Former Head of Design at IBM; Managing Partner at Ten X Labs VC; Founder at Gilbert Workshop; Chairman of the Board at Tradeblock; Author of "Irresistible Change: A Blueprint for Earning Buy-In and Breakout Success"

Austin, TX, USA

Phil Gilbert Biography

Phil Gilbert is a prominent technology and design leader best known for transforming the role of design within IBM. Over the course of his tenure at IBM, Gilbert helped lead one of the most significant enterprise design transformations in the modern tech industry, embedding user-centered design into the company’s global product development and culture.

Gilbert joined IBM through the acquisition of his startup, Lombardi Software, where he served as co-founder and CEO. Lombardi was a pioneer in business process management software, and its integration into IBM marked the beginning of Gilbert’s broader influence within the company. As General Manager of IBM Design, he was tasked with revitalizing IBM’s approach to product development at a time when the company was seeking to become more agile and customer-focused.

In this role, Gilbert launched IBM’s large-scale design thinking initiative, hiring and training thousands of designers and introducing practices that emphasized empathy, rapid iteration, and cross-functional collaboration. Under his leadership, IBM built one of the largest design teams in the world and developed the widely adopted IBM Design Thinking framework, which helped teams across the organization create more intuitive, user-friendly products and services.

Beyond design, Gilbert also played a key role in shaping IBM’s cloud and AI strategy, contributing to the development and growth of platforms such as IBM Cloud and IBM Watson. His work bridged the gap between technical innovation and user experience, ensuring that complex enterprise technologies were accessible and valuable to customers.

After leaving IBM, Gilbert has continued to be active as an advisor, investor, and thought leader, focusing on the intersection of design, technology, and business transformation. His legacy at IBM endures in the company’s continued emphasis on design as a core driver of innovation and competitive advantage.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 04/21/2026.

Phil Gilbert Speaking Topics

  • Irresistible Change: Driving Enthusiastic Adoption of New Cultural Behaviors

    Transforming organizational culture is not just about directives—it’s about cultivating enthusiasm, engagement, and momentum. By treating change as a product that people voluntarily adopt, leaders can inspire alignment, spark innovation, and drive transformations that last.

    Keynote Details:

    Drawing from his experience leading IBM’s global transformation of almost 400,000 people, Phil Gilbert will show how to approach change in a way that excites teams and sustains progress. By framing change as something teams chose to adopt and were happy to pay for, we turned skepticism into momentum and reshaped IBM’s culture.

    This session unpacks actionable strategies to help leaders engage teams authentically, build leadership buy-in, and create environments where change becomes second nature. Through vivid stories and real-world tactics, participants will gain a practical framework for designing cultures that adapt and thrive.

    Audience:

    This keynote can be shaped to serve audiences of most any size, from C-suite executives and senior leadership teams to larger organizational units preparing for a change agenda.

    • Leading or preparing for significant transformation initiatives.
    • Struggling to gain traction or overcome resistance to change.
    • Seeking sustainable strategies to embed adaptability into their organizational culture.

    Outcomes:

    • A framework for treating change as a product people choose to adopt.
    • Tactics for igniting early adoption and maintaining momentum.
    • Strategies for aligning leadership and empowering teams.
    • Actionable next steps to realign your change initiatives.

    Suggested Formats:

    • Leadership retreats
    • Strategy sessions
    • Change management workshops
    • Executive Kickoffs

  • A Seat at the Table: How Design Gains Power

    Design is one of the most underutilized strategic tools in business. When positioned at the heart of decision-making, it transforms organizations, driving innovation, customer satisfaction, and competitive advantage.

    Keynote Details:

    For too long, design has been sidelined as a support function, missing from critical business conversations. At IBM, we shifted this paradigm, growing from virtually no design capability to a global team of 5,000 formally-trained designers, and dozens of Executive-ranked designers leading the teams, and the business. This transformation didn’t happen by chance—it was intentional and strategic.

    Attendees will discover how to build a design culture that thrives in the midst of an entrenched Enterprise, secure executive sponsorship for design initiatives, and connect design to tangible business results. By the end of the session, participants will leave with actionable insights on how to make design a driving force within their organization, creating lasting impact and earning the respect of their peers.

    Audience:

    This keynote serves design leaders and teams who are:

    • Seeking to increase the influence of design within their organization.
    • Struggling to connect design thinking with measurable business outcomes.
    • Aiming to foster greater collaboration between design teams and other business functions.

    Outcomes:

    • Tools for positioning design as a strategic partner.
    • Frameworks for embedding design into core business processes.
    • Real-world examples of aligning designers with top-line business outcomes.

    Suggested Formats:

    • Design leadership or all-hands summits
    • Innovation conferences
    • Executive strategy sessions

Read More +

Phil Gilbert Videos

Phil Gilbert: Every Day is a Prototype (Segal Design Leadership Series)

Phil Gilbert: Every Day is a Prototype (Segal Design Leadership Series)

A part of the Segal Design Institute's Segal Design Leadership Series on February 26, IBM's Phil Gilbert shared the insights he's gained transforming...

IBM Design Rave Late - Phil Gilbert - YouTube

IBM Design Rave Late - Phil Gilbert - YouTube

Phil Gilbert, IBM: At the Crossroads of Chaos and Calamity - YouTube

Phil Gilbert, IBM: At the Crossroads of Chaos and Calamity - YouTube

  • How do I book Phil Gilbert to speak at my event?

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  • What are the speaker fees for Phil Gilbert

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  • What topics does Phil Gilbert speak about?

  • Where does Phil Gilbert travel from?

    Phil Gilbert generally travels from Austin, TX, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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Phil Gilbert is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Irresistible Change: Driving Enthusiastic Adoption of New Cultural Behaviors, A Seat at the Table: How Design Gains Power, People + Practices + Places = Outcomes: How Everything Matters in Driving Change That Sticks and University Programs. The estimated speaking fee range to book Phil Gilbert for your event is $30,000 - $50,000. Phil Gilbert generally travels from Austin, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Mike Walsh, Heather E. McGowan, Duncan Wardle, Josh Linkner and Peter Guber. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Phil Gilbert for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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