As SVP of Global Talent at LinkedIn, Pat Wadors transformed the way that organizations view DE&I. “What’s missing from the discussion is the notion of belonging,” she wrote in a breakthrough article in the Harvard Business Review.
“No matter what their background, their skin color, or gender, employees wanted what I wanted: to belong.” At LinkedIn, she coined the term, “DIBs,” the combination of Diversity and Inclusion with Belonging. The framework not only struck a cultural chord, but notably increased both employee engagement and LinkedIn’s recruitment and retention numbers—even attracting top-tier candidates from companies such as Apple and Google that had previously eluded them.
All because LinkedIn had become known for their culture of belonging. In this inspiring talk, Pat shares research, data, and her talent for storytelling to show how any size organization, in any industry, can build a culture of belonging where employees feel free to bring their authentic selves to work. From creating “belonging micro moments” of true human connection for individuals, to taking it to scale across a large organization, Pat gives you the tools to make a culture of belonging your organization’s superpower.
Companies spend millions on customer experience journey mapping, but rarely pay the same attention to their employee experience. According to Pat Wadors, if you really want to create a healthy, successful company that can scale, focus on your employees.
In this enlightening talk, Pat shares the five key elements to the employee experience journey and how organizations of any size, in any industry, can elevate and enhance them to boost engagement, retain, recruit, and impact the bottom line. Noting that managers can have more impact on our mental health than our primary care doctors, she also discusses the phenomenon of the “bruised employee” and the critical role that leaders and managers play in the employee experience.
Combining data with storytelling and analytics with real-world examples, Pat guides audiences through the key points of the employee journey, detailing challenges and highlighting key opportunities, every step of the way.
Becoming an Agile, Relevant, and Authentic Leader
Describe Pat Wadors as a “transformational leader” and she’ll quickly tell you that she’d rather be known as an agile, relevant, and authentic one. Instead of focusing on “change management,” she says, we should instead be focused on bringing more agility to how we lead. Agile leaders are realistic, inclusive, pragmatic, calm, and go with the flow of reality.
They have a growth mindset and understand the power of “yet,”—as in, “We haven’t done that yet.” To become more agile, we must become more humble, more courageous, more inclusive, and nimble enough to not only adapt and change, but to grow and care. Pat walks audiences through what it means to be truly agile, relevant, and authentic, including creating your own “Scorecard” as your guide.
Warning that those who are not agile cap their own growth, and organizations who rely on old standards face atrophy, Pat provides real tools and a path forward that audiences can leverage to both empower their own professional growth and to spark change in their team and organization.
The Most Important Tool You Can Develop for Both Career and Life
According to Pat Wadors, check your “Scorecard,” the most important tool you can leverage to become the leader of your personal and professional life. In this game-changing talk, Pat shows you how to develop your own Scorecard by determining what matters most to you and the actions necessary to get there.
She also shares her own personal journey of achieving her own potential as a leader, and how finally being herself inspired others to also bring their own authentic selves and true potential to work. Bringing decades of real-world corporate HR expertise to an inspirational and empowering experience worthy of Brené Brown or Mel Robbins, Pat Wadors’ “Scorecard” will forever change the way you think about achieving your best self and the life you really want.
Pat Wadors is a renowned thought leader in organizational culture, employee engagement, and human-centered leadership. With decades of experience shaping workplace environments at leading global companies, she has earned a reputation for transforming corporate cultures and championing inclusive, people-first strategies. As a sought-after keynote speaker, she brings deep expertise, actionable insights, and a compelling vision for the future of work.
Her approach blends data-driven strategies with an empathetic understanding of what truly motivates employees, making her an influential voice in the world of HR and leadership development. Whether speaking at executive summits or industry conferences, Pat inspires audiences with innovative frameworks that drive engagement, productivity, and long-term business success.
Pat Wadors has built a distinguished career at the intersection of technology, human resources, and leadership. As the Chief People Officer at multiple high-profile organizations, including LinkedIn and UKG, she has played a pivotal role in shaping company cultures that prioritize inclusivity, well-being, and employee satisfaction. Her tenure in these roles has provided her with firsthand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing today’s workplaces, making her a trusted advisor to executives and HR professionals alike.
Throughout her career, Pat has been a leading advocate for belonging as a business strategy—a concept that extends beyond diversity and inclusion to create work environments where employees feel valued, heard, and empowered to do their best work. Her expertise spans a broad spectrum, from developing leadership programs that foster authentic engagement to leveraging AI and technology to enhance workplace culture.
Beyond her corporate leadership roles, Pat is a passionate speaker and mentor, dedicated to helping organizations navigate the evolving landscape of employee expectations, remote work dynamics, and the shifting priorities of today’s workforce. She combines research-backed methodologies with real-world applications, providing audiences with the tools and confidence needed to build thriving, people-centric organizations.
Why Event Planners Should Book Pat Wadors
Event planners looking for an insightful, engaging, and results-driven speaker will find Pat Wadors to be an ideal choice. Her presentations are not just inspirational but also deeply practical, offering audiences actionable takeaways they can implement immediately.
With her extensive experience leading HR functions in top-tier organizations, Pat understands the complexities of workplace culture at both small and large scales. She tailors her keynotes to address the unique needs of each audience, ensuring relevance and high engagement. Whether discussing strategies for building resilient teams, navigating workplace transformations, or fostering a culture of belonging, she delivers compelling content that resonates with leaders across industries.
Pat’s presence on stage is both authentic and dynamic. She has a unique ability to connect with audiences, breaking down complex concepts into digestible, relatable insights. Her storytelling, combined with data-driven strategies, makes her keynotes memorable and impactful. Event attendees walk away not only inspired but also equipped with the knowledge and frameworks needed to drive meaningful change within their organizations.
Her expertise in belonging, engagement, and leadership makes her an invaluable resource for organizations looking to enhance their workplace culture. With a blend of storytelling, research, and hands-on experience, Pat delivers keynotes that inspire action and drive measurable change. For event planners seeking a speaker who can captivate audiences while delivering real-world solutions, Pat Wadors is the perfect choice.
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