Jo-Ann D’Costa-Manuel OBE

Jo-Ann D’Costa-Manuel OBE is a transformational keynote speaker, award-winning philanthropist, and celebrity podcast host who specialises in helping women turn adversity into action and reclaim their power in midlife. Known for her raw honesty, lived experience and magnetic stage presence, Jo-Ann has inspired audiences of celebrities, MPs, billionaires and changemakers across the UK. Her keynote address once raised over £500,000 in just ten minutes, a testament to the emotional resonance and power of her message. As host of ‘It’s Your Time’, a podcast launched in partnership with Soho House, Jo-Ann brings a fresh, fearless voice to the global conversation on reinvention and resilience.

Jo-Ann began her journey in broadcast media, where she worked with leading networks including MTV, BBC, ITV, Sky, and Living TV. From bustling studios to high-profile campaigns, Jo-Ann learned how to connect emotionally with diverse audiences. Her pivot into philanthropy and public advocacy was born from personal experience, as a mother to a son with autism, she encountered the systemic gaps in support services firsthand and was compelled to act.

Driven by purpose, Jo-Ann founded Autism Parent Empower CIC in 2014 and was later appointed Autism Ambassador for Virgin Atlantic, where she championed initiatives that now support millions of travellers annually. She also spearheaded the creation of the Autism Quiet Hour, a campaign that originated in her local supermarket and has since been adopted by retailers worldwide. Her influence in the disability space earned her recognition from the highest level, in 2022, Jo-Ann was awarded an OBE for services to women and philanthropy. She currently serves as the charity lead for philanthropist John Caudwell’s Life-Changers Circle, supporting early intervention, inclusive education, and grassroots humanitarian work both in the UK and abroad.

Jo-Ann’s keynotes are deeply personal, richly empowering and rooted in real-life transformation. Audiences leave with renewed clarity, confidence and the tools to rise - no matter their age or background. Her topics include women’s empowerment, philanthropy, neurodiversity, mental health, and midlife reinvention, all urgently relevant in today’s rapidly evolving world. She invites every audience to rise above adversity and live with purpose, reminding us: it’s not too late; it’s your time.