Former Global VP of HR at Unilever, business transformation advisor and a passionate advocate for making mental health & wellbeing a strategic priority.
Geoff McDonald is best known as a global advocate, campaigner and consultant who is passionate about addressing the stigma of mental ill health in workplaces and about helping organisations embed purpose as a key driver of business performance. Prior to this, he was the Global VP of Human Resources for Unilever.
His experience spans leadership & talent development, organisation change, capability development (with particular reference to marketing), and business transformation with purpose at its core.
During his 25-year career with Unilever (a global corporation with a turnover of £50 billion and 170,000 employees in 90 countries around the world), his experience has been truly global, working across Africa, the Middle East & Turkey, Australasia & Asia, and Europe & the Americas. Early in his Unilever career he was responsible for graduate recruitment and development, talent, acquisitions and development across emerging markets. Under his leadership he developed Unilever’s global talent and leadership centre of expertise.
In 2008 Geoff was diagnosed with anxiety-fuelled depression, and it was during his recovery that he discovered a new personal purpose. In 2014 he left his role with Unilever to devote his time, energy and expertise to ending the stigma of depression and anxiety in the workplace. He tells his powerful story to audiences around the globe, knowing firsthand that talking about mental health saves lives.
Geoff has had the opportunity to sit around the table with politicians, business leaders and influencers, including the Prime Minister of the UK, members of the Royal Family and Pope Francis. He has spoken at corporate events across Australia, Europe, Japan, North America, Turkey and Eastern Europe. He has also participated in a number of BBC programmes and written articles for the Huffington Post and the Financial Times as well as human resource journals.
As a strong believer…
Dominic Alldis is a distinguished musician and innovative business speaker, renowned for creating transformative learning experiences. He combines rich musical insights with business wisdom, addressing key areas like leadership, innovation, and collaboration in today’s dynamic business environment.
An entrepreneur and thought leader on the transformation of customer relations and the future of customer-centric marketing in a time of AI.
Andrew Keen is an author, entrepreneur and one of the world’s most influential critics of the digital age. He challenges audiences with thought-provoking insights on technology, social media, privacy and the future of business in a hyper-connected world
Julia Hobsbawm, recognised for her expertise on the future of work, has influenced many through her writing, speaking, and consulting. Her latest book, “Working Assumptions”, continues to challenge our understanding of workplace dynamics.
Discover the inspiring journey of Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever and a visionary leader in sustainability and business innovation. From his humble beginnings to becoming a global advocate for change, Polman’s story is a testament to impactful leadership.
Sue Garrard is one of the world’s leading experts on sustainable business. As Unilever’s former EVP of Sustainable Business, she was instrumental in embedding purpose into strategy. Today she advises global organisations on how to align sustainability with performance and growth.
Futurist, CEO, Wall Street Journal bestselling author, and keynote speaker Kian Gohar inspires audiences and organisations to harness the power of possibility and innovation to build moonshots to the future!
Colonel Nicole Malachowski, a trailblazing Air Force veteran and the first woman Thunderbird pilot, began her professional career by breaking barriers in aviation. Her journey continues to inspire audiences globally, showcasing her resilience, courage, and determination.
Christiana Figueres is a world-renowned leader on climate change, best known for steering the Paris Agreement to success. She brings unmatched expertise in global diplomacy, sustainable development, and systems leadership to inspire corporate and policy audiences to act with courage, urgency and optimism.
Vanessa Evers
Vanessa Evers, renowned for her expertise in computer science and human-computer interaction, delivers compelling keynotes on the interplay between humans and intelligent systems.