Book IWD Speaker: Shola Kaye

Keynote speaker and author on empathy, leadership and communication.

Each year, award-winning international TEDx speaker, author and LinkedIn Learning Instructor Shola Kaye creates a featured speech for your International Women's Day audience.

Shola's clients include IBM, Google, The UK Ministry of Justice, Deloitte and American Express. Her talks are interactive and engaging and provide actionable takeaways that you can use immediately.

Go to https://sholakaye.com/women-diversity to learn more and view Shola's IWD-themed speech descriptions.

For IWD 2026, it's:

***How to Ask for What You Want: Energise Your Career with Audacious, Empowering Questions***

Description:

Are women in your organisation hesitating to ask and missing opportunities for growth, support, and influence?

In this impactful and engaging keynote, Shola Kaye explores the transformative power of asking. Whether participants are seeking new opportunities, support, or personal development, the ability to make well-timed, strategic requests can change the course of their career - and the culture of your workplace.

With powerful real-life stories, a clear communication framework, and practical tools, Shola helps individuals overcome the psychological barriers that hold them back from asking. Participants will learn how to shift their mindset from hesitation to empowerment, using questions to build connection, create visibility, and inspire action in themselves and others.

What your audience will gain:

- A confidence boost: practical strategies for making powerful requests and supporting others to reach their goals
- The 7Ws Framework: a simple system for asking clearly, calmly and effectively
- The 5Rs Framework: essential questions to help combat fear of rejection
- Ready-to-use scripts: templates for developmental feedback requests, mentoring outreach, boundary-setting and more
- Inclusion in action: understanding how asking creates visibility, connection and opportunity
- Sustained impact: with self-reflection prompts and a take-away workbook

Session duration: 30-60 minute keynote IN PERSON OR VIRTUAL

Shola also has other IWD-themed speeches. To find out more visit: https://sholakaye.com/women-diversity/

Review Shola's IWD brochure: https://sholakaye.com/iwd2026

This speech encourages women to step forward and go for opportunities and gives attendees a powerful framework for asking, as well as some useful advice to help us bounce back from rejection. The talk also explores the value of asking questions to include and encourage others.

***WATCH SHOLA'S VIDEOS and TEDx TALK on inclusion and communication at https://sholakaye.com/women-diversity/

***WATCH SHOLA'S LATEST DEMO REEL https://sholakaye.com/2025reel

For booking information please email heather@sholakaye.net

What clients say:
‘Shola was perfect in addressing the #breakthebias focus of IWD and provided us strategies and practical ideas on how to manage this in the work place. She was engaging and energetic and was a great speaker even in a virtual format.’

– Wendy Chang Smith, CFO, Glanbia

"Shola recently participated in our International Women's day celebration here at Riverbed, for about 180 people. She didn't disappoint! Shola's delivery displayed a great deal of passion and empathy. The session was both interactive, fun and also compassionate. We received a lot of positive feedback. I would not hesitate in recommending Shola."

- Sumi Shukla, VP, Riverbed Technology

"Shola came to present on the Women on the Wharf Inspire series after being highly recommended. We had a record number of people sign up to the talk (over 900) and turn up (500). Shola managed to navigate an emotive topic with clear, actionable take aways. When we moved into Q&A, she gave attendees space to contribute, share experiences and feedback. She did this all with calmness, poise and respect. Shola was a fantastic speaker and I’m so glad we had the opportunity to work together."

- Louisa Golden, SVP, Citi

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