Keynote SpeakerPetra Velzeboer

Cult Survivor turned Digital Wellbeing Expert. TEDx Speaker, Author and Culture Advisor for High-Performing Teams

Renowned as a trailblazing mental health leader, Petra Velzeboer is a TEDx speaker, CEO of consultancy PVL, and author of Begin with You and her new book Digital Wellbeing: Recharge Your Focus and Reboot Your Life. ... Read more

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Petra Velzeboer: Transform Your Culture | Speaker Showreel 2024/25
Reframing Diagnosis and the Road to Recovery | Petra Velzeboer | TEDxJönköping University
Tactics For Building a Mentally Healthy Workplace with Petra Velzeboer
Three Ways to Live the Life You Want | Petra Velzeboer | TEDxOxford
Making Waves: Let's Get Digital Episode 6 (Petra Velzeboer)

Popular Talks by Petra Velzeboer

Digital Wellbeing: Recharge Your Focus and Reboot Your Life

In a world of constant digital distraction, managing technology and AI effectively is crucial to avoiding burnout and maintaining focus. Petra offers science-backed insights on how to manage digital overwhelm, boost focus and offer practical strategies to improve culture. This keynote empowers teams to navigate the digital landscape, recharge their…
In a world of constant digital distraction, managing technology and AI effectively is crucial to avoiding burnout and maintaining focus. Petra offers science-backed insights on how to manage digital overwhelm, boost focus and offer practical strategies to improve culture. This keynote empowers teams to navigate the digital landscape, recharge their focus, and enhance productivity while maintaining overall wellbeing.

This program is perfect for:
- Teams struggling with digital overload and workplace distractions.
- Leaders looking to boost productivity without sacrificing mental health.
Leadership: Building a Culture of Growth and Impact

Great leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating a culture where people feel safe, motivated, and supported. Petra shares strategies to help leaders boost potential, model healthy behaviors, and inspire their teams to perform at their best. This program is perfect for: Senior executives and managers navigating hybrid…
Great leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating a culture where people feel safe, motivated, and supported. Petra shares strategies to help leaders boost potential, model healthy behaviors, and inspire their teams to perform at their best.

This program is perfect for:
- Senior executives and managers navigating hybrid work challenges
- Organizations committed to building psychologically safe workplaces
Wellness + Business Objectives = Success

How to create a mentally healthy Culture? Mental health isn’t a luxury—it’s a business imperative. This keynote challenges traditional wellness programs and provides actionable solutions to integrate wellbeing into business strategy for long-term success. This program is perfect for: CEOs and decision-makers committed to employee retention and wellbeing Companies seeking…
How to create a mentally healthy Culture?

Mental health isn’t a luxury—it’s a business imperative. This keynote challenges traditional wellness programs and provides actionable solutions to integrate wellbeing into business strategy for long-term success.

This program is perfect for:
- CEOs and decision-makers committed to employee retention and wellbeing
- Companies seeking a competitive edge through people-first leadership
From Burnout to Brilliance – Empowering Teams to Thrive in a World of Change

The modern workplace is full of pressures that can leave teams overwhelmed and burnt out. Petra provides actionable strategies to help leaders prevent burnout, set healthy boundaries, and foster growth. With practical tools to enhance resilience and unlock the full potential of individuals and teams, this keynote empowers organizations to…
The modern workplace is full of pressures that can leave teams overwhelmed and burnt out. Petra provides actionable strategies to help leaders prevent burnout, set healthy boundaries, and foster growth. With practical tools to enhance resilience and unlock the full potential of individuals and teams, this keynote empowers organizations to navigate change while staying energized, engaged, and productive.

This program is perfect for:
- Organizations experiencing high turnover and employee disengagement
- Teams in high-stress industries facing mounting workloads and overwhelm

More talks

Techno-Anxiety – Managing Change and Avoiding Burnout in an AI Landscape
Creating Meaning and Community in a changing world
AI and Digital Wellbeing

Biography

Petra Velzeboer is a TEDx speaker, author and business consultant advising leaders and organisations on building high-performing teams in an age of digital overload, AI disruption and constant change. With deep expertise in workplace mental health, culture and leadership, she is known for her sharp insight and no-nonsense delivery, challenging outdated approaches to wellbeing and replacing them with practical strategies that strengthen performance, trust and psychological safety at scale.

Raised in a notorious extremist cult and later recovering from addiction, Petra rebuilt her life from rock bottom to become a globally recognised thought leader. This lived experience underpins her work with organisations operating in high-pressure, high-risk environments. Petra draws compelling parallels between cult dynamics and workplace cultures, exposing how fear, silence, control and burnout quietly undermine performance, and how healthier cultures reduce human risk and protect mental health.

Petra equips leaders with tools to tackle technostress, hybrid working strain, AI anxiety and the growing mental health challenges of modern work. Her work focuses on clarity under pressure, healthy authority and honest conversations, helping people perform at their best without burning out or deteriorating into poor mental health.

Author of Begin with You and Digital Wellbeing: Recharge Your Focus and Reboot Your Life, Petra has been featured in Newsweek, Harvard Business Review and The Huffington Post. She delivers keynotes and advisory work for global organisations including Deloitte, PwC, Microsoft, KPMG, Channel 4, Novartis, US Bank, Monzo and Warner Media, and is increasingly sought after at cyber security conferences for her expertise on human risk, psychological safety and trust in high-stakes environments.

Whether on stage, in conversation with leaders or advising organisations through change, Petra leaves audiences energised, challenged and clear on how to lead and perform differently in a world of work evolving faster than ever before.

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What clients say about Petra Velzeboer

“Petra makes people sit up and take action” People Director, Channel 4

“Down to earth, practical and filled with humour. Petra’s keynotes inspire, inform and create a ripple effect of change. Her story of being raised in a cult is life-altering - seamlessly made relatable to audiences worldwide” CEO, Empathy Week

"It has been a unique privilege to meet and work with Petra. Petra is the rarest of keynotes; someone who knows the science but who has also a lived experience to bring to bear on such an important topic. She is brave in her approach and this you learn is perhaps the key lesson in opening up and addressing mental health needs. She achieves a mix of levity and seriousness that T.S Eliot would be proud of and it's the first talk I have seen in a long time where none of the 300 attendees glanced at their phone or checked the time. This is such an important topic that we need advocates such as Petra to open up the conversation in such a powerful, practical and ultimately uplifting way." Business Analysts Annual Conference

"We wanted to close our conference with a memorable moment – and Petra delivered on an often-ignored issue: our mental health. With positive vibes, an energetic speech, get-together touchy moments and many wake-up calls, the participants were taken on an emotional roller-coaster of positive attitudes towards our… mind." UNIBA Partners Annual Conference

"Petra supported us to develop our Global Mental Health Strategy - including bespoke content and re-development of our Mental Health Champions Programme. She offered practical support, thought leadership, clinical expertise and facilitated training in-person and virtually across the UK, US, EMEA and Asia. On top of this, Petra is adaptable, empathetic and highly committed. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking to develop a market-leading approach to mental health and wellbeing. I'm excited to continue working together to implement our new strategy." Herbert Smith Freehills

"We had the pleasure of having Petra speak at an internal Guardian employee event for mental health awareness week. The honesty in which she shared her personal experience was quite moving. She was both informative and inspirational. I would highly recommend her workshop." The Guardian UK

"Petra certainly knows her stuff and has the ability to put it across in a no nonsense, practical and highly inspirational way. She brings the perfect balance of support and challenge to everything that she does. We were lucky to have Petra support a number of events at William Hill and it was a pleasure to work with her. A pleasure that I hope that we will be able to repeat again soon." William Hill

"I would highly recommend Petra as a knowledgeable and credible speaker! Petra’s authentic and engaging style, delivering at our national conferences, has been key to the success of our wellbeing program." Amey

"We invited Petra to speak at our event and were blown away by her incredibly unique story! She is an accomplished keynote speaker who provided so much practical advice on how to look after our people in the new world of work." Monzo

"Petra’s book brings inspiration, practical thinking and true thought leadership that I would recommend to anyone who wants a new angle on how to view their wellbeing at work." Pirkx

"So many of us have unwittingly become slaves to our devices. Petra not only explains the problem of digital addiction but more importantly provides practical guidance on how to break free." Partner, Simmons and Simmons

"Petra captures the most important issues of our times, debunking myths and offering practical ways we can focus thereby boosting mental health." Nilema Bhakta-Jones, Multi Award Winning Founder Courageous Leaders

"Petra Velzeboer is a master storyteller. She paints the landscape of digitalisation in societies, shows why we're hooked to our devices - then outlines a credible path to wellbeing through richer human connections, better boundaries and moving from staring at our devices to making peace with each other." Dr Ardeshir Mehran, Psychologist and Author

"Given that a third of our lives are experienced through a screen, there is nothing more important than learning how to configure technology to serve us rather than the other way around. We have to work out how to make it work for us and Petra helps us get there!" Chief Impact Officer, JAAQ

"The topic of Digital Wellbeing is timely and thought-provoking. Petra addresses one of todays most urgent challenges: how technology shapes our lives, minds and relationships. With a clear and relatable style she doesn't shy away from the tough questions, inviting people to reflect deeply on their tech habits and take action to foster meaningful connections" Founder and CEO, Empathy Studios

"Petra Velzeboer is one of the leading voices in this space, and rightly so. As the most popular and impactful speaker at the Make Work Better Conference 2024, her work is a masterclass in reclaiming control in a world that demands so much of our attention. She blends actionable advice with powerful insights guiding her audience towards clarity, balance and resilience" CEO, Investors in People

How to book Petra Velzeboer as a keynote speaker

How do I book Petra Velzeboer for a keynote speech?

You can book Petra Velzeboer through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Petra's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.

What are Petra Velzeboer's speaking fees?

Petra Velzeboer's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Petra tailored to your event.

What topics does Petra Velzeboer speak about?

Petra Velzeboer speaks on Business & Management, Inspirational Women, Leadership, Leadership & Motivation, Mental Health. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Petra to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Petra Velzeboer available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Petra Velzeboer for events worldwide, subject to Petra's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.

Does Petra Velzeboer deliver virtual or online keynotes?

Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Petra Velzeboer is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).

How long is a typical keynote by Petra Velzeboer?

Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Petra can accommodate.

Can Petra Velzeboer tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Petra Velzeboer on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Petra can offer.

What languages does Petra Velzeboer present in?

Petra Velzeboer delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.

What makes Petra Velzeboer a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Petra Velzeboer's areas of expertise include Business & Management, Inspirational Women, Leadership, Leadership & Motivation, Mental Health. To get a clear sense of Petra's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.

What kind of events can Petra Velzeboer speak at?

Petra Velzeboer can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Business & Management, Inspirational Women, Leadership, Leadership & Motivation, Mental Health is relevant. Details of Petra's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.

Does Petra Velzeboer offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?

Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Petra Velzeboer is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Petra Velzeboer?

We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Petra Velzeboer, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Petra's current availability for your dates.