Dr Erin Watson - Hire Keynote and Guest Speaker

Dr Erin Watson

Turning complex global issues into compelling conversations

Dr Erin Watson is an Australian speaker, moderator and MC known for translating complex global issues into sharp, compelling conversations.

With a PhD in international business and deep experience across diplomacy, media and corporate strategy, she has advised governments, global firms and multilateral organisations.

Erin has chaired panels in 13+ countries and appears regularly on Sky News, ABC and Indian news networks.

She is Managing Director of Baker & York and has held senior roles in think tanks, not-for-profits, and on government boards.

Outside work, she’s a sailor, Ironman finisher, and a mum with a penchant for global affairs and good coffee.

Dr Erin Watson Book as a speaker/entertainer for your next event

Key Points for Dr Erin Watson

Dr Erin Watson is a trusted speaker, moderator, and MC with deep expertise in international affairs and global public policy having presented in 13+ countries. She regularly chairs high-level panels at global forums and appears on major news networks including ABC, Sky News, and CNN News18.
She has held senior roles across corporate, academic, government, and not-for-profit sectors, advising companies like Roblox, BHP, and the UN, leading think tanks, and founding initiatives like the Australia Latam Emerging Leaders Dialogue and DICE Kids.
Erin has served on Australian government boards including the Council on Australia Latin America Relations and led the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education.
Outside work, Erin is an Ironman finisher, marathon runner, Annapurna trekker, RYA-qualified sailor, and proud mum, bringing the same energy to life as she does to the global stage.

Topics for Dr Erin Watson

MC and moderator
As a seasoned MC and moderator, Dr Erin Watson brings energy, insight and precision to every stage. Whether guiding a high-stakes geopolitical panel or curating a conversation between industry leaders, Erin ensures complex ideas are unpacked clearly, diverse voices are heard, and the audience stays engaged. With her trademark blend of professionalism and warmth, she keeps the conversation sharp, on time, and impactful - creating space for substance and connection.
Unpacking the global moment - What’s shaping our world now
In this session, Dr Erin Watson breaks down the major geopolitical, economic and technological forces reshaping the world in real time. From US-China tensions to AI governance, climate diplomacy to digital public infrastructure - Erin connects the dots between global trends and their on-the-ground implications for business, policy and society. Clear-eyed, engaging, and always grounded in real-world insight, this is a must-hear briefing for leaders navigating uncertainty.

Testimonials for Dr Erin Watson

Erin’s communication skills, knowledge and humility made her the obvious choice to moderate the W20 Summit’s high level ministerial session. She demonstrated her commitment to listening, reading between the lines, articulating the implication of national policies on the lives of real people in the various countries of the globe. Her leadership of that strategic session was key to its success. I knew we made the right choice by inviting her to moderate the critical ministerial session.
Chair
G20 Womens Summit, Saudi Arabia
Member
World Health Organisation Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response

We secured Erin to deliver high-level strategic analysis to our premier Defence Department program - the Defence and Strategic Studies course. Communicating complex geopolitical scenarios in an accessible manner, Erin kept our large group engaged and wanting more! Her second to none, hands on experience and expertise in the geostrategic environment meant we received an engaging lecture which covered many elements of security and placed our audience well to navigate them in their future policy roles.
Australian War College, Canberra