About Maryam

Co-Founder, NYCNext + MaryamB

Maryam Banikarim is a seasoned C-suite executive with over 25 years of experience driving growth and transformation for global organizations, including Fortune Media, Nextdoor, Hyatt, Gannett, NBCUniversal, and Univision. Known for blending strategy, creativity, and operational execution, she has led global teams in sales, marketing, and operations, managing substantial budgets and P&Ls. Maryam combines strategic vision and operational rigor with a leadership style that values collaboration and relationships, enabling sustainable transformation that builds on the strengths of the past.

Maryam is a sought after speaker. Recently, she captured national attention with her TED talk: “Life’s an obstacle course - here’s how to navigate it.”

In 2023, Maryam led the award-winning WE❤️NYC campaign, campaign for The Partnership for New York City, re-energizing New Yorkers in the wake of the pandemic and fostering pride and support for the city's recovery. In 2024, she revitalized Fortune’s Most Powerful Women and Brainstorm Tech

Her community building took off during the pandemic when Maryam turned her attention to driving civic participation in her hometown, New York City. She co-founded NYCNext, a volunteer army of 700 passionate New Yorkers that helped the city get through the depths of that time by working with award winning Broadway stars, TV personalities and musicians of all sorts to produce pop-up performances in the streets across the city including “A Moment for Broadway'' and an Emmy-winning video version of Billy Joel’s “NY State of Mind.” NYCNext is currently focused on The Longest Table, a free-to-all potluck that connects neighbors, builds community and spreads joy – building a movement that crosses the country.

Maryam has delivered keynote speeches for a diverse range of clients such as Pfizer, Disney, The Points of Light Foundation, Ally Financial, Cognizant, and Ciena. She was also the commencement speaker at the Columbia Business School. Her achievements have been recognized in industry lists such as Marketers that Matter's "Visionaries," New York Post's "50 Most Powerful Women in NYC," Fast Company's "Top 10 Disruptors," and Advertising Age's "Women to Watch."

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Banikarim has received numerous honors recognizing her commitment to serving the broader community including the prestigious Ellis Island Medal and the Columbia Alumni Medal.

Banikarim holds degrees from Barnard College, Columbia Business School, and Columbia's School of International Affairs. She currently resides in New York City with her family and dog, Charlie.

Topics

  • Building an Organization Through the Lens of Purpose

    In her presentation "Building an Organization Through the Lens of Purpose," Maryam Banikarim explores the growing importance of purpose-driven organizations in inspiring employee commitment and customer engagement. She emphasizes that it's not just about what an organization makes, but what it stands for, and how leadership embeds this belief into its operations. By sharing case studies from companies such as Southwest Airlines, Hyatt, and Gannett, Maryam provides actionable steps for building an organization through the lens of purpose, leading to outperformance in the market. The presentation offers a compelling and energizing purpose-driven playbook that can be applied to any brand in any industry.

  • Community is the new Cool.

    In her talk "Community is the New Cool," Maryam delves into the concept of community and its growing significance for companies aiming to connect with today's consumers. She discusses how modern brands are increasingly seeking to engage their most loyal customers and build "sticky" communities, providing valuable insights through best-in-class examples and case studies. The talk explores the role of companies in supporting and connecting with their communities, emphasizing the potential for business growth along the way. Maryam also offers a guide on how to create a successful community marketing strategy, highlighting the importance of identifying brand topics, developing effective community marketing strategies, and engaging in active customer conversations.

  • Life is an Obstacle Course: A Story of Perseverance and Community

    In this compelling talk, the speaker shares her personal journey of navigating life's unexpected challenges, from the Iranian revolution to the sudden loss of her father and the global pandemic. She explores the concept of viewing life's hurdles not as obstacles, but as an obstacle course, a series of tests that can be overcome with determination, resilience, and a sense of community. The speaker's experiences serve as a testament to the power of perseverance and the potential for adversity to be transformed into opportunity. This talk is a must-watch for anyone seeking inspiration on how to turn life's challenges into stepping stones towards success.

  • Embracing the Unexpected: Finding Joy and Purpose in Life's Journey

    Maryam Banikarim shared a personal and insightful journey reflecting on her experiences, from her childhood in Iran to her professional career, and the valuable lessons she has learned along the way. Maryam's narrative is interwoven with practical tips for finding meaning, community, and joy. She emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself, taking action, and embracing the journey of self-discovery. Through her engaging storytelling, Maryam offers a compelling and relatable perspective on navigating life's challenges and finding purpose. Her journey serves as a source of motivation for those navigating their own paths and seeking to cultivate a sense of community, purpose, and joy in their personal and professional lives.

  • Moderating

    +Fortune | Most Powerful Women Summit
    +World50 | B50, M50, HR50, Women Exec 50
    +Columbia University | She Opens the Door Conference
    +Advertising Week
    +Promax

Speaking

  • TED Talk: Life's An Obstacle Course: Here's How To Navigate It

    Watch

  • Columbia Business School: Commencement Speech

    Watch

  • She Runs It Summit: Chaos & Curiosity

    Watch

  • HB | Leading an Organization Through the Lens of Purpose

    Watch

  • Women In Leadership Keynote | Finding Meaning

    Watch

  • Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit: Artifical Intelligence Changing Our World

    Watch

  • What is a Brand: Disney

    Watch

Testimonials

  • “Maryam's keynote presentation at our International Women's Day event last year was nothing short of phenomenal. As a speaker, she possesses a rare ability to captivate and inspire. Maryam not only delivered an impactful message but also provided the audience with actionable tips on clarifying their goals. The overall feedback from the session was overwhelmingly positive, underscoring Maryam's exceptional skill in leaving a lasting and empowering impression on our audience."

    – International Women’s Day, Disney

  • “You were amazing. Truly you really customized your presentation to make it perfect for our audience. Thank you so much…”

    – Annual Meeting, Cognizant

  • “Loved the can-do, try and try again approach to find joy and meaningful use of your gifts. Maryam is an amazing speaker! I FELT her presentation. She told such a compelling, impactful & passionate story to illustrate how important clarity is for leaders. I am so glad to have had the chance to hear her speak. Brava! Certainly, earned her standing ovation.”

    - Women in Leadership Conference, Linkage

  • “Maryam has the experience and style that engages her audience. Her authenticity, combined with her deep content, and empathy for our work brought out some great discussion. My team cannot wait to have Maryam back.”

    - People Team Meeting, Walmart

Get in touch

In The Media

Writing