In a world craving connection, humanity is our greatest leadership skill.
Uppma Virdi is a speaker, writer, journalist and entrepreneur known for creating powerful conversations around culture, belonging, leadership and human connection.
Originally trained as a lawyer, Uppma left the legal profession to found Chai Walli, a globally recognised tea company inspired by the Ayurvedic blends and rituals passed down through generations of her family in India. What began as a way to preserve culture through tea has evolved into a broader mission centred around storytelling, community and creating spaces where people feel seen, heard and connected.
Today, Uppma speaks across corporate, government and community sectors on topics including workplace culture, identity, burnout, authentic leadership and modern wellbeing. Blending lived experience with thought-provoking storytelling, she challenges audiences to rethink the way we lead, connect and navigate the modern world.
Alongside her speaking and entrepreneurial work, Uppma is also a writer whose commentary and writing are regularly featured in publications including The Age. Her work explores culture, identity, migration, wellbeing and the evolving nature of community and leadership in modern society.
Known for her warmth, honesty and emotionally intelligent approach, Uppma has built a reputation for facilitating courageous conversations that are both deeply reflective and practically impactful. Her work explores the intersections of culture, self-awareness, entrepreneurship and belonging, encouraging audiences to move beyond performative ideas of inclusion and towards genuine human connection.
As a first-generation migrant, Uppma’s journey has been shaped by navigating multiple worlds, challenging expectations and redefining success on her own terms. Her work continues to inspire individuals and organisations to lead with greater courage, curiosity and authenticity.
Uppma’s work and leadership have been recognised internationally through accolades including Forbes 30 Under 30, CNN’s 40 Under 40, Business Woman of the Year by the Indian Australian Business Community Awards, and recognition from DFAT and the Australian High Commission as a Guest of Honour for International Women’s Day in India.
Talking Points
The Culture We Carry
Identity, Belonging and Human Connection in Modern WorkplacesThe Culture We Carry
In a world increasingly shaped by burnout, disconnection and rapid change, people are searching for more than productivity. They are searching for belonging.
Drawing from her lived experience as a first-generation migrant, entrepreneur and former lawyer, Uppma Virdi explores how culture shapes the way we lead, communicate and connect. Through powerful storytelling and practical insight, she challenges organisations to move beyond performative inclusion and create workplaces where people feel psychologically safe, valued and fully human.
This keynote invites audiences to rethink workplace culture through the lens of empathy, curiosity and genuine connection.
Key Takeaways
- How belonging shapes leadership, wellbeing and workplace culture
- Why human connection is critical in modern organisations
- Practical ways to build more inclusive and psychologically safe teams
- How cultural awareness strengthens communication and collaboration
The Chai Walli Story
Reimagining Success, Identity and PurposeThe Chai Walli Story
After leaving a promising legal career to preserve her family’s tea traditions, Uppma Virdi built Chai Walli into a globally recognised brand grounded in culture, storytelling and community.
But this is not just a story about entrepreneurship. It is a story about challenging expectations, redefining success and having the courage to create a life aligned with your values.
Through honesty, humour and reflection, Uppma shares the realities of navigating cultural pressure, uncertainty and reinvention in a world that often rewards conformity over authenticity.
Key Takeaways
- How to redefine success on your own terms
- Lessons in courage, reinvention and purpose-led leadership
- The role of culture and identity in shaping our choices
- Why authenticity is essential for meaningful leadership
The Invisible Load
Burnout, Chronic Illness and the Cost of Being “Fine”The Invisible Load
What happens when high performance comes at the expense of our health, identity and humanity?
In this deeply personal keynote, Uppma shares her experience navigating endometriosis, burnout and the invisible pressures many people carry behind closed doors. Blending lived experience with broader conversations around workplace culture, gender and wellbeing, she explores the emotional and physical toll of constantly pushing through.
This keynote is a powerful reflection on resilience, self-awareness and the urgent need to create healthier, more human ways of living and working.
Key Takeaways
- The hidden emotional impact of burnout and invisible illness
- Why many people feel pressure to keep performing while struggling
- How workplaces can better support wellbeing and psychological safety
- Practical ways to reconnect with ourselves and each other
Beyond Diversity
Building Cultures of Curiosity, Courage and Real InclusionBeyond Diversity
Diversity and inclusion cannot exist as policies alone. They must be lived through everyday conversations, behaviours and leadership.
In this thought-provoking keynote, Uppma explores what meaningful inclusion actually looks like in practice. Through personal stories and practical insight, she challenges audiences to move beyond performative diversity and towards cultures grounded in empathy, accountability and curiosity.
This keynote encourages leaders and teams to embrace discomfort, ask better questions and create spaces where people genuinely feel seen and valued.
Key Takeaways
- The difference between performative and meaningful inclusion
- Why curiosity is one of the most important leadership skills
- How to foster cultures of belonging and trust
- Practical ways to navigate difficult conversations with empathy
Rituals That Connect Us
What Tea, Storytelling and Culture Teach Us About Being HumanRituals That Connect Us
Across cultures, rituals have always brought people together. Whether through tea, storytelling or shared moments of pause, rituals remind us how deeply human connection matters.
Inspired by the traditions passed down through generations of her family, Uppma explores how ritual and intentional connection can help us navigate modern life with greater presence, meaning and care.
Blending storytelling, culture and reflection, this keynote invites audiences to slow down, reconnect and rethink what truly sustains us in a fast-moving world.
Key Takeaways
- Why rituals matter in modern life and leadership
- The role of storytelling in building connection and community
- How intentional moments strengthen teams and relationships
- Practical ways to foster deeper connection in everyday life
The Cost of Being “Fine”
Women’s Health, Mental Health and the Pressure to Keep GoingThe Cost of Being “Fine”
For many women, pain is normalised, exhaustion is minimised and mental health struggles are carried quietly behind high performance, caregiving and everyday life.
In this deeply honest keynote, Uppma Virdi shares her personal experience navigating endometriosis, OCD, burnout and the emotional toll of constantly trying to hold everything together while appearing “fine” on the outside. Through vulnerability, humour and reflection, she explores the invisible pressures many women experience and the ways modern culture often rewards overworking, self-sacrifice and silence.
Blending lived experience with broader conversations around women’s wellbeing, workplace culture and mental health, this keynote creates space for more compassionate and honest conversations about what it truly means to care for ourselves and each other.
This is a powerful conversation about resilience, identity, boundaries and the importance of creating lives, workplaces and communities where people feel safe enough to ask for support before reaching breaking point.
Key Takeaways
- The hidden emotional impact of chronic illness and mental health struggles
- Why many women feel pressure to minimise their pain and keep performing
- How workplace culture can better support women’s health and wellbeing
- The importance of vulnerability, boundaries and sustainable living
- Practical ways to create more compassionate and psychologically safe environments
Video
Chai 101 with Uppma Virdi from Chai Walli | Video | SBS Originals
"We call ourselves the chai crusaders and we’re on a mission to rid the world of bad chai." Meet the amazingly talented Uppma Virdi, creator and owner of locally made Chai Walli.Uppma Virdi, Young Alumni of the Year 2020
Uppma Virdi built her company Chai Walli in Australia from the ground up, a tea business focused on bringing the most authentic Indian Ayurvedic teas to the world. She became an accidental entrepreneur while she was working as a commercial lawyer, when her side hustle became bigger than she’d ever imagined. This prompted Uppma to take the leap from corporate lawyer to grow her business and educate people about chai through workshops, educational services, and social media. She is passionate about equality and diversity. Her company, Chai Walli has won many awards for their masala chai and tea range.Uppma presented at the Women Leading the Way Breakfast as part of our Family Business Conference program and was incredibly professional to work with. Her talk was authentic, grounded and pu ... keep reading Family Business Association
I had the pleasure of working with Uppma Virdi through her involvement in the Kaurs Rising AmplifyHER panel and as a contributor to our Empowerment Totes. Uppma brings a powerful combination of passion, authenticity and purpose to everything she does. Her openness and honesty created a genuine connection with the audience and added real depth to the conversation. What truly sets Uppma apart is her ability to create space for honest dialogue while leading with empathy, integrity and intention.
Uppma's Chai making workshop via Zoom was absolutely fantastic and very informative. We had a number of Box Hill Institute students and staff join, and everyone enjoyed it so much. Not only because she has a great passion for good quality-authentic chai, it was also wonderful to know how it makes a difference in flavour when brewed properly. And sharing a nice afternoon tea time with everyone, with our beautiful chai, was one of the best online experiences. Thanks Uppma!!
Working with Uppma and the Chai Walli team was a terrific experience for my team and clients. Uppma’s knowledge and professionalism in how chai is central to discussions on culture, place and belonging was a highlight of a recent bi-lateral Australia/India program. We were thrilled to incorporate a chai pack to all participants and a pre-recovered presentation on chai and the role of chai in Uppma’s story and family. Would happily work with her and her team again - the chai also happens to be delicious!
What a treat it was to have Uppma to present at Yarra Valley Water for International Women's Day 2020! It was a warm and rich event with some beautiful chai prepared where Uppma talked us through her journey and the challenges she encountered as both a woman and the child of a migrant family. Her challenge to the audience was to use the opportunity of leadership provided to all of us – regardless of role – to influence change. Thank you Uppma!
Uppma Virdi has provided an exquisite experience to our flagship Asialink Leaders Program. Speaking authentically and expertly on cross-cultural entrepreneurship, she has engaged groups of senior leaders in virtual Chai-making and tasting - leaving them not just with an appreciation for Chai, but a deeper understanding of the cultural context. Not only is Uppma a stellar presenter; her audiences can tell she comes from the heart. A self-professed 'Chai crusader', she brings ancient Ayurvedic wisdom in hypermodern ways to an Australian audience We look forward to having Uppma and Chai Walli back, and warmly recommend her work.
The Be Your Own Best Friend Network was pleased to host a speaking engagement with Uppma Virdi in British Columbia, Canada. Uppma spoke to a group of WOC about her journey as an entrepreneur and how she's harnessed empowerment and connection to grow herself and her business. Uppma is a natural born leader and through her presentation you can see she is also passionate about inspiring positive change. The attendees left feeling inspired and with tangible action items to help them succeed in their own endeavours.
At Accenture Australia, we invited Uppma Virdi to be a panelist at our International Women’s Day event in Sydney, and what a fantastic decision that was. As the Gender Network lead (organizing this event) I found Uppma to be refreshingly approachable pre-event. As a speaker, Uppma was edgy and sensational whilst remaining, grounded in her stories and experiences – much like her own Chaiwalli brand. If you are looking for authenticity, representation, and eloquence in a speaker, look no further. Uppma’s artistic ability to dive into her culture to explain the hardest truths in and outside of the workplace is a must-have for any culture that encourages critical thinking and diversity of thought and action.
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