International Keynote Speaker

Michillay Brown

Q: Is she available for International Women's Day, Women's Month and Black History Month?

Yes. R-Rated is a motivational keynote designed for these events, as well as women in leadership and women in STEM programmes.

Human Centred Leadership for a Changing World

Michillay helps leaders across critical industries build the trust, voice and resilience that keep people at the centre of progress, from energy and mining to data centres and AI infrastructure.

Enquire about a booking Explore the talks

Impact Leader & Professional Speaker. Based in London, originally from South Africa, with global experience.

20 yearsof media training and public speaking, addressing thousands of people across hundreds of stages

15+ yearsacross mining and metals, energy and hydrogen, blockchain traceability, and data centres and AI infrastructure

3 industry awardsiMasons Emerging Talent Award, Top 50 Women in Hydrogen and Top 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining

In rapidly changing times, the organisations and leaders who thrive will be those who know how to keep people at the centre of progress.

Michillay Brown

Signature keynotes

Three talks, each shaped to the room

For industry and infrastructureSocial Licence to OperateWhy Trust Is Your Real Growth Strategy

For leaders at every levelBuilt, Not BornThe Power of Finding Your Voice

For resilience and inclusion eventsR‑RatedThe Human Cost of Staying Relevant

Book Michillay Explore the talks

Portrait of Michillay Brown, impact leader and professional speaker

About Michillay

A voice built across critical industries and new technologies

Michillay Brown is an Impact Leader and Professional Speaker who has spent 15 years working at the intersection of business, society and sustainable development.

She began her career in television and the non-profit sector before moving into mining and metals in Johannesburg. She then moved to London, where she built a career across blockchain traceability, hydrogen, and data centres and AI infrastructure.

Her expertise lies in stakeholder engagement, public affairs and social impact. She builds trust with people, communities, governments and partners before a project begins, and keeps that trust as the work moves forward.

On stage, she has delivered keynotes, shared thought leadership on industry panels, moderated discussions and hosted events as master of ceremonies.

Today she advocates for Human Centred Leadership. She also draws on two decades of public speaking experience to help people from all walks of life communicate with clarity and confidence.

Advocacy

Every keynote leaves a framework for change

Trust between industry and communities

Responsible growth in energy, mining, data centres and AI infrastructure.

Confident communication for all

Helping students, managers and executives make their message land.

Related keynoteBuilt, Not Born →

Inclusion and resilience at work

Access to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for young women, and a workforce where everyone can thrive through change.

Related keynoteR‑Rated →

Qualifications

The first in her family to earn a postgraduate STEM degree.

BSc (Hons) Geography with DistinctionUniversity of the Witwatersrand
BA Environmental ManagementUniversity of South Africa
Television Presenter CertificationSouth African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)
Professional Speaking CertificationSelf Made Speaking Academy, UK

NextTalks Book Michillay

Signature keynotes

Three talks, each shaped to the room

Every keynote is tailored to the audience, sector and challenge your event is looking to solve.

For industry and infrastructure

Social Licence to Operate

Why Trust Is Your Real Growth Strategy

Michillay Brown speaking at the Women in Mining South Africa (WiMSA) Symposium

Major projects can lose millions per week when trust with communities is lost or never built.

Drawing on 15 years of stakeholder engagement across mining, energy and data centres, Michillay shows leaders how to build community trust into the business case from day one, protecting project timelines, investment and reputation.

People don't want to be the last to know.

Map stakeholders properly
Open genuine dialogue before positions harden
Embed local value into the business case
Stay present long after approval

Energy and miningData centresCommunity engagement

For leaders at every level

Built, Not Born

The Power of Finding Your Voice

Michillay Brown delivering a leadership keynote

How to turn technical expertise into a message that lands with any audience, from a student presenting for the first time to a chief executive winning over a board.

Know your audience
Tell a story instead of reciting data
Rehearse until clarity becomes instinct

Leadership programmesCommunication skillsUniversities and schools

For resilience and inclusion events

R‑Rated

The Human Cost of Staying Relevant

Michillay Brown, female keynote speaker, speaking as a panellist at an industry conference

A motivational keynote and personal story of resilience and reinvention, from a woman who has often been the only one in the room. As AI and new technology accelerate change, staying relevant takes both.

Channel hardship and grief into purpose
Create your own access when the doors stay closed
Put in your 10,000 hours and stay consistent

International Women's DayBlack History MonthWomen in leadership

Formats

Keynote speakingPanelsPanel moderationConference MC and host

Book Michillay

NextEndorsements Book Michillay

Endorsements

What people say about Michillay

Dr Byron Cole and Bianca Miller‑Cole on Michillay as a speaker

Self Made Agency

Book Michillay

Or email speaker@michillaybrown.uk

“There are few individuals who possess the ability to command a room with both intellectual authority and genuine human connection quite like Michillay… Her voice carries substance. She has an extraordinary ability to engage diverse audiences in ways that not only inspire, but challenge perspectives, ignite critical dialogue, and mobilise collective action.”

Dr Siyabulela MandelaConsultant for International Development, Human Rights, Peace and Conflict Resolution

“She is a fantastic speaker who keeps audiences enticed from start to finish, seamlessly translating complex concepts for diverse groups. She speaks equally well to everyone, from executives to entry‑level professionals.”

Thabang MahlafunyaSenior Specialist, Geology Drilling, and MC

“She has a talent for making complex subjects accessible and engaging without oversimplifying them, which is increasingly valuable in industries navigating rapid change and growing public scrutiny.”

Simon AllenGlobal Strategic Advisor, Data Centres

Recognition

2024iMasons Emerging Talent Award
2022Top 50 Women in Hydrogen
2020Top 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining

NextWatch Book Michillay

Watch and listen

See Michillay in action

WebinarPanel discussionWatch on YouTube PodcastARC Logos podcastWatch on YouTube PodcastImpactCo podcastWatch on YouTube

PodcastCritical CareersComing soon

NextAppearances Book Michillay

Next on stage

7 November 2026 · 12 pm

Self Made Speakers Showcase

Social Licence to Operate: Your Real Growth Strategy

Queen Mary University of London

Contact Michillay for event details

Appearances

Trusted on global stages

United KingdomSouth AfricaGermanyFranceUnited States

2026DCD ConnectLondon, UK
2026United Nations Global Compact SummitLondon, UK
2026Women in Mining South Africa SymposiumJohannesburg, South Africa
2025German Data Center ConferenceFrankfurt, Germany
2024Datacloud Global CongressCannes, France
2021 to 2023Global Hydrogen ForumsUS, Europe and UK
2020Mining IndabaCape Town, South Africa
2019JCK ShowLas Vegas, US

As featured in

News featureBBC NewsRead → ArticleThe Tech CapitalRead → ProfileEngineering NewsRead → ProfileWomen in STEM featureRead → Video talkDCD TalksWatch → Video interviewExecutive interviewWatch → Newspaper featureNorthcliff Melville TimesRead →

NextFAQs Book Michillay

Quick answers for event organisers

FAQs

What does Michillay Brown speak about?

Human Centred Leadership. Her three keynotes cover community and stakeholder trust (Social Licence to Operate), confident communication (Built, Not Born), and resilience in a world of AI and rapid change (R‑Rated).

Which industries does she speak to?

Critical industries including energy, mining, data centres, AI infrastructure, utilities and construction, as well as associations, corporate teams, universities and schools.

Is she available for International Women's Day, Women's Month and Black History Month?

Yes. R‑Rated is a motivational keynote designed for these events, as well as women in leadership and women in STEM programmes.

Can she moderate a panel or host a conference?

Yes. Michillay is a keynote speaker, panellist, panel moderator and conference MC and host.

Where is Michillay Brown based?

London, UK. She is originally from South Africa and speaks at events worldwide.

How do I book Michillay Brown?

Use the enquiry form on the Book page or email speaker@michillaybrown.uk with your event date, location and audience. Fees are discussed directly.

NextBook Michillay

Book Michillay

Bring Human Centred Leadership to your stage

Tell us about your event and Michillay will recommend the right keynote, panel or hosting format.

Booked by

Conference organisers and event managers
Industry associations and corporate leaders
Learning and development, and inclusion teams
Universities, schools and speaker bureaus

Contact details

speaker@michillaybrown.uk

LinkedIn Instagram