WELLBEING & MENTAL HEALTH SPEAKER
"OUTSTANDING" MENTAL HEALTH TALKS
"Authentic. A breath of fresh air. Katherine stands out as a speaker"
Tobias Wägli, Cisco
"Impeccable professionalism and preparation. Katherine is an outstanding speaker"
Janice Hutton, Pavelka
Tobias Wägli, Cisco
"Impeccable professionalism and preparation. Katherine is an outstanding speaker"
Janice Hutton, Pavelka
'Highly Commended' & Runner-Up at The Speaker Awards 2024
Positive Impact & Sustainability Category
Clients include: Cisco, AVEVA, Sage, Pavelka, EY, Valor Hospitality, UK Tax Office
Positive Impact & Sustainability Category
Clients include: Cisco, AVEVA, Sage, Pavelka, EY, Valor Hospitality, UK Tax Office
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Welcome. I'm Katherine and I deliver high-impact mental health and wellbeing talks and workshops that support individuals and organisations to manage stress, avoid addictions, overcome overwhelm and beat burnout.
I have lived experience of an eating disorder, work addiction that led to burnout and breakdown, debilitating anxiety, chronic stress and imposter syndrome, all while working in a high-profile role as a Reuters political journalist, travelling with prime ministers and reporting from the UK parliament. I have been at rock bottom and I have turned things around. As such, I have unique insight into the warning signs of burnout, anxiety and overwhelm and an array of tried-and-tested tools and techniques to support you, your colleagues and your organisation to thrive, not just survive. I combine first-hand experience of mental health challenges with a psychological understanding of their root causes, emotional intelligence, excellent communication skills and professionalism. My talks make a difference. |
SPEAKER SHOWREEL
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"It was such a courageous and inspirational story on how to spot the warning signs and how to look after yourself before you become burnt out"
Tracy Nicholson, Regional Valuation Lead at Valuation Office Agency
Tracy Nicholson, Regional Valuation Lead at Valuation Office Agency
A UNIQUE APPROACH |
WATCH MY TEDX ON THRIVING
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CLIENT PRAISE
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“Katherine is an inspirational speaker on the topic of wellness and mindfulness. She told her story to give tangible examples and offered us practical techniques to manage stress, particularly in the workplace. Katherine’s talk was perfect - inspirational in a relatable way” – Nicola Corfield, Sales and Marketing Manager, Valor Hospitality
"Katherine's talk was vulnerable, open, honest and very powerful" – Julie O'Brien, Chief of Staff, Outshift at Cisco "Katherine possesses a rare ability to make complex mental health topics accessible and relatable, reminding us that we are never alone in our experiences. Her talk was a breath of fresh air, marked by profound authenticity, making her stand out as a speaker" – Tobias Wägli, Cisco "Katherine hit the mark and delivered valuable content, with a good mix of storytelling and theory" – Janice Hutton, Pavelka Wellbeing Programme Manager "Katherine is a natural coach and speaker and has a unique talent for connecting with her audience. Her ability to communicate complex ideas in a clear and concise manner is truly remarkable" – Monica Acosta, Leader, Mentor & Coach, Cisco, Latin America |
RUNNER-UP & HIGHLY COMMENDED
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WHY WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
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The most successful organisations prioritise the mental, emotional and physical health of their employees, knowing that wellbeing is not only good for the individual, but is essential for effective teamwork, productivity and performance.
"The wellbeing of the individual is reason enough to act, but poor mental health can also have a debilitating impact on a person's performance and productivity," said World Health Organisation Direct General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on releasing the WHO's first ever set of guidelines on improving mental health in the workplace. If you are committed to creating an environment that supports individuals to flourish - to thrive, not just survive - I'd be delighted to speak with you. |
KEY AUDIENCE OUTCOMES
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My motivational talks equip individuals, teams, leaders and organisations to:
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Visiting No. 10 Downing Street as a Reuters political correspondent
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SHARING A COMPELLING STORY
Travelling the globe with former PM Tony Blair and the British press pack
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As a former international journalist for the global news agency Reuters, I am an accomplished storyteller with a powerful story to tell. My journey includes experience of and recovery from:
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FURTHER CLIENT PRAISE
AUTHENTIC, PROFESSIONAL, PITCH-PERFECT
In collaboration with Cisco
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"Katherine's talk was vulnerable, open, honest and very powerful" – Julie O'Brien, Chief of Staff, Outshift at Cisco
“Katherine’s professionalism and preparation are always impeccable, and she consistently goes above and beyond to ensure her sessions are impactful and engaging. What truly sets Katherine apart is her ability to create a safe and welcoming space through the power of her personal story. She shares her experiences with honesty and openness, which inspires vulnerability and deep reflection in those who attend her talks. Her unique approach not only resonates with the audience but also encourages meaningful conversations and personal growth. Katherine is an outstanding speaker and facilitator and I would highly recommend her to any organisation looking to offer authentic, transformative wellbeing sessions” – Janice Hutton, Pavelka Wellbeing Programme Manager "Katherine’s message was very impactful, delivered beautifully and with supreme clarity. Katherine most definitely positively impacted many employees' thoughts and wellbeing" – Gordon Thomson, VP Service Provider EMEA, Cisco "Katherine spoke during a Mental Health Awareness session for Cisco Systems employees in the Middle East & Africa, in collaboration with Pavelka. It was very inspiring to hear her personal story and expertise. I'd strongly recommend inviting Katherine to spend time with your organisation and hearing more about her story and message" – Harold Overman, Manager Global Industry Partners, Cisco "Katherine is a true expert in her field. What sets Katherine apart is her ability to leverage inclusion and equity in her talks. She has a deep understanding of these topics and always expresses her passion in a way that inspires others to take action. Her presentations are insightful, thought-provoking, and engaging and she always encourages her audience to reflect and create actionable change for the future" – Monica Acosta, Leader, Mentor & Coach, Cisco, Latin America (talk delivered in Spanish) |
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"Katherine is an incredibly motivational and powerful speaker. She brought insight and depth to an under-discussed subject. I was both deeply moved and incredibly inspired by what she said" – Alison Martin-Campbell, Executive Assistant, EY
“Katherine's presentation was both educational and moving and we were hugely grateful for her willingness to share her personal experiences, which really gave our community members the confidence to speak up and ask questions. Her ability to connect with the audience was exceptional. I would highly recommend Katherine and we look forward to working with her again” – Joann Earlington, Executive Assistant, EY |
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"I can't recommend Katherine highly enough. The power in her story, the importance of good mental health and personal resilience, and the ability to focus in on what is important to you really struck a chord. I won't give any spoilers but if you get a chance to hear her speak, do" - Chris Goff, Security Manager, Sage
“Katherine has a wonderful way of connecting with her audience and everyone can relate to her message in their own way” – Carlien Murray, Revenue Manager, Valor Hospitality
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“Katherine's story resonated with a lot of people in one way or another and made us stop and think, wherever we are on our wellbeing journey, which can be a different place every day. I know colleagues felt really safe to share personal stories they may not have done previously. Thank you for creating that environment” – Charlotte Corkish, Head of Operational Leadership Capability and Wellbeing at the Valuation Office Agency
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"Katherine is an inspiring speaker and her webinar on 'Strengthening Confidence to Optimise Performance' was appreciated by all attendees. The talk blended Katherine's personal experience with her vast professional experience. If I had the opportunity, I'd take advantage of Katherine's motivational speaking services again" – Florentina Diacu, Bureau van Dijk
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"I think the talk was pitch-perfect in what it covered and how it was delivered, and I think the attendees really benefited from it ... I would wholeheartedly recommend Katherine as a speaker. She understood what we were trying to achieve with her presentation and was helpful and professional, and the actual talk was beautifully presented and of immense benefit to the audience" – Karen, Office Manager, Voucher Codes
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"Katherine was very personable and very easy to listen to and her talk was informative and relatable. The brief was met totally and the structure of the talk was good. Every time I thought of a question, it was answered. I think a lot of people may have recognised some of the signs in themselves and realised they were engaged in addictive behaviours" – Kate Adamczyk, Director of Marketing & Business Development, Electrical Industries Charity
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“Katherine is an excellent speaker and her Pondero talk about managing difficult feelings in healthy ways was engaging, enjoyable and honest. She connected with the audience so that everyone benefited from her insights” – Ronnie Cloke Browne, Founder, CareerBreakPeople and Pondero
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"Thank you, Katherine. It was such a courageous and inspirational story on how to spot the warning signs and how to look after yourself before you become burnt out. Your words were very wise and soothing" – Tracy Nicholson, Regional Valuation Lead at Valuation Office Agency
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“I was delighted to have Katherine join as a guest speaker for the ‘Dorset Leaders Wellbeing Summit’ in association with Light On and Dorset Mind. Katherine is authentic, inspiring and speaks from the heart. She gave an engaging session on how we can all aim for ‘Full potential with wellbeing’” – Laura Taylor, Founder of Collaborative
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"I met Katherine at The Inspire’d Stage in London, where she delivered a talk that was refreshingly real and from the soul. In a world where hiding our feelings and looking for quick fixes on the outside seems to be the advice du jour, Katherine is a breath of fresh air" – Lidija Markovic Rosati, International NLP Trainer and Master Coach and creator of Momentum Coaching Method
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“I loved the book. It was fantastic. I was really inspired by it. I learned lots from reading the book and I knew that we needed to get Katherine to come and talk to our Psychologies audience” – Suzy Walker, Former Editor-in-Chief of Psychologies magazine, Author and Coach
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VULNERABILITY IS COURAGE
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I speak with vulnerability, authenticity and passion and draw on my personal experience as well as my professional expertise to craft powerful talks.
During a 15-year career in international journalism, I reported for Bloomberg and Reuters as a foreign correspondent based in Mexico and Brazil and then as a political correspondent based in the UK Houses of Parliament. I travelled the world with former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, visited Downing Street and the White House and reported on tsunamis, earthquakes and terrorist attacks. |
Flak jacket and lipstick. Reporting for Reuters from Afghanistan
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While I performed to the highest of standards, at the same time I was using unhealthy coping mechanisms to manage stress, anxiety, imposter syndrome and crippling perfectionism. Those coping mechanisms included binge eating and binge drinking, compulsive working to the point of exhaustion and dysfunctional relationships, leading to burnout and breakdown in my mid-thirties.
From this dark place, I rebuilt my life. I have been on a profound personal development and healing journey for two decades, learning an array of tools and techniques to heal my unhealthy coping mechanisms, work to my potential while staying healthy and well and flourish in my new career as a speaker, coach and writer. I now share these tools with others.
From this dark place, I rebuilt my life. I have been on a profound personal development and healing journey for two decades, learning an array of tools and techniques to heal my unhealthy coping mechanisms, work to my potential while staying healthy and well and flourish in my new career as a speaker, coach and writer. I now share these tools with others.
FLOURISHING & THRIVING - NOT JUST SURVIVING
Speaking on the Inspire'd Stage in London
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I speak on the following topics:
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PERSONABLE & PROFESSIONAL
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I combine excellent communication and presentation skills, honed over 20+ years in high-level journalism across print and broadcast media, with vulnerability and authenticity to produce a powerful mix. I am professional and adaptable and do my utmost to plan and prepare a pitch-perfect talk for your audience. I am available for briefing sessions as well as follow-up calls.
In addition to keynotes for corporates, I host engaging workshops on topics including wellbeing, mental health, eating disorders, anxiety, stress and healthy relationships. I also speak to school-age and college-age children and young people. Click here for information about my talks for schools. |
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ADDITIONAL TESTIMONIALS
"It was a really great talk. Very engaging, honest and thought provoking. Thanks for speaking Katherine, and thanks for organising it, Valuation Office Agency," - Helen Booker, Rent Officer at Valuation Office Agency
"Candid, insightful and informative. It was really meaningful to hear such a brave and personal account of such difficult experiences," - Audience Member, Voucher Codes
"Katherine's openness and bravery to share really helped to make her talk authentic. She was able to share her experience in a positive way to help others and her passion for this shone through. Her talk helped me to identify red flags and gave me positive, practical tips to deal with things and turn them around. I would absolutely recommend Katherine as a speaker" - Audience Member, Electrical Industries Charity
"I was particularly struck by your story about being in the hotel room and eating the minibar. I think it really gave the rest of your talk authenticity and honesty because you really had gone through it and come out the other side," - Karen, Office Manager, Voucher Codes
"I felt understood and could relate to how you felt. You covered everything I hoped to hear about - your story, your suffering, your healing, signs to look out for and how to start conversations with others. I'm more aware of how I see food, my control over it and my body, and my relationship with the scales. Katherine's talk was empathetic and sensitive, and her concern for other people and their mental and physical health was obvious," - Audience Member, Voucher Codes
"Candid, insightful and informative. It was really meaningful to hear such a brave and personal account of such difficult experiences," - Audience Member, Voucher Codes
"Katherine's openness and bravery to share really helped to make her talk authentic. She was able to share her experience in a positive way to help others and her passion for this shone through. Her talk helped me to identify red flags and gave me positive, practical tips to deal with things and turn them around. I would absolutely recommend Katherine as a speaker" - Audience Member, Electrical Industries Charity
"I was particularly struck by your story about being in the hotel room and eating the minibar. I think it really gave the rest of your talk authenticity and honesty because you really had gone through it and come out the other side," - Karen, Office Manager, Voucher Codes
"I felt understood and could relate to how you felt. You covered everything I hoped to hear about - your story, your suffering, your healing, signs to look out for and how to start conversations with others. I'm more aware of how I see food, my control over it and my body, and my relationship with the scales. Katherine's talk was empathetic and sensitive, and her concern for other people and their mental and physical health was obvious," - Audience Member, Voucher Codes
To book me to speak at your next event, please click the button above or get in touch:
[email protected] or 07990 567767
[email protected] or 07990 567767