KEYNOTE SPEAKER
(DR) GILL HICKS
AM MBE
Gill Hicks is a globally recognised keynote speaker on intention, human potential, and purposeful change.
Gill Hicks is an award-winning artist, published author, and creative director, internationally recognised for her compelling keynotes on intention, human potential, and purposeful change. With a rare ability to combine lived experience, creativity, and strategic insight, Gill delivers powerful, thought-provoking presentations that resonate with global audiences across corporate, academic, and cultural sectors.
Following the 2005 London terrorist bombings, in which she lost both legs, Gill made a defining choice: not simply to survive, but to live with intention. This decision became the foundation of her life’s work, shaping a distinctive approach to navigating uncertainty—remaining grounded, responsive, and agile within fragility, and transforming disruption into clarity and purposeful action.
As founder and creative director of The M.A.D. Creative Agency, Gill brings more than three decades of lived and professional experience to a pioneering approach to change. Her work focuses on probing the “why” to design the “how,” enabling organisations and leaders to move beyond surface solutions and create meaningful, human-centred outcomes. By blending design thinking, artistic practice, and systems insight, Gill equips audiences with practical frameworks they can apply immediately.
Gill’s contributions to the arts, education, and social change have been recognised and honoured by institutions, communities, and universities across both the United Kingdom and Australia. She has been awarded both an MBE and an AM for her services to international leadership.
Extending her influence beyond the stage, Gill hosts the podcast M.A.D. For Life, where she explores the extraordinary capabilities of the human body and mind through her original Seven Pillars of Alignment - from mind health to purpose and legacy. Gill’s keynotes leave audiences inspired, challenged, and equipped to engage with change intentionally and meaningfully.
LEAVING A LASTING FOOT PRINT
‘spell-bound’ and ‘life changing’ are common responses from audiences of 10,000 to small teams, her carefully crafted messaging leaves a lasting impression.
“Most importantly Gill has a razor sharp wit and is really fun to work with.”
Having worked closely with Gill for 8+ years now, I cannot emphasise enough what an authentic, professional and compassionate human Gill is - her ability to genuinely connect with the client to create a unique, world class presentation every time is truly outstanding.
Carol Pederson,
Senior Consultant at Saxton Speaker’s Bureau.
“Gill Hicks is the most fascinating guest I've ever had on my program.”
Gill's ability to discover moments of kindness and insight (and even humour) in her ordeal is astonishing.
Richard Fidler,
Conversations Host, ABC Radio.
Gill’s injuries far from define her.
Gill is an inspiring story of human connection, the value of community and the power inside all of us. She’s just incredible.
Michael Baulch,
Vice President & Managing Director, ANZ at Boston Scientific.
“This was hands down one, of the most powerful and inspiring talks I've had the privilege of listening.”
Gill crafted an intimate space to deliver her keynote for The Business Institute's quarterly Lecture Theatre Series which was held via national broadcast. The feedback we received during and post the event highlighted the genuine connection Gill was able to make with our audience through her own powerful story which was delivered with deep insight and empathy for the human spirit. I loved Gill's sentiments about; trusting yourself , My Wisdom CV and the importance of continuing - no matter what!! I can highly recommend engaging Gill to present for any and all levels within your organisation.
Katy Gompes,
Senior Manager, Innovation Partnerships, Westpac.
Outstanding conference speaker, skilled storyteller, incredible human. Thanks Gill!
Her talk at TEDxSydney at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall in 2016 has been viewed millions of times on ted.com and I also worked with her for Xerocon 2018 where she captivated the audience of 3,000+ people.
Fenella Kernebone,
Head of Conference Programming - SXSW Sydney
Just because I can’t feel the ground,
doesn’t mean it’s not there.
B E L I E V E
THOUGHT LEADER
MULTI-DISCIPLINED CREATIVE
Gill Hicks’ life symbolises transformative possibilities, she is the embodiment of the power of Choice and her belief to ‘Live like your life depends on it’ permeates through her work – impacting individuals and inspiring audiences worldwide.
From her roots in the London design scene, an awarded and respected Creative, she has an extraordinary wealth of experience; from specialist publishing to large scale building projects and everything in between! An artist’s eye makes her signature unique, the passion to probe the ‘why’ to create and design the ‘how’ is what fuels her mind. Shifting ideas, finding meaning, building perspective and adding a joie de vivre.
Gill is someone who knows about Difference and Diversity. Permanently injured in the 2005 London terrorist bombings, Gill’s survival is a story of the power of Humanity and our Connection, a connection so powerful that Gill attributes her life being saved, not just on July 7 2005 but every single day because of the bond that makes a Human.
The need to Make a Difference with the life she had been given back was born in those early days in the aftermath of the bombing. The acronym M.A.D. became the perfect platform to build an impressive portfolio of pioneering community cohesion initiatives and countering the destructive narratives of violent extremism.
As Founding Director of The M.A.D. Creative Agency, this exciting chapter is the culmination of Design and Lived experience – where an Artistic powerhouse is enabled to thrive by understanding that Life is a Quest and perhaps the purpose is to build Wisdom through experiences. It is the ‘Wisdom Exchange’ that informed Gill’s thought leadership on the importance of H.I, H.C.I and H.E.I. ( Human Creative and Emotional Intelligence) and how this sits within an advancing environment of Artificial Intelligence.
Combining lived experience and design thinking, her unique methodology for navigating and enveloping change is at the core of her Speaking and presentation works.
Exploring the fragility of our existence and highlighting our strength and ability to live and grow within uncertainty is where Gill cuts through and encourages a new way of thinking, to accept and adapt to and with Change.
CLIENTS AND
PARTNERS
and many more.
