Non-binding request for Joeli Brearley
Joeli Brearley
Joeli Brearley empowers companies to tackle workplace inequality, her activism helped secure £5.2B in UK childcare reform.
5.00 of 5
Top rated!
Why book Joeli Brearley for your next event
- She orchestrated the largest demonstration of working parents in British history, March of the Mummies, mobilizing over 15,000 people across 10 cities. This monumental act of public advocacy brought national media attention to the struggles faced by working families. Joeli’s keynote unpacks how powerful storytelling, purpose-led action, and pressure for change can translate into a corporate culture that reflects employee values and enhances brand trust.
- Joeli Brearley played a pivotal role in securing a £5.2 billion UK Government investment in childcare, driving one of the most significant policy shifts for working families in recent years. In her keynote, she translates this policy-level impact into practical strategies for companies looking to strengthen employee retention, build parent-friendly cultures, and stay ahead in the competition for diverse talent.
- Joeli took the UK Government to court for indirect sex discrimination and won. Her landmark legal victory became a catalyst for change in flexible working policies and workplace protections. Through her keynote, Joeli offers invaluable insight into legal risk mitigation, policy development, and how organizations can proactively lead the way on workplace equity rather than react to it.
Non-binding request for Joeli Brearley
Breaking Barriers: The Fight for Working Mothers’ Rights
Book the UK’s leading voice on workplace equality, MBE-awarded activist and bestselling author who drove £5.2B in childcare reform. Her keynote empowers businesses to build inclusive, parent-friendly cultures that attract, retain, and elevate top talent.
Keynote speaker Joeli Brearley is one of the UK’s most influential voices on workplace equality, gender bias, and parental rights. As the founder of the award-winning charity Pregnant Then Screwed, Joeli has become a driving force in reshaping how organizations support working parents. Her relentless advocacy led to a historic £5.2 billion government investment in childcare and crucial reforms in flexible working, redundancy protections, and tribunal access.
With her compelling blend of activism, policy influence, and real-world insight, Joeli delivers transformative keynotes that resonate with leadership teams, HR professionals, and DEI strategists. From leading the UK’s largest protest of mothers to successfully challenging the government in court for sex discrimination, Joeli’s expertise is grounded in action and results.
Joeli’s bestselling book and her recognition as one of British Vogue’s “25 Most Influential Women” further reinforce her authority in shaping inclusive workplace cultures. Her keynotes equip businesses with the tools to address the motherhood penalty, implement inclusive policies, and foster loyalty among diverse talent.
Book Joeli Brearley for your event to inspire change, drive retention, and future-proof your workplace culture. Whether addressing C-level executives or people leaders, her message is clear: equality isn’t just a value, it’s a strategic advantage.
Customer Reviews
5 of 5
‘Joeli is warm, engaging and hard hitting with stories and the facts about the motherhood penalty. The figures were shocking, worryingly recent and showed us that the impacts of bringing up the next generation are everyone’s problem to fix. Feedback from all attendees has been exceptional. I would absolutely recommend Joeli not only as a speaker but as an absolute inspiration and driver of change. If you want someone to give you an impactful, meaningful and hard hitting presentation that takes you on a journey of self discovery and self reflection then Joeli is perfect. You walk away with purposeful actions both professionally and in every day life that you can use to drive real change and improve the landscape for mothers in the UK.’’
Carly Di PaolaAviva
5 of 5
"Joeli Brearley is an exceptional host and a true advocate for working mothers. During our Women Automotive Network panel, her expertise, empathy, and ability to foster meaningful dialogue brought the topic of maternity leave to life. Joeli’s thoughtful questions and insightful commentary empowered our speakers to share their personal experiences with authenticity, making the discussion both engaging and impactful. She has an incredible way of combining professionalism with warmth, creating a space where everyone feels heard and valued. Joeli’s work is truly inspiring, and we are so grateful for her role in supporting us in championing for women in automotive and working parents globally.”
Holly GoodberryWomen Automotive Network
5 of 5
“Joeli is an unbelievably engaging and inspirational speaker. Her presentations are packed with insights, yet delivered with a natural flair that keeps every audience member engaged. Her style sparks conversations and inspires action as well as connects all audience members to each other. If you're looking for a speaker who combines deep knowledge with genuine connection, Joeli is your go-to. Her talks don't just inform - they transform.”
Alys PeartChief of Staff at Octopus Energy
5 of 5
“From taking the government to task on childcare legislation to fighting for flexible working for all, Brearley has made it her mission to make women’s working lives not just fairer, but feasible..”
British Vogue
5 of 5
“The fearsome and funny founder of Pregnant Then Screwed.”
Elle Magazine
5 of 5
“Joeli’s work has had a massive positive impact on the lives of thousands of women. Here is a vital and urgent voice.”
Laura Bates
5 of 5
“A heartfelt thank you from me for your inspirational talk this week. It was incredibly motivating to all those listening in and packed full of reasons and actions for positive change.”
Jane CusdinAssociate, Automotive 30% Club
5 of 5
‘‘I wanted to say a massive thank you for an incredible talk today. The feedback has been so positive with one person saying ‘it’s the best PepsiCo event I’ve ever been to’.’’
Becca ChoudreyPepsico
Rated 5.00/5 based on 8 customer reviews
Keynotes
Keynote by Joeli Brearley:
Building a parent-friendly workplace
Working parents are facing unprecedented levels of stress, impacting both their personal wellbeing and productivity at work. Despite this, many employers are scaling back their support for this key group. As a result, companies risk losing out on a highly skilled and dedicated talent pool. In this talk, I share my personal journey of workplace discrimination, which ultimately led to the creation of Pregnant Then Screwed - a movement dedicated to fighting the injustices parents face in the workplace. I shed light on the ‘motherhood penalty’ - what it is, why it matters, and how it affects not just parents, but organisations as a whole. And l share actionable strategies that can transform your workplace into one that truly supports parents.
Keynote by Joeli Brearley:
Creating Space for Motherhood at the Leadership Table
The motherhood penalty is one of the most persistent barriers to gender equality - impacting women’s careers in every corner of the world. In this powerful and personal talk, Joeli shares her own experience of pregnancy discrimination, which sparked the creation of Pregnant Then Screwed, a movement dedicated to challenging the systemic injustices faced by women who want both a career and a family.
Joeli will unpack what the motherhood penalty really is, why it remains so entrenched, and how it affects not just women, but the productivity, culture, and success of entire organisations. Most importantly, Joeli will offer practical, proven strategies for how leaders can dismantle these barriers and build workplaces where women don’t have to choose between ambition and motherhood - but can thrive in both.
Empowering Women in Parliament: Joeli Brearley's Call for Inclusive Growth
Watch Joeli Brearley in action!
Pregnant then Screwed
Watch Joeli Brearley in action!
