Global Chamber member inspires international audience in Malaga

Globility Insights founder and Greater Birmingham Global Chamber committee member Marina Ibrahim delivered the opening keynote and workshop at the Toastmasters International District 107 Spring Conference in Málaga, Spain.

The conference brought together over 200 delegates from seven countries across Europe, North Africa, and beyond under the theme 'Amplify Your Impact'.

Marina’s keynote, 'Between Accents & Assumptions: How to Amplify Your Impact Across Cultures', explored the impact of cultural assumptions, communication barriers, and inclusive leadership in global environments.

Drawing on her Egyptian-German-British background and more than 25 years’ experience working with multinational organisations, she encouraged audiences to see cultural diversity as a business strength rather than a barrier.

She also facilitated an interactive workshop, 'From Accents to Assumptions to Action', focused on practical strategies for improving cross-cultural communication, collaboration, and leadership effectiveness.

Conference chair and district director Claudia Villarreal described the keynote as “transformative”, adding that Marina “captivated the audience from the moment she took the stage” and left delegates “inspired and equipped with actionable insights”.

Among the international delegates attending the conference was Izidro Sousa, head of IT at Mercedes-Benz.io in Lisbon and TEDx speaker, who described Marina as “the kind of speaker every conference hopes to host”, praising her ability to connect with an international audience while bringing “both substance and heart”.

Scarlet Vázquez, a supply chain and operations professional at logistics group SEVICA in Barcelona, said the session was “one of the most insightful and transformative experiences” she had attended in a long time, highlighting the relevance of cultural intelligence and global leadership in today’s workplace.

Marina said: “In international business, the ability to communicate across cultures is no longer optional. It is a leadership necessity. What stood out most in Málaga was the shared desire for greater understanding, trust, and human connection across borders.”

Pictured: Marina (right) with fellow keynote speaker Aaron W. Beverley