Former Australian diplomat and trade negotiator — co-founder of Geopolitical Strategy, advising boards on global risk
Damien Bruckard is a former Australian diplomat and trade negotiator and Co-Founder of Geopolitical Strategy, which advises boards, investors and senior executives on how geopolitics shapes strategy, risk and opportunity. He also publishes Geopolitical Dispatch, whose analysis is read daily by thousands of decision-makers. As one of Australia's lead negotiators on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, he secured key outcomes on investment rules, and at the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris he rose to become Head of Global Engagement, forging partnerships with the UN, WTO, World Bank and WHO.
What distinguishes Damien is how much of the world he has seen from the inside. As a diplomat at Australia's Embassy in Russia, he is one of the few Western officials to have spent significant time in the country in recent years, travelling across Russia and the former Soviet states and even translating for Mikhail Gorbachev. He has worked for the United Nations in New York, taught public policy at universities across Asia and Africa, and helped conceive the Black Sea Grain Initiative, later adopted by the UN Secretary-General and enabling millions of tonnes of Ukrainian exports during wartime. Fluent in French, Russian and Italian, he holds First Class Honours degrees in Law and Arts, and has studied at Sciences Po and completed executive education at Harvard and Cambridge.
For audiences, he turns geopolitics into business strategy — the new geopolitics of business, US tariffs and trade shocks, the geopolitics of AI, security flashpoints and corporate diplomacy — and runs executive wargaming and scenario planning for boards. He is also an MC and panel facilitator for high-level discussions. Based between Paris and Melbourne, Damien Bruckard helps leaders see further and act with confidence in uncertain times.
Damien Bruckard is a keynote speaker and MC based in Victoria who speaks on artificial intelligence, business strategy and government & policy. Book through Executive Speakers Australia.
Geopolitics is no longer a background issue. From supply chains to investment decisions, global affairs now sit at the centre of corporate strategy. Damien explains how leaders can build resilience and foresight in a world shaped by shifting alliances, trade tensions and political risk.
Key Takeaways:
· Understand why geopolitics is now a core business issue
· Identify key risks and opportunities for boards and executive teams
· Learn practical frameworks for integrating geopolitical thinking into strategy
Trade policy is becoming more unpredictable, with rising protectionism and shifting alliances. Damien breaks down the implications of US tariffs, regional trade tensions and what it means for businesses.
Key Takeaways:
· Decode the impact of US-China trade dynamics and upcoming elections
· Assess vulnerabilities in supply chains and market access
· Prepare for regulatory and political shifts affecting trade
Artificial intelligence is now a geopolitical asset. Damien explores how governments are competing for AI dominance, and what this means for business, regulation and innovation.
Key Takeaways:
· Understand AI as strategic infrastructure
· Identify risks in global tech competition and regulation
· Explore implications for data, compliance and market positioning
From war in Ukraine to tensions in the Indo-Pacific, global security dynamics are reshaping business risk. Damien translates complex defence and foreign policy issues into clear strategic insights for corporate leaders.
Key Takeaways:
· Map key global flashpoints and their business relevance
· Understand how military alliances and conflicts affect markets
· Build strategic foresight into risk and resilience planning
From the embassy to the boardroom. Damien explores the inner workings of diplomacy and statecraft. From Paris to the Pacific and Moscow in between, the experiences of a diplomat help business leaders and professionals see behind the curtain.
Key Takeaways:
· What it looks and feels like to devise and negotiate major international trade deals
· Corporate diplomacy and how the tools of one of the world’s oldest trades can be applied in your business
· How international forums are built, and how to win for your business
Damien facilitates immersive simulations for boards and leadership teams, helping them test strategy under geopolitical stress. These sessions use diplomatic and national security methods to explore real-world scenarios.
Key Takeaways:
· Experience high-level scenario planning tailored to your sector
· Anticipate second- and third-order effects of global disruption
· Strengthen decision-making under uncertainty
Damien brings the precision and presence of a seasoned diplomat to the stage. With experience moderating high-level discussions and interviewing global leaders, including Mikhail Gorbachev, he ensures events are seamless, insightful and engaging.
As an MC or facilitator, Damien applies deep geopolitical knowledge to guide conversations with relevance and clarity. He draws out key insights, manages complex dynamics, and keeps audiences focused and energised. His global experience and multilingual fluency make him particularly effective for international and cross-sector events.
Ideal for:
· Executive forums and board-level events
· Industry panels and policy discussions
· Conferences requiring high-level moderation
· Events with geopolitical, strategic or global themes
Tell us about your event and our consultants will return a curated shortlist within one business day.
