Bill McDermott Speaker Biography
Chairman and CEO of ServiceNow, Former CEO of SAP, Best-Selling Author of Winners Dream
Bill McDermott is one of the technology industry’s most admired and accomplished business leaders. As Chairman and CEO of ServiceNow, he leads one of the world’s fastest-growing enterprise software companies, helping organizations harness AI, digital transformation, and workflow automation to make work better for people. Since joining ServiceNow in 2019, McDermott has overseen the company’s continued expansion as a global leader in cloud-based enterprise technology. A self-made executive who rose from humble beginnings to lead two of the world’s most influential software companies, McDermott is widely recognized for his leadership, customer-first philosophy, and ability to build high-performance cultures. Starting from a working-class background on Long Island, he worked his way through the corporate ranks to become one of the most respected CEOs in business.
Best-Selling Author: Winners Dream
McDermott’s remarkable journey is chronicled in his best-selling memoir, Winners Dream: A Journey from Corner Store to Corner Office. Released in 2014, the book shares the leadership lessons, personal setbacks, and defining moments that shaped his career. More than a business memoir, Winners Dream is an inspiring story of perseverance, ambition, and resilience, demonstrating how vision, optimism, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to people can help anyone overcome obstacles and achieve extraordinary success. The book has become a favorite among entrepreneurs, executives, sales professionals, and aspiring leaders seeking practical lessons on leadership and personal growth.
Working-Class Roots to Global CEO
Growing up in a working-class family on Long Island, McDermott demonstrated entrepreneurial instincts at an early age. At just sixteen years old, he purchased a small deli by combining earnings from three hourly wage jobs. Running the business taught him invaluable lessons about customer service, accountability, leadership, and growth—principles that would guide his career for decades. After putting himself through college, McDermott launched his corporate career at Xerox, selling copiers door-to-door. He rose rapidly through the organization, ranking #1 in every sales position he held and ultimately becoming Xerox’s youngest corporate officer. His success earned widespread recognition throughout the company and established his reputation as one of the business world’s premier sales and operational leaders.
SAP
Following executive leadership roles at Gartner and Siebel Systems, McDermott joined SAP in 2002 to help revitalize its North American business. Through a relentless focus on customers, culture, and execution, he transformed the operation into one of the company’s strongest-performing regions. In 2010, he was named Co-CEO of SAP and, in 2014, became the company’s sole CEO and the first non-European to hold the position. During his tenure, SAP dramatically increased its market value, accelerated its transition to cloud computing, expanded its global customer base, and strengthened its position as the world’s leading enterprise application software company. McDermott was first appointed to SAP’s Executive Board in 2008, where he managed global field operations and played a key role in aligning sales, customer success, and product innovation across the organization.
ServiceNow
In November 2019, McDermott joined ServiceNow as President and CEO and later became Chairman and CEO. Under his leadership, ServiceNow has accelerated its growth and innovation, helping organizations worldwide modernize operations, improve productivity, and leverage emerging technologies including artificial intelligence. His vision has helped position the company at the forefront of enterprise digital transformation.
Gartner, Siebel, and Xerox
Before joining SAP, McDermott served as Executive Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Operations at Siebel Systems and as President of Gartner, where he led the company’s core operations. Earlier, he spent 17 years at Xerox Corporation, where he built a reputation for operational excellence and transformational leadership. In 1997, a Xerox division under his leadership received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, one of the highest honors for organizational performance in the United States.
Leadership, Service, and Recognition
McDermott is a sought-after voice on leadership, innovation, culture, customer success, and the future of technology. He has received numerous honors for his business and civic leadership, including the Silicon Valley Leadership Group’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the Promise Award from the Children’s Aid Society of New York, the NPower Gala Honoree Award, and the TechAmerica Foundation’s Terman Award for Corporate Leadership.
A strong advocate for corporate social responsibility and community engagement, McDermott has long supported initiatives focused on education, workforce development, and opportunities for underserved communities. He has served on numerous advisory councils and boards throughout his career and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Zoom Communications.
Education
McDermott earned an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and completed the Executive Development Program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Bill McDermott Speaking Topics
Winners Dream: A Journey from Corner Store to Corner Office
Bill McDermott shares his inspiring journey from running a small deli as a teenager on Long Island to leading some of the world's most influential technology companies. Drawing lessons from his best-selling memoir Winners Dream, he reveals how resilience, optimism, hard work, and a customer-first mindset can help individuals overcome obstacles and achieve extraordinary success. Audiences leave motivated to pursue their own ambitions and unlock their full potential.
The Opportunity of a Lifetime: Services in the Era of the Consumer
Today's customers expect seamless, personalized, and always-on experiences. McDermott explores how organizations can transform service delivery by leveraging technology, data, and human-centered innovation to exceed rising customer expectations. He demonstrates how companies that put customer success at the center of their strategy create lasting competitive advantage and growth.
Re-Engineering a Corporation
Transforming a business requires more than new technology—it demands a fundamental shift in culture, leadership, and execution. Drawing on his experience leading large-scale transformations at SAP and ServiceNow, McDermott explains how organizations can reinvent themselves to stay competitive in rapidly changing markets. He shares practical strategies for aligning people, processes, and innovation around a common vision.
The Future of Technology
Artificial intelligence, automation, cloud computing, and digital workflows are reshaping every industry. McDermott offers a forward-looking perspective on the technologies driving the next era of business transformation and what leaders must do to stay ahead. Audiences gain actionable insights into how innovation can create new opportunities for growth, productivity, and customer value.
Global Business Outlook
As markets become increasingly interconnected, leaders must navigate economic uncertainty, geopolitical shifts, and technological disruption. McDermott provides a global perspective on the trends shaping business, investment, and innovation around the world. His insights help organizations identify emerging opportunities while preparing for future challenges.
Leadership
Great leadership begins with purpose, authenticity, and a commitment to helping others succeed. McDermott draws on decades of experience leading global organizations to reveal the qualities that inspire trust, drive performance, and create lasting impact. His practical lessons help leaders at every level strengthen their influence and elevate their teams.
Bill McDermott Books
Winners Dream: A Journey from Corner Store to Corner Office
Purchase BookBill McDermott Videos
Bill McDermott Speaker Testimonials
"It was a great to have Bill be a part of our program. The initial feedback from the participants has been overwhelmingly positive. The fact that Bill came here and shared his story and experiences was especially appreciated."
- | Ericsson
