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Nikki Henderson helps organisations build stronger leadership and teamwork through the lens of extreme endurance and life at sea. A record-breaking sailor, keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, she became the youngest person to skipper a round-the-world yacht race.
Nikki Henderson is a record-breaking sailor, speaker and storyteller. She became the youngest person to skipper a round-the-world yacht race and speaks to audiences worldwide through motivational speaking. Nikki shares insights into the human side of extreme endurance sport, highlighting the importance of leadership and teamwork. Her talks reach audiences from primary school pupils to international executives.
Nikki delivers tailored keynote speeches and runs leadership and team-building workshops, helping teams navigate the challenges of working with unfamiliar colleagues. By immersing participants in scenarios drawn from five weeks at sea, she illustrates the personal realities of leadership and how to apply these lessons in other contexts. She is committed to reaching as broad an audience as possible and offers special rates for schools and non-profits. She encourages others to "stand tall and make the right decisions for you." Thirteen years ago, Nikki chose a path that diverged from the typical trajectory for young adults, seeking a deeper understanding of life and leadership.
Her first decade was filled with record-breaking achievements, leading teams in perilous environments and exploring the relationship between humanity and nature. She has shown that feminine instincts and youthful intuition are valuable assets in leadership. Nikki now divides her time among three roles. As a professional sailor, she founded an offshore racing programme for 59 North Sailing, serves as women's ambassador for Outremer, and coaches private clients. As a speaker, she covers topics ranging from high-performance teams to sustainability. As a writer, she contributes to Yachting World and Grand Large Yachting and runs her own Substack.
She is currently writing a book that blends adventure memoir with leadership insight, offering guidance on navigating life and relationships through lessons learned in nature.
Topics, sessions and talks
Nikki Henderson delves into the challenges of leading a team through the unpredictable and high-pressure environment of a round-the-world yacht race. Drawing on her unique experiences, she shares thought-provoking perspectives on teamwork, leadership, and adapting to adversity. Nikki’s stories of endurance and growth provide valuable lessons on navigating complex dynamics and fostering resilience, offering insights that resonate across industries and roles.
Book Nikki Henderson to inspire your team with her extraordinary journey as a record-breaking sailor. Her unique insights into leadership and teamwork, drawn from extreme challenges at sea, will motivate and equip your audience with practical strategies to overcome obstacles and thrive in any environment.
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frequently asked questions
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To book Nikki Henderson, email nikki.henderson@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 Nikki'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.
Nikki Henderson uses first-person storytelling drawn from her experience as the youngest skipper of a round-the-world yacht race, translating specific on-water scenarios into leadership and teamwork lessons applicable across professional contexts.
Nikki Henderson speaks on leadership under pressure, teamwork in high-stakes environments, resilience and adapting to adversity, and the human dimensions of endurance. She became the youngest person to skipper a round-the-world yacht race, a credential that underpins her keynote and workshop delivery to audiences ranging from school pupils to international executives.
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