Availability dot

Available to book

Broadway performer & emcee

Hayley Podschun

Hayley Podschun helps organizations host unforgettable events and build confidence under pressure, bringing Broadway-level command to the stage as a keynote speaker and event emcee. A Helen Hayes Award nominee, she draws on decades on Broadway, national tours, and QVC.

Trusted by Conference Direct, QVC

Hayley Podschun
Hayley Podschun

Hayley Podschun

New York City, United States

Typical fee range

$6k–10k

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

Get Hayley's availability

Availability dot
Instant quote
No upfront fee
Vetted speaker

Book Hayley

New York City, United States

Starting from

$6k–10k

Send an email

loading@getapeptalk.com

Give us a call

+44 203 835 2929

Enquire Hayley Now

Availability dot for speakers
Instant quote
No upfront fee
Vetted speaker

Hayley Podschun's biography

At a glance

  • Broadway star, played Glinda in National Tour of Wicked
  • QVC guest host and corporate event emcee
  • Speaks on resilience, adaptability, and performance under pressure

Hayley Podschun is a Broadway performer, television actor, and corporate event host who translates lessons from the stage into practical insight on resilience, confidence, and command of the room.


Originally from Overland Park, Kansas, Hayley has appeared in eight Broadway productions, including Hello, Dolly!, Something Rotten!, Hairspray, Anything Goes, Chaplin, Sunday in the Park with George, Pal Joey, and The Sound of Music, and starred as Glinda in the National Tour of Wicked after auditioning for the role six times. She also serves as a guest host on QVC and received a Helen Hayes Award nomination for her stage work.


As a keynote speaker, Hayley draws on the constant auditions, live performances, and career uncertainty of a Broadway career to explore how people prepare for high-stakes moments, respond to setbacks, and sustain performance under pressure. As an emcee, she brings that same composure to corporate meetings, awards programs, and Broadway red carpet events, keeping every program moving while making audiences feel part of the show.


Audiences leave her keynotes with practical tools for building confidence and staying adaptable under pressure, while event organizers gain a host who reads a room instantly, adapts in real time, and keeps momentum high from welcome to closing applause.


Book Hayley to bring a Broadway perspective, on stage or at the podium, to your next conference, awards program, or leadership event.

Hayley's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Whatever It Takes

Hayley Podschun, a professional actor since age 10 and Broadway star since 12, shares her journey through eight Broadway shows, including her role as Glinda in Wicked. In her keynote, she emphasizes the "Whatever It Takes" mindset essential for success in competitive environments. Attendees will learn to prepare for high-stakes moments, respond with resilience to setbacks, apply a proactive approach to uncertainty, persist through rejection, and embrace flexibility in achieving their goals.

Event Emcee

Hayley Podschun brings the polish of a Broadway veteran, the warmth of a natural storyteller, and the quick thinking of a live television personality to every event she hosts. Drawing on eight Broadway productions, national tours, and her role as QVC guest host, she keeps programs moving effortlessly, interviewing executives, introducing speakers, and building energy between sessions. From awards shows to national sales meetings, Hayley reads a room and adapts in real time, leaving audiences feeling part of the show.

Why we recommend booking Hayley

Hayley Podschun blends Broadway-level poise with real-world lessons in resilience and adaptability, whether she's on the podium or running the room as your event's emcee. Book her to bring both keynote insight and steady hosting command to your event.

Check Hayley's availability

Trusted by Conference Direct, QVC

Testimonials

It’s not every day you get to say that Glinda the Good Witch from Wicked was your keynote speaker… but we did. And Hayley Podschun was pure magic. A Broadway and screen powerhouse, Hayley brought charm, energy, and wisdom to the stage - but what truly resonated was her story of determination. She auditioned for the role of Glinda six times over several years. She didn’t give up. She knew the role was meant for her—and on the sixth try, she got the call. Her message? Do whatever it takes. Whether you’re onstage, backstage, or navigating your own career path - show up, stay ready, and keep going. Hayley reminded us that resilience isn’t about avoiding rejection or setbacks - it’s about pushing through them. It’s about hard work, heart, and believing in yourself even when the answer is “not yet.” Thank you, Hayley, for your honesty, humour, and for reminding us that with grit and grace, we really can step into the roles we were born to play.

Joanne Henry

Account Executive, Conference Direct

Featured Projects

Hayley Podschun - Wicked book cover
Hayley Podschun - Hello, Dolly! book cover
Hayley Podschun - Hairspray book cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Hayley Podschun for my next event?

To book Hayley Podschun, email hayley.podschun@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 Hayley's availability and speaking fee. 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 about your audience.

What is Hayley Podschun's speaking style like?

Hayley Podschun's sessions span the “Whatever It Takes” mindset on building resilience under pressure, and Event Emcee, where she hosts conferences, sales meetings, and awards programs with the polish of a Broadway veteran. She has appeared in eight Broadway productions and starred as Glinda in the National Tour of Wicked, with screen credits including the film Hairspray alongside John Travolta, Queen Latifah, and Michelle Pfeiffer.

What topics does Hayley Podschun specialise in?

Hayley Podschun speaks on resilience and high-stakes preparation, adaptability under pressure, and event hosting and emceeing. She has appeared in eight Broadway productions and starred as Glinda in the National Tour of Wicked, having auditioned for the role six times, and holds a Helen Hayes Award nomination for her stage work.

Does PepTalk charge a booking fee?

No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.

What happens after I send a brief?

Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.

What does the typical fee range mean?

The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.

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

Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.

How far in advance should I book a speaker?

Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.