Pat Wadors: Corporate Culture

    Human-centered leadership keynote speaker and culture expert Pat Wadors helps organizations build belonging, engagement, and future-ready workplaces that drive performance and long-term business success.

    Pat Wadors - Image 07 (January 19, 2026)

    Quick Facts:

    • Highlights:
      • Former Chief People Officer at LinkedIn and UKG
      • Global authority on organizational culture and employee engagement
      • Pioneer of belonging as a core business strategy
      • Expert on the future of work, leadership, and employee experience
    • Formats: Keynote Speaker and Leadership Expert
    • Audiences: Executive teams, HR leaders, people managers, boards, and organizations focused on culture transformation and employee engagement.
    • Outcomes:
      1. Learn how to build cultures rooted in belonging and trust
      2. Gain practical frameworks to increase engagement and retention
      3. Understand how human-centered leadership drives sustainable performance
    Reading time: 2 min
    Reviews: (0 reviews)
    • Travels from: Santa Barbara, CA
    • **Fee range: $35,001 - $50,000

    Talent Services

    Keynote Topics:

    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

    • What do you stand for?
    • What are your guiding principles, your values, your motivators?
    • Who do you want to be, regardless of what everyone else is doing around you?
    • When you look at yourself each day in the mirror, how do you determine if you’re living up to who you really want to be?

    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.

    Talent Short Bio

    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

    Videos

    Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry

    Speaker Contact Form

    Enquiry Form

    No reviews available for this post.

    Talent Resources

    Download Talent Files

    Was this profile helpful?

    Talent FAQ's

    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.

    • Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees, often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates.
    • There is typically no difference in fee for a 15-minute speech versus a 60-minute speech.
    • Some motivational speakers are open to discounting their fee if hired for more than one event by the same organization.
    • When browsing speakers, consider their location to keep travel costs down.
    • Personal connections to your organization or event location can increase your chances of securing a renowned speaker.
    • Be upfront about your needs and expectations to ensure a successful partnership.
    • Speaker bureaus like Speakers Inc help guide you through the booking process to negotiate the best deal with favorable terms.

    Ready to find the perfect speaker for your event? Use our advanced search feature or contact us to get started today!

    You may be interested in...

    Dr. Ted James - Image 03 (April 23, 2026)

        Transforms healthcare systems through innovation, leadership, and patient-centered care.

        • Healthcare Speaker
        DJ Liz Clark
            DJ Liz Clark is a dynamic corporate and event DJ delivering high-energy, genre-blending performances that elevate experiences with precision, charisma, and a unique ability to read and transform any room.
            • Mobile DJ
            Linda Bernardi
                Innovation provocateur who helps organizations break limiting mindsets and design market-changing products through curiosity-driven methods.
                • Digital Disruption
                Eva Saha - Image 07 (April 1, 2026)
                • (3 reviews)
                  Event host and moderator Eva Saha delivers polished, engaging experiences for live and virtual events, connecting audiences with clarity, warmth, and professional storytelling expertise.
                  • Business Emcee
                  Pat McGann - Image 02 (April 14, 2026)
                      Stand-up comedian, corporate entertainer, and keynote performer Pat McGann delivers clean, relatable comedy that engages audiences with sharp storytelling and everyday humor at events nationwide.
                      • Comedian
                      Ghida Fakhry - Image 01 (April 15, 2026)
                          Moderator, broadcast journalist, and global affairs expert Ghida Fakhry delivers insightful, high-level conversations on international politics, economics, and media for global conferences and corporate events
                          • Event Emcee
                          Lilah Jones - Image 03 (February 9, 2026)
                            • Promoted

                            She helps teams move from uncertainty to clarity and drive results.

                            • Leadership Expert
                            Robert O’Neill - Robert O'Neill - Robert O Neill
                                Disclaimer
                                The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

                                These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

                                Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

                                All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

                                Speakers Inc.

                                Connecting you with the perfect speaker.

                                We connect you with world-class speakers to create impactful, memorable events.

                                Find the Perfect Speaker

                                Tell us about your event and we’ll match you with the right speaker.

                                © All rights reserved 2026.  Designed using Voxel

                                AI Assistant
                                Speakers Inc Logo 2024
                                Privacy Overview

                                This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.