Pat Wadors: Corporate Culture

  • Former Chief People Officer at LinkedIn and UKG
  • Renowned expert in employee engagement, culture, and leadership
  • Advocate for belonging as a core business strategy
  • Frequent speaker at industry-leading HR and leadership conferences
  • Contributor to thought leadership publications on workplace culture

Travel & Fee Range:**

  • Travels from: Santa Barbara, California, United States
  • **Fee range: $35,001 - $50,000
  • In-Person:
  • Range: $35,001 - $50,000
  • Virtual:
  • Range: $15,000 - $20,000
  • International:
  • Range: On Request

Inclusive of Air.

Pat donates all her speaker fee to charity

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.

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 […]

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 | Culture Expert

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.

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

In order to view the below you must be logged in.

  • Powerpoint Slide – For meeting and event planners
  • Gallery Images
  • High Resolution Images
  • PDF Files
  • Books and Magazine Links
  • Music List
  • Podcast Shows
  • Courses
  • + more

You may be interested in...

  • (22)
Laurie Guest

Laurie Guest, CSP, CPAE, is a dynamic keynote speaker, author, and customer service expert known for her engaging and practical approach to helping businesses attract and retain new customers. With over two decades of experience, Laurie has inspired countless business leaders and teams to elevate their customer service standards, resulting in lasting improvements and significant […]

  • Travels from: Chicago, IL
  • Customer Experience
  • (31)
Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, a name synonymous with excellence in women’s soccer, has become an iconic figure both on and off the field. A leader of the USA Women’s National Soccer Team, she is celebrated not only for her athletic prowess but also for her advocacy for gender equality, leadership, and resilience. As a motivational speaker, Alex […]

  • Travels from: Miami, FL
  • Sporting Speakers
  • (40)
Joseph Teti

Joseph Teti is a name synonymous with excellence and resilience in the realm of special operations. With a distinguished career spanning decades, Teti has emerged as a highly decorated combat veteran, renowned for his expertise and unwavering commitment to duty. From the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan to other global hotspots, Teti’s journey exemplifies the […]

  • Travels from: Charlotte, NC
  • Military Speakers
  • (31)

Col. Nicole Malachowski, USAF (Ret.) defies stereotypes. Yes, she was a jet fighter pilot, but if you think you know her based on that, you’d be wrong. A leader, a combat veteran, the first woman pilot on the Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, a White House Fellow, and an inductee into both the National Women’s Hall […]

  • Travels from: Washington, DC
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (25)
Kate Vitasek-3

Kate Vitasek is a distinguished authority in collaborative business relationships, renowned for her pioneering work in transforming traditional business models into cooperative partnerships that drive innovation and mutual success. Her groundbreaking “Vested” business model has redefined how organizations approach outsourcing and strategic alliances, emphasizing a “What’s-in-it-for-We” philosophy that fosters shared value and long-term sustainability. Recognized […]

  • Travels from: Seattle, WA
  • Culture Speakers
  • (49)

Jacob Morgan is a three time best-selling author, keynote speaker and futurist who explores the future of work and employee experience. His books include The Employee Experience Advantage (2017), The Future of Work (2014), The Collaborative Organization (2012), and his forthcoming book on the future of leadership which will be released towards the end of […]

  • Travels from: Calabasas, CA
  • Futurists Speakers
  • (62)
  • (10)
Tessa Todd Morgan cover

Tessa Todd Morgan is a mindfulness expert, personal growth coach and accredited trainer in Emotional Intelligence. As the Founder and CEO of TRIESSENCE, Tessa has coached hundreds of individuals and organizations to achieve a balance of physical, mental and spiritual wellness. Tessa Todd Morgan is a mindfulness expert, personal growth coach and accredited trainer in […]

  • Travels from: Flint, TX
  • Empowerment Speakers
  • (58)
Eric Davis

One of the most exciting players of his generation, Eric Davis elicited comparisons to Willie Mays as the centerfielder for the Cincinnati Reds. From 1986 to 1990 he averaged 30 home runs and 40 stolen bases, won a pair of Gold Glove awards and led the Reds to a World Series victory in 1990. Injuries […]

  • Travels from: Phoenix, AZ
  • Sporting Speakers
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.

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel