View Holly’s speaker summary HERE

Watch Holly's Speaker Showreel HERE.

As an adventurer, an Everest summiteer and the first woman to skydive Everest, she is described as “one of the most accomplished female adventurers” by British Airways. As a sought-after keynote speaker on risk, leadership and growth mindset, she has been described as “down-to-earth, funny and incredibly inspiring” by HRH Duke of Edinburgh and “Bloody brilliant” by Sunday Papers Live

As the founder and leader of international non-profit, ‘How Many Elephants’ and World Female Ranger Week, her impactful work has been celebrated by Sir David Attenborough. Holly has raised >£500,000 for environmental projects. Her passion and purpose drive forward her innovative NGO, ‘How Many Elephants’, to educate a worldwide audience about the devastating impacts of the African Elephant ivory trade. Holly launched the hugely successful World Female Ranger Week to support female rangers on the front line of wildlife conservation, reaching over 500 million people. She is listed in the Top 100 Women in Social Enterprise and is a UN Women UK Delegate.

HOLLY BUDGE: ‘The Risk Seeker’™

World-Class Adventurer | Everest Summiteer | First Woman to Skydive Everest | 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.

“One of the UK’s most accomplished female adventurers.” – British Airways

“Down-to-earth, funny, and incredibly inspiring.” – HRH Duke of Edinburgh

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 .

Key Takeaways from Holly’s Talks:

1. Risk is Opportunity in Disguise

→ Learn how to reframe fear and uncertainty as tools for growth, impact, and innovation.

2. Don’t Get Lucky, Get Prepared

→ Build mental toughness and resilience to navigate life’s boldest challenges.

3. Action Beats Perfection

→ Discover how breaking down big risks into manageable steps leads to success.

View high res images HERE.

Copyright © Holly Budge/ How Many Elephants. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use is prohibited. For media usage please email for permission.

[Today/tonight] our speaker has been described as “one of the most accomplished female adventurers”, who is here to share her stories from skydiving Everest to climbing to the summit of Everest, to ambushing poachers on the front line in Africa. She is the founder of international non-profit, How Many Elephants and World Female Ranger Week. Her impactful work has been highly praised, including by Sir David Attenborough. To date, she has fundraised over £500K (GBP). Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves to be inspired to Think Big. Please welcome, Holly Budge.

1/ What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced on an adventure?

2/ How come you climbed Everest as a two-person team?

3/ What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

4/ You’ve worked as a skydiving freefall camerawoman? What does this entail?

5/ What gave you the idea and the impetus to skydive over Everest?

6/ How did you first become interested in the work of female rangers?

7/ What do you think women bring to conservation that is different from men?

8/ How are you hoping World Female Ranger Week will help change things for female rangers?

9/ How do we get more people interested and active when it comes to conservation?

10/ What was it like patrolling on the front line with armed rangers?

Presentation requires:

• Screen

• Data projector

• Audio speakers

• Contains videos

Note: Holly can deliver her talk with no screen if required, although her impressive collection of images and video clips is a great addition.

Microphone options:

• Lapel or

• Hand-held or

• Headset

Note: Holly can project her voice very well so she can talk without a microphone, depending on the venue and the size of the audience. She will never say no to using a mic, though!

Computer:

• Holly will bring her MacBook Pro to your venue, or,

• Holly can plug her presentation into the host computer via USB

• Holly will bring her own clicker or use the hosts