Nahla Summers is a thought leader in emotional intelligence, kindness and social impact, renowned as the Founder of Sunshine People CIC and the author of A Culture of Kindness. Nahla’s mission is simple – to foster a world where businesses thrive not just commercially, but in creating positive and lasting social impact. Challenging traditional approaches to leadership, Nahla emphasises the importance of empathy and kindness for sustainable business practices. Boasting over 15 years of senior leadership experience, Nahla is hired as a keynote speaker, sharing her expertise on how businesses can adopt emotionally intelligent leadership, maintain a human touch in an increasingly digital world and drive positive social change.
Before specialising as a cultural change consultant, Nahla led a decorated corporate career, including roles such as Regional Facilities Manager for Arcus Holdings and Regional Branch Manager for Mitie. In 2013, she founded Sunshine People CIC, which was born from the realisation that kindness was often missing in corporate culture, including values such as trust, integrity, empathy and connection. Under Sunshine People CIC, Nahla began completing sponsored challenges, but instead of charitable donations, she asked those who supported her to complete acts of kindness. Since its creation, Nahla has completed a 3000m cycle across America, a 500m walk from the South to the North of England and a 5007m journey on a stand-up bike – earning a Guinness World Record in the process.
Also renowned as the Founder of A Culture of Kindness, Nahla has most recently rebranded her organisation to KQ² - The Human Equation. Through KQ² - The Human Equation, Nahla is on a mission to build future-ready, emotionally intelligent leaders, recognising that in a world where AI is rapidly changing how we work, it is the distinct human characteristics and skills that are defining who will thrive. To further her mission of embedding kindness into organisational culture, Nahla has authored the books A Culture of Kindness, The Accidental Adventurer and her new anticipated title, The Zero Burden Business. In recognition of her work in promoting kindness and cultural change, Nahla was awarded a Points of Light Award from the UK Prime Minister.
Nahla Summers is a popular choice as a keynote speaker, but she is not just a speaker; she is a transformational force in workplace culture. Uniquely skilled in blending storytelling, research and actionable insights, Nahla provides thought-provoking insights on leadership and tailors each keynote to the requirements of the event. Bespoke for each audience, Nahla delivers the keynotes The Zero Burden Business, Emotional Intelligence in the Age of AI, Kind Leadership and Social Impact Beyond the Buzzwords. If you are looking for a keynote speaker who helps create workplaces that are not only more productive but profoundly more human, don’t hesitate to hire Nahla Summers for your next event.
Nahla Summers' official speaking topics are listed below:
Humanising AI:
Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we work — but while the technology is advancing fast, people are struggling to keep up. Many organisations are overwhelmed by the pace of change, divided between those who fear AI will replace them and those who see it as the future. Humanising AI bridges that gap.
This keynote redefines the conversation — showing leaders how to use AI to amplify human intelligence, not replace it. It’s a practical, inspiring guide to creating workplaces where technology serves people, not the other way around. Your audience will learn how to combine emotional intelligence with artificial intelligence to improve performance, innovation, and trust in an AI-driven world.
This keynote will change how your leaders think and feel about technology. They’ll leave equipped to lead confidently in a digital world — with a framework for keeping human values, empathy, and ethical decision-making at the centre of technological transformation.” This isn’t just about learning how to use AI — it’s about leading with wisdom, courage, and heart in the age of machines.
Tough Kindness:
In today’s workplaces, leadership often swings between two extremes: Hard-edged toughness that drives results but alienates people and soft-hearted kindness that cares deeply but avoids hard truths. Neither approach is sustainable.
Tough Kindness is a transformational leadership philosophy that balances strength with humanity, giving leaders the courage to make difficult decisions while protecting trust, connection, and dignity. This keynote equips audiences with a practical framework for navigating high-pressure environments — from AI-driven change to hybrid workforces — while unlocking performance, retention, and long-term growth.
This keynote will transform how your leaders think and feel about leadership, but also how your teams interact and react. They will leave with a practical, repeatable framework for making courageous decisions that drive business results without sacrificing humanity or derailing team members. Your audience will experience a mindset shift that immediately impacts culture, retention, and performance.
The Zero Burden Business:
Nahla’s new keynote focuses on how businesses can adopt emotionally intelligent leadership to create lasting social impact without creating additional burdens on society. It’s a vision for the future of ethical business.
Emotional Intelligence in the Age of AI:
As technology advances, Nahla teaches leaders to harness Emotional Intelligence to maintain a human touch in an increasingly digital world.
Kind Leadership:
Drawing on her book "A Culture of Kindness", Nahla shows how empathy and kindness can transform company culture, increase productivity, and enhance employee well-being.
Social Impact Beyond the Buzzwords:
Nahla cuts through the jargon and guides organisations on practical steps to create genuine, ethical leadership that drives positive change.
Official Feedback From In-Person & Virtual Events
"Kindness is a recurring gift, and having Nahla Summers, author of A Culture of Kindness, speak to our organisation had a transformational impact. She brings this to life in a way that touches your heart and challenges your actions." - Sandra, Group CHRO, Lombard International
"Nahla’s keynote at our 'Away Day' not only connected us but inspired us to be kinder, more resilient human beings. Her insights will continue to benefit us long after." - Ann, Group Leader, DSTL
"Nahla personifies the mission of kindness that she is so committed to. From our pre-chat before recording, she was extremely considerate to ensure her messaging, stories, and content would suit our aims. Upon meeting Nahla, she was easygoing and an absolute natural when she got into the podcast seat. The conversation with Gail for the Switched on Podcast is all about changing behaviour and mindset across BT and beyond, and this episode is going to have a huge impact in helping our colleagues to understand why practising kindness is important and how they can kick start their journey in doing so – we cannot wait for its release!" - Summer, Learning Culture & Marketing, BT
"Working with Nahla was a terrific experience, and truly made an impact on the way in which we hoped to introduce kindness into our 'way of life' as a team. I would highly recommend businesses to engage with Nahla; bringing another, but the critical lens, to how teams operate, contribute, and engage with wider business objectives - truly making a meaningful impact on self and others - very thought-provoking" - Angela Halliday, Director of Social Impact UK & Ireland, Sodexo
"Insightful, powerful, mind-provoking that demonstrated a different way of looking and approaching situations" - CIPD
"The feedback from the team that I have received has been fantastic - I am glad that they have taken from it as I had hoped." - Claire, Marketing Director, Value Retail
"Really insightful, powerful, mind-provoking with an interesting and different way of tackling leadership challenges" - UK Parliament
- 2025 - Rebranded A Culture of Kindness to KQ² The Human Equation
- 2021 - Author of "The Accidental Adventurer"
- 2019 - Author of "A Culture of Kindness: For the Leaders of the Future"
- 2019 - Cultural Change Consultant, Workshop Leader & Public Speaker for A Culture of Kindness
- 2019 - Recipient of a Points of Light Award from the Prime Minister
- 2013 - Founder of Sunshine People CIC
- 2013 - Mentor at Barnardo's
- 2013 - National Contract Manager for SALISBURY FM LIMITED
- 2011 - Regional Operations Manager for Mitie
- 2009 - Regional Facilities Manager for Arcus Holdings
- 2007 - Divisional Manager for QZS
- 2005 - Account Manager of Key Accounts at Rentokil Initial
- 2003 - Regional Branch Manager of Mitie
How to hire Nahla Summers
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Nahla Summers for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
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