Joanne Lockwood, Founder and CEO of SEE Change Happen, embodies the epitome of transformative change in the field of Inclusive Cultures. As a transgender woman in her late 50s, she is uniquely qualified to infuse authenticity and experience into the realm of diversity and inclusion. Her personal journey amplifies her voice, making her not just a consultant but a heartfelt mentor and a vanguard in the mission for transgender awareness and support.

With a background spanning from the Royal Air Force to a thriving IT business, Joanne has pivoted her career towards HR and People Consulting. She partners with “People People” — the HR professionals, Talent and Recruitment leads, and Organisational and Learning and Development leaders. Guided by her mantra “Smile | Engage | Educate,” Joanne nurtures Positive People Experiences, transcending traditional EDI models to bring about deeply rooted, sustainable change.

Her soulful impact has not gone unnoticed. Joanne is a Fellow and Chair of the Board of the Professional Speaking Association UK&I and a Fellow of the Institute of Equality and Diversity Professionals. Featured in a Channel 4/RDF documentary, “The Making of Me,” she also hosts the ‘Inclusion Bites’ podcast and until recently served as a Trustee for akt, the LGBT+ Youth Homeless Charity.

Joanne’s credentials go beyond her professional titles. She is an entrepreneur with a keen sense for business, having turned over £3m at the peak of her IT business and employing 25 staff. Her legacy in the Round Table as the first openly transgender Past National President shows her ability to challenge societal norms and engage in philanthropy.

Joanne’s riveting keynotes resonate deeply with audiences across the globe. Whether it’s after-dinner speaking events or international seminars, her storytelling ability grips her audience, teaching them to tackle their own imposter syndrome, overcome societal prejudices, and foster an environment where everyone can thrive.

The thread that runs through Joanne’s varied career is her commitment to community. From volunteering with Beyond Reflections, a Hampshire-based gender diversity charity, to contributing to the School of Health Sciences at the University of Southampton, her community work is a testament to her innate drive for inclusivity and belonging.

Key topics:

  •  Building Belonging in the Workplace
  •  Transgender Inclusion
  •  LGBTQI+ Inclusion

Available for:

  •  Conference speaking
  •  Keynote speaking
  •  Virtual events
  •  Training
  •  Consultancy
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"Working with Joanne was an absolute delight and our entire collaboration felt like a breeze. As the emcee and a presenter for our annual event, Joanne displayed an exceptional level of professionalism coupled with a calming demeanour that instantly put everyone at ease. She captured our audience and led them through our event agenda seamlessly. Despite any last-minute changes that arose, Joanne remained focused on the core objectives of the event, ensuring its success while demonstrating confidence and flexibility. Additionally, Joanne's expertise in diversity and equality in the workplace added great value to our program, providing valuable insights that enriched the experience for all involved."
"Joanne is an exceptional speaker on diversity and inclusion, with a special emphasis on transgender topics. Her ability to share her personal story in a way that touches both the hearts and minds of our staff was truly remarkable. She also did an outstanding job in raising awareness about the importance of supporting transgender people in the workplace. Her session was not only informative but also deeply impactful, creating a lasting impression on all who attended. Joanne's contributions have been invaluable in advancing our understanding and support of transgender inclusivity in our workplace."
"We were extremely honoured to have Joanne participate in Levi’s inaugural Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) day. Her exceptional communication skills and professionalism were evident throughout the entire process, making the planning phase seamless and straightforward. Joanne intuitively understood our goals, contributing to the event's success. Her discussion was fearless, honest, thought-provoking, and incredibly real, creating a moment that attendees won't soon forget. I personally learned a great deal from her insights and perspectives. I am hopeful and excited about the prospect of working with Joanne again in the future. Thank you, Joanne, for your invaluable contribution and for making our D&I day so memorable."
"Joanne recently joined the lululemon EMEA collective for a talk on inclusion, focusing on storytelling and how to be better allies. Every attendee was deeply moved by the courage she displayed in sharing her personal journey and the challenges she faced. Her passionate storytelling not only provided us with a profound understanding of the trans community but also practical ways to act as allies in the workplace. The conversation was engaging, impactful, and provoked significant insight within our team. We've received outstanding feedback, and the talk has spurred ongoing discussions about fostering inclusive environments in our workplaces. A heartfelt thank you to Joanne for sharing her inspiring story and contributing her time to our collective."
"Joanne delivered an incredibly moving and insightful speaker session at ManyPets, as part of our ongoing Pride celebrations and efforts to bring light to transgender issues across our global business. She was succinct, open, and truly inspirational, offering a fascinating glimpse into their journey from her perspectives of her relationship with her wife. Her session was eye-opening and enriching, and I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone in my network looking to enhance their understanding and become better allies to the trans community. A heartfelt thank you to Joanne for her valuable time and impactful contributions."
"Joanne presented as part of our Annual Employment Conference yesterday, delivering the final session of the event. Not only was the content and delivery captivating, but she also included comments from the previous presentations to bring it all together - a very intelligent presenter who gauges her audience perfectly and delivers in a professional and engaging style! The best leaders don't have all the right answers, they facilitate the team to come up with them!"

 

 

 

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