I’m Barbara Neuhofer – Global Thought Leader on Experience Design, Professor, Keynote Speaker, and Transformation Catalyst.
I help leaders, changemakers, and organisations create profound experiences that spark transformation, elevate consciousness, and drive purposeful impact.
I’m Barbara Neuhofer, and my life’s work is dedicated to designing and facilitating transformation — for individuals, leaders, and organisations — through the interdisciplinary lens of Experience Design.
As a Professor of Experience Design at the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, external lecturer with habilitation (Priv.-Doz.) and visiting professor at several European universities, I integrate academic insight at the intersection of experience design, technology, and positive psychology with hands-on, practice-based experience to explore how experiences can be designed with intention to spark meaningful transformation.
As a Keynote Speaker, Transformative Coach, and Experience Design Consultant, I guide individuals and organisations to harness the powerful potential of human experience as a catalyst for transformation — driving inner change and creating lasting impact in the world.
My research explores how experiences can be intentionally designed to spark transformation — for individuals, organisations, and systems. Drawing from my own life journey and 15+ years of scientific inquiry, I investigate the power of experience design as a catalyst for change. My work sits at the intersection of human transformation, digital transformation, and positive psychology — offering a unique, interdisciplinary lens to explore how experiences can elevate consciousness, unlock potential, and create meaningful impact across personal, professional, and societal spheres.
Words spark inspiration – and transformation.
As a global keynote and TEDx speaker, I empower audiences to rethink how they lead, design, and create by unlocking the transformational power of human experience — blending academic insight, future foresight, and my personal journey to show how intentionally designed experiences can spark inner change, shift mindsets, and drive transformation — in individuals, organisations, and wider systems.
I’ve had the honour of speaking at over 100 conferences and industry events worldwide, inspiring leaders, innovators, and changemakers to harness experience design as a strategic tool for innovation, culture shift, and long-term impact.
Whether you’re looking to transform your organisation’s culture, ignite purpose in your teams, or empower personal growth — my keynotes are designed to move minds, open hearts, and spark meaningful action.
True transformation starts from within – and expands outward.
As an Accredited Transformative Coach, I work with visionary individuals, leaders, and academics who are ready to grow — personally and professionally — through deep coaching journeys rooted in transformative coaching and positive psychology. My presence-led coaching approach helps you navigate life transitions, reconnect with your purpose, and unlock the fullest expression of your Self. My style is intuitive, science-informed, empathetic, and profoundly human — empowering you to harness your strengths and create meaningful, lasting impact in your life and work.
As an Experience Design Consultant and a certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® facilitator, I partner with forward-thinking organisations to design human and digital experiences that transform. I help organisations in applying the principles of experience design to develop visionary, experience-centered offerings — evolving from traditional services to transformative, high-impact value propositions.
Shaping future minds through experience design
As a Professor and global educator, I bring interdisciplinary, cutting-edge expertise in experience design, digital transformation, and positive psychology into the classroom. I have the privilege of inspiring learners at several European universities, where I teach interactive, research-informed courses that bridge the latest theory with insights from my coaching and consulting practice.
From university programmes to customised training for organisations, I equip students, professionals, and future leaders with the mindsets and toolsets to create impactful, human-centered experiences in their fields — from tourism, events, and hospitality to the broader ecosystems.
I am available for visiting professorships, guest lectures, trainings, and audits — bringing global insight, academic excellence, and transformative energy to your institution.
“Barbara makes every minute and every second interactive. Her class is not just about learning theories; she brings in activities and business partners to really allow us to learn from practical cases. Barbara is also very open-minded. She always goes the extra mile and helps us on both professional and personal levels!”
“Barbara is a mentor who introduced me to the world of Experience Design, while leading me on a transformative journey of my own. Throughout the last two years, Barbara has guided me to not only implement this principle into my projects, but also for me as a person, to constantly expand my skills, goals and horizon.”
“Dr. Barbara Neuhofer is a diligent, caring, and life-changing Professor. She creates transformative experiences for students that guide them to personal and professional development. She is inclusive and creative in her teaching methods. She changes the lives of the students she teaches, she and will continue to do so in the future.”
Barbara Neuhofer receives Honorary Professorship from IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences
Special Issue published on Designing Experiences for Transformation and Sustainable Futures
Barbara Neuhofer receives Habilitation in Business and Management at the University of Innsbruck
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Professor. Speaker. Coach. Consultant.
