Johanne Penney

Johanne Penney is a globally recognised inclusion strategist and the founder and CEO of Amp Up Your Voice Ltd, a multi-award-winning leadership and culture consultancy partnering with executive leadership teams, boards, and senior decision-makers to embed inclusion into the core of their organisational strategy. A former law graduate whose career was derailed by racial discrimination, Johanne rebuilt her path with one mantra: Think Big. Today, she advises leaders across corporate, public, charitable, and creative sectors, from global brands and FTSE organisations to scaling founders and membership bodies, helping them to build cultures rooted in belonging, accountability, and measurable impact. Her work moves inclusion beyond performative gestures and into sustainable business strategy. She specialises in succession planning, sponsorship pipelines, psychological safety, cultural competency, executive influence, and systemic culture change, ensuring equity becomes embedded in decision-making, not siloed in HR. Johanne’s clients and collaborators include Spotify, Red Bull, Barclays, BAE Systems, Trainline, Innocent Drinks, the NHS, as well as major charities and public institutions. Her programmes range from executive advisory retainers and board strategy sessions to high-impact keynotes and large-scale leadership development programmes. Beyond her consultancy, Johanne sits on the board of Bold Waters, a social impact movement using nature and open water to build confidence, connection, and long-term change. Through her EDI Strategy and Community Engagement role, she supports efforts to address inequities in access to swimming and outdoor spaces, particularly for communities historically excluded from aquatic environments. Johanne’s work sits at the intersection of strategy and soul helping leaders build institutions that are not only commercially strong, but culturally courageous. As a keynote speaker, Johanne is known for her compelling storytelling, strategic clarity, and ability to challenge audiences with warmth and authority. She speaks on topics such as inclusive leadership in complex systems, psychological safety as a performance strategy, and culture transformation in times of change. A positive disruptor, Johanne consistently delivers impactful results for her clients, many of whom return for her ongoing expertise and unwavering dedication to creating lasting change.