Petra Velzeboer is an internationally acclaimed mental health and leadership expert, TEDx speaker, and CEO of Petra Velzeboer Ltd (PVL). Renowned for her powerful storytelling, trailblazing work in digital wellbeing, and bold approach to cultural transformation, she is the author of ‘Begin with You’ and ‘Digital Wellbeing: Recharge Your Focus and Reboot Your Life’. Petra is a trusted voice for workplace resilience, leadership in the modern age, and mental health in the era of AI and tech addiction. Her sought-after keynotes blend hard-hitting truths, humour, and science-backed strategies, helping organisations future-proof their workforce and empower high-performing, psychologically safe teams.
Petra’s early life profoundly shaped her passion for wellbeing. Raised within a strict religious cult marked by extreme control and limited educational opportunities, she battled depression, alcoholism, and suicidal ideation by her late twenties. Determined to rewrite her story, she pursued an MSc in Psychodynamics of Human Development from Birkbeck, University of London, and trained as a psychotherapist. Her journey from survival to thriving fuels her mission today: to revolutionise the way businesses approach mental health, resilience, and sustainable success in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
As CEO of PVL since 2019, Petra has advised major organisations including PwC, Channel 4, Accenture, Novartis, and Monzo, delivering high-impact wellbeing solutions that drive real change. She has worked as a Mental Health Consultant for Medigold Health and contributed to influential reports such as ‘Thriving at Work’ and ‘Seizing the Momentum’. Petra’s insights have been featured in leading publications including Harvard Business Review, Newsweek, The Huffington Post, and on BBC Radio. Her TEDx Talk on overcoming adversity has resonated with thousands, and she was recognised as the most impactful speaker at the Make Work Better Conference 2024.
Organisations book Petra Velzeboer to challenge outdated wellbeing narratives and inspire real transformation. Covering critical topics such as Digital Wellbeing, Mental Health and AI, Leadership and Psychological Safety, and Burnout Prevention, she offers actionable, evidence-based strategies to foster resilience, connection, and performance. Whether addressing senior leaders, HR teams, or entire organisations, Petra’s bold and engaging style leaves audiences equipped to cultivate thriving workplaces in the face of constant technological and societal evolution.
Books
Begin With You: Invest in Your Mental Wellbeing & Satisfaction at Work
Digital Wellbeing: Recharge Your Focus and Reboot Your Life
Petra Velzeboer's official speaking topics are listed below:
- Burnout to Brilliance: Empowering Teams to Thrive in a World of Change
- Burnout, Leadership & The Future of Work
- Creating Brave, High-Performing Teams
- Digital Wellbeing: Thriving in an Age of Distraction
- How Cults Are Like Corporates - And What to Do About It
- Leadership: Building a Culture of Growth and Impact
- Mental Health, AI & The New World of Work
- Wellness + Business Objectives = Success
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
Feedback from In-Person Events:
"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
"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
"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
"Down to earth, practical and filled with humour. Her story is life-altering and deeply relatable." – Ed, CEO, Empathy Week
"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
"Petra addresses one of today's most urgent challenges: how technology shapes our lives, minds and relationships." – Ed, Founder and CEO, Empathy Studios
"Petra debunks myths and offers practical ways we can focus to boost mental health." – Nilema, Founder, Courageous Leaders
"Petra explains the problem of digital addiction and provides practical guidance on how to break free." – Ed, Partner, Simmons and Simmons
"Petra helps us work out how to make technology work for us." – Ryan, Chief Impact Officer, JAAQ
"Petra is a master storyteller, guiding audiences toward balance, connection, and digital wellbeing." – Dr Ardeshir, Psychologist & Author
"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
"Petra makes people sit up and take action." – Kirsten, People Director, Channel 4
"Petra paints the landscape of digitalisation and outlines a credible path to wellbeing." – Dr Ardeshir, Psychologist and Author
"Petra Velzeboer is one of the leading voices in this space, and rightly so." – Paul, CEO, Investors in People
"Petra was the most impactful speaker at our conference, helping audiences reclaim control in a distracted world." – Paul, CEO, Investors in People
"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
"PVL is a true partner, bringing awareness and sustainability of employee wellbeing into organisations" - Channel 4
"The topic of Digital Wellbeing is urgent and necessary. Petra offers thought-provoking insights with real-world impact." – Ed, Founder, Empathy Studios
"This was probably the most moving, honest and powerful session that I have ever attended" - Herbert Smith Freehills
"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
"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
- 2024 – Published ‘Digital Wellbeing: Recharge Your Focus and Reboot Your Life’
- 2024 – Named Most Impactful Speaker at the Make Work Better Conference
- 2023 – Featured in Harvard Business Review on digital wellbeing
- 2022 – Delivered 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.
