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 globally respected thought leader in organizational culture, employee engagement, and human-centered leadership. With decades of experience at the highest levels of global business, she is widely recognized for transforming workplace cultures through inclusive, people-first strategies that align employee well-being with business outcomes.
Pat has served as Chief People Officer at industry-leading organizations including LinkedIn and UKG, where she played a pivotal role in shaping cultures centered on belonging, trust, and high performance. Her leadership experience across technology and enterprise environments gives her rare, practical insight into the real challenges facing modern organizations.
As a keynote speaker, Pat blends data-driven strategy with empathy and authenticity. She is a leading advocate for belonging as a business strategy, moving beyond traditional diversity and inclusion frameworks to create environments where employees feel valued, heard, and empowered to do their best work. Her talks explore leadership accountability, employee experience, and the evolving expectations of today’s workforce, including remote and hybrid work realities.
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 Wadors 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.
Hashtags
#PatWadors #EmployeeEngagement #WorkplaceCulture #Leadership #HR #BelongingAtWork #KeynoteSpeaker
View All Speakers and follow us on Twitter
No reviews available for this post.
Download Talent Files
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.
Ready to find the perfect speaker for your event? Use our advanced search feature or contact us to get started today!
Investigative journalist Sam Quinones is the best-selling author of Dreamland, the eye-opening chronicle of the causes underlying the American opioid crisis. Quinones’ work brought national attention to the topic, helping to breaking the silence and stigma surrounding the epidemic. Dreamland was honored as one of the best books of the year by Amazon.com, Slate.com, the Daily Beast, […]
Felipe Gomez redefines what it means to be a virtuoso. While the term is often reserved for exceptional performers in the arts and sports, Felipe brings this concept into the world of business—demonstrating how a virtuoso mindset can unlock breakthrough performance in both organizations and individuals. With a distinguished career as an entrepreneur and senior […]
Ken Schmidt is one of the world’s most admired authorities on competitive differentiation, brand loyalty and the power of authentic human connection in business. Best known for his leadership role in the legendary turnaround of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, he helped pull the brand back from the brink of collapse by reigniting passion, rebuilding trust and […]
A renowned speaker, and bestselling author, Dr. Gabor Maté is highly sought after for his expertise on a range of topics including addiction, stress and childhood development. Rather than offering quick-fix solutions to these complex issues, Dr. Maté weaves together scientific research, case histories, and his own insights and experience to present a broad perspective […]
Susan Oh is a multi-award winning former business journalist (CNBC, Economist Intelligence Unit), trans media marketing campaigns creative (Expedia, Twentieth Century Fox), and civic technologist who has worked in Silicon Valley, New York City, Hong Kong, and Dubai. She is a globally respected thought leader and pioneer as among the first to model a commercially […]
Danelle Umstead is an extraordinary individual, a beacon of inspiration whose journey transcends sports and embodies the resilience of the human spirit. As a top inspirational keynote speaker and three-time Paralympic bronze medalist, Danelle has not only conquered the slopes but has also conquered the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide. Alongside her husband […]
Leilani Münter is a force of nature—literally and figuratively. An accomplished environmental activist, former professional race car driver, and award-winning documentary filmmaker, she has defied expectations at every turn. With a compelling blend of adrenaline-fueled action and passionate environmental advocacy, Leilani brings a unique voice to the stage—one that energizes audiences and ignites change. Known […]
A powerhouse of positivity, resilience, and personal development, Lisa Nichols has carved a niche for herself as a transformative force, captivating audiences worldwide with her dynamic presence and life-changing messages. Lisa’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of the human spirit. Born in Los Angeles, she faced numerous challenges in her early life, […]
No results available
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2026. Designed using Voxel