Biography

Book Chrissa Pagitsas through The Keynote Curators. 

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 bestselling book, Chief Sustainability Officers At Work: How CSOs Build Successful Sustainability and ESG Strategiesprovides leaders of any business a roadmap on navigating disruptive innovations and markets successfully.

Chrissa Pagitsas 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.

Chrissa Pagitsas holds an MBA from the Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, and a BA from Johns Hopkins University.

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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 blueprint for how to integrate sustainability with strategy, strengthen partnerships, accelerate progress, and drive measurable results.

Testimonials

Chrissa’s experience, expertise and dedication made all the difference in shaping the event into a resounding success. Her keynote address was both insightful and inspiring. Our customers found the event not only relevant but also highly collaborative and engaging.
– Hilti North America
As our keynote speaker, Chrissa hit the exact note for our audience: revealing the big-picture vision for the future for sustainability and business while clearly laying out how to execute on practical actions today.
– Matt Ellis, CEO, Measurabl
Without a doubt, Chrissa Pagitsas was the best choice as our conference’s keynote speaker. As a dynamic speaker, Chrissa engaged our audience and created a real-time conversation on ESG leadership and business.
– Nima Farshchi, Executive Director, Smith School of Business, University of Maryland
Chrissa has made a very important contribution to the growing field of sustainability and ESG. Business leaders and investors would all benefit from reading Chief Sustainability Officers At Work and engaging with Chrissa on the important topics presented in her work.
– Aniket Shah, Global Head of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Sustainable Finance Strategy, Jefferies

Booksby Chrissa Pagitsas

CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICERS AT WORK: How CSOs Build Successful Sustainability and ESG Strategies

Amazon

Blog Posts

Embrace Your Authenticity and Lead Better Teams with Mike Robbins

Great teams aren’t built on talent alone—they’re built on trust, authenticity, and human connections. Learn more in our podcast episode with Mike Robbins.

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Unlock Your Creativity With Progress And Bold Ideas

Embrace creativity, progress, and bold risk-taking to unlock innovation and empower personal growth in this week's newsletter.

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How Businesses Can Use More Creative Thinking with Natalie Nixon

In this episode of The Keynote Curators Podcast, keynote speaker Natalie Nixon discusses her transformative approach to creative thinking in the workplace.

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Why Embracing Imperfection Is the True Path to Success

Learn why progress, not perfection, is the key to success through empowering insights on resilience, positivity, and personal growth.

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Become a Powerful Leader By Inspiring Others Through Your Actions

Executive coach and keynote speaker Amy Eliza Wong shares how she empowers leaders to transform everyday interactions into trust-building, impactful moments.

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How Belonging Creates Workplace Magic with Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky

What if the secret to a thriving workplace lies in the power of belonging? Learn insights on business success with from keynote speaker Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky.

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Blog Posts

 

Embrace Your Authenticity and Lead Better Teams with Mike Robbins

Great teams aren’t built on talent alone—they’re built on trust, authenticity, and strong human connections....

Read More

Unlock Your Creativity With Progress And Bold Ideas

"Creativity is intelligence having fun." – Albert Einstein Somewhere along the way, many of us...

Read More

How Businesses Can Use More Creative Thinking with Natalie Nixon

Creative thinking isn’t just an extra skill—it’s the ultimate competitive edge. In today’s hyper-competitive business...

Read More

Why Embracing Imperfection Is the True Path to Success

I used to think success meant having it all figured out. That if I just...

Read More

Become a Powerful Leader By Inspiring Others Through Your Actions

What makes a leader truly exceptional beyond simply completing daily tasks? In a world where...

Read More

How Belonging Creates Workplace Magic with Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky

What if the secret to a thriving workplace isn’t more perks or policies—but the power...

Read More