Throughout history, women have persevered and thrived no matter the circumstance. From suffragettes fighting for the vote to feminists advocating for equal pay, women have continually made their mark and advanced equality across generations.

Contents:

• What is International Women's Day?
• What are the values of International Women's Day?
• When is International Women's Day?
• Speakers for International Women's Day

What is International Women’s Day?

International Women's Day was founded by the suffragettes to celebrate female empowerment, with today's celebrations widely influenced by our ancestors. With 49.6% of the world's population identifying as female, it has gained global traction since its inception in 1911. International Women's Day aims to be inclusive, celebrating all individuals working towards equality. With a focus on 10 key values, its momentum grows each year with more people pledging their support.

The 2026 International Women's Day theme is Give To Gain, which will "encourage a mindset of generosity and collaboration."

Source: International Women's Day Official Website

When Is International Women’s Day 2026?

International Women’s Day takes place on the 8th of March 2026.

The 20 Most Inspirational Speakers to Hire for International Women’s Day:

Below, Champions Speakers presents exclusive market research collated from 492 International Women's Day events, between 2021 and 2025. This research, vetted by the empowered audiences of IWD events, has been gathered to form this exclusive selection of the 20 Most Inspirational Speakers to Hire for International Women's Day, documented by Megan Lupton BA MA.

1. Baroness Karren Brady
2. Katie Piper
3. Mandy Hickson
4. Dame Inga Beale
5. Jo Salter MBE
6. Thais Compoint
7. Nicola Adams
8. Martine Wright
9. Bonita Norris
10. Helen Sharman
11. Brigadier Nicky Moffat
12. Susie Wolff
13. Penny Power
14. Mary Earps
15. Phoebe Schecter
16. Christine Ohuruogu
17. Hannah Cockroft
18. Grace Beverley
19. Rebecca Welch
20. Holly Tucker

1. Baroness Karren Brady

Exclusive Client Rating - 5/5

Named one of the 50 Most Inspirational People in the World, Karren Brady, former Managing Director of Birmingham City FC, has dedicated her career to the same values as International Women’s Day. The business mogul, who regularly appears as an aid on The Apprentice, is a renowned champion of women in business. As the Chairman of Mentor, an organisation designated to harness female talent, and through her Sunday Times Bestseller Strong Women, Karren has paved the way for corporate equality.

Watch Karren share her experience as a female in the male-dominated industry of football:

Capital One agreed that Karren was perfectly placed to inspire their female employees.

”Thank you for taking the time to talk to the ladies at Capital One, they found your talk motivating, inspiring and refreshingly honest!”

2. Katie Piper

Exclusive Client Rating - 4.8/5

Turning adversity into the opportunity to inspire, Katie Piper survived a life-altering acid attack and now empowers others to embrace their inner beauty. After the harrowing event, that left much of her face unrecognisable, and caused blindness in one eye, Katie stepped into the spotlight in a bid to raise awareness for burns victims. Over a decade later she has been awarded the You Can 2011 accolade at the Women of the Year Awards due to her work establishing the Katie Piper Foundation and inspirational media appearances.

Hear a snippet of Katie’s emotional story, discussed here at the WE Day UK Event:

3. Mandy Hickson

Exclusive Client Rating - 4.6/5

Paving the way for women in the Royal Air Force, Mandy Hickson, a former pilot was only the second female to fly a Tornado GR4 on the front line. Changing the Forces’ perception of what women can achieve, Mandy fearlessly proved her worth. By leading operations with an all-male Front Line Tornado Squadron and completing 45 missions over Iraq, all whilst being a mother of two children. When looking for a role model who shows how women can wear many hats with aplomb, Mandy Hickson is the female speaker who did just that.

Here’s a glimpse of what Mandy has to offer as an International Women’s Day speaker:

Our client in International Law had this to say about Mandy at their corporate event:

"Mandy is a fantastic public speaker. She is both inspirational and extremely well prepared. Her ability to relate her own experience working under extreme pressure and in highly performing teams to everyday situations is most impressive. She tops it all with a wonderful sense of humour and great modesty. Listening to her talking about the many challenges that she has successfully overcome should be compulsory for all girls!"

4. Dame Inga Beale

Exclusive Client Rating - 4.7/5

328 years after the insurance giant was founded, Dame Inga Beale was named the first-ever female CEO of Lloyd’s of London in 2014. A monumental moment in business history, Inga’s introduction defied gender norms for senior business positions and proved the best person would be selected for the role despite gender. Backed by nearly 40 years in the corporate landscape, as a speaker, Inga shares how she didn’t knock on doors to progress in the industry but instead knocked them down - a true female boss.

Watch Inga discuss the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, here:

5. Jo Salter MBE

Exclusive Client Rating - 4.7/5

Dr Jo Salter MBE is Britain’s first female fast jet pilot, flying the Tornado GR1 on frontline missions with the RAF and enforcing no-fly zones over Iraq. Now Director of Global Transformative Leadership and Global Advisor on GenAI at PwC, she combines aviation precision with corporate insight. A bestselling author and award-winning speaker, Jo inspires audiences with lessons on courage, authenticity and resilience. Recognised as one of the world’s top motivational speakers, she champions inclusive leadership and purpose-driven innovation, making her an exceptional International Women’s Day speaker who empowers others to lead confidently and break barriers with clarity and heart.

Watch Jo discuss overcoming adversity and her career hilights, here:

"Jo Salter was nothing short of phenomenal. She was entertaining, funny, and down to earth, while also deeply inspiring and relatable. Her stories were captivating, at times emotional, and always full of wisdom. She left us laughing, reflecting, and truly uplifted. Many said she was their favourite speaker of the day; Jo is a force of nature, and her keynote was an unforgettable highlight."

6. Thais Compoint

Exclusive Client Rating - 4.8/5

Who better to support your team for International Women’s Day than a global consultant on inclusion and diversity, Thais Compoint? As Founder and CEO of Déclic International, Thais is on a mission to highlight the importance of diversity, give actionable advice on inclusivity and prove that a varied workforce leads to greater financial gain and a thriving business. A key part of her powerful message centres around women in the corporate environment, and as a female leader herself, she perfectly articulates the needs and wants of women.

Watch Thais on the TEDx stage discussing her work:

7. Nicola Adams

Exclusive Client Rating - 4.7/5

Nicola Adams turned boxing on its head when she stepped into the ring at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Taking to the male-dominated sport and becoming the first female to win an Olympic medal in boxing, Nicola went a step further and secured the gold for the Flyweight division, showing gender stereotypes had no place beyond the ropes. As a proud member of the LGBT+ community and a history-defining athlete, Nicola is a role model for women everywhere, who are carving their own paths.

Nicola is a natural on stage as is evident from this fireside chat:

Macquarie Group Services had rave reviews about Nicola when she attended their event:

”Fantastic! Nicola was open, honest and inspiring. It went amazingly well and we can’t wait to have her back.”

8. Martine Wright

Exclusive Client Rating - 4.8/5

Sitting three feet from a suicide bomber, losing 80% of her blood supply and being the last person rescued after the harrowing 7/7 London terror attacks didn’t stop Martine Wright from living a fulfilled life. In fact, she has since become a successful Olympian, competing as the captain of the British Paralympic sitting volleyball team at the London 2012 Games. Despite enduring a double above-the-knee amputation, Martine has become a beacon of hope for women everywhere, and her inspirational talks instil the belief that through adversity great things can come.

Here Martine shares an insight into her inspiring story:

Martine’s story resonated with our client in the healthcare sector:

“She made us feel that anything is possible, so long as you have determination”

9. Bonita Norris

Exclusive Client Rating - 4.9/5

Bonita Norris is an exciting addition to events of all sizes and themes. Her speaking engagements explore the trials and tribulations Bonita faced as an adventurer, teaching her audience the importance of mental resilience.  In 2010, Bonita was named the youngest British woman to summit Mount Everest, a feat that kickstarted her speaking career. She then wrote 'The Girl Who Climbed Everest', to document her incredible journey. This International Women's Day, hire a speaker who will inspire your audience. Bonita's incredible achievements in adventuring make her the perfect orator, as her story reveals the mindset needed to succeed in the face of adversity. 

Our client, Comms-Care, was really impressed with Bonita's engaging personality:

"Bonita was amazing and absolutely nailed it. We had so much fantastic feedback, everyone was so engaged, inspired and buzzing! Appreciate how challenging it is to achieve that virtually so please pass on to Bonita a huge thank you."

10. Helen Sharman

Exclusive Client Rating - 4.8/5

As the first British astronaut to travel to space, Helen Sharman is the perfect speaker for International Women's Day events. Her story of triumph in the face of competition is an inspiration to all, as the rigorous selection process shaped Helen into the speaker she is today. At corporate events, Helen discusses such topics as motivation, teamwork and leadership while under pressure. She takes her audience on a journey into space with her exciting anecdotes and leaves them empowered to achieve their goals. 

Helen made a positive impression on a leading investment bank at their event:

“The feedback from our event has been overwhelming. You proved a huge hit and very inspiring. We were so thrilled that you were able to join us and even more delighted by your words of wisdom, all delivered in a beautifully self-deprecating way and with a great sense of humour.”

11. Brigadier Nicky Moffat

Exclusive Client Rating - 4.9/5

A leadership expert, Nicky Moffat's IWD speeches inspire female audiences to shatter glass ceilings. As the highest-ranking woman in the British Army, her speaking engagements take influence from her experience in a male-dominated environment. When Nicky left the Army, she founded What Good Leadership Looks Like in 2012. She established her reputation for corporate transformation, by focusing on the quality of leadership and the importance of authenticity. 

At The AA's networking event, Nicky's story resonated with attendees:

"We booked Nicky to talk at our ‘women in road’ network event. Nicky gave a fantastic talk and really connected with her audience who found her both interesting and thought-provoking. She was a great success and feedback after the event was all positive – they loved her!"

12. Susie Wolff

Exclusive Client Rating - 4.9/5

With a long and successful career in motorsports, Susie Wolff's speeches reveal how she broke into a male-dominated environment. This International Women's Day, blow your audience away by hiring this powerhouse of motorsports! A true history-maker, Susie was the first woman to compete in an F1 event in 22 years when she attended the 2014 British Grand Prix. At events, she discusses how this made her feel and the impact it had on female representation. At your International Women's Day event, book a speaker who will inspire your audience, like Susie Wolff. With her natural on-stage presence, she engages audiences of all industries and backgrounds. 

13. Penny Power

Exclusive Client Rating - 4.9/5

Named the 65th Most Influential Entrepreneur of 2019, Penny Power is an empowering female business speaker perfect for your International Women's Day event. Her corporate journey has seen her found Ecademy and The Business Cafe, the life lessons from which she now shares with audiences. At events, Penny supplies enthusiastic and empowering speeches that take attendees on a journey through her career, including the highs and lows of business. She is a highly motivating addition to corporate events for IWD!

Penny regularly engages audiences at events with immense success:

"We booked Penny to speak at our Female Speakers Conference this year and could not have wished for a better speaker to open the event. Penny has achieved SO MUCH in her business career and still is on of the most humble human beings I know. Her talk was deep, honest, insightful, inspiring and so much more. If you are looking for a speaker at your next event that really shows POWERFUL authenticity combined with business knowledge: go for Penny! We can't wait doing more work with her in the future."

14. Mary Earps

Exclusive Client Rating - 4.8/5

Mary Earps, the esteemed goalkeeper for the England Lionesses and Manchester United Women's football teams, exemplifies excellence, resilience and inspiration, making her an ideal keynote speaker for International Women's Day. Her journey from the England U17 team to becoming one of the top women's goalkeepers showcases her skill and perseverance in a male-dominated field. In 2023, Mary received awards such as the Golden Glove, BBC Sports Personality of the Year and IFFHS Women's World's Best Goalkeeper. As an IWD speaker, she shares her football journey, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of breaking barriers and inspiring a new generation of women and girls in sports.

15. Phoebe Schecter

Exclusive Client Rating - 4.5/5

Phoebe Schecter is an inspiration to all women battling to break into a male-dominated environment. As the first female coach in the UK NFL, she has transformed female representation and showed the world how important inclusion is in sports. At International Women's Day Events, a speaker like Phoebe is guaranteed to resonate with all in attendance, both male, female and non-binary. Her story of success, determination and passion leaves a resounding impact, visible long after the event has ended. Phoebe will successfully invigorate your corporate team. An expert in leadership and teamwork, her speaking engagements reveal the mindset that led to her sporting success and will lead your audience to optimum workplace performance. 

Another happy client had this to say about Phoebe's positive presence:

"Phoebe was a guest coach at our launch event for the Peterborough Royals back in 2016, where I witnessed first-hand her drive, energy and commitment to engaging and involving women in the greatest team sport on earth. To say the sky's the limit would do her a huge injustice. If you're looking for sports coaching or a speaker at your event, you can't not be inspired by her presence."

16. Christine Ohuruogu

Exclusive Client Rating - 4.5/5

Christine Ohuruogu is a famed Olympian, who has claimed two Bronze, a Silver and a Gold Olympic medal during her successful career. Also a two-time World Champion in the 400m, Christine was the second British track and field athlete to claim medals at three successive Olympic Games. Nominated for the Laureus World Sports Award for Comeback of the Year, Christine inspired female athletes worldwide with her talent in running. When booked as an International Women's Day speaker, Christine champions female participation in sports, acting as a female role model who has achieved above the odds. Whether promoting gender or racial inclusion in sports, Christine is guaranteed to leave a lasting impact with her inspirational International Women's Day speeches. 

Read feedback from a happy client of Christine's below:

"It was brilliant thank you. Christine was so great! She got involved with starting some events and gave a great little speech and handed out the medals."

17. Hannah Cockroft

Exclusive Client Rating - 4.5/5

Hannah Cockroft is an inspirational Paralympian, who made headlines with her talents as a wheelchair racer. Now the proud owner of seven Olympic Gold medals, 12 World titles and the honour of being appointed MBE and OBE, Hannah is a favourite for IWD events to inspire other female athletes. Suffering brain damage as a child, Hannah has never let adversity hold her back and she has gone on to achieve the incredible. Named Sportswoman of the Year by the Sports Journalist Association and 2021 Disability Sportswoman of the Year by The Sunday Times and Sky Sports, Hannah is the perfect choice as an IWD speaker, inspiring not only female equality but disability representation in the workplace. Sharing her story of overcoming challenges with perseverance and determination, book Hannah for an inspirational speech that audiences will not forget! 

Hannah has had many happy clients, including this feedback below:

"I just wanted to send an enormous 'thank you' to Hannah for coming yesterday. Everybody unanimously agreed that she was brilliant. She is such an inspiration, so great at articulating her incredible story, her message is so impactful and thought-provoking and she's also so cool and lovely to chat to! We really were so so grateful to have her there and she was a highlight for everyone. Thank you for putting us in touch with her and thank you Hannah for making it happen"

18. Grace Beverley

Exclusive Client Rating - 4.5/5

Grace Beverley is a British entrepreneur, author and podcaster recognised for founding TALA, Shreddy and The Productivity Method. Named Forbes’ #1 in 30 Under 30 Europe for Retail & E-commerce, she has built multi-million-pound sustainable businesses and inspired millions through her podcast and bestselling book 'Working Hard, Hardly Working'. A graduate of Oxford and Harvard Business School Online, Grace combines business expertise with advocacy for ethical fashion, productivity and women in leadership. Her insight, authenticity and commercial success make her a powerful International Women’s Day speaker, inspiring audiences to rethink success, sustainability and the future of work.

19. Rebecca Welch

Exclusive Client Rating - 4.5/5

Rebecca Welch is a trailblazing English football referee who made history in 2023 as the first woman to officiate a Premier League match. After beginning her career in the NHS, she became a full-time referee in 2019 and has since refereed in the Women’s Super League, the FA Cup, and the English Football League. Her journey from grassroots football to the highest levels of the men’s game has inspired women worldwide. As a motivational International Women’s Day speaker, Rebecca champions resilience, equality and breaking barriers, encouraging others to pursue success in male-dominated industries with confidence and determination.

20. Holly Tucker

Exclusive Client Rating - 4.5/5

Holly Tucker MBE is a pioneering British entrepreneur best known for founding Not On The High Street and Holly & Co, two ventures that champion creativity and small businesses. As the UK Ambassador for Creative Small Businesses, she has generated over £1 billion for the economy and inspired countless entrepreneurs through her bestselling book 'Do What You Love, Love What You Do' and her hit podcast 'Conversations of Inspiration'. With her experience in innovation, leadership and social impact, Holly is an inspiring International Women’s Day speaker who empowers audiences to embrace creativity, purpose and resilience in business and beyond.

"Holly Tucker is all kinds of fabulous. Charismatic, engaging and funny with an energy and passion that hooks people in the first few seconds. We are highly selective of the speakers we invite to take to The Marketing Academy community around the world. Holly is amongst the very best. We wish we could bottle her so we could sprinkle her magic every day."

What Are the Values of International Women’s Day?

Several values have been established to set the ethos, behaviour and actions associated with International Women’s Day.

The values are justice, dignity, hope, equality, collaboration, tenacity, appreciation, respect, empathy and forgiveness.

Hire an International Women's Day Speaker for 2026

With International Women’s Day just around the corner, there’s no better time to book your speaker to support the event. Whether one listed above has inspired you, or you would like to browse the rest of our extensive selection of International Women's Day speakers, our agents can ensure you get the perfect speaker for your event.

Either call 02071010553 or fill in our online contact form to speak to an agent and book today.

For more information about International Women's Day, visit the official website: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

This exclusive article on the Best International Women’s Day Speakers & What to Expect from 2026’s Event was written by Megan Lupton BA MA, using exclusive market research collated from 492 International Women's Day events, between 2021 and 2025. 

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