Andy Fitze · Keynote Speaker · AI Strategist · Polar Skipper
Where the Map Ends.
Leading When Forecasts Fail.
A keynote for senior leaders and the main stage.
Andy Fitze combines technology leadership with first-hand expedition experience. He explores how people make decisions when plans no longer hold. For CEOs, executive teams, boards of directors and supervisory boards.
English and German · Switzerland, Germany, Austria and internationally
A view of the stage
Original expedition footage and live-controlled visuals and sound bring situations from on board to the stage. The focus is on the decisions behind them.
Playing loads a video from YouTube.
35–60 minutes · Opening or closing · Standard stage suitable
Explore the signature keynote and its formatWatch the expedition film
What organisers say
“What Andy Fitze captivates his audience with is less a lecture than an expedition.”
“We can warmly recommend Andy as an outstanding keynote speaker to all organisers.”
More testimonials
“Andy Fitze was a keynote speaker at the last Sustainability Days. His presentation, packed with technical and emotional content, delighted the audience. Countless positive responses to his presentation underline this. He enriched the Sustainability Days with his contribution.
We can warmly recommend Andy as an outstanding keynote speaker to all organisers.”
“[…] a profound meditation on leadership in extremis […]”
“Working with Andy Fitze was uncomplicated, friendly and very competent.”
Marketing Manager, Wirtschaftsbund KärntenExcerpt · Reference dated 2 May 2024 · Role at the time of the reference
«His keynote was an unforgettable experience that enriched our conference and stimulated participants both intellectually and emotionally.»
«Andy captivates from the very first second. A clear recommendation for every leader looking for a new perspective.»
«His practical tips are real navigation aids for anyone facing economic challenges. The images will stay with me for a long time.»
«It was not just a talk about the topic, but a talk for life that made me think.»
Translated from German.
From the audience
- «I had to turn 60 to have tears in my eyes after a keynote.»
- «I was so captivated by the images.»
- «A talk that moved me deeply.»
Voices of participants after the keynote
On stage at
UBS Wolfsberg · Meta Hamburg · Oslo Rescue Conference · AURA Zurich · Showpalast Munich · Sustainability Days Messe Basel · Carinthian Chamber of Commerce · American Club of Hamburg · ABB
Who is your event for?
CEOs and executive teams
Setting direction and taking responsibility for decisions under uncertainty.
Boards of directors and supervisory boards
Challenging the information behind decisions and exercising oversight.
Leaders and middle managers
Making decisions within their remit when priorities change.
HR, employees and business owners
Dedicated formats for professional audiences, teams and business events.
About Andy Fitze
More than 25 years in technology leadership, including as Group CIO of RUAG. Co-founder of SwissCognitive and an adviser on AI strategy. Alongside this, 23 expeditions organised and led.
Andy Fitze is president of the Swiss IT Leadership Forum and a board member of swissICT. On stage, he connects that experience with concrete leadership questions.
- 3× Digital Shaper of Switzerland: 2022, 2023 and 2026
- Swiss CIO Award 2015, large enterprise category
Member since 2020
The Explorers Club, New York
Andy Fitze MI'20 · Flag Expedition, Flag No. 229
Qualifications and awards
- Sailing Instructor & Yachtmaster Ocean, Royal Yachting Association
- Electrical engineer, Executive MBA HSG
Digital Shaper of Switzerland
Recognised three times: 2022, 2023 and 2026. 2022 ‘AI Masters’, 2023 ‘AI Generators’, 2026 ‘AI Acrobats’. BILANZ ↗
Swiss CIO Award 2015, CIO of the Year, large enterprise category
TopCIO of the Decade
2020 · Confare / EY · Swiss top-ten selection. Confare ↗
Top 10 AI Influencers
AI Magazine · 2023 · Listed at No. 7. AI Magazine ↗
Who's Who in AI
Featured in Onalytica's report, October 2021 · reported by AI Magazine. Onalytica ↗
Reflections on leadership
Interviews and podcasts
What are you planning?
Share the date, location and audience. Andy Fitze will reply personally within 48 hours to discuss the content and format.
What kind of events is the signature keynote suited to?
Business and leadership congresses, group leadership meetings and annual conferences. It can serve as an opening, closing or standalone contribution for executive teams, boards and a wider leadership audience.
Is the keynote only for senior executives?
No. Senior leadership is its primary focus. For middle managers or a mixed leadership audience, the examples and questions are adapted to the responsibilities people actually hold.
Is the keynote exclusively about AI?
No. The signature keynote addresses leadership and decisions under uncertainty. A separate AI keynote is available for events with a specific AI focus.
How long is the keynote?
The signature keynote lasts 35–60 minutes. The online keynote is planned for 30 minutes, and the short talk lasts 15–20 minutes. Workshops and retreats have their own timeframes; combinations are agreed separately.
Is a large panoramic stage required?
No. Andy Fitze coordinates the technical setup with your team and the available stage. The extended audiovisual version supports formats from 16:9 to 64:9 and up to four video outputs.
Where does Andy Fitze speak, and in which languages?
In English and German, in Switzerland, Germany and Austria, and internationally by arrangement.
Direct contact: keynote@andyfitze.com