13Jan2026
Survivor and Business Leader Nando Parrado Joins the NBF 2026 Lineup
by: Nordic Business Forum
We’re honored to announce that Nando Parrado, entrepreneur, leader, author, and survivor of one of the most extraordinary human endurance stories of the 20th century, will be stepping on stage at Nordic Business Forum 2026.
Next September in Helsinki, Nando will share his story through a powerful keynote that demonstrates how self-discipline, resilience, and absolute trust form the bedrock of high performance.
The Power of Trust, Teamwork, and Purpose
At Nordic Business Forum 2026, Nando Parrado will deliver a keynote that goes far beyond survival. His speech will take us on a journey through extreme adversity, from the high Andes to the heart of high performance in business and life.
Nando’s story is legendary. In 1972, a plane carrying his rugby team crashed in the Andes at 18,000 feet. With no food, no heat, and no rescue in sight, he and his teammates endured for 72 days. When hope faded, Nando made a decision that changed everything: he would climb out of the mountains. Ten days later, after an almost impossible trek with teammate Roberto Canessa, they found help and saved the lives of the 16 remaining survivors.
But Nando’s journey didn’t end on the mountain. Rebuilding his life from scratch, he went on to become a successful CEO and entrepreneur. He leads MRC Ltda., a television production company behind some of Uruguay’s most popular programs for over three decades. Today, he’s known around the world not just for his survival story, but for the powerful leadership lessons he shares from it.
An Important Message for Every Leader
In his keynote, Nando redefines what real strength means. He doesn’t speak of heroics or dominance. Instead, he speaks of trust, discipline, humility, and resilience; the qualities he believes are the true cornerstones of unbeatable teams.
Key takeaways from Nando’s session include:
- How to unlock peak performance under extreme pressure by building absolute trust within your team.
- How to create a shared purpose that turns individual limitations into collective strength.
- How to harness resilience to navigate uncertainty—and deliver results, even when the path ahead is unclear.
“Nando Parrado’s story is one of the most powerful testaments to human resilience, trust, and purpose that we’ve ever heard. We’re incredibly proud to welcome him to our stage in 2026,” says Priit Liiv, CEO of Nordic Business Forum.
Join Us at NBF 2026 to Experience Nando Parrado’s Powerful Story
Nordic Business Forum 2026, focusing on the Human Edge theme, will take place on 16-17 September in Helsinki. 8,500 business leaders from 50 countries will attend to learn and discuss performance, decision making, and collaboration. With Nando Parrado, we’ll explore what it truly means to lead with courage, clarity, and connection in the face of uncertainty.
Already over 7,600 tickets have been sold, so don’t miss the opportunity to hear one of the most inspiring speakers of our time!
