Chrissa Pagitsas
PROFILE
Chrissa Pagitsas is the CEO of Pagitsas Advisors, an author, and board member. She and her team advise senior executives and boards at global companies on meeting growth targets and driving results through transformation strategies. Her leadership and expertise are rooted in seizing the opportunity to build Fannie Mae’s Green Bond business from zero to $51 billion—an industry-defining achievement at a Fortune 50 company. Her best-selling book, Chief Sustainability Officers at Work, provides leaders of any business a roadmap on how to navigate disruptive innovations and markets successfully.
Chrissa has received multiple recognitions for her market-transforming enterprises including the first commercial Green Mortgage-Backed Security in the US. She serves on the Board of Global Impact and the Advisory Council of International Well Building Institute.
Ms. Pagitsas holds an MBA from the Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, and a BA from Johns Hopkins University.
SPEAKING TOPICS
ADAPTIVE INNOVATION - Thriving in the Disruptive 21st Century: How Successful Businesses Innovate and Grow
In this keynote, Chrissa reveals the disruptive forces shaping global business, from geopolitical tensions and economic volatility to wildly divergent consumer attitudes, AI transformation, and increased regulatory risk. Drawing on her own experience building a $51 billion bond business during a similarly challenging environment, Chrissa introduces a proven framework that will inspire leaders to innovate and drive meaningful results. Highlighting executives across diverse industries who have successfully navigated these complexities, she reinforces how these principles can empower businesses to meet the moment and find new growth. Leaders will leave with a clear roadmap for navigating uncertainty and turning disruption into opportunity.
RISKTAKING LEADERSHIP - The Art of the Calculated Leap: How Visionary Leaders Take Risks for Success
This dynamic keynote ignites a growth mindset for senior executives to aspiring leaders to develop a clear vision and manage the risks surrounding it. Drawing on insightful data and captivating case studies—including her own corporate executive experience—Chrissa equips audiences with a playbook for evaluating, managing, and capitalizing on risk with clarity and confidence. Designed for leaders at all levels, this keynote inspires attendees to unlock their potential and empower their teams, offering new tools for turning bold decisions into drivers of growth.
RESILIENT TEAMS - Building Resilience: Businesses and Teams that Drive Lasting Value Creation
Thriving in a world of constant change and disruption starts with building a culture of resilience and adaptation. Drawing on her own experience and insights from exemplary leaders, Chrissa Pagitsas equips executives and their teams with the tools to turn inward and deploy strategies to navigate uncertainty and drive long-term success. Chrissa also explores how resilience extends beyond internal operations, emphasizing the role of product innovation, partnerships and pilot programs in accelerating the development and adoption of value-creating solutions. Designed for leaders across industries and functions, this keynote leaves businesses with a powerful playbook to embrace change, inspire new ways of thinking across teams, and create a sustainable culture built to last.
SUSTAINABILITY VALUE - Commercializing Sustainability: Creating Value, Accelerating Impact
In an era of political turbulence, rapidly evolving regulations and stakeholder pressures, and shifting corporate commitments, leaders face evermore challenges and complexities—and opportunities—with sustainability. In this keynote, Chrissa demonstrates how corporate sustainability must and should connect to tangible business value to achieve meaningful impact. Drawing on her experience as Fannie Mae’s head of ESG and in building its $51 billion green finance business, Chrissa offers actionable strategies for “commercializing sustainability.” Deeply experienced sustainability leaders to those just learning about it will leave this keynote inspired and armed with a playbook for how to integrate sustainability with strategy, strengthen partnerships, accelerate progress, and drive measurable results.
