Everywhere you look, female leaders are breaking barriers and inspiring change across industries. Today we're highlighting top female keynote speakers known for their expertise in leadership development and growth. From business trailblazers like Karren Brady to Olympic champions like Kate Richardson-Walsh, these inspiring female speakers offer invaluable insights and experiences to empower the next generation of women leaders. Don't forget, International Women's Day takes place every year on March 8th, and these speakers all fit the biil.

Top Female Speakers for Leadership Development and Growth

Discover how these inspirational female speakers' unique perspectives on leadership, innovation, and resilience can inspire and grow your organisation.

READ MORE: International Womens Day Speakers from PepTalk

Karren Brady

Karren Brady CBE is a trailblazing businesswoman with a storied career in leadership, making her an excellent speaker on Women in Leadership. With experience in high-profile roles such as the Vice-Chairman of West Ham United and a key advisor on The Apprentice, Karren has consistently broken barriers in male-dominated industries. Her ability to transform struggling businesses into successful ventures and her advocacy for women in business provide invaluable insights for audiences. Karren's speeches are motivational and informative, drawing from her extensive personal and professional experiences.

PepTalk Fact: Karren made history by becoming the youngest Managing Director of a UK PLC at just 23 years old ⚽️

⮕ Learn more and book Karren Brady as a speaker.

Kate Richardson-Walsh

Kate Richardson-Walsh OBE is a distinguished former captain of the GB and England women’s hockey teams, making her a compelling choice for discussions on female leadership. Her leadership journey is marked by resilience and success, most notably leading her team to an Olympic gold medal in Rio 2016. Kate’s insights into building team culture, fostering leadership from within, and overcoming adversity resonate deeply with audiences, particularly in the context of women breaking barriers in leadership roles.

PepTalk Fact: Kate is the most capped female hockey player in GB history, with over 370 international appearances 🏑

⮕ Learn more and book Kate Richardson-Walsh as a speaker.

Alex Mahon

Alex Mahon, the CEO of Channel 4, is a transformative leader and a perfect choice for speaking to women about leadership. As the first woman to lead a major UK broadcaster, Alex has steered Channel 4 through significant changes, focusing on digital innovation, diversity, and inclusivity. Her experiences leading a public service broadcaster through the challenges of a rapidly evolving media landscape provide valuable leadership lessons, especially in embracing change and driving organisational growth.

PepTalk Fact: Alex started her career as a scientist before transitioning to media and leadership roles 📺

⮕ Learn more and book Alex Mahon as a speaker.

Claire Harper

Claire Harper is an expert in retail, digital marketing, and brand transformation, making her a powerful voice on Women in Leadership. With experience at leading UK brands like Argos, Ocado, and Sainsbury's, Claire has navigated the complexities of corporate leadership while balancing her entrepreneurial ambitions with family life.

Her journey from corporate roles to launching her award-winning childrenswear brand, IndiaCoco, illustrates her ability to drive innovation and cultural change. Claire's expertise in managing change and fostering inclusive company cultures provides valuable lessons for aspiring female leaders.

PepTalk Fact: Claire was the first female board director at Mamas & Papas. 👶

⮕ Learn more and book Claire Harper as a speaker.

Dame Inga Beale

Dame Inga Beale is a pioneering leader and former CEO of Lloyd’s of London, making her an excellent choice for discussions on Women in Leadership. As the first female CEO in the company's 328-year history, Inga broke new ground in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Her advocacy for diversity and inclusion and her extensive experience in leading global organisations make her a powerful voice on the importance of inclusive leadership and breaking glass ceilings.

PepTalk Fact: Inga was the first openly bisexual person to top the OUTstanding & FT Leading LGBT executive power list 🌈

⮕ Learn more and book Dame Inga Beale as a speaker.

Alison Edgar

Alison Edgar MBE is a highly respected speaker and business expert, making her a top choice for discussions about accelerating Women in Leadership. With a wealth of corporate experience and a focus on practical, actionable advice, Alison’s talks help organisations and individuals achieve better results by embracing change and improving communication. Her dynamic leadership approach and commitment to empowering others have earned her widespread recognition.

PepTalk Fact: Alison’s debut book was recognised as one of the top business books by a woman in 2019 by The Independent 📚

⮕ Learn more and book Alison Edgar as a speaker.

Debbie Wosskow

Debbie Wosskow OBE is a standout speaker on the topic of Female Leadership due to her extensive experience in building successful businesses and advocating for female empowerment. As the founder of Love Home Swap and co-founder of AllBright, she has not only proven her entrepreneurial prowess but has also made significant contributions to the digital and sharing economies.

Her work with AllBright in fostering female participation in Web3 and other tech domains underscores her commitment to breaking barriers for women in traditionally male-dominated fields. Debbie's insights into leadership, innovation, and gender inclusivity make her an invaluable resource for any event on women in leadership.

PepTalk Fact: Debbie launched her first company with just £3,000 at the age of 25 🚀

⮕ Learn more and book Debbie Wosskow OBE as a speaker.

Holly Tucker

Holly Tucker is an inspiring choice for speaking about the role of women in leadership, with her background as the founder of notonthehighstreet and Holly & Co. Holly’s dedication to empowering small businesses and fostering creativity makes her an authority on leading with passion and purpose.

Through her work, she has supported over 200,000 businesses, demonstrating her commitment to driving economic growth and supporting female entrepreneurs. Her lively approach to business and her belief in doing what you love resonate strongly with audiences seeking to unlock their potential and embrace leadership roles.

PepTalk Fact: Holly has helped create 200 millionaires through her ventures 💸

⮕ Learn more and book Holly Tucker as a speaker.

Nahla Summers

Nahla Summers brings a unique and compelling perspective to the conversation on Women in Leadership, drawing from her experiences as a social change researcher and Guinness World Record holder. Her focus on kindness as a foundational value in leadership challenges traditional norms and provides a fresh approach to workplace culture and leadership. Nahla’s extraordinary personal challenges, including cycling across America and walking the length of England, are testaments to her resilience and ability to inspire others. Her insights on empathy and cultural change are invaluable for those looking to foster more inclusive and compassionate leadership styles.

PepTalk Fact: Nahla has generated nearly 250,000 acts of kindness through her initiatives. 🌍

⮕ Learn more and book Nahla Summers as a speaker.

Hélène Barnekow

Hélène Barnekow is an exceptional speaker on Women in Leadership, with over 30 years of experience in C-level positions within the technology sector. Her value-based leadership approach, which focuses on creating lasting change through people, has been instrumental in transforming corporate cultures at companies like Microsoft Sweden and Telia. Hélène's commitment to diversity and inclusion, coupled with her extensive board experience, provides a rich foundation for discussions on how to lead effectively in today’s globalised world. Her insights into sustainable leadership and organisational transformation are particularly relevant for those looking to lead with integrity and purpose.

PepTalk Fact: Hélène has held board positions across major corporations, including GN Store Nord and Handelsbanken. 💼

⮕ Learn more and book Hélène Barnekow as a speaker.

💡 Would you like to upskill your team with an expert speaker in effective leadership or female empowerment? Let us know, and we’ll find the perfect PepTalk expert for your organisation. Email us at hello@getapeptalk.com or send us a message via the chat. You can also call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US). Remember, it’s always a good time to get a PepTalk!

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