Danielle Sharp

Passionate speaker on gender-based violence, trauma & leadership, combining lived experience with strategic expertise

The start of her story is rooted in growing up within poverty and navigating familial challenges, including parental substance use and mental health struggles. After a suicide attempt and becoming homeless at 16, her formative experiences sparked her determination to build a different life for herself but also to create meaningful change for others facing systemic barriers.

As the founder of Davis and Associates, Danielle has transformed her lived experience into action, working extensively in strategic roles to design and implement innovative solutions that address domestic abuse, sexual violence, and youth violence. Her expertise spans strategic needs assessments, co-production with lived experience groups, and public health approaches to safeguarding. This journey from lived experience to leadership exemplifies the resilience and tenacity she now channels into her work.

Danielle is particularly committed to understanding and addressing the intersection of class, trauma, and gender, which often shapes the lives and opportunities of women and girls. Throughout her career, trauma has not only informed her perspective but has also underscored the need for systemic changes in how workplaces and organisations operate. She is passionate about advocating for trauma-informed environments, emphasising that this approach must go beyond being a mere buzzword to become a genuine cultural shift. If we are to truly open more doors for women, workplaces must be safe, equitable, and transformative spaces where those with lived experiences of trauma can thrive.

With a wealth of professional achievements, including leading government-funded pilots, authoring strategic reports, and advising national organisations including sitting on Government steering groups, Danielle speaks compellingly on topics such as gender-based violence, class, trauma-informed leadership, and the challenges of being a female founder. Her ability to weave personal narrative with professional expertise provides audiences with a deep understanding of the systemic changes needed to address inequalities and support those with lived experience.

Danielle’s talks inspire and empower, offering both insights and actionable solutions to drive meaningful and lasting change in organisations and communities.

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