Hayley Podschun

Broadway performer and inspiring speaker Hayley Podschun brings confidence, adaptability, and standout presence from the stage to the boardroom.

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Not every day do you get to say that Glinda the Good Witch from Wicked was your keynote speaker… but we did. And Hayley Podschun was pure magic. A Broadway and screen powerhouse, Hayley brought charm, energy, and wisdom to the stage—but what truly resonated was her story of determination. She auditioned for the role of Glinda six times over several years. She didn’t give up. She knew the role was meant for her—and on the sixth try, she got the call. Her message? Do whatever it takes. Whether you’re onstage, backstage, or navigating your own career path—show up, stay ready, and keep going. Hayley reminded us that resilience isn’t about avoiding rejection or setbacks—it’s about pushing through them. It’s about hard work, heart, and believing in yourself even when the answer is “not yet.” Thank you, Hayley, for your honesty, humour, and for reminding us that with grit and grace, we really can step into the roles we were born to play.

Joanne Henry

Account Executive, Conference Direct

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Book Hayley

Non-binding request for Hayley Podschun

Call us

+1 347 223 5128 +44 20 3744 5675

Why book Hayley Podschun for your next event

Hayley Podschun delivers high-energy keynotes that translate Broadway performance skills into practical tools for confidence, adaptability, and presence.
With experience across Broadway, film, television, and live hosting, Hayley Podschun connects authentically with diverse audiences and industries.
Hayley Podschun combines humor, heart, and real backstage insight to help teams perform at their highest level under pressure.

Non-binding request for Hayley Podschun

Broadway powerhouse performer turning stage experience into real-world confidence and leadership

Hayley Podschun is a Broadway performer, screen actor, and sought-after speaker who brings spark, honesty, and momentum to every stage she steps on. From Times Square to corporate ballrooms, she is known for her magnetic presence and her ability to connect performance lessons to real-life leadership and teamwork. With a career that began professionally at age ten, Hayley has learned how to navigate change, pressure, and reinvention at the highest level. Today, she shares those lessons with organizations looking to build confidence, resilience, and authentic performance when it matters most.

Hayley Podschun: From Broadway Stages to Business Impact

Hayley Podschun has built a career defined by versatility, courage, and commitment to excellence. Originally from Overland Park, Kansas, she began working professionally at the age of ten and quickly learned what it means to show up prepared, adaptable, and ready to deliver. Those early lessons shaped a performer who understands pressure, teamwork, and the power of presence.

Today, Hayley Podschun brings that same mindset into her work as a speaker, helping professionals across industries understand how performance principles can elevate leadership, communication, and confidence. Her sessions are grounded in real experience, offering insight into how to stay focused, flexible, and impactful even when expectations are high.

Broadway Excellence and Career Highlights

On Broadway, Hayley Podschun has appeared in a wide range of productions that demand precision, stamina, and collaboration. Her credits include Hello, Dolly!, Something Rotten!, Hairspray, Chaplin, Anything Goes, Sunday in the Park with George, Pal Joey, and The Sound of Music. She also played the iconic role of Glinda in the National Tour of Wicked, a performance that requires emotional intelligence, vocal strength, and consistency night after night.

Off-Broadway, she originated the title role in Freckleface Strawberry, further showcasing her ability to create memorable characters from the ground up. Her New York stage work also includes productions with Encores!, Classic Stage Company, and The York Theatre. Across these projects, Hayley Podschun has developed a deep understanding of ensemble work, leadership without hierarchy, and how individual excellence strengthens collective success.

Screen Work and National Recognition

In addition to her stage career, Hayley Podschun has built a strong presence on screen. Her film and television credits include Hairspray for New Line Cinema, Fleishman Is in Trouble on Hulu, Girls5Eva on Peacock, Louie on FX, and The Blacklist on NBC. Each project required her to adapt quickly to new environments, creative teams, and expectations.

Regionally, she has led productions across the United States, earning a Helen Hayes Award nomination and starring in roles such as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde and Maria in The Sound of Music. These experiences reinforce her understanding of what it takes to lead, collaborate, and deliver excellence in constantly changing conditions.

Speaking Topics Rooted in Real Performance

As a speaker, Hayley Podschun draws directly from her 360-degree career in entertainment. She offers practical, engaging insights into confidence, adaptability, and high-performance mindset. Her talks focus on how individuals and teams can prepare effectively, handle uncertainty, and stay present when the spotlight is on.

Audiences connect with Hayley Podschun because her stories are honest, relatable, and immediately applicable. She translates backstage lessons into tools that professionals can use in meetings, presentations, leadership roles, and moments of change. Her approach blends humor with clarity, ensuring that messages are both memorable and actionable.

Performing under pressure and staying grounded
Embracing change and navigating uncertainty
Building confidence through preparation and authenticity

Host, Mentor, and Trusted Presence

Beyond performing and speaking, Hayley Podschun is a dynamic Guest Host on QVC and a trusted event emcee for national corporations. In these roles, she demonstrates sharp communication skills, warmth, and the ability to engage audiences in real time. She is also a passionate mentor and coach, supporting the next generation of performers as they build sustainable, confident careers.

When organizations book Hayley Podschun for their event, they gain a speaker who understands how performance, mindset, and human connection intersect. Her sessions leave audiences energized, focused, and better equipped to step into their roles with clarity and confidence.

Book Hayley Podschun for Your Event

Hayley Podschun brings Broadway-level preparation, authenticity, and presence to conferences and corporate events nationwide. Her unique perspective helps leaders and teams perform at their best, adapt with grace, and lead with confidence when it matters most. Book Hayley Podschun for your event to deliver an experience that inspires action long after the applause fades.

Customer Reviews

Joanne Henry Account Executive, Conference Direct

Keynotes

Keynote by Hayley Podschun:

Whatever It Takes: The Broadway Attitude to Achieve Your Biggest Dreams and Overcome the Unexpected with Ease

Hayley Podschun has been a professional actor since the age of 10 and on Broadway since the age of 12. With eight Broadway shows including starring as Glinda in Wicked, two national tours, and film & television credits, Hayley knows what it takes to adapt and thrive through constant change.

She has mastered the "Whatever It Takes" attitude that is crucial to succeeding in one of the most competitive industries in the world.

In her keynote, Hayley shares the mindset and strategies that helped her achieve her dream of performing on Broadway, a feat few can attain. Drawing from her experiences in high-pressure, ever-changing environments, she reveals how embracing this powerful attitude allows you to overcome obstacles, tackle challenges head-on, and make your biggest dreams a reality.

Hayley’s insights will empower your team to take on adversity with confidence and ease, unlocking the tools needed to navigate obstacles and transform challenges into stepping stones toward success.

Whether striving for a personal or professional goal, this inspiring and high-energy talk will ignite audiences to adopt the Broadway attitude and achieve greatness no matter what it takes.

And yes - just like when she took flight as Glinda - Hayley believes everyone deserves the chance to fly!

What Attendees Will Learn from Hayley Podschun’s Keynote:

How to mentally prepare for high-stakes moments before they happen
Hayley shares that big opportunities often arrive without warning no script, no rehearsal, just go. Attendees will learn how to recognize those “one second” moments and step in with intention instead of hesitation.
How to respond with resilience when everything goes wrong
Hayley shares behind-the-scenes stories from her Broadway career, including what it’s like to perform live when things go off-script and unplanned. Attendees will learn how to stay composed, recover quickly, and keep moving forward when the unexpected threatens to derail their performance onstage or at work.
How to apply “The Show Must Go On” as a mindset for navigating uncertainty
Hayley reframes this iconic phrase as more than a saying - it’s a way of operating under pressure. Attendees will learn how to trust their preparation, stay present, and show up consistently even when things aren’t perfect.
How to keep showing up after rejection again and again
Hayley tells the story of auditioning six times over six years for her dream role of Glinda in Wicked despite being told she’d never get it. Audiences will learn how to process discouragement without giving up, and how to keep moving forward with grit and purpose.
How to adopt a “Whatever It Takes” approach to achieving big goals
Hayley introduces the phrase she uses to power through challenges - “Whatever It Takes”. Attendees will learn how to stay committed, flexible, and open to growth even when the path forward doesn’t look how they expected.