Abi Adamson
Transform workplace culture with Abi Adamson, workplace culture expert and SERN™ Framework creator. Abi helps leaders navigate difficult conversations to drive inclusion and belonging, providing actionable strategies for cultural transformation. Recognized as one of the UK's Top Workplace Culture Experts and now a TEDx speaker, Abi has partnered with hundreds of organizations globally, including Spotify, Sony Music, and Match Group.
Washington, United States
Enquire Now
Send us your event details
.svg){kind=icon}
Abi delivered her TEDx talk "Who Owns Culture?" in 2025 and authored Culture Blooming: Nurturing Workplaces Where People Grow, published by Berrett-Koehler in 2026. She has partnered with organizations worldwide, including Google, Spotify, and Sony Music, providing leaders with practical frameworks for workplace transformation.
In her sessions, Abi guides leaders through the difficult conversations that create lasting cultural change. Her lived experience as a Black woman navigating corporate environments gives her insights that no textbook can teach and her easy-going approach means people actually look forward to doing the hard work of culture change. Leaders walk away with the knowhow to shift from a mindset of cultural ownership to one of stewardship and create environments where everyone feels safe to take risks, challenge ideas, and admit mistakes, because that's where innovation lives.
Book Abi to move your organization from performative culture statements to genuine workplace transformation that drives retention and performance.
Topics, Sessions And Talks
In this session, Abi Adamson discusses how the obsession with controlling workplace culture is detrimental to its growth. She argues that culture should be nurtured rather than dictated, as attempts to manage it often lead to poor results. Drawing from her TEDx talk and global consultancy, Abi encourages leaders to shift from ownership to stewardship. Attendees will learn how to empower their teams to actively shape culture, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.
Abi Adamson discusses the need to move beyond performative initiatives to foster environments where diverse talent truly thrives. Many organizations mistake activity for progress, implementing initiatives that fail to change the underlying culture. Through her SERN™ Framework, Abi reveals the gap between stated values and actual experiences, illustrating how culture functions as a living ecosystem. Attendees will learn practical tools to cultivate workplaces that fulfill their promises, enabling individuals to flourish rather than merely survive.
Abi Adamson presents practical frameworks for navigating sensitive discussions on identity, equity, and belonging, emphasizing the importance of honest yet compassionate dialogue. Many leaders struggle with difficult conversations, often causing more harm than good. Abi's unique approach encourages leaders to invite participation instead of calling people out, ensuring uncomfortable truths are addressed while fostering an inclusive environment. Attendees will gain actionable strategies and the confidence to engage in tough conversations, ultimately driving meaningful change.
Abi Adamson discusses the importance of creating psychological safety in teams, emphasizing that it goes beyond being nice or conflict avoidance. She provides practical strategies for fostering environments where individuals can express themselves freely, take risks, and challenge ideas without fear. Attendees will learn actionable tools to shift their teams from self-protection to genuine contribution and growth, ultimately driving innovation within their organizations.
In this session, Abi Adamson shares how we can shift from passive support to active advocacy, highlighting that allyship is a commitment rather than a label. She argues that true allyship involves taking action, especially when it comes at a personal cost. Abi challenges attendees to transition from silent solidarity to visible, accountable advocacy, even in uncomfortable situations. Participants will gain a clear understanding of active allyship and learn how to build meaningful, impactful bridges across differences.
Abi Adamson discusses the crucial distinction between being included in discussions and having the power to influence outcomes. She highlights that many organizations celebrate inclusion without ensuring that marginalized voices truly matter. Abi examines how to elevate these voices from mere presence to impactful contributors, fostering cultures where diverse perspectives shape decisions. Attendees will learn to differentiate between performative inclusion and genuine power, gaining insights on how to bridge this gap within their own organizations.
.svg)
Book
.svg)
.svg)
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about booking an expert speaker, facilitator, host or entertainment for your event.
- If you'd like to book one of our expert speakers, email us at hello@peptalk.com, send us a chat message or give us a call, and we’ll help you out.
- We’ll take your event details — topic, audience, budget, date, and location — and create a custom speaker proposal for you within 48 hours.
- If you already have someone in mind, that’s okay too; just let us know their name! Even if they aren't listed publicly on our website, we have a huge network and work with almost everyone.
- Once you've reviewed our speaker propsal and have selected and expert shortlist, we'll double check availability and fees with your chosen expert.
- You're welcome to have a chemistry call with the speaker before making the final decision, too.
- Next, we'll send out contracts to confirm the booking. One of our experienced event producers will liase with both you and the talent on the finer details, and arrange travel if necessary, taking the stress off your plate.
Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. We work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.
We do not accommodate requests for birthday messages or any other personal, non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.
We work with speakers across a variety of fee ranges, giving you the flexibility to choose someone who fits your event's needs. Virtual keynote fees in the UK and Europe typically start at £2,000, while in-person top-tier speakers can reach £25,000. In the US, virtual in-person fees range from $5,000 to over $100,000, depending on the speaker and format, such as after-dinner talks, conference keynotes, Q&As, or podcasts. Comedians generally start at £1,500 or $2,000 for a 20-minute set.
Our goal is to help you find the speaker who best matches your event’s goals and budget. We take the time to understand your event, objectives, and audience to recommend the right fit. The most expensive option isn’t always the best one, and our priority is finding the ideal speaker or expert for your needs; not the highest-priced one.
Reach out for personalised recommendations and detailed information on specific speaker fees. We’re here to offer a tailored service and are always happy to discuss your unique requirements!
There’s no additional cost for our services beyond the speaker fee — simply contact us to find the right speaker for your next business or team event. We can also work with your corporate procurement team to negotiate favourable long-term rates, simply email hello@getapeptalk.com for more information.
Partnering with PepTalk means elevating your events with our curated roster of top motivational speakers, industry experts, delivering punchy keynotes that leave a lasting impact. From talent selection, to contracts and logistics, we handle it all. We have global expert network, with over 3000 speakers from over 33 countries on our line-up.
We also provide a full range of talent, from event hosts and moderators to interviewers and corporate entertainment, ensuring your event’s success from start to finish.
PepTalk workshops are interactive learning experiences for leaders at all levels, blending theory with practical insights from industry experts. These programs, led by experienced facilitators, are designed to drive real mindset changes and equip participants with actionable skills. Workshops can be customised to meet your organisation's specific needs. Explore our workshop examples and contact us today to learn how your team can benefit.
If you notice something that needs attention or have any queries regarding an expert speaker profile, feel free to email us at experts@getapeptalk.com, and we’ll be happy to assist.