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Culture expert & keynote speaker

Ginger Hardage

Transform workplace culture with Ginger Hardage, speaker and organizational culture expert. Ginger works with leadership teams to build unstoppable cultures, enhance internal communications, and drive employee engagement, leveraging expertise from her 25-year Southwest Airlines legacy and global recognition.

Trusted by McDonald's, Amazon, Southwest Airlines

Ginger Hardage, Speaker | Founder Of Unstoppable Cultures, CX
Ginger Hardage

Ginger Hardage

New York City, United States

Typical fee range

$26k–50k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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Book Ginger

New York City, United States

Starting from

$26k–50k

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loading@getapeptalk.com

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+44 203 835 2929

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Ginger Hardage's biography

At a glance

  • Former Senior VP of Culture and Communications at Southwest Airlines
  • Founder of Unstoppable Cultures
  • Global Chairman of the Board for Ronald McDonald House Charities
Ginger Hardage retired as Senior Vice President of Culture and Communications at Southwest Airlines after 25 years. She led a team of 150 people responsible for building and sustaining the organization's culture and communications enterprise. In 2017, she launched Unstoppable Cultures to help organizations create and sustain great cultures. Ginger was recognized as a global authority on organizational culture and played a vital role in nourishing Southwest's culture and communications function. She received numerous honors throughout her career and currently serves as Global Chairman of the Board for Ronald McDonald House Charities. Ginger's speaking topics include debunking lies about organizational culture, creating and sustaining enduring greatness in organizations, building a brand from the inside out, and the power of purpose. She also shares insights on attracting, engaging, and retaining top talent.

Ginger's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Building A Brand From The Inside Out
In this session, Ginger Hardage emphasises that the key to successful branding lies in people. Drawing on her 25 years at Southwest Airlines, she explains how employee engagement is crucial for a brand's identity. Ginger illustrates that an organisation's internal culture directly influences its external perception. Attendees will learn how to foster an "employee first" culture, ensuring employees feel engaged, empowered, and aligned with the company's purpose.
5 Lies About Organizational Culture
Ginger Hardage addresses common misconceptions about organisational culture, such as the belief that it cannot be changed or that empowering employees leads to a loss of control. She debunks these myths and presents the five lies that hinder cultural transformation. Attendees will learn how to intentionally create a thriving culture, enabling their organisations to become unstoppable. By understanding these truths, leaders can foster a more engaged and effective workplace.
The Power Of Purpose
Ginger Hardage highlights the shift in organisational success from mere profit generation to a deeper, purpose-driven approach. Unlike previous generations, today’s leaders recognise that aligning their organisations with a meaningful purpose engages employees and customers alike. Ginger will share insights from leading companies that effectively integrate purpose and values into every aspect of their operations, including hiring and performance management. Attendees will learn how to harness purpose to drive organisational success.
How To Create And Sustain An Unstoppable Cultures
Ginger Hardage explores the concept of "Unstoppable Cultures," highlighting how every company possesses a unique culture that can either attract or repel talent. She emphasises the importance of intentionality in nurturing a supportive environment and the power of storytelling. Attendees will discover the key characteristics of these thriving cultures and leave with practical, inspiring strategies to cultivate the ideal culture within their own organisations.
Attract + Engage + Retain: Winning The Talent War
Ginger Hardage, former Chief Culture & Communications Officer at Southwest Airlines, highlights the importance of attracting, engaging, and retaining top talent for organisational success. With a remarkable 96% employee retention rate, Southwest has long been recognised as a leading employer. In her keynote, Ginger reveals the timeless strategies that have contributed to this success, alongside insights from other top companies, equipping attendees with actionable approaches to enhance their own organisational culture.

Why we recommend booking Ginger

Book Ginger Hardage to gain actionable insights from a global authority who shaped Southwest Airlines’ renowned culture and now empowers organizations to achieve lasting greatness. Secure your event’s success by inviting a speaker who inspires teams to build purpose-driven, high-performing workplaces.

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Trusted by McDonald's, Amazon, Southwest Airlines

Testimonials

Ginger brings constant, positive energy and enthusiasm to all those around her, and that is infectious. She has built superb teams that we are very proud of, and that I know will continue her special brand of excellence.

Gary Kelly

Chairman & Former CEO, Southwest Airlines

Ginger Hardage truly brought the Southwest Airlines culture to life. You see it on every flight and any every interaction with employees. It is what sets Southwest apart from all the others. In her speeches, she shares her stories and the actions that she took to truly make the difference. She is truly an inspiration to all.

Jan Fields

Former President, McDonald's

Featured Projects

Ginger Hardage - Principles For Building An Unstoppable Culture (Ebook) book cover
Ginger Hardage - “Coaching For Leaders” podcast cover
Ginger Hardage - Andy Stanley Leadership podcast cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Ginger Hardage for my next event?
Email ginger.hardage@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Ginger's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
What is Ginger Hardage's speaking style like?
Ginger Hardage draws on 25 years of executive experience at Southwest Airlines to structure her sessions around myth-busting frameworks, most notably presenting a defined list of five lies that obstruct cultural transformation within organisations.
What topics does Ginger Hardage specialise in?
Ginger Hardage speaks on building brand identity through internal culture, debunking misconceptions about organisational culture, and aligning organisations with purpose-driven values. She retired as Senior Vice President of Culture and Communications at Southwest Airlines after 25 years, where she led a team of 150 responsible for the organisation's culture and communications enterprise.
Can PepTalk help plan the speaker programme for my event?

Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.

What does 'typical fee range' mean?

Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

What logistics should I prepare before my speakers arrive?

Before your speakers arrive, confirm AV is tested, a green room is ready, and printed schedules are on hand. Prepare warm introductions for each speaker and brief your team on timings. PepTalk speakers come fully briefed, making event-day logistics smoother and stress-free from the start.

What's the difference between a keynote speaker, an MC, and event entertainment?

A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.

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Life happens! Most speaker bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker, but PepTalk handles all the details & contracts transparently upfront so there are no surprises. Our team supports you through any changes, making the process as smooth as possible.

Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?

Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

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When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.

Can I book entertainment and speakers as a package?

Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.

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How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Help, I need a last-minute speaker for my event!

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