Petra Velzeboer is an internationally recognised mental health and leadership expert, TEDx speaker, CEO of PVL, and author dedicated to transforming the way organisations approach wellbeing. With a powerful personal story of resilience, she is a sought-after keynote speaker who blends hard-hitting truths, humour, and actionable insights to drive real cultural change. A specialist in digital wellbeing, workplace resilience, and high-performance leadership, she works with global organisations to combat burnout, improve psychological safety, and create sustainable success in an era of AI, tech addiction, and rapid workplace evolution.
Having grown up in a strict religious cult, Petra was exposed to extreme control, limited education, and little opportunity for an independent future. By the age of 28, she was battling depression, alcoholism, and suicidal thoughts, feeling trapped in a life that seemed unchangeable. Determined to rewrite her story, she pursued education, earning an MSc in Psychodynamics of Human Development from Birkbeck, University of London, and trained as a psychotherapist. This journey ignited her passion for workplace mental health, leading her to challenge outdated approaches and pioneer modern, sustainable wellbeing strategies for businesses.
As CEO of Petra Velzeboer Ltd (PVL), Petra has advised PwC, Channel 4, Accenture, Novartis, Monzo, and many more, providing high-impact wellbeing solutions for corporate leaders and teams. She has been a Mental Health Consultant for Medigold Health and contributed to major reports like ‘Seizing the Momentum’ and ‘Thriving at Work’. Recognised for her expertise, she has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Newsweek, The Huffington Post, and BBC Radio, sharing insights on digital wellbeing, leadership resilience, and the future of work. Petra’s TEDx Talk on overcoming adversity has resonated with thousands, and her book ‘Begin with You’ is a go-to guide for professionals looking to build resilience and transform workplace culture.
Companies book Petra Velzeboer for her bold, engaging, and transformative keynotes, which challenge traditional wellbeing narratives and offer science-backed, practical strategies to prevent burnout, boost productivity, and foster connection in modern workplaces. Her topics include Digital Wellbeing, Mental Health & AI, Leadership & Psychological Safety, and Burnout Prevention, all tailored to help businesses future-proof their workforce. Whether addressing senior leaders, HR teams, or entire organisations, Petra delivers real-world solutions that empower teams to thrive.
Books
Begin With You: Invest in Your Mental Wellbeing & Satisfaction at Work
Petra Velzeboer's official speaking topics are listed below:
- Digital Wellbeing: Thriving in an Age of Distraction
- How Cults Are Like Corporates—And What to Do About It
- Burnout, Leadership & The Future of Work
- Creating Brave, High-Performing Teams
- Mental Health, AI & The New World of Work
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
"Petra is the rarest of keynotes; someone who knows the science but who also has lived experience on such an important topic. She is brave in her approach and this is perhaps the key lesson in opening up and addressing mental health work. 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 phones 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 2022
"Could I ask you to pass on my huge thanks to Petra on behalf of Edrington. Her session was excellent, she is a wonderful speaker and facilitator and the audience feedback was wonderful" - Lorna, Edrington
"We had good feedback and it was interesting to hear Petra's story. It was easy to book... we would definitely book again" - Kim, HR Business Partner, Bank ABC
"This was probably the most moving, honest and powerful session that I have ever attended" - Herbert Smith Freehills
"PVL is a true partner, bringing awareness and sustainability of employee wellbeing into organisations" - Channel 4
"Petra's keynote speech at the Una Conference was incredible. She was funny, engaging, to the point and actually knows what she's talking about! I feel that she's given me everyday tools to start making mental health a daily conversation with friends, family and colleagues" - Philippa, TL Dallas Group
"I thought PVL's training was excellent, one of the best training sessions I have probably ever attended. It was both informative but enjoyable and I only wish the training could have lasted longer" - Melissa, Amey Construction
"“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
"We invited Petra to speak at a conference with 50+ construction staff & everyone was blown away by the insight that Petra offered into our own selves. It was almost astounding to watch the shift in the room as it became ok for everyone to talk to each other. We are fortunate that this has reflected positively in productivity and we are hopeful that with Petra’s ongoing support, this dynamic has permanently changed for the better." - Ben Ward, Managing Director, The Built World
"“We invited Petra to speak at our Mental Health Awareness event on dealing with stress and were blown away by her incredible unique story and her authenticity. She is an accomplished presenter and coach who provided a tonne of practical advice on how to look after your mental health told through unforgettable stories and analogies. We’re now getting her back in to be part of our leadership development curriculum." - COO, Monzo
"Petra makes people sit up and take action." – Kirsten, People Director, Channel 4
"Down to earth, practical and filled with humour. Her story is life-altering and deeply relatable." – Ed, CEO, Empathy Week
"Petra was the most impactful speaker at our conference, helping audiences reclaim control in a distracted world." – Paul, CEO, Investors in People
"The topic of Digital Wellbeing is urgent and necessary. Petra offers thought-provoking insights with real-world impact." – Ed, Founder, Empathy Studios
"Petra is a master storyteller, guiding audiences toward balance, connection, and digital wellbeing." – Dr Ardeshir, Psychologist & Author
- 2024 – Author of ‘Digital Wellbeing: Recharge Your Focus and Reboot Your Life’
- 2023 – Named one of the most impactful speakers at the Make Work Better Conference
- 2023 – Featured in Harvard Business Review on digital wellbeing
- 2022 – Delivered a widely acclaimed TEDx Talk on resilience and overcoming adversity
- 2021 – Published ‘Begin with You’, a guide to building resilience in the workplace
- 2019 – Appointed CEO of Petra Velzeboer Ltd (PVL)
- 2018 – Featured in The Huffington Post, Newsweek, and BBC Radio
- 2017 – Appointed Mental Health Consultant for Medigold Health
- 2016 – Contributed to ‘Thriving at Work’ and ‘Seizing the Momentum’ reports on workplace wellbeing
How to hire Petra Velzeboer
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Petra Velzeboer 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.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
