident choices at critical decision points, and how to continually decide rather than wait. Delegates leave with a stronger vantage point for handling rapid change and finding meaningful ways to move.

A Life Recognised

Aimée is one of the youngest inductees into the United States’ National Women’s Hall of Fame. Her TED talks have been translated into dozens of languages. She has been recognised by a women’s museum and by the track and field community, and her story continues to appear in exhibitions, collections and international design conferences.

A Personalised Touch

For a custom experience, Aimée often hosts interactive Q&A sessions. These candid conversations invite your audience to explore topics such as identity, innovation, body image and leadership in action.