Women’s Day Speaker
Dr Alison Edgar MBE went from being written off at school to the honours list. It’s exactly the kind of story International Women’s Day is built around, and she leaves audiences with practical tools they can use once the day is over.
What easyJet said
“Alison spoke at our easyJet Energy and Empowerment Month event, and it was truly a fantastic experience. Her honesty and relatability resonated deeply with our audience, and the feedback we received reflected that wholeheartedly.”
What makes a great International Women’s Day speaker?
A story that fits the day, told with enough substance to be more than a story. Dr Alison Edgar MBE grew up in a high-rise council flat in Clydebank, left school with no qualifications and undiagnosed dyslexia, and was quietly written off. What she learned from being underestimated is the heart of what she shares: how to own your place in the room, and how to help others do the same.
The climb was real. She built a career from the hospitality floor upward, earned an MBE for services to entrepreneurship, wrote two Amazon international bestsellers, and received an honorary doctorate. That journey gives an IWD audience genuine permission to back themselves.
It travels off the stage too. Her framework, The Intrapreneur Mindset, sends people away with tools to take ownership of their work and their results, tailored to your theme, whether the audience is all women or a mixed leadership team.
Why organisations book Alison Edgar
What an IWD speaker is worth comes down to what your audience does next. Here is what you get with Alison.
A story that fits the day
From a Clydebank council flat and being written off at school to the honours list. It is the kind of journey International Women’s Day is built around, and audiences see themselves in it.
Substance, not tokenism
Alison earns the room on her credentials: an MBE, two bestsellers and three decades in business. Then she brings the energy. This is a keynote, not a box-tick.
It leaves people changed
Through The Intrapreneur Mindset, audiences leave with practical tools to own their place and their performance, and to use them once the event is over.
What can Alison speak about?
Every session is tailored to your audience and your theme for the day. Tell us what you are after and we will recommend the right one.
Owning your place in the room
Beating imposter syndrome, drawn from a life of being underestimated, and overcoming it.
Resilience & self-belief
Backing yourself when the odds and the system are against you.
The Intrapreneur Mindset
Getting a whole team to think and act like owners: her signature keynote on ownership and performance.
What clients say
Alison blessed us by attending our Ladies in Leadership day at Royal Ascot. She gave a fabulous speech and inspired so many in the room with her stories and advice. I feel really thankful to have met a fellow vivacious and positive Scot! Would 100% recommend Alison and will be asking her back without a doubt.
We invited Alison to talk at the launch event of our new WomenIn platform, which connects like-minded women together. Alison's talk was down to earth, inspiring and delivered with a brilliant sense of humour. Outside of the brilliant talk, Alison and her team were responsive and so helpful. All in all I would 100% recommend. Thanks a million to you and the team, Alison.
Helen, Thrive Learning 'Inspirational, relevant, practical, fun, authentic': these are all words that I have had fed back to me from the recent Women in Business event that was hosted by Alison. I would not hesitate to recommend Alison for anyone looking to host her as a keynote speaker. Thank you very much Alison, the ladies (and of course me) thought you were amazing.
Louise, St James Place
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Frequently asked questions about booking an International Women’s Day speaker
When is International Women’s Day, and when should you book a speaker?
International Women’s Day falls on 8 March every year; in 2027 that is a Monday, so many organisations run their events in the surrounding week. Speakers in demand for IWD are reserved months in advance, so the earlier you enquire, the better your chance of your first-choice date.
What makes a good International Women’s Day speaker?
A story that fits the day, told with real substance behind it, and a message people can act on once the applause dies down. Dr Alison Edgar MBE brings a journey from a Clydebank council flat to an MBE, plus practical tools audiences can use after the event.
Why is Alison Edgar a strong choice for IWD?
Because her credentials back the inspiration. Alison went from being written off at school with undiagnosed dyslexia to an MBE for services to entrepreneurship, two Amazon international bestsellers and an honorary doctorate. She speaks about confidence, resilience and ownership from lived experience, and tailors the message to your theme.
What does Alison speak about on the day?
Owning your place in the room and beating imposter syndrome, resilience and self-belief, and her framework The Intrapreneur Mindset: getting people to take ownership of their work and their results. Keynotes typically run 30 to 45 minutes, with longer interactive options, in person, virtual or hybrid, and every session is built to flex around your theme and the year’s IWD campaign.
Can Alison speak to a mixed audience, not just women?
Yes. Her story resonates especially with women, which makes her a popular IWD choice, but the substance is for everyone. She regularly delivers to mixed leadership teams, conferences and all-hands.
How much does it cost to book Alison Edgar?
Fees depend on the format, time of year, location and audience size. The quickest way to get a figure for your event is the instant quote calculator, and you will have an estimate in minutes.
Booking for International Women’s Day?
Get a tailored quote in minutes, or call the team and we’ll talk it through.