I. Stephanie Boyce

I. Stephanie Boyce: Leading with Intention and Purpose

I. Stephanie Boyce’s ascent to leading one of the world’s oldest learned, professions was staggering. After four attempts, she shattered the glass ceiling in a traditionally hierarchical, conservative, male-dominated profession by reaching its highest office. Her leadership significantly reshaped perceptions of what it takes to be a leader by breaking historical barriers.

It’s fair to say her time in office was eventful, to put it mildly. During her 19 months in office, she served under two prime ministers, three lord chancellors, two monarchs, and over 70 ministerial resignations. Stephanie had to lead the solicitor profession through a number of once-in-a-lifetime crises such as a global pandemic, a complete change in working, the withdrawal in Afghanistan, the war in Ukraine, the cost of living crisis, and the death of Her Majesty the Queen. Her leadership during this volatile period demonstrated grace and inspiration under extreme pressure. Her focus was on keeping the ship steady and stable through those choppy waters. But she was determined to make a difference, to leave a lasting legacy of change, to be judged by the content of her character, her words, and her actions and not by the colour of her skin or background. Stephanie will enthral you with her story of resilience and determination, of leading in challenging times, and how leadership rooted in representation and resilience can drive meaningful change.

Stephanie is first-generation British and grew up in a single-parent household on a council estate in a low socio-economic household. Hear how she defied the odds to become one of the most influential, successful leaders of modern times.

Her story of resilience, determination, and transformative leadership continues to inspire and redefine the role of a leader in the legal profession and beyond.

In her entertaining, informative, inspirational and motivational speech she shares the never-before story of the demands on her as the first president of colour, the focus on her mission and vision, to leave the profession more diverse and inclusive than the one she entered, reframing the narrative on justice, Artificial Intelligence bias and challenging the myths around what a leader should look and sound like. And that every door is open if you PUSH: Persevere Until Something Happens.