Antoinette Oglethorpe Keynote Speaker

Gold Stevie® Award – Mentor/Coach of the Year – Business (2022)
Runner-Up – Leadership Book of the Year, Institute of Leadership (2023)
Launched Certified Career Conversations Facilitator Programme (2024)

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Antoinette Oglethorpe's Biography

Antoinette Oglethorpe is an award-winning speaker, bestselling author, and globally recognised authority on career development, mentoring, and leadership growth. With over 25 years of experience, she has helped organisations – including the United Nations, World Health Organisation, NHS, and Fortune 500 companies – unlock the full potential of their people through innovative career development strategies. She is the author of both “Confident Career Conversations,” a book lauded for empowering managers to support employees’ growth and retention, and “Grow Your Geeks,” which challenges conventional approaches to developing technical specialists into impactful leaders.

A passionate advocate for talent empowerment, Antoinette offers practical, research-backed insights that reshape how leaders and employees navigate career paths in today’s fast-changing world. Her dynamic and engaging style, blended with storytelling and real-world examples, resonates with diverse audiences—whether at global conferences, HR summits, or leadership forums.

Drawing on her experience in multiple sectors, Antoinette equips leaders with the confidence and skills to champion employee development, while inspiring individuals to take ownership of their careers. She delivers actionable, thought-provoking content that catalyses organisational success, from fostering multi-generational mentoring programs to shaping cultures of continuous learning.

Based in the UK, Antoinette travels internationally to deliver keynotes, workshops, and masterclasses. She is regularly featured in Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and Fast Company for her insights on career development and leadership in the modern workplace.

The New Career Ladder: Why Lateral Moves and Skills-Based Growth Are the Future

The traditional corporate ladder is fading. This keynote explores how organisations and employees can embrace a more flexible, skills-driven approach to career growth that fosters engagement, agility, and long-term success.

The Power of Career Conversations: How Leaders Can Unlock Potential and Retain Talent

Research shows that career conversations are the key to engagement and retention. This session provides a practical framework for leaders to empower employees, address career uncertainty, and drive performance.

Future-Proofing Your Workforce: Career Development Strategies for a Changing World

Organisations that fail to invest in career development risk losing top talent. This keynote highlights forward-thinking career strategies that align employee aspirations with business needs.

Career Ownership in a Hybrid World: Helping Employees Take Charge of Their Professional Development

As remote and hybrid work reshape careers, employees must take greater responsibility for their professional growth. This keynote empowers individuals to navigate their careers proactively, with leaders as their guides.

Attract and retain female talent - Fearless Females 2018 | Antoinette Oglethorpe

Antoinette Oglethorpe Keynote Speaker: Inspiring talks specialising in career management & mentoring

Articles, Media & Podcasts

This is how managers can have effective conversations with their Gen Z employees

A Blessing And A Curse: How Can Leaders Manage Their Egos?

How to Talk to Your Boss About Your Career Development

Books by Antoinette Oglethorpe

Confident Career Conversations. Empower your employees for career growth and retention

Grow Your Geeks. A Handbook for Developing Leaders in High-Tech Organisations

Comments & Testimonials

“Antoinette delivered a highly successful and insightful presentation at our ‘Reinventing HR’ conference. Her professionalism and dedication led to thought-provoking discussions among attendees, adding immense value to the event.”

Nourain Ismail Training Coordinator, Egyptian Banking Institute

“Antoinette’s keynote at Career Week 2023 was brilliant. Her perspective on career development, ownership, and career conversations received outstanding feedback from participants, who found her insights practical and inspiring.”

Binta Camara Manager, Talent & Career Development, World Bank Group

“Antoinette, thank you so much for your incredible keynote at ICRC Career Week. The impact you had was truly remarkable – we could have heard a pin drop in the virtual room as our colleagues were completely captivated by your message. It was exactly the guidance we wanted to provide to our line managers and staff. With 264 colleagues in attendance - our highest turnout of the week - your wisdom, energy, and dedication to fostering great career conversations left a lasting impression. We can’t thank you enough and look forward to working with you again!”

Dannette Haley Head of People and Career Development, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)