Cairns Crocodiles, presented by Pinterest has announced global business leader Gill Zhou as its latest high-profile international speaker for 2026.
Zhou brings nearly three decades of leadership across technology, media and fashion to the mainstage from a career spanning some of the world’s most influential brands, including IBM, Motorola and Condé Nast China.
She is currently chair of Shenzhen International Fashion Week and is widely recognised as one of China’s most influential business leaders.
Having worked in the US, across Asia-Pacific and China, Zhou has led large transnational teams, blended Western business systems with Eastern leadership philosophies and driven growth through openness, integration and transformation. Her career has seen her move from CMO to CEO to entrepreneur, spanning technology, media and fashion in a way few executives ever achieve.
“Gill’s influence extends far beyond business,” said Pippa Chambers, content director of Cairns Crocodiles. “She’ll bring a rare global perspective, courage and clarity to leadership, and we’re incredibly excited to welcome her to Cairns Crocodiles.
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APAC Marketing Academy Fellow Zhou has also been named one of Fortune China’s Most Influential Business Women, was recognised by Ad Age as a Woman to Watch. She also authored the bestselling book Bloom, which has inspired thousands of professionals across Asia.
Zhou, who will be jetting in from China for Cairns Crocodiles, spent more than 20 years at IBM, serving as global vice president and a member of its global management committee.
As IBM’s CMO for Asia-Pacific and Greater China, she oversaw a multi-billion-dollar business across China, Southeast Asia, Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand. She also founded IBM’s digital sales division in Greater China, leading a major digital and cultural transformation that turned customer experience into measurable commercial growth.
In 2022, Zhou was appointed president of Condé Nast China, where she led the company through a period of digital transformation and business reinvention.
She expanded the group into new areas including health, beverages, cultural tourism, Chinese craftsmanship and local beauty brands, while strengthening China’s voice in global fashion.
Under her leadership, Condé Nast China became the exclusive fashion media partner of Shenzhen Fashion Week, launched major fashion IPs and innovation indexes, and delivered more than 26 billion in media exposure for China’s fashion industry.
Beyond her executive roles, Zhou has served as an executive board member of the Effie Awards and as an independent director of Gotion High-Tech Group. She is also founder of Sinan Yidao International Consulting and a senior advisor to multiple fashion and business organisations across China.
“At Cairns Crocodiles, Zhou will bring a rare cross-industry perspective, sharing insights on leadership, transformation, branding and cultural change across global markets,” Chambers added.
The addition of Zhou further strengthens the 2026 speaker line-up, reinforcing Cairns Crocodiles as a global platform for leaders who are shaping the future of business, creativity and culture.
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In case you missed some of the other great Speaker Spotlight stories see here or check them out here.
