Alicia Richardson known for channelling her lived experiences into transformative conversations and workplace change. As the Founder and Chief of Culture, Talent & Vibes at CreateConnect, Alicia leads with purpose, helping organisations build inclusive and empowering environments. Her advocacy is rooted in personal experience as a Black woman navigating the corporate world, which fuels her mission to amplify underrepresented voices and champion racial equity. Through her talks, she addresses a wide range of topics such as Addressing Bias and Tokenism, Inclusive Language, Intersectionality, and Practising Allyship, offering tools for tangible and systemic change.
Alicia’s journey began after earning a degree in International Business from the University of Hertfordshire in 2015. She quickly progressed through roles in operations and recruitment, working for organisations such as Hertz and Aspire, and soon becoming Talent Research Partner for Spotify. Over time, her passion for equitable hiring and employee experiences led her to specialise in employer branding and DEI. She held key roles including Senior Talent, Employer Brand & DEI Lead at Depop and Engine UK, while consulting for companies like SyncD, Futureheads, and Reload Digital. These roles allowed her to blend strategic thinking with people-first leadership, further shaping her voice as a DEI advocate.
In recent years, Alicia has achieved significant recognition for her work. She delivered a powerful TEDx Talk, ‘Masking; Harming a Black Woman’s Career’, on personal values and empowering women of colour, as well as founded BlackCreateConnect in 2020, followed by her podcast of the same name. She’s also held advisory roles at Be the Business and mentored students through ROOTS INSPIRE, reinforcing her dedication to community impact. Alicia’s thought leadership has earned her a reputation as one of the most engaging speakers in racial and workplace equity today.
Alicia is hired for her ability to translate complex equity issues into practical, engaging dialogue. Whether she’s exploring Neurodiversity and Disabilities, Inclusive Decision Making, or Creating Psychological Safety, she tailors each session to audience needs while anchoring everything in racial justice. Her blend of lived insight, professional experience, and charismatic delivery makes her a sought-after voice in the DEI space. Organisations turn to Alicia not only to tick boxes, but to drive real cultural change, inspire courageous conversations, and build lasting inclusion strategies.
