Ron Keller

Former Dutch Ambassador & Geopolitical Expert Independent Advisor to International Institutions

As a former Dutch ambassador and adviser to institutions such as the G20 chair, Ron 
Keller offers unparalleled insights into international finance, economics and geopolitics. 
Macroeconomist and seasoned diplomat Ron Keller is a highly sought-after speaker on 
geopolitical turbulence and its impact on businesses and individuals. Renowned for his 
expertise, he also offers invaluable insights into mastering the art of international 
negotiation. 

Ron is one of the few geopolitical experts with both high-level diplomatic experience as 
an ambassador and extensive international financial-economic expertise as a 
macroeconomist. His distinguished career, serving as a top diplomat in countries such 
as China, Turkey, Ukraine and Russia, as well as holding leadership roles in international 
institutions such as the EU, IMF, OECD and World Bank, brings unique value to his 
lectures. His experience as a chair in numerous international negotiations further 
enhances the depth and relevance of his insights. 

Through engaging and interactive presentations, Ron seamlessly connects seemingly 
unrelated topics such as finance, economics, diplomacy, and politics. Drawing on 
personal experiences, encounters with world leaders, historical contexts, shifting power 
dynamics, and cultural diversity, he offers a nuanced perspective on the future of our 
global community. His insights provide a realistic assessment of the challenges and 
opportunities that lie ahead for both citizens and entrepreneurs. 

Drawing on his extensive experience, Ron also delivers masterclasses on results-driven 
negotiation and the effective chairing of meetings, particularly in international settings. 
As a dynamic and highly engaged conference chair, he fosters insightful discussions and 
brings out the best in participants, ensuring a successful and impactful event for your 
organisation or company. 

Currently, Ron serves as an adviser to various internationally operating businesses and 
institutions. He is also a guest lecturer at several universities and a commentator and 
strategic analyst for Dutch and international radio and television, including NPO, RTL, 
BNR and the BBC. 

Between 2005 and 2017, Ron was the Dutch Ambassador to Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and 
China. Previously, he was a Director at the European Bank for Reconstruction and 
Development (EBRD) and a senior adviser and manager at the European Union as well 
as the Dutch Ministries of Finance and Foreign Affairs. 

Before his ambassadorship, Ron served as Director General at the Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs, where he was responsible for Dutch development cooperation (DGIS) between 
2000 and 2005. 

Earlier in his career, he was Director of Foreign Financial Relations and Director of Export 
Credit Insurance and Investment Guarantees at the Ministry of Finance from 1994 to 
2000. During this period, he chaired the European Union committee in Brussels 
responsible for establishing the euro currency system. 

Immediately after the fall of the Berlin Wall in late 1989, Ron was one of the founders of 
the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) as a representative of 
the Dutch government. He was subsequently appointed Director at this multilateral 
bank in London from 1991 to 1994. 

In the late 1980s, Ron worked as Personal Assistant to the Dutch Minister of Finance, 
collaborating closely with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 
Washington DC. 

Ron holds a Master’s degree in Economic Sciences from the University of Amsterdam, 
graduating cum laude in 1983.