Mark Pollock is a globally recognised explorer and speaker whose powerful story of resilience and innovation inspires audiences to embrace adversity, optimise performance and collaborate for impact.
Mark Pollock is an internationally renowned speaker, explorer and collaboration catalyst who helps leaders and teams adapt, innovate, and thrive in the face of challenge. Known for being the first blind person to race to the South Pole, Mark combines extraordinary lived experience with cutting-edge work in science and technology to inspire transformation.
After losing his sight in 1998, Mark went on to become a decorated adventure athlete, winning silver and bronze in rowing at the Commonwealth Games and competing in ultra-endurance races across some of the world’s harshest terrains. In 2010, a fall left him paralysed from the waist down, prompting a new chapter in his journey: exploring the frontiers of recovery from spinal cord injury.
Mark is the founder of the global running movement Run in the Dark and Chairman of Collaborative Cures, through which he has catalysed over $100 million in international collaborations to accelerate progress in curing paralysis.
He has served on advisory boards including the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation (USA), the Global Futures Council on Human Enhancement, and Cybathlon. Recognised as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, Mark continues to lead in both innovation and advocacy.
He holds degrees from Trinity College Dublin, UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School, and a diploma in Global Leadership and Public Policy from Harvard University. He is currently pursuing a Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance (Sport) at Dublin City University.
Mark delivers high-impact keynote speeches that are honest, moving, and deeply motivational. His talks explore the boundaries of resilience, performance, and collaboration, tailored to resonate with leadership teams and organisations navigating uncertainty or change. Whether on stage at global conferences or addressing executive audiences, his message endures well beyond the event itself, sparking action and transformation.
…
Meet Deborah Berebichez: Stanford Ph.D. physicist, TV personality, and quantum computing expert. Explore her journey from academia to media, making complex topics accessible and exciting.
The President of the European Athletics Coaches Association, a Member of the IAAF Coaches Commission, as well as Chair (and architect) of the IAAF Academy.
Founder of Ethiopia’s first commodities exchange, a serial entrepreneur impacting the lives of over 15 million small farmers.
Diane Chadwick-Jones, former Director of Human Performance at BP, is a luminary in the field of safety culture and human performance whose work in high-hazard industry companies delivers cultural shifts that not only improve safety outcomes but also make work processes more effective.
Dr Ernesto Sirolli is a global authority on community development and entrepreneurship. With over 40 years of experience, he equips leaders and organisations to unlock local talent, drive sustainable economic impact, and build resilient, person-centred systems of growth and innovation.
Former Australian professional road racing cyclist turned sports director, an expert in team building and leadership
Magnus Lindkvist is a globally renowned futurologist, trendspotter, and bestselling author who helps businesses decode emerging trends and embrace the unexpected to spark innovation and creative thinking.
Ronan O’Gara, a legend in the rugby world, has made significant contributions both as a player and a coach. His journey through the realms of playing for Ireland and coaching at an elite level offers profound insights into dedication, leadership, and success.
Kirk Vallis is Google’s Head of Creativity Development and a leading authority on creative thinking in business. He equips leaders and teams with practical tools and behavioural strategies to drive innovation, problem-solving, and lasting cultural change.
Sacha Dekker, an esteemed learning and talent development executive, has a rich history of fostering inclusive, world-class learning experiences. With a journey marked by resilience and global expertise, Sacha is a beacon of inspiration in leadership and overcoming adversity.
