Amsterdam Business Forum 2026
People Centered Leadership
Leadership today is no longer defined by performance and results alone. With AI taking over routine tasks, it’s clearer than ever: the true value of organizations lies in people – their creativity, resilience, and humanity. That is why we need People Centered Leadership – leaders who put people back at the heart of organizations.
At Amsterdam Business Forum 2026, you’ll discover what this new kind of leadership looks like! 6 amazing speakers will share their best insights:
✨ Ahmed Aboutaleb (NL) – Former Mayor of Rotterdam
✨ Diana Kander (UA & USA) – Serial entrepreneur & innovation expert
✨ Steven Bartlett (UK) – Entrepreneur & host of The Diary of a CEO
✨ The Rt. Hon. Dame Jacinda Ardern (NZ) – Former Prime Minister of New Zealand
✨ Seth Godin (USA) – Living legend in leadership and marketing
✨ Eva de Mol (NL) – Leading tech investor
✨ Ikenna Azuike (NL) – Host
Join us and learn how to lead with humanity, purpose, and impact. Because in the end, organizations don’t grow – people do.
Regular or VIP?
With a Regular ticket you’ll get access to the seminar, all inclusive catering, livestream recordings. The VIP ticket adds VIP seating, access to VIP lounge, VIP sessions with Seth Godin and Jacinda Ardern and exclusive VIP dinner. If you want a VIP ticket, contact us.
Your company in the spotlight at the Amsterdam Business Forum? Get in touch with us.
Program Overview
08:00 – Registration | Doors open, and participants are welcomed.
09:30 – Opening | Kick-off of the event with an inspiring introduction.
17:15 – Closing & Networking Reception | The day concludes with opportunities to connect with other attendees.
Key Sessions:
Block 1 – The Human Role in Digital Organizations
Digitalization and AI are transforming organizations at lightning speed. But now more than ever, it is people who make the difference. What is the new Human Edge in this digital era?
- Diana Kander explains why curiosity is a crucial human skill AI can never replace. What daily habits can we adopt to train our curiosity muscle?
- Seth Godin shows why our uniquely human qualities – creativity, empathy, and initiative – matter even more in a world of algorithms.
Block 2 – Human Leadership: Empathy over Dominance
The era of dominant leadership is over. People centered leaders are kind, connecting and compassionate. These 2 leaders walked that talk and share their vision and values.
- Ahmed Aboutaleb shows how humanity, inclusivity, and vision can guide leadership even in times of tension and polarization.
- The Rt. Hon. Dame Jacinda Ardern demonstrates that you can be both strong and empathetic, and that consensus often builds more lasting results than conflict.
Block 3 – Building Human Centered Organizations
How do you create organizations where people truly come first? How does this affect you deal with customers, with investors and with employees?
- Eva de Mol gives cutting-edge insights from innovative startups: how to build companies that use technology wisely while keeping people at the center.
- Steven Bartlett shares insights from his journey as an entrepreneur and investor on shaping culture, teams, and purpose in ways that make people want to stay, grow, and contribute. He shows how people-centered organizations not only care for their employees but also achieve sustainable growth and long-term success.
Your company in the spotlight at the Amsterdam Business Forum? Get in touch with us.
