Workplace cultures are shaped by the worst behaviour leaders are willing to tolerate.
Fay Calderone is an award-winning employment lawyer, keynote speaker, bestselling author and trusted adviser who has spent more than 25 years helping organisations navigate the complex intersection of workplace law, culture, leadership and psychosocial safety. As a Partner at Hall & Wilcox, she advises boards, executives and employers on some of the most challenging workplace issues facing modern organisations, including culture transformation, discrimination, bullying, sexual harassment, workplace investigations and organisational change.
Known for her practical, human-centred approach, Fay helps leaders understand how workplace culture, inclusion and psychological safety directly influence organisational performance, employee wellbeing and risk. Drawing on decades of frontline experience, she translates complex legal and cultural challenges into actionable strategies that help leaders create workplaces where people and organisations thrive.
Fay is the author of the Amazon bestselling Broken to Safe and the forthcoming Rise Up: The Inclusive Leader's Guide to Thriving Through the Backlash. Through her writing, speaking and advisory work, she champions safer, more inclusive and high-performing workplaces built on trust, accountability and belonging.
A sought-after media commentator, Fay's insights on workplace culture, leadership and employment law are regularly featured across television, radio, print and digital media, including the Today Show, ABC News, Seven News, ABC Radio, the Australian Financial Review, The Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail Australia.
Whether speaking to senior executives, emerging leaders or industry audiences, Fay combines compelling storytelling, evidence-based insights and practical tools that inspire meaningful action and lasting change.
Talking Points
The Culture Advantage: Why Workplace Culture Shapes Everything
In an era of rapid change, talent shortages and increasing scrutiny, workplace culture has become one of the most significant drivers of organisational success. Yet many leaders still underestimate its impact on performance, innovation, wellbeing and risk.The Culture Advantage: Why Workplace Culture Shapes Everything
Drawing on more than 25 years of experience advising boards, executives and employers, Fay Calderone reveals why culture is not a "soft issue" but a substantial and operative factor in shaping business outcomes. Through powerful stories, practical examples and evidence-based insights, she demonstrates how the most successful organisations intentionally build cultures that foster trust, accountability, inclusion and high performance.
This keynote challenges leaders to rethink their role in shaping culture and provides practical strategies to create workplaces where people and organisations thrive.
Audience Takeaways:
- Understand why culture directly impacts performance, retention and reputation
- Identify the leadership behaviours that shape workplace culture
- Recognise early warning signs of toxic cultures and workplace risk
- Learn practical strategies to create a culture of trust, respect and accountability
- Build environments where people can perform at their best
Psychosocial Safety: The Leadership Imperative of Our Time
Psychosocial safety has rapidly emerged as one of the most important challenges facing modern organisations. As expectations from regulators, employees and stakeholders continue to evolve, leaders are increasingly being called upon to create workplaces that are not only productive but psychologically safe.Psychosocial Safety: The Leadership Imperative of Our Time
Award-winning employment lawyer and workplace culture expert Fay Calderone translates complex legal, cultural and human challenges into practical leadership actions. This keynote explores the critical connection between psychosocial safety, employee wellbeing, organisational performance and business resilience.
Combining real-world workplace examples with practical leadership frameworks, Fay empowers audiences to move beyond compliance and create cultures where people feel safe, supported and able to thrive.
Audience Takeaways:
- Understand the key drivers of psychosocial risk in modern workplaces
- Learn why psychological safety is essential for performance and innovation
- Recognise the connection between leadership, wellbeing and workplace culture
- Discover practical ways to prevent burnout and workplace harm
- Develop strategies to create safer, healthier and more engaged teams
Rise Up: Leading Inclusion Through Backlash and Change
As workplaces navigate increasing social, political and cultural complexity, leaders are facing growing pressure to sustain progress on diversity, equity and inclusion while responding to resistance, scepticism and backlash.Rise Up: Leading Inclusion Through Backlash and Change
Based on the principles from her forthcoming book Rise Up: The Inclusive Leader's Guide to Thriving Through the Backlash, Fay Calderone delivers a compelling and practical keynote on why inclusion remains a leadership and business imperative. Drawing on decades of experience advising organisations on workplace culture, leadership and inclusion, she provides practical tools to help leaders build cultures of belonging, navigate difficult conversations and lead confidently through change.
This keynote inspires leaders to move beyond good intentions and create meaningful, measurable impact.
Audience Takeaways:
- Understand the changing landscape of diversity, equity and inclusion
- Learn how to respond to resistance and backlash effectively
- Build cultures of belonging, respect and accountability
- Develop practical leadership strategies that drive inclusion and performance
- Turn organisational values into meaningful action and lasting change
Ideal for: Leadership conferences, HR and People & Culture events, executive forums, women in leadership events, government, professional services, healthcare, education and diversity & inclusion conferences.
Video
Fay Calderone | Broken to Safe Panel | Saxton Speakers
Fay has spoken at several TAPS conferences and is consistently rated among our top speakers. Her ability to explain complex legal and management concepts in a clear, practical and actionable ... keep reading The Association for Payroll Specialists
Fay has been instrumental in helping us navigate significant legislative change through tailored training, policy reviews and practical guidance. Her professionalism, expertise and knowledge are second to none, and she has played a key role in supporting our commitment to a healthy, inclusive and respectful workplace.
Fay collaborated with us on developing tailored programs for our organisation's upcoming launch of our Sexual Harassment, Antidiscrimination, Antibullying, and Harassment policies and procedures. It was a great experience working with Fay and her team in the development of these, but also as we navigate the complexities of these critical areas of law and workplace relations.
Fay is a leader in her field and a pioneer in the space of smarter law practice for the modern-day workplace. Fay is the type of litigation expert that you want to have working with your team in the commercial sector, as her years of experience and ability to think quickly and collaboratively ensure that the right outcome is achieved. Operating ahead of the curve and looking at the bigger issues that businesses and people face, Fay is always taking her approach and professionalism to the next level. The way that Fay connects with people is truly inspiring. In addition, Fay is the type of Workplace Relations Partner that represents the modern-day professional. A family person, a laser-focused career professional, a mentor and a person with astute attention to detail.
