Available to book
Joeli Brearley
Gender Equality
Diversity and Inclusion
Future of Work
Transform workplace equality with Joeli Brearley, speaker, activist and discrimination expert. Joeli works with organisations to address motherhood penalty and gender bias, delivering impactful change recognised by British Vogue and honoured with an MBE.
Inspirational Female
International Women's Day
Women's History Month
Female Empowerment
Human Rights
Thought Leader
Humanitarian
Inclusion
Author
Public Relations
Joeli Brearley is a prominent British activist, author, and public speaker, best known as the founder of Pregnant Then Screwed, a charity dedicated to addressing workplace discrimination and the motherhood penalty. Her work has inspired changes at both societal and legislative levels. She is credited with influencing the recent £5.2 billion investment in childcare, as well as changing laws on flexible working, tribunal time limits, and redundancy protections.
In 2021, she took the Government to court for indirect sex discrimination and won her claim. Joeli spearheaded the biggest protest of mothers the UK has ever seen - March of the Mummies saw 15,000 parents march across 10 UK cities, garnering nationwide attention for demanding workplace equality and better policies for parents. Joeli has been recognised for her influence in activism and gender equality.
She was listed among British Vogue’s “25 Most Influential Women” in 2021 and was PR Week’s 8th most prominent British communicator in 2023, and was awarded an MBE in the 2024 New Year Honours. She frequently contributes to high-profile publications, raising awareness about the systemic challenges working mothers face. Her book, Pregnant Then Screwed: The Truth About the Motherhood Penalty, has been lauded for its candid exploration of these issues and for empowering women to fight back against discrimination. Joeli remains a tireless advocate for creating a fairer, more inclusive workplace for women everywhere.
Topics, sessions and talks
Joeli Brearley will delve into the motherhood penalty, highlighting its significance for businesses and the workplace. She will share real stories from mothers, present compelling data on the issue, and discuss the business case for addressing it. Attendees will learn about pregnancy discrimination, gender bias, and effective strategies to attract and retain talented women. Joeli will also provide actionable steps to support parents at work and improve the motherhood penalty both professionally and personally.
Joeli Brearley will share her insights on campaigning for legislative change, drawing from her extensive experience in advocacy. She will discuss effective strategies for mobilising support, engaging stakeholders, and navigating the political landscape. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge on how to influence policy and drive meaningful change in their communities, equipping them with the tools needed to make a significant impact in their advocacy efforts.
Joeli Brearley will explore how to leverage social media to foster genuine connections with your audience, community, and customers. She will share insights on creating authentic engagement and building trust through effective online communication. Attendees will learn practical strategies for enhancing their social media presence, understanding their audience better, and cultivating meaningful relationships that drive loyalty and support. Join Joeli to discover the power of authenticity in social media interactions.
Book Joeli Brearley to inspire your team with her powerful insights on workplace equality and the motherhood penalty. Her compelling stories and proven advocacy will motivate change, foster inclusivity, and empower your organisation to champion gender equality. Don’t miss the chance to learn from a true leader in activism.
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frequently asked questions
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Email joeli.brearley@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Joeli's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
Joeli Brearley structures her sessions around a combination of first-person testimony from mothers affected by pregnancy discrimination and workplace bias, paired with data on the motherhood penalty to build an evidence-based case for organisational change.
Joeli Brearley MBE speaks on the motherhood penalty and pregnancy discrimination, campaigning for legislative change, and using social media to build authentic audience connection. She founded Pregnant Then Screwed and is credited with influencing the £5.2 billion government investment in childcare, winning a 2021 indirect sex discrimination case against the Government, and organising the March of the Mummies, which brought 15,000 parents onto the streets across ten UK cities.
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