Sara Riis-Carstensen is a leading brand strategist, known for helping businesses create brand-driven cultures, maintain authenticity, and stand out. Sara has worked with global brands and was the Director of Global Brand Development at Lego. Other notable clients within her portfolio include De Beers, Carlsberg, Giorgio Armani and Lufthansa Group. For an engaging, intelligent and experienced marketing speaker, Sara is the perfect choice for your event.
Sara has completed several academic degrees, starting with a BSc in International Marketing from Regent's University London and a BSc in Business Administration and Organisational Communication at Copenhagen Business School. She later gained her MSc in Marketing Communications Management from Copenhagen Business School. She began her career as a Press Assistant at Giorgio Armani London before moving to Farnborough Airshow to be their Media Coordinator in 2008. She also worked as a Marketing Assistant at Mindstorm Interactive Surface Solutions. In 2013, Sara became the Senior Marketing Manager of Global Brand Development at Lego. Whilst working with Lego, she supported them in achieving worldwide recognition, including their ranking as the "World’s Most Powerful Brand" by Brand Finance. Following this position, she became Head of Global Marketing at The De Beers Group.
Alongside her marketing roles, Sara was also an Associate Partner at Vivaldi and an Executive Advisor for Zurich Insurance. In 2023, she began working as the Head of Brand Strategy and Brand Management at Lufthansa Group, sharing her market insights and helping the business become more cohesive. She has also worked with other B2B and B2C brands, including SWISS and ITA Airways, ensuring they have a unified brand story. With such extensive experience working with major brands, Sara has been asked to judge industry awards and was on the panel for the Remarkable Marketing Awards in 2024.
Sara Riis-Carstensen is an incredible keynote speaker who uses her own international career to inspire leaders and empower them to make incisive business decisions. Sara regularly attends global forums, conferences, and industry events to share detailed strategic advice. With the growing influence of AI, Sara guides business leaders on how to remain authentic in an increasingly AI-generated landscape. To hire Sara Riis-Carstensen for your next event, contact Champions today!
Sara Riis-Carstensen's official speaking topics are listed below:
Building a Brand. Brick by Brick
Step into the dynamic world of brand transformation with Sara Riis-Carstensen, the visionary mastermind behind LEGO’s meteoric rise to global acclaim. In this keynote, Sara unveils the process of crafting LEGO’s inaugural global brand strategy - brick by brick.
Standing Out in Sameness
How do you stand out when everyone plays by the same rules? Sara Riis-Carstensen shares how she redefined branding for the Lufthansa Group and Zurich Insurance by daring to think differently. In this keynote, she unveils how creativity, courage, and customer obsession can revolutionise industries trapped in conformity
Authenticity in the Age of AI
In a world where algorithms talk and chatbots sell, authenticity has never been more powerful. Sara Riis-Carstensen reveals how brands can stay true, human, and relevant in an era defined by artificial intelligence and growing consumer scepticism. Discover how authenticity isn’t just a differentiator – it’s the ultimate competitive advantage
Unveiling the Blueprint: Building Global Power Brands
In this keynote, Sara Riis-Carstensen unveils the secrets to crafting iconic global brands. Drawing upon her career spanning iconic companies, Sara shares invaluable insights into the strategic manoeuvres and innovative tactics essential for brand supremacy in today’s competitive landscape
Decoding Premium: Navigating the Future of Luxury Brands
In this keynote, Sara Riis-Carstensen ventures into the enigmatic realm of premium and luxury branding, dissecting the nuanced factors that underpin their allure and enduring appeal. With a keen eye for emerging trends and industry shifts, Sara offers an exploration of what defines premium and luxury in today’s dynamic marketplace
Mindset to Be Disruptive
In a world where disruption is constant, the real competitive advantage lies not in reacting to change, but in becoming the disruptor. This keynote explores how leaders can fundamentally shift their mindset, challenge sacred assumptions, and redefine the rules of their industry before others
Official Feedback From In-Person & Virtual Events:
"Sara’s presentation gave me a glimpse into the best in-class brand strategy development. This was an excellent presentation that gave me a lot to think about in the way we approach brand building strategically and creatively". - General Manager, Burberry
"Sara was incredible! I could listen to her for hours and enjoy every electrifying, mind-blowing minute". - Creative Strategist, Meta
"Building on her extensive knowledge, Sara provided a wealth of real-life examples and stories, which all served as inspiration to consider branding in a new way". - VP Marketing, Coca-Cola
- 2024 - Serving on the panel for the Remarkable Marketing Awards
- 2023 - Head of Brand Strategy and Brand Management at Lufthansa Group
- 2019 - Executive Advisor for Zurich Insurance
- 2019 - Associate Partner at Vivaldi
- 2018 - Head of Global Marketing at The De Beers Group
- 2016 - Director of Global Brand Development at Lego
- 2013 - Senior Marketing Manager, Global Brand Development at Lego
- 2010 - MSc, Marketing Communications Management Copenhagen Business School
- 2008 - Company Branding Coordinator for Carlsberg
- 2008 - Marketing Assistant at Mindstorm Interactive Surface Solutions
- 2008 - Media Coordinator at Farnborough Airshow
- 2008 - BSc in Business Administration and Organisational Communication at Copenhagen Business School
- 2007 - Press Assistant at Giorgio Armani London
- 2007 - BSc International Marketing from Regent's University London
How to hire Sara Riis-Carstensen
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Sara Riis-Carstensen for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
