Shola Kaye MSc FRSA DTM is a communication specialist, award-winning international speaker and author of two books. She speaks on Empathy in the workplace, Inclusion, Leadership and Communication.
She spent the first part of her career in IT consultancy in the U.S.A., consulting at household name investment banks, and in the U.K for global clients in aviation and finance. Her struggles to communicate and gain visibility in the workplace - as a black woman and an introvert - led her to develop an interest in learning to create inclusive workplaces with open, supportive communication. Shola eventually left the corporate world for a while and built a career for herself as a professional singer, appearing on stages around the world.
Shola has a unique interactive delivery style that combines the energy and engagement of a performer with the insights and actionable tools and models of a scientist or technical expert; Shola spent time as a scientific researcher at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.
Today she blends her STEM and entertainment background to share clear, effective communication frameworks that help people work better together. These are delivered in a high-impact style. The word most frequently used to describe Shola’s work is ‘engaging’. Clients often comment that her interactivity, and encouragement of the audience to transform during her presentation, makes her a stand-out speaker who gets results and delivers work that will be remembered long after the event is over.
Her keynote and masterclass topics include communication for diversity and inclusion, leadership, workplace communication, and workplace empathy. She also speaks about how to create a more inclusive environment for introverts, especially within the technical/data/STEM/healthcare work space.
Shola has been featured in Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar and on the BBC. Her work has been mentioned in Forbes and she regularly writes for industry publications such as HR Zone, Management Today and People Management.
In her role as a communication specialist, Shola hosts a popular podcast, and has created a top 10 rated weekly video blog. Shola’s first book was an Amazon.com number one bestseller and her second book, ‘Big Talk, Small Talk’ was published in November 2020. Shola is a LinkedIn Learning Instructor and has tens of thousands of students around the world who have enjoyed her programmes.
In 2016 Shola won the Jenny Seagrove Speaking award. She has also presented a TEDx speech on Empathy in the Workplace. Her speeches and programmes are in demand and she is frequently rebooked or tasked with running the same programme at multiple client locations. Shola provides keynotes, masterclasses and consulting.
Shola has a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University, and went on to obtain a Postgraduate teaching qualification from Oxford University before relocating to the USA to study neuroscience.
