Keynote – Leading at the Edge Lessons from the World’s Highest Peaks Dr Ilknur Colak, CTO, Sc

This talk explores the journey of climbing the Seven Summits as a metaphor for leadership under pressure, emphasizing the importance of calm judgment and strategic decision-making in both extreme environments and business crises. The speaker discusses how diverse teams built on trust are crucial in high-stakes situations, particularly in tech where women and underrepresented individuals often face unique challenges. Real resilience is framed not as relentless pursuit but rather as the ability to recognize when to pause and recuperate to sustain leadership effectiveness. The session delves into how strategy, collaboration, and balance can guide leaders through the complexities of both mountain expeditions and modern organizational challenges.