Annabelle Williams is a Paralympic Gold Medallist, international motivational speaker, DEI&B advocate, TV presenter, attorney, board director and Mum. She is passionate about building belonging in the world's leading workplaces.
Annabelle captained the Australian Paralympic Swim Team and managed to balance her sporting career with a highly successful and demanding corporate career as an attorney. Annabelle competed in two Paralympic Games, broke five world records and won numerous medals for Australia, including gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Annabelle was an M&A lawyer at top-tier law firm, Allens Linklaters, and in-house counsel for the Australian Olympic Committee. She is a strong advocate for the rights of athletes and, at the age of 24, was awarded the prestigious Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to sport. Annabelle is the Founder & CEO of "Grit & Gold”, a Director of Swimming Australia, a Member of the World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal and International Cricket Council Code of Conduct Commission. She graduated from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where she delivered the Valedictory Address and is a highly recognised and respected sports broadcaster, having most recently anchored Australia’s coverage of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the Tokyo Paralympics, which won a Logie Award for most outstanding sports coverage.
Talking Points
Unleashing potential through courage and kindness
One of the earliest lessons we learn as a child is the importance of being kind. Fast forward to our adult lives, it's one of the first things we forget when we're under pressure. Goals, deadlines, and everyday stressors can make us easily overlook the importance kindness plays in our lives.Unleashing potential through courage and kindness
Studies tell us that kindness triggers moral elevation (a positive emotion experienced when witnessing a virtuous act) and is highly contagious. So how can we leverage that to fuel growth for ourselves and those around us? Better yet, how do organizations inspire a culture of kindness?
Annabelle is a perfect example of a life defined by the courage and kindness of everyday superheroes'. She has been the beneficiary of regular acts of kindness from a huge number of people - even strangers. Annabelle teaches us how giving and receiving simple acts of kindness can empower us and create a path to achieve
our full potential.
Key Takeaways:
- Identify blind spots that may be preventing a culture of empathy and kindness
- Understand how kindness is crucial to business success
- Develop strategies to become more courageous and uplift those around you
Empowering a growth mindset through grit and determination
Let's face it, there is a big difference between someone who sees a challenge as an opportunity and someone who views a challenge as a roadblock. Having a growth mindset means believing that our abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work.Empowering a growth mindset through grit and determination
So how do you transform the perceptions of those who weren't born with an innate ability to see possibilities and positive outcomes? How do you create and cultivate a love of learning and resilience in the face of adversity?
Growing up with a disability and training as an elite athlete has taught Annabelle that challenge equals opportunity. Through grit and determination she's realized that anything is possible. Annabelle teaches us strategies to develop a winning mindset, including how to identify and leverage opportunities and how to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Key Takeaways:
- Learn to identify roadblocks and their source
- Understand how to transform challenges into opportunities
- Develop an empowered mindset - where you feel confident that you can achieve your goals
Building resilience through inclusion
The American Psychological Association defines resilience as the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress”such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems or workplace and financial stressors. It means bouncing back' from difficult experiences.� It's a lifelong skill that anyone can learn.Building resilience through inclusion
So how can embracing an idea like inclusion build resilience in your organization?
How can you create an environment of acceptance where everyone is focused on providing equal opportunities for success?
As an athlete, corporate attorney, board director and sports administrator, Annabelle is a trailblazer in the male dominated industries of sports and law. She was also born with a disability. Resilience is her middle name. Annabelle teaches us, through personal stories, humor and practical insights, how to carve out your own
path for success.
Key Takeaways:
- Learn how small changes in behavior can shift your mindset
- Understand the true meaning of inclusion' and why it's critical to an organization's culture
- Develop the skills necessary to overcome challenges and thrive despite setbacks
Masterclasses
Dive in deeper with step-by-step micro lessons that provide specific guidance on your future success. With topics ranging from career coaching to virtual communication, Annabelle's masterclasses offer a holistic, hands-on experience that is sure to inspire lasting change.Masterclasses
She does this by delivering step by step, micro-lessons that provide the guidance to achieve meaningful change. Each program begins and ends with a virtual group session led by Annabelle and includes two check ins during the course.
Choose from four transformative masterclass topics:
1. Unleashing Your Potential
Key Takeaways:
- Learn how to build resilience and overcome adversity
- Understand the role of courage and kindness in realising your potential
- Develop the skills necessary to set achievable goals
2. Diversity & Inclusion
Key Takeaways:
- Learn why diversity and inclusion are critical to any organisation's success
- Understand how perspective drives our thoughts and actions
- Develop the skills to make small changes in behaviour to shift your mindset
3. Developing a Growth Mindset
Key Takeaways:
-Learn to identify roadblocks and their source
- Understand how to transform challenges into opportunities
- Develop an empowered mindset - where you feel confident that you can achieve
your goals
4. Effective Virtual Communication
Key Takeaways:
- Learn how to put your best foot forward when communicating virtually
- Understand how content structure, channel, body language, speaking style and other factors affect your message
- Develop a personalized framework for virtual communication success
