Maryam Banikarim

Maryam Banikarim is a convener, an Emmy Award-winning storyteller, and the host of The Messy Parts, a podcast that pulls back the curtain on what "making it" actually looks like. As a seasoned C-suite executive with more than 25 years of experience, she has driven growth and transformation for global organizations including Fortune Media, Nextdoor, Hyatt, Gannett, NBCUniversal, and Univision.

Most recently, she revitalized Fortune's Most Powerful Women and Brainstorm Tech communities. Known for blending strategy, creativity, and operational execution, she combines strategic vision with a leadership style that values collaboration and authentic relationships.

Maryam currently serves as an independent director of OneSpaWorld and as a trustee of Barnard College. Her broader board and advisory work spans Reporters Without Borders, the Mobile Marketing Association, Fast Company's Impact Council, Adweek's Women Trailblazers, and the TIME100 Advisory Board.

Her passion for community building led her to co-found NYCNext, which became known for producing pop-up performances including A Moment for Broadway and an Emmy-winning video version of Billy Joel's NY State of Mind. Today, she focuses on The Longest Table, a free-to-all potluck movement that connects neighbors, builds community, and spreads joy across the country.

Through MaryamB, her strategic consulting practice, Maryam helps organizations with convening and events, positioning and communications, community building, and breakthrough creative.

Maryam has delivered keynote speeches for Pfizer, Disney, The Points of Light Foundation, Ally Financial, Cognizant, and Ciena, and was the commencement speaker at Columbia Business School. Her achievements have been recognized as one of Fast Company's "Top 10 Disruptors," New York Post's "50 Most Powerful Women in NYC," and Advertising Age's "Women to Watch."

Banikarim holds degrees from Barnard College, Columbia Business School, and Columbia's School of International Affairs.