Holly Budge - Everest Summiteer, First Woman to Skydive Everest, and sought-after Keynote Speaker - is ‘The Risk Seeker’. She inspires leaders around the globe to reframe RISK, embrace bold decision-making, and lead with purpose.
“BLOODY BRILLIANT!”
SUNDAY PAPERS LIVE
1ST WOMAN TO SKYDIVE EVEREST
Holly became the first woman to skydive Everest when she jumped from a small aircraft at 29,500ft and landed at 12,500ft, the world’s highest landing area, before being swamped by a wave of global media.
EVEREST SUMMITEER NORTH-SIDE
Holly has climbed Everest from the north side in a two-person team and spent 47 days on the mountain above 5000m. Her powerful life lessons will leave you feeling motivated and ready to climb YOUR Everest!
1000KM ACROSS MONGOLIA
Holly raced a grueling 1000km across Mongolia on semi-wild horses in this world-first expedition. It took her nine days, and she rode a total of 25 horses. This set a Guinness World Record for the world’s longest horse race.
“DOWN-TO-EARTH, FUNNY & INCREDIBLY INSPIRING”
HRH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH
KEY AUDIENCE
TAKEAWAYS
OUTPLAY
YOUR FEAR
Holly’s adventures are a testament to the incredible things that can be achieved when one dares to step outside their comfort zone and embrace the unknown.
BELIEVE
IN YOUR POWER
Holly's down-to-earth, unique storytelling style and powerful life lessons will leave you feeling motivated, inspired, and ready to climb YOUR Everest!
LEADING
WITH PURPOSE
Whether you’re looking to advance your career, start a new venture, or build mental toughness to improve your outlook, Holly will share tools to make it happen.
“ENGAGING. THOUGHT-PROVOKING. INSPIRATIONAL”
ST JAMES PLACE
MEET HOLLY
‘The Risk Seeker’’™ | Award-Winning Keynote Speaker
Holly Budge is a world-class adventurer, Everest summiteer, and the first woman to skydive past the world’s highest peak. She is a sought-after keynote speaker on risk, leadership, and the power of a growth mindset. Holly’s deeply personal and highly actionable talks supercharge businesses and teams to think BIG, embrace uncertainty and take bold action.
With gripping, often nail-biting stories, Holly takes audiences on a journey from the icy slopes of Everest to freefalling at 120 mph past the summit, to racing 1000 km across Mongolia on semi-wild horses. She doesn’t just talk about risk—she lives it. Through her often-humorous storytelling, she reveals the mindset shifts, strategic decisions, and resilience-building tactics that separate those who dream from those who DO. Holly believes that we all have an Everest to climb, but the fear of failure or the unknown often holds us back. After her talk, you’ll not only be inspired—you’ll be ready to take action.
Beyond Adventure: A Global Force for Impact
Off the podium, Holly is the founder of How Many Elephants NGO and the visionary behind World Female Ranger Week. As a UN Women UK Delegate and recently voted ‘Female Thought Leader of the Year in Non-Profit’, she has spent over a decade championing female rangers, witnessing first-hand their profound impact on conservation, communities, and gender equality. Her work has reached over 500 million people worldwide, earning high praise from Sir David Attenborough. She has raised over £500,000 for conservation, supporting 5,500+ female rangers and funding projects in 24+ countries across Africa, Asia, and South America. Holly’s powerful conservation initiatives have been featured in BBC Woman’s Hour, Sky News, Times Radio, BBC Wildlife, Marie Claire, Travel & Leisure, and Wanderlust. She recently launched Wildlife Positive Travel, offering immersive, on-the-ground experiences with ranger teams, led by Holly, that connect travellers directly with frontline conservation efforts in South Africa and Kenya.
“APPLYING HOLLY’S METHODS EVERYDAY”
LEADERS ROMAN GROUP