Heidi Dening is an award-winning businesswoman, author of the bestseller Her Middle Name Is Courage, and an engaging storyteller who has dedicated her career to inspiring thousands of people all over the world - from small children on remote pacific islands to professional teams across 19 different industries.
Her goal is to elevate the professional resilience of leaders and teams so they can tolerate their tough times better. This enables them to make better decisions, be more innovative, have more energy, optimism and empathy, and successfully deal with change, stress, and uncertainty.
Heidi creates unforgettable and uplifting keynote presentations because she is:
1. Empathetic – researches and understands the challenges that the audience is currently experiencing.
2. Empowering – gives actionable content and models that are memorable long after the presentation has finished.
3. Extraordinary – her storytelling ability and the insights that she shares from her incredible background are inspiring. (She has survived a gunpoint kidnapping, a life-threatening tsunami, paralysing illnesses, and being burnt alive by petrol bombs.)
4. Engaging – brings enjoyment, laughter and connection to all her keynotes.
5. Experienced – has an impressive business and health education background.
The themes that she speaks naturally about are professional resilience, mindset renewal, adapting and thriving in change, workplace courage, finding your inner leader, post-traumatic growth, high-performance habits, wellbeing, perseverance, continuous improvement, and how to go from being mentally wobbly to mentally healthy.
Heidi has delivered onstage and virtual presentations (and programs) to tens of thousands of professionals globally. Her impressive list of delighted clients includes Coca-Cola, Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, MDRT, Oracle, WWF, Financial Planners Association, Metcash, University of Sydney and Westpac, to name a few.
She was named ‘Best International Keynote Speaker’ in the Asia Pacific region and is the author of an amazon best-selling leadership book called ‘’Her Middle Name is Courage – How Self-leadership transforms pressure into performance, chaos into clarity and rage into resilience”.
Heidi frequently features as a resilience expert in the media, with notable appearances on Channel Nine's Weekend Today and SBS news. She has also been the subject of a full-page newspaper article addressing the mental health pandemic and has participated in dozens of radio, podcast, and print media interviews, with her insights sought by publications such as Women's Agenda, Smart Company, and Mamamia.
She was the first Australian to be selected for a global advisory position that looks at how our workplaces impact our stress levels, resilience, productivity and mental health — giving her access to cutting-edge data on these topics, which means you can feel confident that her content is relevant and credible.
Working with Heidi is stress-free because she is adaptable, calm and organised throughout the entire process, so please reach out to us today to book her for your next event.
Talking Points
Obstacles into Opportunities: The Courage to R.E.B.U.I.L.D.
In today’s business environment, our greatest professional skill lies in embracing change and using our challenges to our advantage, enabling us to adapt and evolve.Obstacles into Opportunities: The Courage to R.E.B.U.I.L.D.
Adversities may come in all shapes and sizes, but so do opportunities. When we find the courage to embrace our inner leader, we gain razor-sharp clarity on the most beneficial way to maximise these opportunities.
If your audience needs a fresh perspective on how to lead their team, their business or themselves through what appears to be unmanageable, this presentation is for them. They will learn how to R.E.B.U.I.L.D. their own path ahead after obstacles disrupt their goals, their plans, their teams’ culture and/or their expectations at work.
This R.E.B.U.I.L.D. formula will drive meaningful and measurable change because it will result in audience members becoming more energised, engaged, and productive, resulting in improved performance and a more vibrant work environment.
In this powerful keynote, audience members will learn practical techniques for:
* Adapting and Thriving in Change
By reshaping mindsets and learning how to nip negativity in the bud they can bring their most productive and optimistic selves to work. This contributes to the establishment of a psychologically safe workplace where change, connection and innovation are embraced.
* Resetting Priorities
How to effectively let go of unhelpful beliefs and unrealistic targets that no longer serve them so they can focus on relevant solutions when they are struggling to make progress.
* Driving Performance
When using the concept of micro-wins to acknowledge the small milestones that are accomplished, they will break through performance limitations and start to achieve significant goals that have previously felt unobtainable.
This presentation is based on the business strategies that Heidi herself learned from a catastrophic cyclone, including how to pick ourselves up, rebuild our dreams and expectations, and persevere when everything we have worked towards gets turned upside down.
Tough Times Don't Last. Resilient Professionals Do.
To have a resilient organisation we first need resilient leaders and teams.Tough Times Don't Last. Resilient Professionals Do.
This presentation has a unique perspective (one you have not heard before) on how your attendees can replenish their professional resilience resources so they can better deal with the curveballs and cannonballs that they can’t control.
Whether they are experiencing change fatigue, financial challenges, disengaged teams, or feelings of overwhelm, this impactful keynote will empower them with relevant, uplifting strategies that they can immediately implement. This will lead to an increase in productivity, more self-accountability and better clarity on how to persevere during challenging times.
As a result of this uplifting keynote, audience members will learn about:
* High-Performing Habits
The number one daily habit they need to prioritise to be able to safeguard themselves against performance pressure and an inability to switch off. This will lead to them being able to adapt more easily and deal more effectively with this ever-changing business environment.
* Tough Times Tolerance
When there are stressful projects, difficult colleagues or constant organisational change it is important to recognise the warning signs that indicate a lack of tolerance for tough times. This could be behaviour shifts, diminished productivity, or changes to physical and mental health.
* Power of Perseverance
How to proactively replenish their resilience resources with Heidi's signature 5-part formula that will help them to persevere and take action even if they feel like they have hit rock bottom or got close to it. This will mean they’ll be able to bend rather than break during high-pressure times.
This inspiring presentation is based on the resilience and perseverance insights Heidi learned from hitting rock bottom after petrol bombs were thrown at her room while leading a team in The Pacific, with the intention to burn her and her colleagues alive while they slept.
Thriving Teams: A Unique Recipe for High Performance
Creating a culture of high-performance does not come by accident. It requires the right ingredients and a commitment to improvement from an individual and team perspective.Thriving Teams: A Unique Recipe for High Performance
In this presentation, I will share how we can create a workplace where individuals feel more connected, heard, supported and valued, which leads to better performance and engagement within our teams.
During this enriching presentation, attendees will learn about the following three ingredients that create a recipe for high performance:
* Courage
The social, moral and emotional courage that we need at work and how we can create a more connected, energised and equitable team environment by having a diverse collection of these types of courage.
* Wellbeing
We can’t work at our fullest potential nor make a difference to the bottom line of our organisations if we are physically and mentally depleted. This 3-part wellbeing formula will show your attendees how to safeguard themselves against overload when they are in the midst of demanding work projects.
* Amplification
When we learn how to genuinely amplify the good contributions of our team members, we make them feel seen and heard, and when we feel seen and heard, we feel valued. This results in an environment where everyone works more effectively and efficiently together.
The performance outcomes that your attendees will take away from this presentation will not only make a difference to their professional future, but it will also give their organisation a competitive edge.
The Courage to ‘March Forward’: Driving Bold Action for an Equal Future
The theme "March Forward" calls us to take decisive, courageous steps to create a truly equal future for all women and girls. While the journey may have challenges, this is our moment to turn reflection into action and our commitments into progress.The Courage to ‘March Forward’: Driving Bold Action for an Equal Future
1: Courage – Taking Bold, Decisive Steps
True progress demands boldness and courage. Creating inclusive spaces and equal opportunities requires us to challenge the status quo and take decisive action, even when the path ahead feels uncertain.
Goal: To inspire attendees with stories of women who have demonstrated social, moral and emotional courage to drive change. Attendees will reflect on how they can adopt courageous approaches to make an immediate and lasting impact in their roles and workplaces.
2: Wellbeing – Sustaining Momentum for Progress
Sustained progress toward equity doesn’t happen in isolation; it requires the right strategies and habits to maintain energy and focus. That is why it is so important to embrace self-leadership qualities, so we have the drive and determination to keep moving forward without burning out.
Goal: To equip attendees with a practical strategy for avoiding change fatigue and ensuring they remain energised and effective as they champion inclusion and equity. This ensures they can contribute in meaningful ways for long-term impact.
3: Amplification – Driving Collective Change
Progress multiplies when we amplify the voices, achievements, and contributions of women and girls. Strengthening allyship and collaboration creates ripple effects that drive change far beyond our individual actions.
Goal: To highlight the power of collective action. Attendees will leave with practical ways to amplify the voices of women in their teams and communities, nurturing an environment where inclusion and equality flourish.
Video
Heidi Dening | International Women's Day Keynote - LVMH | Saxton Speakers
Heidi Dening | Million Dollar Round Table Keynote | Saxton Speakers
Heidi Dening | Cruise Liners International Assoc Conference | Saxton Speakers
Heidi Dening | Mortgage Choice Aspire Series | Saxton Speakers
Heidi is an inspiring and engaging storyteller who has turned her extraordinary experiences into practical, clear strategies which we can all implement immediately into our corporate lives. ... keep reading Real Estate Institute of NSW
Heidi has the unique ability to mesmerize her audience through her engaging storytelling that not only moves listeners to tears but also fills them with immense hope. Heidi is both a poised professional and a pure and calming presence who delivers her inspirational messages in a way that is interactive, memorable, and deeply impactful. She truly cares about her audience and tailors her session to ensure it encompasses the concerns of the attendees and the environments in which they live and work. I could not have imagined a better speaker to close out my virtual Women of Real Estate conference which had attendees from our US, Canada, Asia and Europe offices. The world could learn a lot from Heidi and her resilient, yet compassionate spirit. She is a delight on and off the stage!
I see a lot of speakers and every so often, one stands out and you remember them. Heidi is a standout for me.
Superb storytelling, audience interaction, emotional rollercoaster, practical takeaways - your keynote had everything.
What really stood out was her ability to bring fun and engagement as well as practical takeaways.
Heidi was absolutely outstanding. Her story, along with her ability to connect with the audience makes her one of the most inspiring and engaging speakers I’ve seen in years. Thank you Heidi for your rawness, honesty and resilience, you truly are an inspiration!
There are at least two things that differentiate Heidi's work from that of many others who are out there presenting on the same or similar topics. The first is her passion and skill in engaging her audience. In a word, she presents with heart. Secondly, she presents clear, specific and practical tips and strategies, including calls to action, ensuring that her content is brought to life.
Heidi gave keynotes over 4 days for our virtual event at Service NSW. The experience with Heidi was amazing. From the initial contact to the actual keynote at our events, everything felt so personal. Our employees loved Heidi's energy, her story and the very practical tips she shared. She clearly cares about her clients and will go out of her way to tailor a keynote that works for you. We are so grateful for Heidi at a time when resilience is key.
Heidi hosted a presentation for our staff, and honestly, I've never seen a more engaged and inspired audience! During a time when staff needed respite from the array of challenges, Heidi was a shining light - so authentic and genuine in her delivery and sharing her story with such warmth and vulnerability. Thank you Heidi for sharing such timely messages and inspiring our staff to pause and take some time to care for themselves.
