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Transform workplace equality with Joeli Brearley, speaker, activist and discrimination expert. Joeli works with organisations to address motherhood penalty and gender bias, delivering impactful change recognised by British Vogue and honoured with an MBE.

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Joeli Brearley
Joeli Brearley

Joeli Brearley

Leeds, United Kingdom

Typical fee range

£2k–5k

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

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Joeli Brearley

Book Joeli

Leeds, United Kingdom

Starting from

£2k–5k

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loading@getapeptalk.com

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+44 203 835 2929

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Joeli Brearley's biography

At a glance

  • Founder of Pregnant Then Screwed charity
  • MBE for services to working families
  • Led March of the Mummies across the UK

Joeli Brearley is a prominent British activist, author, and public speaker, best known as the founder of Pregnant Then Screwed, a charity dedicated to addressing workplace discrimination and the motherhood penalty. Her work has inspired changes at both societal and legislative levels. She is credited with influencing the recent £5.2 billion investment in childcare, as well as changing laws on flexible working, tribunal time limits, and redundancy protections.


In 2021, she took the Government to court for indirect sex discrimination and won her claim. Joeli spearheaded the biggest protest of mothers the UK has ever seen - March of the Mummies saw 15,000 parents march across 10 UK cities, garnering nationwide attention for demanding workplace equality and better policies for parents. Joeli has been recognised for her influence in activism and gender equality.


She was listed among British Vogue’s “25 Most Influential Women” in 2021 and was PR Week’s 8th most prominent British communicator in 2023, and was awarded an MBE in the 2024 New Year Honours. She frequently contributes to high-profile publications, raising awareness about the systemic challenges working mothers face. Her book, Pregnant Then Screwed: The Truth About the Motherhood Penalty, has been lauded for its candid exploration of these issues and for empowering women to fight back against discrimination. Joeli remains a tireless advocate for creating a fairer, more inclusive workplace for women everywhere.

Joeli's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

The Truth About the Motherhood Penalty and How to Fix It

Joeli Brearley will delve into the motherhood penalty, highlighting its significance for businesses and the workplace. She will share real stories from mothers, present compelling data on the issue, and discuss the business case for addressing it. Attendees will learn about pregnancy discrimination, gender bias, and effective strategies to attract and retain talented women. Joeli will also provide actionable steps to support parents at work and improve the motherhood penalty both professionally and personally.

Campaigning for Legislative Change

Joeli Brearley will share her insights on campaigning for legislative change, drawing from her extensive experience in advocacy. She will discuss effective strategies for mobilising support, engaging stakeholders, and navigating the political landscape. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge on how to influence policy and drive meaningful change in their communities, equipping them with the tools needed to make a significant impact in their advocacy efforts.

Using Social Media to Build Authentic Connection

Joeli Brearley will explore how to leverage social media to foster genuine connections with your audience, community, and customers. She will share insights on creating authentic engagement and building trust through effective online communication. Attendees will learn practical strategies for enhancing their social media presence, understanding their audience better, and cultivating meaningful relationships that drive loyalty and support. Join Joeli to discover the power of authenticity in social media interactions.

Why we recommend booking Joeli

Book Joeli Brearley to inspire your team with her powerful insights on workplace equality and the motherhood penalty. Her compelling stories and proven advocacy will motivate change, foster inclusivity, and empower your organisation to champion gender equality. Don’t miss the chance to learn from a true leader in activism.

Check Joeli's availability

Trusted by Visa, Royal Mail, Royal College of Nursing

Testimonials

Joeli is an unbelievably engaging and inspirational speaker. Her presentations are packed with insights, yet delivered with a natural flair that keeps every audience member engaged. Her talks don't just inform - they transform.

Alys Peart

Chief of Staff, Octopus Energy

Joeli is warm, engaging and hard hitting with stories and the facts about the motherhood penalty. Feedback from all attendees has been exceptional. If you want someone to give you an impactful, meaningful and hard hitting presentation that takes you on a journey of self discovery and self reflection then Joeli is perfect.

Carly Di Paola

Featured Projects

Joeli Brearley - Pregnant Then Screwed: The Truth About The Motherhood Penalty book cover
Joeli Brearley - The Motherhood Penalty: How To Stop Motherhood Being The Kiss Of Death For Your Career book cover

frequently asked questions

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How do I book Joeli Brearley for my next event?

Email joeli.brearley@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 Joeli'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 Joeli Brearley's speaking style like?

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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.