Why book Vanessa
We are already looking at when we can bring her back. The feedback has been exceptional, with many saying it was one of the most engaging and valuable sessions they’ve attended.
Global Head of Talent, International Financial Services Organisation
Vanessa is an accomplished global speaker, panellist and facilitator who has delivered keynotes for 600 organisations across the globe, from large-scale conferences and global summits through to smaller, more intimate leadership sessions and workshops.
Her sessions are known for their honesty, warmth and energy. She has a natural ability to connect with audiences at every level, creating an environment where people feel both inspired and challenged.
Her approach blends storytelling with practical advice, ensuring audiences leave not just motivated, but with clear, tangible takeaways they can apply immediately.
Drawing on over 25 years of corporate experience and more than a decade building communities for women, Vanessa brings real-world insight into how careers actually progress, and what needs to change.
From keynote stages to interactive workshops, Vanessa adapts her style to suit the audience and setting, ensuring every session is relevant, engaging and impactful.
What Organisations typically want from Vanessa's Sessions
- Practical actions employees and leaders can immediately implement
- Stronger conversations around progression and retention
- Increased engagement and participation
- Greater confidence and visibility among female talent
- Honest discussion around leadership and organisational culture
- Sessions that create momentum long after the event itself
Signature Keynotes
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Building visibility, influence and career momentum
Most people believe that if they work hard enough, their work will speak for itself. The reality is, it rarely does.
Careers are shaped just as much by visibility, perception and influence as they are by capability, yet very few people are ever taught how to build a strong profile or communicate their value effectively.
In this highly practical and engaging keynote, Vanessa shares the lessons from her own journey, starting work in the city at 16 and rising to the C-suite, alongside the strategies she has developed through her corporate career, entrepreneurship and work with thousands of women.
This session focuses on what really drives progression inside organisations, from overcoming imposter syndrome and building confidence, through to networking with purpose and creating a clear “people plan”.
Vanessa also explores how to build a personal brand that feels authentic, how to optimise your digital footprint, and how to develop a strong network of mentors, sponsors and advocates who actively support your career.
This is a hands-on, actionable session designed to help individuals raise their profile, attract opportunities and take ownership of their career trajectory.
Ideal for: Leadership conferences, women’s networks, talent programmes and progression-focused events.
How women can survive, thrive and shape the future of tech
Women are not missing from opportunity, they are often simply unseen, unheard or underestimated.
In this powerful and thought-provoking keynote, Vanessa brings her upcoming book 404: Women Not Found to life, sharing honest, practical insight into what it really takes to build a career, navigate complex organisations and step into leadership.
Drawing on her own journey, alongside the voices of over 40 industry leaders, this session goes beyond theory. It is a real-world playbook that explores the unspoken dynamics that shape progression, from visibility and confidence to power, politics and influence.
Vanessa unpacks why so many women feel stuck or overlooked, despite doing everything “right”, and challenges the idea that progression is purely based on performance.
She explores the hidden rules that exist within organisations, how influence is built, and why confidence, visibility and networks often matter more than people expect.
At the same time, the session holds a mirror up to organisations, highlighting the systemic barriers that continue to impact retention and progression, and what needs to change if businesses are serious about building diverse leadership pipelines.
Audiences leave with a clear understanding of both the challenge and the opportunity, alongside practical strategies to take back control of their careers, build influence and step forward with confidence.
Ideal for: Technology conferences, leadership summits, DEI events and organisational culture conversations.
Despite years of progress, women continue to leave the tech sector at a significantly higher rate than men, and many never reach their full potential.
This keynote explores why, and more importantly, what needs to change.
Drawing on the findings of the Lovelace Report, alongside Vanessa’s work with thousands of women across the industry, this session goes beyond the headlines to examine the real drivers of attrition.
From lack of progression and recognition, to visibility, confidence and organisational dynamics, Vanessa brings the data to life through real stories and lived experience.
She helps audiences understand what it actually feels like to navigate a career in tech, and why so many talented women choose to leave, even when they are capable, ambitious and performing well.
The session is designed for both individuals and organisations.
For women, it provides practical strategies to navigate challenges, build resilience, increase visibility and take control of their careers.
This is not a theoretical session. It is honest, grounded and focused on action, helping audiences move from awareness to meaningful change.
Ideal for: Women in tech events, leadership programmes, retention initiatives and organisational inclusion strategies.
Ideal for: Women in tech events, leadership programmes, retention initiatives and organisational inclusion strategies.
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Building your support network
Mentoring can be one of the most powerful tools for progression, but only when it is done well.
In this practical and highly engaging workshop, Vanessa draws on her experience mentoring over 100 individuals and designing mentoring programmes for organisations including Oracle, MUFG and Nationwide.
She breaks down what makes mentoring relationships effective, how to build them properly and how to ensure both mentors and mentees get real value from the experience.
Participants will learn how to identify and approach the right mentors, how to structure conversations, how to set expectations and how to build relationships that go beyond occasional advice.
The session also explores how mentoring can evolve into sponsorship and advocacy, where individuals are actively championed and supported in their progression.
This workshop is designed to help participants build a strong, intentional support network that genuinely contributes to their career development.
Connecting leaders to talent
High-impact, structured and energising.
This fast-paced, interactive session connects participants with mentors and senior leaders through a series of structured, timed conversations.
Vanessa facilitates the session, setting the tone, sharing mentoring best practice and guiding participants through multiple rounds of focused discussions designed to share insight, advice and experience.
The format creates a safe but energised environment where conversations are meaningful, not superficial, and where participants are encouraged to be open, curious and honest.
Participants leave with fresh perspectives, practical advice and, in many cases, the start of mentoring relationships that continue well beyond the session itself.
Building relationships that matter
Networking is often talked about but rarely taught properly.
In this highly interactive session, Vanessa shares the strategies that have helped her become one of the most well-connected women in the UK, before facilitating a structured networking experience.
Participants learn how to create impactful introductions, how to build authentic relationships rather than transactional ones, and how to communicate with confidence in professional settings.
The session includes multiple rounds of structured networking, giving participants the opportunity to practise in real time, build new connections and gain immediate feedback.
There is also a strong focus on follow-up, ensuring that connections made during the session translate into meaningful, ongoing relationships.
Taking control of your career
Careers are no longer something that can be left to chance.
This practical workshop focuses on helping individuals take ownership of their progression by creating a clear, structured and realistic career plan.
Participants are guided through a process of reflection, helping them to understand where they are today, what they want from their career and what might be holding them back.
From there, the session focuses on building a plan that is both ambitious and achievable, identifying the right networks, support systems and opportunities needed to move forward.
Vanessa also explores how to stay on track, how to maintain momentum and how to avoid the common traps of procrastination and self-doubt.
Participants leave with clarity, direction and a tangible plan they can immediately start to action.
Workshops & Interactive Sessions
Other Topics for Panels
- Gender Pay Gap
- Social Mobility
- Motherhood
- ADHD/Neurodiversity
- Sponsorship/Allyship
- Women in Finance
- Community Building/Charities