Hire Human Resources Speaker Jessica D. Winder for Your Next Event!

Looking for a human resources speaker who can engage audiences of HR teams, executives, or entrepreneurs? Meet Jessica D. Winder.

Jessica is an HR executive, a published author, and the founder of an HR and career consulting firm. Jessica has spoken at major events like Transform 2025. She helps organizations address today’s most pressing HR challenges.

If you're looking for fresh insights, practical advice, and a speaker who understands what HR looks like in 2025, Jessica is ready to help.

Contact us today to discuss Jessica speaking at your event.

Why Book a Human Resources Speaker?

Meet Our Top-Notch Human Resources Keynote Speaker

Jessica D. Winder is the Senior Vice President of People at CoLab Software and the founder of Hidden Gem Career Coaching, a career coaching and HR consultancy. Her background spans high-growth startups, complex team dynamics, and scaling HR systems from the ground up.

She speaks on topics like leadership development, DEI strategy, employee engagement, and what the future of work means in practice, not just in theory. Her sessions are built around what teams are actually dealing with, not just what looks good in a slide deck.

Her focus is simple: help companies create workplaces where people can do great work without losing themselves in the process. That’s the goal, and that’s what she helps teams move toward.

Jessica spoke at Transform 2023, 2024, and 2025. Check out this video of her speech!

An experienced HR speaker can teach your team how to face today’s biggest workforce challenges. From finding and keeping the right people to boosting employee performance, they show what works and what doesn’t.

This is what you will get from Jessica. She shares what works in challenging HR situations. After hearing her speak, teams feel more prepared to lead with clarity and build better workplaces.

Human Resources Topics Covered

Enhancing Employee Performance and Engagement

Want a speaker who can motivate leaders on getting employees to perform better?

We help organizations build habits that support ongoing performance. That means regular check-ins, simple feedback, and providing people with the tools they need to improve at what they do. It also means making time to recognize good work, even when things are busy.

A lot of companies skip that part. Only 40% of employees say their employer has a recognition program. That’s a problem we see often.

We use data from employee surveys to figure out what’s missing. From there, we help teams build systems that work, not just once a year, but every week.

If you book Jessica for your event, here are some of the topics she is experienced in that she can cover

Attracting and Retaining Top Talent

Do you want to get to the bottom of how to find and keep the right people?

Jessica knows how to keep great people on a team. Her work has helped companies lower turnover by 25%. She teaches simple steps that make a big difference fast.

Jessica helps leaders build brands that attract top talent. She also fixes hiring processes through what’s called “candidate experience design.” On top of that, she shows how to find workers by focusing on skills, not just fancy titles.

Today, workers have more options than ever. They might leave if they do not feel connected. Gallup reports that poor engagement now costs the world economy $8.8 trillion each year. In 2024, only 31% of U.S. workers felt truly engaged.

Building a Positive and Inclusive Company Culture

Want to make sure you build the right company culture?

A strong company culture begins with safe and fair workplaces. Jessica coaches leaders on how to model good behavior and build systems using DEI frameworks that lift everyone up.

One of her standout programs established minimum salary rules to ensure fair pay across all teams. Inclusive cultures like these lead to higher retention, better teamwork, and faster innovation. That’s why 75% of HR decision-makers say they are focusing on diversity when hiring new talent.

Contact Us for Pricing and Availability

If you would like to book Jessica for your event, please contact us today.

Please note that pricing is available based on event size, location, session type, and what you’d like Jessica to do.

Navigating Ethics, Compliance, and Diversity Challenges

Need help with compliance and inspiration on how to craft effective DEI policies?

Jessica has deep experience in ethical HR leadership, with a focus on DEI compliance and trauma-aware policies. She helps teams understand where bias shows up in systems and what to do about it.

More companies are being held accountable for how they treat people, not just by law, but by their own staff. The pressure on HR teams has gone up. Leadership teams are being asked harder questions. Companies are being judged by more than just performance.

One of the ways Jessica helps is by breaking down how ethics and inclusion show up in real decisions. These can include aspects such as how jobs are posted, how pay is determined, and how managers are trained. It’s not theory. It’s what companies need to fix before it becomes a problem. The goal is to make decisions that hold up, even under scrutiny.

Preparing for the Future of Work

Want a human resources keynote speaker who has a good idea of what's coming next?

Jessica works with companies that need to get ahead of workplace shifts, not chase them. That includes how AI is changing hiring, what flexible work really means, and how to hire for skills instead of resumes.

A lot of teams are still stuck reacting. She helps them plan instead. How to scale, how to train people for what’s next, and how to update systems that aren’t built for what the workforce looks like now.

The numbers show where things are heading. 56% of frontline workers and 69% of knowledge workers want a four-day workweek. And 64% of workers say they’d consider quitting if asked to come back to the office full time. The pressure to evolve is real.

Leadership Development and Succession Planning

Want a motivational presentation with an emphasis on developing company leadership?

Hidden Gem builds leadership programs for both new managers and seasoned execs. The focus is on real skills that show up in day-to-day work, these can include: 

  • Handling hard conversations

  • Giving useful feedback

  • Managing without ego

Jessica views emotional intelligence as a core leadership skill. That includes how to spot burnout early, coach people with clarity, and lead without making it about control.

A big part of her work is helping companies look ahead. Succession planning isn’t just a checklist, it’s making sure the next generation of leaders is ready before the gaps show up.

Mental Health and Employee Well-Being

Would you like to learn about creating a mentally healthy workforce?

Jessica is certified in trauma-informed practices and has led mental health programs for teams across different industries and backgrounds. Her approach is simple: create space for people to be honest, and back it with systems that support them.

She helps organizations build environments where mental health isn’t a side conversation. It’s part of how teams operate. That includes how meetings are run, how time off is handled, and how managers respond when people are struggling.

Half of U.S. workers say they’re very satisfied at work, but 12% aren’t. Jessica’s work is about moving the needle through culture, not perks. When people feel safe and supported, they show up and stay.

Technology, AI, and the Future of HR

Thinking about integrating more tech into your HR operation?

Jessica helps HR teams make sense of the tech that’s changing how people are hired, trained, and supported. She breaks down what tools like AI recruiting platforms and predictive analytics can actually do, and where the risks are.

A big part of her work is teaching teams how to keep the human side intact. Not everything should be automated. She focuses on where tech helps and where it starts to create new problems.

Right now, 89% of HR leaders say they plan to increase or hold steady on tech spending. Jessica’s role is to help make sure that the investment gets used in smart, responsible ways.

What Makes a Great HR Speaker?

Real-World HR Leadership Experience

Jessica’s held executive roles in fast-moving companies where HR had to scale fast. She’s led everything from hiring and comp design to handling layoffs and rapid growth.

What sets her apart? She’s done it at all levels. Not just studied it.

Expertise in Employee Engagement and Talent Management

Jessica has helped teams fix real problems like low morale, high turnover, and unclear growth paths. She’s built onboarding programs that actually work and helped companies retain the people they need most.

Her key areas include onboarding, succession planning, and building systems that support the full employee journey. She’s also a trusted advisor to C-suite teams on people strategy and what it means to build a workplace that supports people over the long haul.

Insight into Workplace Culture and Change Management

Culture falls apart when change moves faster than people can keep up with. Jessica helps companies slow down and fix what’s cracking before it spreads.

Jessica has coached teams through mergers, layoffs, hypergrowth, and full culture resets. She knows what breaks when things move fast.

That might mean rewriting values. Rethinking feedback loops. Or just having honest conversations about what’s no longer working.

Ability to Deliver Research-Backed, Actionable Strategies

Jessica holds a master’s degree from the University of Sydney and carries SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications. Her background gives her the ability to connect current research to what teams are facing today.

She distills complex topics into plain language and focuses on steps people can take right away. Every keynote speech is adapted to fit the organization, its size, its challenges, and its industry.

Inspiring and Practical Speaking Style

Jessica presents with an approachable, relatable tone backed by rigorous expertise. Her "edutainment" style combines storytelling, humor, and real case studies.

Her goal is not just to inform but to energize and empower HR leaders and teams.

What to Expect from Jessica

Custom-Tailored Insights for Your Organization

Jessica customizes every keynote to meet the specific needs of attendees, their respective industries, and organizational challenges. If she is provided access, Jessica can conduct pre-event research, such as culture audits and leadership surveys.

She is committed to delivering targeted, practical takeaways unique to each audience.

Engaging, Research-Based, and Inspirational Delivery

Jessica’s storytelling method blends research findings with real-world stories. She uses humor, case studies, and audience interaction to enhance engagement. Jessica has a reputation for high-energy, transformative sessions that resonate long after the event.

Actionable Strategies to Transform Your Workplace

Event attendees leave with checklists, templates, and action plans, not just ideas. Jessica can provide post-event resources like videos, articles, and toolkits to continue learning. Her focus is measurable impact, not just motivation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jessica’s HR Speaking Service

  • Some events that benefit most from an HR speaker include conferences, corporate retreats, leadership summits, professional association events, and internal workshops.

  • Speaking fees typically range depending on the event and what is required from her. Jessica’s pricing is mid-market and flexible based on session format and location.

  • Yes, Jessica always tailors her keynote speeches to the industry’s unique challenges and culture.