Looking for IWD Speakers? Discover These Incredible Women
As International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 approaches on 8th March, it’s the ideal time to honour the extraordinary women who inspire, innovate, and lead across all walks of life.
This year, we’re proud to showcase a selection of extraordinary Speakers from our roster who bring unique perspectives and powerful stories that resonate with this year's International Women’s Day theme - Accelerate Action.
Sally Orange MBE: As an endurance athlete, mental health advocate, and former Army officer, Sally has pushed boundaries in sports, adventure, and mental health advocacy. From completing marathons dressed as a fruit, to captaining the first British female team in the Race Across America, she inspires action and resilience. Through her openness about living with severe depression and anxiety, Sally encourages others to prioritise mental well-being and embrace challenges with courage and positivity. Her achievements remind us all to push forward and create lasting impact.
Penny Mallory: helps people to develop Mental Toughness so they can cultivate confidence and resilience and manage the stress of heavy workloads and crazy deadlines that they face. Penny defied the odds by becoming the first woman to compete in a World Rally Car for Ford in the prestigious World Rally Championship. Her journey is even more remarkable given her tumultuous past as a teenage runaway, enduring three years of homelessness in London. Penny attributes her success to her Mental Toughness.
Jo Bradshaw: is an adventurer, mountaineer, and inspirational Speaker who empowers others to turn "Can I?" into "I Can!". As the 36th British woman to summit Mount Everest in 2016, having survived the 7.9 earthquake whilst on the mountain in 2015, Jo combines her extraordinary achievements with her passion for helping others build resilience and overcome challenges. A former risk-averse business advisor turned expedition leader and leadership coach, she has led nearly 40 Kilimanjaro climbs and raised over £45,000 for Place2Be, the UK’s leading children’s mental health charity. Jo’s talks draw from her life-changing expeditions and focus on reframing Imposter Syndrome, becoming a champion for others, and embracing life’s challenges with courage.
Anna McNuff: Named one of the top female adventurers of our time, Anna’s tales of running barefoot across Britain and cycling the Andes captivate audiences. With topics including confidence and self-belief, growth mindset and courage, coping with change and resilience, Anna empowers others to embrace challenges and discover their own sense of adventure.
Cally Beaton: is a keynote Speaker, awards host, comedian, business leader, podcaster, writer, and entrepreneur, celebrated for her intelligent and insightful storytelling. With a career spanning senior management roles at major media companies like ViacomCBS, where she oversaw brands such as MTV and Comedy Central, Cally also founded a creative consultancy and played a key role in bringing shows like South Park and SpongeBob SquarePants to global audiences. She began performing stand-up at 45 years of age and has since appeared on QI, Live at the Apollo, and The Apprentice: You’re Fired. In her speeches, Cally combines wit, insight, and a unique perspective on work and wellbeing.
Emma Henderson MBE: A former airline Captain and co-founder of the charity Project Wingman, Emma loves taking to the stage and sharing her story - not just to inspire other women, but to help EVERYONE see the value of making leadership accessible and relatable. Emma feels that IWD is about celebrating and learning, not just ticking a box and this years theme: Accelerate Action is perfect for someone who has spent their career at 600 miles an hour, 7 miles above the planet!
To explore more Speaker options or check the availability of any of our Speakers, please contact Deborah at hello@papillonspeakers.com or call 07814 934740.