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Lisa Walden - <p data-start="266" data-end="444">Lisa Walden is a future of work keynote speaker inspiring organizations to build people-first, generationally inclusive workplaces.</p>

Lisa Walden

Lisa Walden is a future of work keynote speaker inspiring organizations to build people-first, generationally inclusive workplaces.

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5 of 5

Lisa had our group captivated with her presentation. Her delivery was flawless. Our group was engaged the entire time and is still talking about the lessons learned from Lisa.

Bradford-Scott Data Corporation

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Why book Lisa Walden for your next event

  • Lisa delivers sharp, research-based insights on the future of work, helping leaders build cultures where people thrive across generations.
  • With global experience, she connects strategy and humanity, translating complex workplace challenges into clear, actionable change.
  • Her keynotes energize audiences with inspiration, honesty, and practical tools that reshape how organizations think about work.

Non-binding request for Lisa Walden

Future of work expert, author, and people-first culture strategist

Lisa X. Walden is a globally trusted keynote speaker, author, and researcher known for shaping conversations around the future of work, corporate culture, and generational collaboration. As Co-Founder of Good Company Consulting, she works at the intersection of sociology, leadership, and workplace design, helping organizations move from outdated models to genuinely human-centered ways of working. With more than a decade of experience in generational sociology, Lisa has advised organizations of all sizes across industries, partnering with brands such as Anthropic, BMW, Siemens, and HP. Her talks are bold, engaging, and grounded in real-world insight, combining inspiration with practical strategies and a healthy dose of tough love. Lisa’s mission is clear: empower leaders to create workplaces where people feel connected, motivated, and free from the “Sunday Scaries.”

 

Lisa Walden: A Voice Shaping the Future of Work

Lisa Walden is one of the most influential voices exploring how work is changing and what organizations must do to keep up. As a future of work trendspotter and keynote speaker, Lisa helps leaders understand the deeper shifts reshaping expectations around leadership, culture, and meaning at work. Her expertise is rooted in over ten years of research and hands-on experience in generational sociology, giving her a rare ability to explain why people behave the way they do at work and how organizations can respond with intention.

Through her work at Good Company Consulting, Lisa partners with organizations navigating growth, transformation, and cultural change. She is trusted to speak honestly about what is broken in today’s workplaces and what it takes to fix it. Her approach is people-first, research-driven, and deeply practical, making her a sought-after speaker for conferences, leadership events, and internal transformations.

 

Generational Inclusivity and People-First Culture

At the heart of Lisa Walden’s work is a commitment to generational inclusivity. She challenges simplistic narratives about generations and instead focuses on how life stages, context, and shared humanity shape the way people work. Lisa equips leaders with tools to strengthen cross-generational communication, collaboration, and trust, creating environments where every employee feels seen and valued.

Her keynotes explore how organizations can move beyond performative culture initiatives and build workplaces rooted in authenticity and respect. Lisa emphasizes holistic workplace strategies that support both performance and well-being, helping organizations align business goals with human needs. This balanced perspective resonates with leaders looking for sustainable change rather than short-term fixes.

 

Author and Researcher with Global Impact

Lisa is the co-author of Managing Millennials for Dummies and the recently published The Future of Work is Human. In her writing and speaking, she examines how global events have permanently shifted our relationship with work, leadership, and success. She invites audiences to rethink long-held assumptions and embrace a more human-centered future of work.

Her research-backed insights have influenced organizations across industries, including collaborations with Anthropic, BMW, Siemens, and HP. Lisa’s ability to connect data, storytelling, and lived experience allows her to translate complex ideas into relatable and actionable guidance for leaders at every level.

 

A Keynote Experience That Drives Real Change

When you book Lisa Walden for your event, you get more than a keynote, you get a catalyst for mindset shifts. Her speaking style is energetic, candid, and deeply engaging. She combines inspiration with clarity, ensuring audiences leave not just motivated, but equipped to act. Lisa is known for delivering messages that stick, sparking meaningful conversations long after the event ends.

Her presentations often focus on:

  • The future of work and evolving workplace expectations

  • Building people-first cultures without losing performance

  • Strengthening cross-generational leadership and collaboration

  • Reducing burnout and restoring joy and purpose at work

Lisa’s mission is to help organizations banish the “Sunday Scaries” by creating workplaces where people genuinely want to show up. She believes that when leaders lead with humanity, clarity, and courage, work becomes a place of growth, connection, and impact.

 

Book Lisa Walden for Your Event

Lisa Walden is an ideal speaker for organizations ready to rethink how work gets done. Her insights are honest, relevant, and grounded in real experience, making her a powerful voice for leaders who want to future-proof their culture. Book Lisa Walden for your event to inspire people-first leadership, strengthen generational understanding, and shape workplaces built for the future.

Customer Reviews

5 of 5

Lisa had our group captivated with her presentation. Her delivery was flawless. Our group was engaged the entire time and is still talking about the lessons learned from Lisa.

5 of 5

“Thank you so much for participating in our conference this week. Your presentation was excellent and it was wonderful working with you. Reviews coming in from the event have been terrific, and thanks again for being a part of our virtual event this year! We will definitely keep you in mind for future events. Thanks again for speaking for us this year at our 50th anniversary event.”

5 of 5

"Lisa was definitely one of the highlights of our conference and closed out the event on the perfect note!! She was a pleasure to work with and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome.”

5 of 5

Lisa Walden was a terrific speaker – she really took the time to explore our workplace culture, the concerns and needs of our personnel, and the specific challenges we face in advance of the presentation to ensure that her words would have the greatest impact on our internal audience. She was unfailingly attentive, energetic, and creative in her approach and her ideas. Our team is very receptive to new perspectives, but it can be hard for someone on the outside to pierce our bubble and speak our language. Lisa was able to do this and light a fire for future change in our organization.

5 of 5

Lisa was everything we asked for and more. Not only did she engage and energize the crowd; she spoke to every meaningful objective and brought new material that was relevant to the event. Fantastic!

5 of 5

Lisa was definitely one of the highlights of our conference and closed out the event on the perfect note.

5 of 5

Our team is very receptive to new perspectives, but it can be hard for someone on the outside to pierce our bubble and speak our language. Lisa was able to do this and light a fire for future change in our organization.

5 of 5

Lisa is a fantastic speaker and I'm so impressed with the amount of prep work she puts into her content.

5 of 5

The two hours flew by, in contrast to other speakers and presentations where I am constantly drifting off or looking at my watch. Lisa's talk was a beacon of light into a room full of mostly successful business people that are dead set in their ways. Her message will reach the ears of those who listened, and I can guarantee that there were listeners.

Rated 5.00/5 based on 9 customer reviews

Keynotes

Keynote by Lisa Walden:

Creating a Workplace That Doesn’t Suck

We spend nearly a third of our lives at work, yet millions wake up on Monday mornings with dread rather than enthusiasm. The sobering truth? Most workplaces drain human potential instead of unleashing it. But a shift is underway, visionary organizations are recognizing a fundamental truth: their greatest competitive advantage isn't technology or strategy, but their people. These forward thinkers are crafting environments where leadership values vulnerability over perfection, employees have each others’ backs, and a shared sense of purpose drives engagement.

Igniting a bold vision for the future of work, this keynote asks: What if we bravely and unwaveringly put people first? It challenges outdated notions of work ethic and corporate culture, exploring needed mindset shifts around everything from how to build trusting teams, tend to emotional culture, show up as an effective leader, and even prevent burnout. Through illuminating case studies and best-in-class examples gleaned from years of studying truly human-first companies, attendees will reimagine what work can (and maybe should) be, and gain action-driven insights into how to create a workplace that not only doesn't suck: it's awesome. 

ATTENDEE TAKEAWAYS:

  • An exploration of the key elements for a great organization: leadership that balances action with compassion, communication grounded in empathy, and a culture that prioritizes psychological safety
  • How to embrace today’s trending workplace topics to stay competitive in recruitment and retention efforts
  • Actionable strategies to change company culture for the better, no matter your role
Request a quote: Lisa Walden Creating a Workplace That Doesn’t Suck

Keynote by Lisa Walden:

Connecting Across Generations: Improving Workplace Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement

Fact: every generation brings a unique perspective to the workplace. From Baby Boomers who value traditional communication channels to Gen Z's digital-first mindset, and Gen X's self-reliant approach to Millennials' collaborative spirit – each group has shaped how we work today. While these differences infuse organizations with diversity of thought, they can also spark unexpected friction. Rather than leveraging our distinct perspectives, we fall into the trap of stereotyping and finger-pointing. Generational misunderstandings bubble up and don't just create tension – they actively hinder our ability to do great work. 

To move beyond snap assumptions and get people to a place of understanding and connection, this presentation dives deep into generational identities. It explores how historical events, technological advances, and social movements have shaped the generations’ varied approaches to work. By first breaking down the “why,” we’re able to take a more intentional look at “what” each generation wants in their professional life, which makes for a meaningful discussion of “how” to navigate a multigenerational workplace. Edutainment at its finest, this keynote combines nostalgia, fun, and actionable learning to help bridge divides and harness generational differences as your organization's most powerful engine for innovation, collaboration, and success. 

ATTENDEE TAKEAWAYS:

  • A comprehensive exploration of each generation's formative experiences and how these shape their workplace values, communication styles, and career expectations
  • Practical strategies for identifying and bridging generational gaps in communication, work styles, and professional relationships
  • Tactical ideas for creating an inclusive, multi-generational workplace 

Every presentation is hand-crafted and tailored for your audience, industry, and event. This includes a deep dive on the chosen topic, adapting the content to meet your specific goals, one-on-one conversations ahead of the keynote to learn industry mindset, jargon, and pressing challenges, and pre-event meetings with key stakeholders.

Request a quote: Lisa Walden Connecting Across Generations: Improving Workplace Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement

Keynote by Lisa Walden:

COMMUNICATION THAT CONNECTS: Practical Tools for Effective Workplace Conversation & Connection

Communication breakdowns remain one of the greatest workplace frustrations and it's no surprise. We're somehow expected to master the unwritten rules of text messaging, phone calls, video conferences, and face-to-face interactions through nothing but trial and error. There’s little to no guidance on how to navigate day-to-day workplace exchanges, things like crafting kind but direct feedback, advocating for our ideas, and tweaking messaging for the recipient and circumstance. But it doesn’t have to be this way! With a little bit of practice, some foundational principles, and the addition of awareness and intentionality to the mix, we can improve our skills tenfold. 

Think of this keynote as your crash course on the must-have practices for effective workplace conversation and connection. It explores the ins and outs of changing professional communication etiquette (for example, why do some people think a lack of exclamation points is anxiety-inducing, whereas others find it perfectly normal?), and helps you turn potential communication minefields into opportunities for connection. Whether you’re navigating hybrid meetings, finessing your email, or preparing for a feedback session, you’ll discover practical tools that you can implement right away, so that no message gets lost in translation. 

ATTENDEE TAKEAWAYS

  • How to use empathetic communication and active listening to create real understanding, not just transactional exchanges
  • Awareness of the most prevalent messaging mishaps in the workplace, and how to overcome them
  • Practical communication skills to make clarity and intention your default mode
Request a quote: Lisa Walden COMMUNICATION THAT CONNECTS: Practical Tools for Effective Workplace Conversation & Connection

Keynote by Lisa Walden:

GEN Z 101: Adapting Your Leadership for the Next Generation of Talent

An important demographic shift is underway, by 2030, Generation Z will comprise 30% of the U.S. workforce. These digital natives (most of whom have never known a time without smartphones and social media) are fundamentally reshaping workplace norms, communication etiquette, and leadership expectations. The work world needs to embrace this new generation, but too often, organizations and leaders can get stuck on common frustrations like “They have no work ethic,” “Such poor communication skills!” and “Why won’t they just show up on time?!” 

Through proprietary research and insights from Gen Z professionals, you’ll learn what informs Gen Z’s perspective on work, why some of their mindsets seem so contradictory to generations prior, and what you can do to better support them as young professionals navigating the workplace. Because here’s the thing: like every generation before them, Gen Z is changing work for the better, and while yes, they need a bit of training to get to their A-game (they are young professionals after all) there is so much they can teach us. This keynote equips leaders with actionable insights to attract, retain, and empower Gen Z talent, while still fostering an inclusive environment that benefits employees of all ages.

ATTENDEE TAKEAWAYS

  • Perspective-transforming insights on Gen Z employees, and why they think the way they do
  • How to embrace the best of Gen Z while also offering training, mentorship, and resources to get them up to speed with today’s workplace
  • A look at the main points of tension between Gen Zers and other generations at work, and what can be done to ease those frustrations and encourage multi-generational collaboration
Request a quote: Lisa Walden GEN Z 101: Adapting Your Leadership for the Next Generation of Talent

Keynote by Lisa Walden:

LEADING THROUGH UNCERTAINTY: How to Guide Your Team When You Don't Have All the Answers

Today's workplace is….complex, to put it mildly! In the midst of constant change, economic volatility, and shifting priorities, leaders are being asked to navigate ambiguity while keeping their teams motivated and productive—all without a roadmap. The challenge isn't just managing your own stress; it's being the steady presence your team needs while honestly acknowledging that you don't have all the answers. This keynote explores how to build genuine resilience in uncertain times, focusing on practical strategies for leading with transparency, protecting your team's wellbeing, and creating stability even when everything feels unstable. You'll discover how to turn uncertainty into opportunity, support your people through difficult transitions, and model the kind of sustainable leadership that builds trust and loyalty.

ATTENDEE TAKEAWAYS:

  • How to lead with authenticity and vulnerability during times of uncertainty
  • Practical strategies for protecting your team's mental health and preventing burnout
  • Tools for balancing accountability with compassion and grace

Every presentation is hand-crafted and tailored for your audience, industry, and event. This includes a deep dive on the chosen topic, adapting the content to meet your specific goals, one-on-one conversations ahead of the keynote to learn industry mindset, jargon, and pressing challenges, and pre-event meetings with key stakeholders.

Request a quote: Lisa Walden LEADING THROUGH UNCERTAINTY: How to Guide Your Team When You Don't Have All the Answers

Lisa Walden | Workplace Culture Speaker | Keynote Reel

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Phone: +1 347 223 5128

Email: [email protected]