Wendy Addison’s life defies easy categorisation. She is at once a performer and a pragmatist, a survivor and a scholar, a rebel and a reformer. Her journey from ballet dancer to corporate executive to internationally celebrated whistleblower and educator is a blueprint for what it means to live a life of purpose.
Her story reminds us that one voice—clear, consistent, and courageous—can change the trajectory of institutions and inspire a global movement. It is a story of resistance and resilience, of vulnerability and victory. Above all, it is a call to action: to speak out, to listen up, and to never underestimate the power of one person to make a difference.
Speaker – Beyond Freefall, There’s a Value in Paying a Price, My journey from Whistleblowing to Courageous Conversations, From Boardroom to Beggar and back.
Ethics and Compliance, Whistle while you Work, How to invoke Courage, Agility and Resilience, Why waiting for a Whistleblower puts you and your organisation at Risk.
Bespoke Fireside Chats
Board Talks on the Board Walk
Double Acts - juxtaposing Good actions with Bad actions with Richard Bistrong (US FCPA Violator) or Kweku Adoboli (UBS Rogue Trader) to get the whole picture.
Faculty of Business Ethics
Greenwich University: Department of Human Resources and Organisational Behaviour
Faculty of Business Economics and Law
Wendy has a galvanising speaking style to match her character. I’ve known Wendy professionally for years; she is a truly rare- indeed inspiring – human being. Wendy is using her unique experience to help others. That includes companies with the insight to realise that today’s increasingly demoralised and ethics-light business world can pose acute challenges for them and that her advice on policy and process can be truly invaluable. Few if any can match her experience and empathy.”
“Wendy gave a powerful, first-hand account of the difficulties potential whistleblowers face when confronted with workplace wrongdoing. Her compelling delivery provides food for thought for compliance professionals about the importance of listening to empower employees to speak up”
"I recently Chaired an event at the D Group where Wendy spoke and she was quite outstanding. She tells a very moving story of her life and what comes across is a passion to always do what is right and there is no self-pity. She is inspirational and left everyone on a complete high. She is a remarkable woman whose story is very relevant today and tomorrow. She is a Must speaker at any event"
“Your talk was a perfect combination of personal experience, theoretical frameworks and research findings around the topic of speaking and listening up and business ethics. It is quite rare for someone to be able to balance these three aspects so well and I was impressed with what you brought to our employees”
“Wendy is at the forefront of a major shift in business, that of being open, honest and authentic and operating with integrity”
“Wendy's story was very moving and inspiring at the same time. Especially valuable was her call to speak up before an employee has to become a whistle blower. In her view, Courageous Conversations are the healthy alternative to whistleblowing. Wendy’s experience has encouraged Bosch to go further along the path of Courageous Conversations enabling employees to speak up.”
“Wendy tells her story not to make herself look good, but to show others that being true to yourself is possible for each and every one of us. It gives us permission to tell our own story, however difficult it may turn out to be. Those hearing her story will find it personally heartening, inspiring and motivational”
“You inspired so many people. You were polished but not ‘packaged’ – honest but not maudlin and evoked sympathy without pity for the amazing journey you have taken. Your courage shines through and really touches both hearts and intellect. Thank you for being my newest Hero and also the Hero of many new friends in Tokyo”
“Wendy delivered a presentation at the Association of Corporate Investigators inaugural symposium. Her delivery was outstanding; articulate, humble, real and relevant. Not only is Wendy an excellent storyteller, she has a deep understanding of the importance of behavioural psychology and how this can help organisations build and strengthen their speak out culture and develop their whistleblowing programmes.”
“Wendy spoke eloquently and articulately about navigating an ethical struggle at the highest level of the corporate world. Through sharing her story, the audience was able to engage with what she went through and hopefully be inspired to pause and speak up if they were to confront such a hurdle in their own careers.”
