Oprah Winfrey, Steven Bartlett, and Angela Duckworth Take the Stage at Nordic Business Forum 2026

We’re extremely excited to announce the theme, dates, and first speakers for Nordic Business Forum 2026!

Nordic Business Forum 2026 will take place on 16–17 September 2026 at Messukeskus in Helsinki, Finland. The theme for next year’s event is The Human Edge—a deep dive into the human strengths that drive success in the midst of rapid digital advancement.

“Let’s be honest: the challenges leaders face today are immense. At NBF 2026, our promise is not to sugar-coat this reality. Instead, we’re providing a framework for thriving within it,” says Ville Saarikalle, Head of Speaker Relations at Nordic Business Forum. “We believe lasting success is built on the one advantage AI can’t replicate: The Human Edge. It’s the ability to make the wise, courageous calls that data alone can’t provide, to find the inner strength to perform under immense pressure, and to build the kind of unbreakable collaboration that turns a team into a force for good.”

The speakers will share their insights on how leaders can control their focus and energy, make confident choices, and build the kind of collaboration that enables teams to achieve more than any individual could alone.

We’re excited to introduce the first eight confirmed speakers:

Oprah Winfrey – Global media leader
Steven Bartlett – Entrepreneur, Investor, and Host of The Diary of a CEO podcast
Angela Duckworth – Psychologist, Author of Grit, and Professor at the University of Pennsylvania
Paul Polman – Co-author of Net Positive and former CEO of Unilever
Patty McCord – Former Chief Talent Officer at Netflix and Author
Rahaf Harfoush – Digital Anthropologist, Professor, and Author
Michael Beckley – Political Scientist and Director of the Asia Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
Kjell A. Nordström – Economist and Business Strategist

“NBF 2026 is all about human potential,” says Priit Liiv, CEO of Nordic Business Forum.

“Even in a world increasingly driven by technology, we believe it’s still human strengths that make the difference. The ability to stay focused under pressure, to build deep trust within teams, and to lead with clarity in moments of uncertainty—these remain the foundations of meaningful leadership. In a world flooded with data, it’s ultimately human judgment that helps us navigate complexity and make decisions that truly matter. But what exactly are the human strengths needed today? And how do we collaborate with technology in a way that amplifies not replaces our humanity? That’s the conversation we want to lead.”

Tickets are available now, so get yours to be part of the best business days of 2026!