Leadership responsibilities don't go away when life storms hit...


Join this free online event to discover how to stay strong, effective & healthy as a leader when big personal challenges come your way

12 - 15 May 2025


A four-day virtual event for leaders at all levels in organisations

Navigating a life storm doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the career you’ve worked so hard to build.

Learn the skills to keep showing up as an effective leader at work, even while you figure out how to journey through your life storm.

Watch the video below to learn how this FREE event will help you keep going and lead powerfully at work when life throws you a major curve ball.

Event summary if you're pressed for time

  • Leading is always a challenge – whether you manage a team or division, or lead in other ways. Normally it’s a challenge we relish. But life storms make it much harder to lead well.

  • Life storms come in many forms. Things like grief and loss, illness, divorce, parenting challenges, tough work situations, abusive relationships, estrangement. And so on…

  • Life storms destabilise us. But, as leaders, we have to find a way to keep going. You need an intentional, strategic & evidence-based approach to keep showing up as a leader.

  • This free online event will show you how! You’ll hear from 30 experts providing practical tools and strategies, and leaders sharing their lived experience of leading through life storms.

  • My guarantee? There will be no trite answers here. This event will go deeper, with creativity, honesty and hope.

Sound good?

You dedicate so much energy to being a great leader

Leadership demands that you bring your A-game consistently to inspire and support others to deliver great outcomes.

But when a life storm comes along out of nowhere, it’s shocking and makes showing up as a leader so much harder.

Life storms come in all shapes and sizes. Some storms are short and sharp like a lightning strike, while others rumble on for much longer.

Think grief and loss. Illness. Divorce. Parenting challenges. Tough work situations. Abusive relationships. Estrangement. The list goes on…

If you’re currently trying to show up as a leader while navigating a life storm, you may be asking yourself…

  • How do I continue to lead, inspire and nurture other people when looking after myself feels like a messy full-time job?

  • How do I keep delivering fast-paced results when the storm has left me feeling lost, disorientated and disconnected?

  • And how do I navigate those tricky work situations which now seem much more difficult to handle?

We talk a lot more about mental health & wellbeing at work these days, which is a fantastic step forward.

But the truth is, when you’re faced with a life storm, you need more than some comforting words and a few sporadic wellbeing techniques to help you continue to show up as the awesome leader you are.

You need a more intentional, strategic and evidence-based approach, and this is exactly what you’ll find at the Leading through Life Storms virtual summit.

Meet your host

Hello, I’m Alexandra Walker! I founded Damsel Not In Distress® in 2023, to empower people to thrive after big life challenges, that is to Sing After The StormTM.

After graduating top of my university class and achieving a maths doctorate, I became a senior civil servant and charity leader despite enduring a range of life storms.

But the toll on my health was high. After pushing through for many years, I found better ways to honour my needs. I’m passionate about supporting and encouraging you to find the treasures at the other side of your life storm!

So, grab your ticket & join me for a one-of-a-kind event that will help you show up effectively at work while navigating challenging personal circumstances.

I can’t wait to see you there!

Meet the speakers

Check out the incredible line-up of leaders and experts you’ll learn from at Leading through Life Storms!

There is so much value packed into these presentations – with speakers generously sharing their expertise and honestly recounting their lived experiences of life storms and leadership.

Theme 1: finding inspiration in real life stories

Dame Clare Moriarty

CEO at Citizens Advice & former Permanent Secretary in UK civil service

2019 - a year like no other

Hetti Barkworth-Nanton CBE

CEO at Ploughshare Innovations and Chair of Refuge

From dying to thriving through an onslaught of tsunamis

Richard Calvert & Linda Mason

Higher Futures Ltd

How to be a supportive leader who still gets things done

Tricia Donnelly

CEO at The Mungo Foundation

What resilience has really looked like in my storm

Clare Francis-Slater

Director, Diversity Days Everyday

The power and necessity of a pause and reset

Paul Hargreaves

CEO at Cotswold Fayre & Flourish

Why adversity helps develop great leaders

Niran Mothada

Senior leadership trainer

Leading through and learning from my grief journey

Fayana Richards

Financial wellness coach

Rooted in the reframe: Redefining my values and self-worth through discomfort and disappointment

Theme 1: finding inspiration in real life stories

Dame Clare Moriarty

CEO at Citizens Advice & former Permanent Secretary in UK civil service

2019 - a year like no other

Hetti Barkworth-Nanton CBE

CEO at Ploughshare Innovations and Chair of Refuge

From dying to thriving through an onslaught of tsunamis

Richard Calvert & Linda Mason

Higher Futures Ltd

Navigating life storms from different perspectives

Tricia Donnelly

CEO at The Mungo Foundation

The wisdom of trauma and the wonder of resilience

Clare Francis-Slater

Director, Diversity Days Everyday

The power and necessity of a pause and reset

Paul Hargreaves

CEO at Cotswold Fayre & Flourish

Why adversity helps develop good leaders

Niran Mothada

Senior leadership trainer

Leading through and learning from my grief journey

Fayana Richards

Financial wellness coach

Pivoting during the pandemic: redefining my purpose & self-worth

Theme 2: Building your leader's storm toolkit

Leon Clark

Organisational consultant and leadership coach

Your emotions as data to navigate your storm & the workplace

Maggie Rose Cunningham

True Colours Coaching

Rekindling your magic: 5 pathways for tough times

Amanda Devaure-Croft

The Mindful Style Coach

Style as shelter: Mindful dressing to weather life's storms

Jen Le Marinel

Coach, trainer, facilitator & wild guide

Live wild: harnessing our wild wisdom to navigate life storms

Mark R. McLaughlin, MD

Neurosurgeon, coach & author

Dismantling fear in the storm so we can lead and serve others

Sarae Pratt

Coach & trainer

Going from empty to full

Philippa Robinson

The Bold HSP

Taming your negative thoughts in the storm

Susan Sutherland

Executive life coach

From gaslight to inner light in a life storm

Theme 2: Building your leader's storm toolkit

Leon Clark

Organisational consultant and leadership coach

Your emotions as data to navigate your storm & the workplace

Maggie Rose Cunningham

True Colours Coaching

Rekindling your magic: 5 pathways for tough times

Amanda Devaure-Croft

The Mindful Style Coach

Style as shelter: Mindful dressing to weather life's storms

Jen Le Marinel

Coach, trainer, facilitator & wild guide

Live wild: harnessing our wild wisdom to navigate life storms

Mark R. McLaughlin, MD

Neurosurgeon, coach & author

Executive functioning in the storm

Sarae Pratt

Coach & trainer

Going from empty to full

Philippa Robinson

The Bold HSP

Taming your negative thoughts in the storm

Susan Sutherland

Executive life coach

Gaslighting - title TBC

Theme 3: Cultivating skills and workplace culture

Mark Foster

Former Group Chief Executive, Accenture & Chairman, IBM Consulting

Adaptive consistency: how to lead & support others through life storms

Graham Allcott

Author & founder, Think Productive

The quiet power of kindness at work

Anne Archer

Thinking partner & coach

Anchored leadership: Connecting authentically in times of overwhelm

Dr Lizzy Bernthal

Release Your Potential Ltd

Rise with resilience to lead through life's storms

Wendy McCristal

The Mental Wealth Company Ltd

Weathering life's storms: wellbeing habits for busy professionals

Megan Stachini

Founder, Intrinsic

The secret to overcoming burnout in a storm

Alexandra Walker

Damsel Not In Distress Ltd

Strong storm reactions & emotions: Getting the most from this summit

Theme 3: Cultivating skills and workplace culture

Mark Foster

Former Group Chief Executive, Accenture & Chairman, IBM Consulting

Adaptive consistency: how to lead & support others through life storms

Graham Allcott

Author & founder, Think Productive

The quiet power of kindness at work

Anne Archer

Thinking partner & coach

Anchored leadership: Connecting authentically in times of overwhelm

Dr Lizzy Bernthal

Release Your Potential Ltd

Rise with resilience to lead through life's storms

Wendy McCristal

The Mental Wealth Company Ltd

Weathering life's storms: wellbeing habits for busy professional women

Megan Stachini

Founder, Intrinsic

The secret to overcoming burnout in a storm

Alexandra Walker

Damsel Not In Distress Ltd

Strong storm reactions & emotions: Getting the most from this summit

Theme 4: Gaining specialist storm insights

Dr Ritz Birah

Consultant counselling psychologist

Rewiring our brain & reconnecting with ourselves after burnout

Lauren Chiren

Founder, Women of a Certain Stage

Successfully navigating menopause at work

Liza Collins

Executive leadership coach

Reclaiming your power and calm when facing bullying at work

Andy Elwood

Specialist in psychological safety & mental health first aid

Stranded in a blizzard: three lessons to navigate life's toughest moments

Laura Howard

The Contented Workplace Company

A woman's guide to leading through the storm

Helen Jeffries

Senior civil servant, UK Department for Health & Social Care

Building autism acceptance in senior leadership

Theme 4: Gaining specialist storm insights

Dr Ritz Birah

Consultant counselling psychologist

Burnout - title TBC

Lauren Chiren

Founder, Women of a Certain Stage

Supporting colleagues to successfully navigate menopause

Liza Collins

Executive leadership coach

Reclaiming your power and calm when facing bullying at work

Andy Elwood

Specialist in psychological safety & mental health first aid

Stranded in a blizzard: three lessons to navigate life's toughest moments

Laura Howard

The Contented Workplace Company

A woman's guide to leading through the storm

Helen Jeffries

Senior civil servant, UK Department for Health & Social Care

Building autism acceptance in senior leadership

Join us to learn from 30 leaders and experts

There will be no banality. No pretending that this is simple. Worthwhile endeavours rarely are…

You can expect:

Gritty honesty

Fresh, creative ideas

Hopeful perspectives

Targeted techniques

During the Leading Through Life Storms summit, you'll learn how to:

Image

Fill your own cup again within your busy schedule

Even with all the pressures you face, you'll find time to look after yourself. This will enable you to tackle work and life demands with renewed focus, and be meaningfully present with your team and colleagues.

Image

Rebuild your professional calm and confidence

Recapturing the sense of calm and confidence which the storm took from you will empower you to inspire others and take clear, effective decisions even in challenging times.

Image

Handle complex situations with greater ease

Challenging and sensitive work situations can feel harder to deal when you're in a life storm. You'll discover how to approach them with greater poise, even in the face of the turmoil you're facing in your personal life.

Image

Start taking profound steps out of your storm

You'll begin to proactively navigate your way through your life storm, so that you don’t simply survive it but rather emerge stronger to find the rewards which await you at the other side.

What to expect at leading through life storms

When and where

Leading through Life Storms will run from 12th to 15th May 2025, with a variety of presentations to choose from each day. Your free ticket includes 24-hour access to each presentation during the summit. This event is entirely virtual, so you’ll be able to attend from anywhere in the world with internet access.  

Expert sessions

Watch presentations from our line-up of 30 speakers with insights on how life storms impact us as leaders, how we can intentionally build our Leader’s Storm Toolkit, how to cultivate skills and a supportive workplace culture, and specialist topics from neurodiversity to menopause.

Private summit community

You’ll be invited to join a private LinkedIn group during the summit, where we can come together and share questions and insights. 

Upgrade for a VIP experience!

After registering, you’ll have the chance to upgrade to the All Access Pass which includes ongoing access to the presentations after the summit wraps up, premium bonuses from our speakers, and more! You’ll get all the details (and a special offer) after grabbing your free ticket!  

have questions? we've got answers!

How do I know whether this event is right for me?

If you’re a leader who is dealing with a difficult life event or circumstance right now, then this event is for you.  

And remember, while some leaders have formal management and leadership responsibilities, there are leaders at all levels of organisations. If you draw others together to achieve something worthwhile, then you are a leader!  

If you’re questioning whether your experiences are big enough to be a “life storm”, I would encourage you to come. For many years, I minimised the severity of what was happening to me, telling myself to just get on with it and keep soldiering on. It took years for my eyes to be opened to the impacts of everything that had happened to me, so that I could start to take effective action.  

Additionally, if you’re a leader, coach or professional who is interested in learning how to help your team, colleagues and clients navigate their life storms, we’d love for you to join us.

When is this event happening?

The main portion of the summit runs from Monday 12th – Thursday 15th May 2025, with batches of sessions available to view with your free ticket during each 24 hour period.  You’ll also be able to join our private LinkedIn community as soon as you register, so you can get stuck in straight away!

What if I'm not able to attend live?

To give you the best possible experience and avoid tech glitches, presentations are pre-recorded and will be released at a scheduled time during the summit. These will each be available for 24 hours with your free ticket.

However, many of the speakers will be hanging out in our private LinkedIn group with dedicated threads where you can connect with them and ask your questions!

You’ll also have the opportunity to upgrade to the All Access Pass for extended access to the event materials and other goodies.

What if I won't have time to watch all the presentations each day?

Your free ticket includes 24 hour access to each of the presentations, which will be released in batches over the four days of the summit.

If you need more time, you can always upgrade your ticket to the All Access Pass after registering, which will give you extended access to the presentations along with premium bonuses from our speakers and more!

Will all the speakers get my email address?

No. When you register, you’ll be added to the Damsel Not In Distress email list so we can send you updates for the event and links to each day’s presentations. After the event is over, you’ll continue to hear from us, but you can unsubscribe at any time.

Some of the speakers will have free resources available that you can access by providing an email address, if you choose to do so.

You can learn more in our Privacy Policy.

Are your videos captioned?

Yes, all presentations have closed captioning.

Please reach out if there’s anything we can do to ensure you’re able to engage with this event.

I still have questions!

If you still have questions, we encourage you to go ahead and sign up. Your questions will likely be answered during the event or in the LinkedIn community, which you’ll be able to join right away after getting your free ticket.

However, if you need to ask us a question before registering, feel free to send us an email at [email protected].


Navigating a life storm doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the career you’ve worked so hard to build.  

It’s time to learn the skills to keep showing up as an effective leader at work, even while you figure out how to navigate your life storm.  

So grab your free ticket & join us for Leading Through Life Storms today!

© Damsel Not in Distress Ltd,

Company no. SC770248, All Rights Reserved

Damsel Not In Distress ® is a registered trade mark

© Damsel Not in Distress Ltd,

Company no. SC770248, All Rights Reserved

Damsel Not In Distress ® is a registered trade mark