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Petra Velzeboer

Inspirational Speaker On The Future of Work, People Teams, Leadership And A Strategic Approach to Wellbeing. Focusing on Mental Health And Resilience In A Changing World
Global TED Talk Speaker, Psychotherapist, Author, CEO Of Mental Health Consultancy

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$10,000 - $15,000

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Georgia

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Petra Velzeboer Speaker Showreel 2024/25

How to change the system from within! - with Avanade's Global Wellbeing lead Emily Warren

The Dr. James Show - You Matter!

Petra Velzeboer Speaker Biography

‘What if work was good for our health not something we had to recover from afterward?’

Petra Velzeboer is a dynamic, entertaining and practical speaker 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 evolving our workplaces and cultures for the new world of work.

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.

Speaking on global stages she sees the challenges that exist across Europe, the UK, USA, Middle East, and Asia including rising statistics of burnout, anxiety, depression, addiction and suicide. These are only part of the issues facing the workplace as they tackle an economic downturn, long term absence, employee health challenges and attrition and retention as they experiment with a hybrid office – struggling to enhance belonging and connection.

Leaders are worried about asking the wrong questions and so they say nothing at all, secretly struggling to manage their own workload and mental health in the process. Petra offers practical answers to these questions giving leaders skills they can utilise today to help them lead by example in modelling healthy behaviours, showing vulnerability and offering inspiration and motivation to their people to enable them to thrive.

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.

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.

Working with the likes of PwC, Herbert Smith Freehills, Channel 4, Monzo Bank, Novartis, Accenture, Avanade, Eagle Eye, Financial Ombusman and Havas Lynx group - she translates her story into solutions for teams today including challenging the masks we wear, promoting bravery and building elite teams that can navigate any challenge together.

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

As well as keynotes and inspiring team talks, she also works with organisations to go deeper through workshops, masterclasses and hosting dynamic panel events as well as offering advice on effective and inclusive wellbeing strategies that enhance diversity of thought, gender issues and leadership styles.

She adapts her story and expertise to include neuroscience, positive psychology to inspire your people to achieve greatness.
- How our people are essential to the future of work
- Mindsets for Success
- A new angle on wellbeing
- How cults are like corporates – and what to do about it
- Leadership and dynamic management
- Burnout and navigating 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.

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 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 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 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 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 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.