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Julia Vander Ploeg Digital Transformation Leader and Speaker

real-world expereience tO Make your digital strategy actionable

Julia Vander Ploeg is a proven digital and technology leader with a track record of driving results in leadership positions for iconic brands like Hyatt, Volvo, McDonald’s and Ticketmaster. Drawing on her experience leading global transformations and teaching at Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, she delivers actionable, engaging presentations for boards, leaders, and the C-Suite.

Speaking & Thought leadership

With experience across digital products and marketing, media, website development, mobile apps, content management, AI, data analytics, and technology systems, Julia's talks draw from the principles she teaches in Executive Education at Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management.  Her top themes include:

01
Value Creation from Technology

Go beyond buzzwords to examine how successful digital strategies focus on business outcomes—like traffic, conversion, and adoption—rather than just launching product features. Julia shares methods to align teams around measurable changes that drive ROI and enterprise value.

02
Guiding Talent to Lead Transformation

Skilled digital product leaders don’t just manage—they innovate, inspire and lead. Julia unpacks how this game-changing discipline aligns digital initiatives with P&L goals, and explains why experienced product leaders often rise to the CEO level.

03
Data-Driven Decision Making

Rigorous testing and data can replace emotion and “gut” to get to results faster. Julia explains how to foster a culture of relentless testing and performance measurement.  Learn how start-ups use this to their advantage to move fast -- and how any company of any size can do the same.

04
Execution Success in Change Management

Technology is rarely the blocker in digital transformation -- change management is. Aligning teams to work toward shared business outcomes is a key part of the change journey. Julia explores strategies for aligning incentives across functions to break down silos and accelerate transformation.  

Julia Vander Ploeg Digital Transformation Leader and Speaker

principles that work in any industry

Using Pattern Recognition

Julia has firsthand experience delivering ROI through digital transformations across multiple industries, including retail, hospitality, entertainment, QSR, automotive, travel, and media.

Practical, Actionable Insights

Her talks are rooted in real-world examples and leave audiences with strategies they can implement immediately.

 

Engaging and Impactful Delivery

Julia’s style is accessible, engaging, and focused on delivering value to every audience at any level.

Speaking Formats

Keynote Presentations

Big-picture insights and actionable strategies for conferences, leadership summits, and corporate events.

Workshops & Breakouts

Deep dives into driving more from digital and technology with interactive, hands-on sessions.

Panel Discussions

Julia’s collaborative and insightful approach sparks meaningful conversations on stage.

Live Virtual Sessions

Engaging conversations for audiences seeking thought leadership from any location across the globe.

Fractional C-Suite Leadership to Kickstart Digital Initiatives

With decades of leadership experience in operating roles, Julia can work with your C-Suite to quickly to make sure you don't lose time in getting critical digital work off the ground, and can partner with your organization to help find and onboard the right long-term talent in key digital and technology roles.

About Julia

With expertise spanning digital strategy, e-commerce, data strategy, AI and digital marketing, Julia has held senior leadership roles that delivered impactful results and re-defined customer experiences.

 

Former Senior Vice President, Global Head of Digital & Technology at Hyatt Hotels

Julia led initiatives that doubled digital booking volume, launched personalized digital features and partnered with Apple in developing Room Key for Apple Wallet.

 

Led Digital Transformation at Volvo & McDonald's 

At Volvo, she led a comprehensive overhaul of digital business models and governance. At McDonald’s USA, she hired in the company's first native digital team, and led development of the company's first digital product roadmap that lead to the inaugural launch of mobile ordering at 14,000 locations in the US.

P&L Leadership at Ticketmaster

​Managed the resale business unit during Ticketmaster's explosive growth, driving the mobile ticketing evolution.

Julia Vander Ploeg Digital Transformation Leader and Speaker

Board Leadership & Advisory Roles

Julia brings strategic thought leadership to several high-profile boards and advisory positions, driving impactful change across industries through corporate governance. She currently serves on the following boards:

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