Global Keynote Speaker · Bestselling Author · Former CNN Correspondent & Adviser to Spain's Government

Courage first.
Confidence after.

You don't need to feel fully confident.
You need courage.
— Carla de la Vega
CNN · 7 countries · No map · No confidence · 20 million people
20M+ People Reached
7 Countries Lived In
15+ Years Researching Courage
2 Books · 1 Bestseller
Courage over Confidence✦ The Courage to Speak, Decide and Lead✦ The Power of Inclusive Leadership✦ WEF Iconic Women 2023✦ Former CNN Correspondent✦ Bestselling Author✦ Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister of Spain✦ Courage over Confidence✦ Your Voice is Your Power✦ The Power of Inclusive Leadership✦ WEF Iconic Women 2023✦ Former CNN Correspondent✦ Bestselling Author✦ Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister of Spain✦
Trusted by global organizations
Atos
UBS
Christie's
Intralinks
European Union
MENA BFSI
Dubai Chamber
Women Economic Forum
About Carla

15 years. Seven countries.
One conclusion.

In 2009, shortly after her first book was published, a blogger in Istanbul launched an online attack against her. She froze.

It didn't matter that she was the CNN correspondent in Istanbul, had advised the Deputy Prime Minister of Spain, lived in Singapore, India, and Italy, or written a bestselling book. In that moment, she believed she needed confidence to move again.

She was wrong. She researched without confidence — across 100+ psychologists, coaches and leaders, from India to Dubai — and built a platform that reached 20 million people. Today she is the founder and CEO of IWEI, a global platform for women's leadership. And after 15 years and seven countries, she arrived at the conclusion no one else is saying:

Confidence is overrated. It's not the starting point. It's where you arrive. After courage.
Former CNN Correspondent & Gulf News Columnist
Bestselling author of two international books
Former Adviser, Deputy Prime Minister of Spain
Founder, IWEI · Global Advisory Member, G100
Awarded Iconic Women Creating a Better World — WEF 2023
Carla de la Vega
"Carla de la Vega is a symbol of hope and strength, motivating others towards a more empowered tomorrow."
Khaleej Times
As featured in
CNN Vogue El Mundo TVE Telecinco Antena 3 Khaleej Times Gulf News Hola
Carla de la Vega — TV appearances
Speaker Showreel

See Carla
on stage.

From corporate conferences in Dubai to global leadership congresses across Europe, Carla commands the room with clarity, conviction, and stories — backed by data and research — that stay with you long after the event.

MENA BFSI Congress · Dubai 2025
WEF Sessions · London 2023
Christie's Panel Moderator · Dubai 2025
Congreso Empresarias · España 2026
Signature Keynotes

What you carry with you
when certainty runs out.

Every keynote is tailored to your industry, audience, and objectives — available in English and Spanish.
01

Courage over Confidence

The only shift that turns uncertainty into advantage

Most leaders wait to feel ready. In a world of constant change, that certainty never comes. Carla waited too — until the day she couldn't anymore. Grounded in 20 years of research with 100+ psychologists, coaches and leaders across 7 countries, this keynote delivers the one shift that changes everything: stop waiting for confidence. Choose courage.

  • A science-backed framework to lead before you feel ready
  • The inner alliance tool that makes every other alliance possible
  • One decision you've been postponing — and the courage to make it today
02

Your Voice is Your Power

The skill AI cannot replace

In 2009, while a CNN correspondent, Carla faced a very public attack. She went silent. From that silence, she built a platform that reached 20 million people. Your voice — and your capacity to make it resonate across cultures and under pressure — is the asset no AI will ever replace.

  • Communicate with authority when the room doesn't look like you
  • Adapt your message across cultures without losing your power
  • Turn vulnerability into a strategic tool — not a weakness
03

The Power of Inclusive Leadership

Better decisions when there is no map

The best leaders aren't just high-performing — they're inclusive. Backed by data from Harvard, McKinsey and Deloitte, Carla shares the key behaviours that convert diversity into real competitive advantage and build the kind of teams people choose to follow.

  • Build agile, high-performing teams through diverse thinking
  • Sponsor diverse talent into leadership positions
  • Drive measurable results through inclusion strategies
Beyond the stage

She doesn't just talk
about courage. She lives it.

7 countries · 3 continents · No map · Always courage.

Kilimanjaro · 5,895m
Kilimanjaro · 5,895m
She reached the summit
Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The author on her surfboard
Arabian Desert · Dubai
Arabian Desert · Dubai
Writing where others wouldn't
Arabian Desert · Dubai
Arabian Desert · Dubai
Ready for the next story
For Women Who Lead

1:1 Mentoring

Private mentoring for women who lead — founders, business owners, and leaders in the C-suite or on their way to it.

What we work on

If any of this sounds familiar:

  • Leading when you're the only woman — or the first
  • You got the role. You still don't feel like it's yours.
  • Voice, presence and authority in the room
  • High-stakes moments: board, media, stage, investors
  • Asking for what's yours: promotion, pay, the seat
  • Career transitions: the leap, the pivot, the way back in
Why Carla

15 years in front of cameras, audiences, and power. Former CNN correspondent. Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister of Spain. Founder of the International Women Empowerment Initiative. Investor. Bestselling author. Seven countries, no map. She has been in the room where she had the least power — and she knows how it's done.

How it works

Private sessions. Online. English or Spanish. We start with one objective you name on day one. Don't have one yet? We'll find it together.

Carla de la Vega

They call it impostor syndrome. But if the room questions you every day, you're not imagining it.

Bestselling Books

The stories that
started it all.

One international bestseller and one critically acclaimed novel — translated and read across three continents.

#SHAKTI
Critically Acclaimed

#SHAKTI

A novel about the feminine power that changes everything

Three women. A mystery. A power they could never have imagined. Set in India, #SHAKTI explores the courage it takes for women to claim their voice.

Discover #SHAKTI →
Honour Heels Headscarves Amazon Bestseller
Amazon Bestseller

Honour, Heels & Headscarves

Real-life stories of women from Istanbul

Born from Carla's years as a CNN correspondent in Istanbul, this bestseller tells the true stories of women navigating between two worlds — East and West, tradition and modernity.

Order on Amazon →
Press on #SHAKTI
"A novel that will get to your heart." Hello Magazine
"Carla de la Vega displays here all her knowledge of the Eastern World." Vogue Magazine
"A unique portrayal of women in Turkey." Hürriyet Daily News
"#Shakti is very cinematographic… It is a beautiful novel." Mara Malibran, former Chief-Editor of Vogue & Elle
Coming Autumn 2027

Courage First

Don't wait to feel confident

A public attack kept Carla's second book in a drawer for years. So she did what journalists do: she investigated confidence across seven countries, interviewing 100+ psychologists, coaches and leaders. In a world that changes faster than we'll ever feel ready for, what she found matters more than ever: courage comes first. Confidence comes after.

Courage First
What They Say

Words from those
who were in the room.

"

Carla's pitch was just amazing. Her added value, her experience, and how she engaged with the team. She almost made me cry. I learned so many things.

Selma Turki
Partner, Digital & Emerging Technology
EY
EY
"

Amazing message. Gender inclusion is essential for driving innovation and creating a more equal and empowered world.

Marc Veelenturf
CEO Middle East & Türkiye
Atos International
Atos
"

I truly enjoyed your talk. Your insights on inclusion and your dedication to supporting women in the workforce are inspiring.

Khaled Al Kayed
CEO
Bank Nizwa
Bank Nizwa
"

I found the talk very inspiring. I gained a degree of self-confidence and self-esteem on a professional level that I hadn't expected.

Yolanda García Fuentes
M&A Analyst
Telefónica
Telefónica
"

A powerful talk with great insights. Carla, you are on an admirable path of corporate awareness.

Nitin Bhargava
COO
Al Masraf Bank
Al Masraf
"

The talk was fantastic. Very interesting content with very useful tips to put into practice immediately.

Patricia Gómez
Sales Director Iberia
Intralinks
Intralinks
Book Carla

Ready to bring
strategic courage
to your stage?

Available for corporate conferences, leadership summits, women's forums, and private briefings — worldwide. Carla speaks in English and Spanish and tailors every talk to your audience.

Email carla@theiwei.com
Web www.carladelavega.com
Base Dubai · Available Worldwide

Enquire about availability