Tonya Ladipo, LCSW, brings wisdom, warmth, and honesty to the stage.
With a background in psychology and clinical social work and two decades of experience guiding leaders through change, she helps organizations move beyond theory into action. Whether it’s a keynote, leadership retreat, or webinar, Tonya offers practical tools for the real challenges of work and life.
Popular speaking formats:
- Keynote talks
- Fireside chats
- Leadership retreats
- Webinars & panels
Tonya Ladipo is a sought-after speaker and CEO known for her presence and ability to challenge ineffective and outdated thinking with kindness rather than judgment.
She understands that true change comes not solely from motivation but from applying new techniques in a sustainable way.
As a licensed clinical social worker and leadership advisor, Tonya brings behavioral insight and actionable strategies to conversations that matter. She helps leaders and organizations build cultures of psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and accountability.
What sets her apart:
- Licensed clinical social worker with deep expertise in emotional intelligence
- Founder and CEO of The Ladipo Group, an organization focused on behavior-based change
- Clear, engaging delivery with just the right mix of challenge and care
- Proven frameworks like BRAVE™, WAVE™, and The Feedback Equation™
“You’re incredibly skilled at facilitation, especially with a group that’s not easy to engage. People really appreciated the way you guided the conversation and made it meaningful.”
– Cathy F.
Signature Talks
Beyond Niceness
Beyond Niceness: Fostering Genuine Psychological Safety in the Workplace
Kindness and discomfort—not constant comfort—are the building blocks of psychological safety. This talk challenges the culture of “niceness” that undermines teams and offers practical strategies for creating workplaces where feedback flows, conflict is addressed, and people grow.
Key takeaways:
- Why niceness ≠ safety, and what to build instead
- Core emotional intelligence skills to practice psychological safety
- How discomfort, handled well, can drive innovation and trust
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence: The Secret to Successful Leadership
Strong leadership begins with understanding human behavior. This talk offers practical EQ strategies that leaders can use to navigate conflict, lead diverse teams, and communicate with clarity and empathy.
Key takeaways:
- What emotional intelligence looks like in daily leadership
- Techniques for feedback, boundaries, and connection
- How to turn insight into practice
Tending to Mental Health in the Workplace
Tending to Mental Health in the Workplace
You don’t need to be a therapist to support mental well-being. This talk offers tangible tools to recognize signs of burnout, talk about mental health with care, and promote a culture that values wellness without performance pressure.
Key takeaways:
- How to notice and name mental health struggles at work
- Self-care that goes beyond bubble baths and burnout advice
- Ways to create a supportive, resilient workplace
Building BRAVE Cultures
Building BRAVE Cultures: Practices for Belonging & Psychological Safety
Belonging is more than a feeling—it’s a practice. This talk defines psychological safety and belonging in practical terms and outlines the skills leaders need to cultivate them, even during change or conflict.
Key takeaways:
- The difference between comfort, safety, and belonging
- Realistic strategies to support inclusion through behavior
- Emotional intelligence tools to build trust
Leading Through Uncertainty
Leading Through Uncertainty
In a world that’s constantly shifting, leaders are asked to show up with clarity, courage, and care. This talk introduces the WAVE™ Framework—a simple tool to lead grounded, values-aligned decisions even when the path ahead is unclear.
Key takeaways:
- The WAVE™ Framework for decision-making under pressure
- How to lead with transparency, even when you don’t have all the answers
- Tools to build trust during uncertain or high-stakes moments
The Feedback Equation™
The Feedback Equation™: Delivering Feedback That Builds Trust
Too often, feedback is vague, avoided, or delivered in ways that erode trust. This talk introduces the Feedback Equation™ framework to help leaders give effective feedback that builds alignment, not resentment.
Key takeaways:
- A flexible feedback model that balances accountability and compassion
- Tools to navigate power dynamics and organizational cultural norms in feedback conversations
- How to use feedback to strengthen trust and accountability across teams
