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Keynote SpeakerPetra Velzeboer

Cult Survivor turned Leadership, Mental Health and Culture expert. Speaks on Digital Wellbeing, People and AI, Courageous Leadership and creating cultures where people can thrive.

Petra Velzeboer is a dynamic, entertaining and practical storyteller who is sure to bring life, laughter and insight to your audience. A global TEDx speaker, psychotherapist, author, and CEO of mental health consultancy PVL, she brings expertise on topics that impact employees, managers and C-suite leadership with the aim of... Read more

Topics

Popular Talks

Mental Health, AI, and the New World of Work
Digital Wellbeing: Boundaries that Boost Performance
How to Create a Mentally Healthy Culture
Burnout: Prevention, Management, and Helping Your Team Thrive
From Surviving to Thriving: Petra’s Inspirational Journey Through Adversity

More talks

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Biography

The future of work is a hot topic which Petra speaks on with passion and excitement, complimenting the narratives around AI and enhancing this debate by bringing people into the forefront! With a new angle on wellbeing, her focus on mental health and resilience in a world of change is one that challenges ‘bubble bath wellbeing’ and instead focuses on positive psychology, elite performance, and creating dynamic teams that you will retain as they grow and evolve together – creating a future of work that is good for our health and sustainable for long term success.

Her inspiration and motivation come from her unique and compelling story which she tells with vulnerability, authenticity and dynamic challenge to her audiences worldwide. Born and raised in a notorious cult she knows first-hand what a toxic culture feels like and what it takes to build resilience and take responsibility for good mental health. When she finally left the cult, she spiralled into addiction, depression and anxiety leaving her a desperate suicidal mother of two young children. Hitting several crash points, she finally decided to let go of her victim mindset and begin to build a life that was worth living.

She’s known for comparing cults to corporates and adapting her message to suit audiences of employees, senior leadership teams and HR or DEI teams.

Petra is the author of ‘Begin with You’ published by Kogan Page, a practical insight into thriving in adversity and challenging toxicity, groupthink and culty behaviours in a world that is desperate for change.

Featured in Newsweek, the Huffington Post, BBC Radio, Stylist and many more she’s known for her no-bullsh*t approach to challenging behaviours and motivating leaders, employees, HR professionals and wellbeing champions to truly be the change they wish to see at work.

"It has been a unique privilege to meet and work with Petra Petra is the rarest of keynotes; someone who knows the science but who has also a lived experience to bring to bear on such an important topic. She is brave in her approach and this you learn is perhaps the key lesson in opening up and addressing mental health needs. She achieves a mix of levity and seriousness that T.S Eliot would be proud of and it's the first talk I have seen in a long time where none of the 300 attendees glanced at their phone or checked the time. This is such an important topic that we need advocates such as Petra to open up the conversation in such a powerful, practical and ultimately uplifting way." Business Analysts Annual Conference

"We wanted to close our conference with a memorable moment – and Petra delivered on an often-ignored issue: our mental health. With positive vibes, an energetic speech, get-together touchy moments and many wake-up calls, the participants were taken on an emotional roller-coaster of positive attitudes towards our… mind." UNIBA Partners Annual Conference

"Petra supported us to develop our Global Mental Health Strategy - including bespoke content and re-development of our Mental Health Champions Programme. She offered practical support, thought leadership, clinical expertise and facilitated training in-person and virtually across the UK, US, EMEA and Asia. On top of this, Petra is adaptable, empathetic and highly committed. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking to develop a market-leading approach to mental health and wellbeing. I'm excited to continue working together to implement our new strategy." Herbert Smith Freehills

"We had the pleasure of having Petra speak at an internal Guardian employee event for mental health awareness week. The honesty in which she shared her personal experience was quite moving. She was both informative and inspirational. I would highly recommend her workshop." The Guardian UK

"Petra certainly knows her stuff and has the ability to put it across in a no nonsense, practical and highly inspirational way. She brings the perfect balance of support and challenge to everything that she does. We were lucky to have Petra support a number of events at William Hill and it was a pleasure to work with her. A pleasure that I hope that we will be able to repeat again soon." William Hill

"I would highly recommend Petra as a knowledgeable and credible speaker! Petra’s authentic and engaging style, delivering at our national conferences, has been key to the success of our wellbeing program." Amey

"We invited Petra to speak at our event and were blown away by her incredibly unique story! She is an accomplished keynote speaker who provided so much practical advice on how to look after our people in the new world of work." Monzo

"Petra’s book brings inspiration, practical thinking and true thought leadership that I would recommend to anyone who wants a new angle on how to view their wellbeing at work." Pirkx

Popular Talks by Petra Velzeboer

Mental Health, AI, and the New World of Work
Equip your team with the skills needed to keep pace with global change! In today’s rapidly evolving world, marked by technological advances, organizational restructures, and geopolitical challenges, Petra Velzeboer bridges the critical connection between wellbeing, mental health, and peak performance. Petra’s keynote offers a comprehensive roadmap to success, encompassing effective...
Equip your team with the skills needed to keep pace with global change! In today’s rapidly evolving world, marked by technological advances, organizational restructures, and geopolitical challenges, Petra Velzeboer bridges the critical connection between wellbeing, mental health, and peak performance. Petra’s keynote offers a comprehensive roadmap to success, encompassing effective communication skills, stronger team connections and enhanced accountability. Your audience will leave with:
- A deep understanding of the global landscape and its effects on individuals.
- Practical tools for personal investment to enhance resilience and success.
- Inspiring and actionable strategies for support within teams.
Digital Wellbeing: Boundaries that Boost Performance
Boost Your Focus and Unleash Creativity in a World Full of Distractions! In today’s fast-paced, always-on digital landscape, maintaining focus and creativity is essential. Petra Velzeboer’s keynote addresses the vital intersection of technology, mental health, and peak performance. Petra expertly navigates the challenges and opportunities of digital connectivity, providing actionable...
Boost Your Focus and Unleash Creativity in a World Full of Distractions! In today’s fast-paced, always-on digital landscape, maintaining focus and creativity is essential. Petra Velzeboer’s keynote addresses the vital intersection of technology, mental health, and peak performance. Petra expertly navigates the challenges and opportunities of digital connectivity, providing actionable strategies to establish healthy boundaries. Discover how digital wellbeing can revolutionize both personal and professional success. Your audience will leave with:
- Key skills for creating healthy boundaries to enhance productivity.
- Insights on fostering a culture of sustainable high performance.
- An understanding of digital burnout and effective methods to prevent it.
How to Create a Mentally Healthy Culture
How to Model Healthy Behaviours That Drive Success! In this keynote, Petra Velzeboer empowers leaders to model healthy behaviours that reduce burnout and absenteeism, ultimately creating a thriving work environment. Leaders play a crucial role in navigating change, boosting performance, and enhancing employee wellbeing. However, they often feel overwhelmed by...
How to Model Healthy Behaviours That Drive Success! In this keynote, Petra Velzeboer empowers leaders to model healthy behaviours that reduce burnout and absenteeism, ultimately creating a thriving work environment. Leaders play a crucial role in navigating change, boosting performance, and enhancing employee wellbeing. However, they often feel overwhelmed by the complexities of their responsibilities. Petra addresses these challenges head-on, providing practical tools to enhance teamwork, inspire employees, and focus on proactive mental health strategies—not just reactive measures.

Your audience will learn to:
- Role model healthy behaviours that foster a mentally healthy culture.
- Navigate change and boost performance with confidence.
- Inspire their teams while maintaining their own wellbeing.
- Implement practical tools to support good mental health proactively.
Burnout: Prevention, Management, and Helping Your Team Thrive
Boost Your Skills to Invest in Yourself and Prevent Team Burnout! Did you know that 43% of people across more than 100 countries have experienced workplace burnout? Instead of waiting for the inevitable, Petra’s proactive approach is all about prevention: building a fence at the top of the cliff rather...
Boost Your Skills to Invest in Yourself and Prevent Team Burnout! Did you know that 43% of people across more than 100 countries have experienced workplace burnout? Instead of waiting for the inevitable, Petra’s proactive approach is all about prevention: building a fence at the top of the cliff rather than a hospital at the bottom. In this dynamic keynote, Petra equips both managers and individuals with practical tools to tackle burnout head-on. You’ll gain:
- A Deep Understanding of the 12 Stages of Burnout: Learn to identify early signs and intervene before it escalates.
- A Shared Language Around Burnout: Foster a supportive environment where everyone is equipped to boost collective wellbeing.
- Insight into Workplace Dynamics: Discover how poor meeting culture, lack of clarity, and micromanaging contribute to mental health issues—and how to change them.
From Surviving to Thriving: Petra’s Inspirational Journey Through Adversity
Transform adversity into strength and build a fulfilling life! Born into a notorious cult, Petra’s early life was far from ordinary. Growing up with the belief that the world was ending, she didn’t attend school and lived in diverse places like India, Brazil, and Kenya. This unusual upbringing taught her to...
Transform adversity into strength and build a fulfilling life! Born into a notorious cult, Petra’s early life was far from ordinary. Growing up with the belief that the world was ending, she didn’t attend school and lived in diverse places like India, Brazil, and Kenya. This unusual upbringing taught her to wear masks and lead a double life. Eventually, she left the cult, pregnant and uneducated, only to find herself spiralling into addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Petra’s story is a powerful testament to rising through adversity. She connects her personal experiences to the universal challenge of wearing masks to fit in and belong. With a tough-love approach, Petra challenges conventional notions of wellbeing, advocating for honesty, hard work, and resilience even when it’s uncomfortable. Key Takeaways for Your Audience:
- Turn Adversity into Strength: Practical tips for transforming personal challenges into powerful strengths.
- Authenticity and Resilience: Strategies to remove masks and embrace genuine living.
- Revitalized Wellbeing: A refreshing approach to wellbeing that goes beyond superficial fixes, inspiring real and lasting change.