Viola De Girolami Keynote Speaker

Executive Director of Digital Marketing & Data at Warner Bros. (2014–2023), leading large-scale transformation
Marketing leader at McDonald’s and Carphone Warehouse, specialising in brand reinvention and digital transformation
Founder of ‘What Clients Really Want’ and advisor to senior leadership teams navigating change

Viola De Girolami's Biography

Viola De Girolami is a keynote speaker, founder, and former marketing executive at Warner Bros., McDonald’s and Carphone Warehouse, bringing over 15 years of corporate experience driving large-scale transformation. Her work focuses on helping leaders and organisations navigate complex transitions, and understand the human and organisational dynamics that determine whether change succeeds or fails.

At Warner Bros., Viola served as Executive Director of Digital Marketing & Data, building the studio’s digital and data capability from the ground up and leading one of its most significant transformations. Her work reshaped how global cultural phenomena, such as Dunkirk, Joker, and Barbie, were brought to audiences while advising the leadership team on major strategic initiatives.

Earlier in her career at McDonald’s, she worked during a defining period of brand reinvention following the reputational crisis triggered by the documentary Super Size Me. She experienced first-hand how one of the world’s most iconic brands pivoted under pressure and rebuilt relevance in a rapidly changing market. At Carphone Warehouse, she was also involved in large-scale digital and customer transformation during a period of industry shift.

Having lived transformation from the inside – across strategy, leadership, culture, and execution – Viola observed recurring patterns in why change efforts succeed or fail. She later deepened this understanding through formal training in Positive Psychology, integrating behavioural science and human performance into her work with leaders and teams.

Today, Viola is the founder of ‘What Clients Really Want’ which supports marketing/digital agencies to improve their retention and upsell rates. She also works as an advisor to organisations and senior leadership teams navigating change and strategic transition. Alongside her advisory work, she is a regular keynote speaker at corporate events, company away days and conferences, sharing practical insights drawn from her experience inside global brands and her work with decision-makers across sectors.

Viola is fluent in English, Italian, and Spanish and is comfortable delivering keynotes in all three languages

Keynote: From Motion to Impact: How to Make Change Truly Work

Most organisations are not struggling to change, they are struggling to change well. In a world moving at relentless speed, teams often generate activity, initiatives and momentum, yet fail to create lasting impact.

Having led major change inside McDonald’s and Warner Bros., Viola brings rare behind-the-scenes insight into what truly makes change work. Through powerful stories and behavioural science, she uncovers the hidden forces that shape transformation, from unchallenged assumptions to the human resistance beneath the surface.

Audiences leave with practical tools, sharper clarity and a new lens on change, enabling them to move beyond activity and create meaningful, lasting impact.

Workshop: Change in Action

Designed as a practical working session, this workshop moves beyond inspiration into application. Through guided exercises, reflection and structured questioning, Viola helps teams surface blind spots, overcome resistance, and build a concrete roadmap for change that holds under pressure.

She has led large scale digital and cultural transformation inside global brands including Warner Bros., McDonald’s and Carphone Warehouse, advising senior leadership teams during periods of strategic reinvention and market disruption.
She translates complex change dynamics across strategy, culture, data and leadership into clear, practical frameworks that help executives turn ambition into sustained execution.
She draws on first hand experience of rebuilding brand relevance under intense public scrutiny and industry shift, equipping leaders to navigate uncertainty with confidence and clarity.
She integrates behavioural science and positive psychology into her work, helping organisations understand the human factors that determine whether transformation efforts succeed or stall.
She delivers high impact keynotes and advisory sessions in English, Italian and Spanish, enabling global audiences to rethink change, strengthen alignment and lead transition more effectively.

Videos of Viola De Girolami

Viola's DG Showreel - Change and Innovation

Segment of Viola's keynote: Digital Transformation

Comments & Testimonials

“I highly recommend Viola as a keynote speaker. Speaking at this year’s BFF Conference in Kristiansand, she delivered a powerful talk full of “aha” moments and practical insights. One key message truly resonated: don’t assume anything - test your hypothesis!”

Cathrine Sordal Director, BFF

"Viola is a fantastic storyteller who captivates from the first moment. Her keynote was thought-provoking and truly inspired people to think and act differently."

Alistair Tucker Head of Sales, Amazon

“Viola has that rare gift of making complex change feel simple and inspiring. Her clarity and strategic vision were at the heart of Warner Brother's digital transformation."

Alex Lewis SVP of Marketing, Warner Bros

“Viola’s keynote was such an inspirational and impactful moment for me! She is a gifted storyteller and was able to captivate the audience in a unique way. Thanks for the insights!”

Ronnie Fridthjof Cannes and Emmy award winning film producer

“Viola was a speaker at the Norwegian Cinema Conference last week. She held a very interesting presentation, Spirited and unbound in form, with great content. Our participants in the conference gave great feedback and. We are really happy that we booked her.”

Jorgen Stensland Director, Film & Kino