Ginger Hardage: Corporate Culture

  • Former Senior Vice President of Culture & Communications at Southwest Airlines
  • Founder of Unstoppable Cultures, a consultancy dedicated to helping organizations build legendary workplace cultures
  • Led Southwest Airlines to be recognized as one of Fortune’s “Most Admired Companies”
  • Frequent keynote speaker at global conferences and leadership summits
  • Expertise in corporate culture, employee engagement, leadership, and brand communication

Travel & Fee Range:**

  • Travels from: Dallas, Texas, United States
  • **Fee range: $35,001 - $50,000

Keynote Topics

Creating and Sustaining Organizations of Enduring Greatness

Every company has a culture. For some, it’s a culture of innovation – new, never been done before ideas. For others, it’s fun (birthday cakes and costumes are often involved). For some, it’s toxicity and gossip. There are cultures that celebrate loyalty, hard work, or profit above all else. There are cultures that are both intentional and accidental. There are cultures that draw people in and ones that drive people away. There are cultures that detract from the mission of the organization, cultures that must be overcome or compensated for, cultures that derail or dead end. Surely, you can resonate with at least one of those descriptions.

But then, there are cultures that are unstoppable. Unstoppable Cultures put people first, are consistent in nurturing their culture through systems, and are relentless in storytelling. In this signature talk from Ginger, she will walk you through these critical characteristics of unstoppable cultures. You will undoubtedly leave with both practical and inspiring ideas on how to begin the journey of building the culture you always dreamed of for your organization.

When considering organizational culture, some universal lies tend to rise to the surface. In the back of our minds, we have little voices telling us that we can’t change the culture of our companies and teams. Maybe for you, that’s the idea that culture is fluffy, you can’t afford culture, or that if you empower your employees, you might lose control. But, none of those are true!

In Ginger’s signature keynote, she walks through the five lies people tell about why they can’t affect culture and reveals the counteracting truths that allow companies to build Unstoppable Cultures in their own organizations. You already have a culture – will that culture happen by default or will you define it? When you stop believing lies and start living by the truth, your culture flourishes… your employees stick around longer and people achieve more than they ever thought possible. In short, if a leader creates culture intentionally, that organization becomes unstoppable.

What do you think about when you think about a brand? A logo? A website? A stock symbol? Maybe. But these are just expressions of a brand; they are not what brings a brand to life. So if not these elements, what is the most important thing when we think about our brands? Ginger has a simple answer – people.

In this inspiring talk, Ginger discusses why employee engagement is the single most important element when any of us are thinking about our brands. She knows that the way an organization behaves on the inside will find its way to the outside, and that the true character of any company is expressed by its people. In “Building a Brand from the Inside Out,” learn from this 25-year Southwest Airlines veteran about creating an “employee first” culture where employees are engaged, act like owners, and are connected to their organization’s purpose.

If we look back to our parents’ and grandparents’ generation of organizations, winning was often defined quite simply – as producing the most widgets for the least amount of money. Profits along were the name of the game to companies and a paycheck was all that mattered to employees.

But times have changed. These days, leaders understand deeply that aligning their organization to a deeper, rooted purpose – and ensuring that their employees and even customers are bought in to this purpose – is critical. Purpose mobilizes an organization in a way that profits alone cannot; today’s most successful companies consistently thread purpose and values throughout their organizations, including hiring, training, customer delivery, and performance management. In this talk, Ginger will inspire with insights from category-leading companies that are harnessing a well-defined purpose to propel their success.

Ginger Hardage is a distinguished thought leader in workplace culture, leadership, and corporate communications. As the former Senior Vice President of Culture and Communications at Southwest Airlines, she played a pivotal role in shaping one of the most admired corporate cultures in the world. With over 25 years of experience as a key member of […]

Ginger Hardage is a distinguished thought leader in workplace culture, leadership, and corporate communications. As the former Senior Vice President of Culture and Communications at Southwest Airlines, she played a pivotal role in shaping one of the most admired corporate cultures in the world. With over 25 years of experience as a key member of the airline’s executive leadership team, Ginger has become an authority on fostering a dynamic workplace environment that drives engagement, innovation, and long-term success.

Today, she is the founder of Unstoppable Cultures, a consultancy dedicated to helping organizations create and sustain legendary cultures. As a sought-after keynote speaker, Ginger shares her deep expertise on leadership, branding, and employee engagement, inspiring business leaders and teams to build cultures that thrive in an ever-changing world.

Ginger Hardage | Culture Expert

Description
Ginger Hardage’s career at Southwest Airlines is a testament to her exceptional ability to cultivate and sustain an award-winning corporate culture. Under her leadership, Southwest became synonymous with customer service excellence, employee satisfaction, and a vibrant, values-driven work environment. Through her tenure, she played a key role in positioning Southwest Airlines as one of Fortune’s “Most Admired Companies” and a perennial top choice for employees across industries.

Beyond her corporate success, Ginger founded Unstoppable Cultures with the mission to equip leaders with the tools and strategies needed to build remarkable workplace cultures. Through her consulting work and speaking engagements, she has partnered with organizations across the globe, from Fortune 500 companies to nonprofit institutions, helping them establish a foundation of trust, collaboration, and innovation.

Ginger’s expertise extends beyond culture transformation. She is a trusted advisor in brand strategy, internal and external corporate communications, and employee engagement. Her ability to connect with audiences, paired with her real-world experience, makes her a compelling and influential speaker who leaves lasting impacts on her audiences.

Why Event Planners Should Book Ginger Hardage
Ginger Hardage brings unparalleled experience and insights to the stage, making her an invaluable addition to any conference, leadership summit, or corporate event. Her ability to distill complex organizational challenges into actionable strategies sets her apart as a speaker who not only educates but also inspires transformation.

With a warm and engaging delivery, Ginger captivates audiences with compelling stories from her time at Southwest Airlines, offering lessons that resonate across industries. Whether addressing CEOs, HR professionals, or front-line employees, she delivers practical takeaways on leadership, culture, and communication that empower organizations to foster workplaces where employees thrive and customers remain loyal.

Her expertise is backed by real-world results, and her track record of success in helping organizations create award-winning cultures ensures that her keynotes are both insightful and actionable. Event planners looking for a speaker who can energize and elevate their audience’s approach to workplace culture will find Ginger Hardage to be the perfect choice.

Summary
Ginger Hardage is an industry leader in workplace culture, leadership, and corporate branding. With a career spanning over two decades at Southwest Airlines, she has become a trusted voice in creating legendary company cultures. As the founder of Unstoppable Cultures, she continues to guide organizations in building environments that drive engagement, productivity, and lasting success.

Her keynotes are rich with valuable insights, real-world examples, and transformative strategies that inspire business leaders to take action. For those looking to elevate their workplace culture and leadership approach, Ginger Hardage is the speaker who delivers impactful, memorable, and results-driven presentations.

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...

  • (12)
Cirque Mirage

Elevate your corporate and private events with the mesmerizing allure of our mermaids performers. As purveyors of magical experiences, we bring a touch of fantasy to your gatherings, creating memories that will linger in the hearts of your guests. Why Choose Our Mermaids Performers? Our mermaids performers embody grace and elegance, seamlessly gliding through events […]

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • Water Performers
  • (9)
Spanish Webs Cirque Mirage

As a premier entertainment company, Spanish Webs Cirque Mirage takes pride in introducing the captivating artistry of Spanish Web Performers to elevate your corporate events to new heights. The Enchantment of Spanish Web Performance: Spanish Webs Cirque Mirage, a breathtaking aerial art form, takes center stage in our corporate event performances. Imagine skilled performers suspended […]

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • Speciality Acts
  • (27)
Chef Nancy Silverton

Nancy Silverton, a name synonymous with culinary excellence, is a Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur who has left an indelible mark on the world of fine dining. Her extraordinary talent, dedication to the craft, and innovative approach to cuisine have earned her accolades and admiration from both the culinary world and food enthusiasts around the globe. […]

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • Chefs Speakers
  • (260)
Eric Thomas

Dr. Eric Thomas, affectionately known as “ET, The Hip Hop Preacher,” stands as a beacon of inspiration in the world of motivational speaking. With a Ph.D. to his name, Dr. Thomas transcends traditional boundaries, seamlessly blending the roles of author, speaker, educator, pastor, and Audie Awards Finalist. His journey from adversity to triumph has captivated […]

  • Travels from: Lansing, MI
  • Motivational Speakers
  • (66)
America Ferrera

America Ferrera is perhaps best known for her fearless portrayal of “Betty Suarez” on ABC’s hit comedy Ugly Betty and “Carmen” in the popular film The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Ferrera’s Ugly Betty role earned her an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award, as well as ALMA and Imagen Awards. America Ferrera | Celebrity Speaker America Ferrera […]

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • Celebrity Speakers
  • (15)
Dr. Michio Kaku

Dr. Michio Kaku is one of the most widely recognized and respected figures in science today. A world-renowned theoretical physicist, futurist, and bestselling author, Dr. Kaku has dedicated his life to making the mysteries of the universe accessible and inspiring to people across the globe. He is internationally recognized as an authority on Einstein’s unified […]

  • Travels from: New York, NY
  • Futurists Speakers
  • (54)
  • (13)
Allison Massari

Allison Massari, an extraordinary inspirational speaker hailing from the scenic town of Belvedere, California. Her journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, as she not only overcame unimaginable adversity but has dedicated her life to inspiring others through her compelling story and motivational insights. Allison’s life took a drastic turn in […]

  • Travels from: San Francisco, CA
  • Inspirational Speakers
  • (13)
  • (6)
Phillip Van Hooser

Phillip Van Hooser is an award-winning keynote speaker, leadership expert, and business strategist known for helping organizations elevate their leadership practices and transform workplace culture. With over three decades of experience in training leaders across industries, Phillip has established himself as a trusted authority in the field of leadership development. His practical, real-world insights combined […]

  • Travels from: Princeton, KY
  • Leadership 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