Zoe Simmons
Keynote speaker, motivational speaker, MC & facilitator
Looking for a keynote speaker or MC or facilitator for your event?
I can help!
I’m Zoe Simmons, a multi-award-winning journalist, author, keynote speaker and fierce disability advocate.
And I’ll be honest: I didn’t ever think “keynote speaker” is something I’d call myself. Flashbacks to high-school speeches are just a little cringe. I used to joke: “well, I’m a writer, not a speaker!”. But it turns out, when you find a topic you’re passionate about, you can be an incredible speaker. No one is more shocked than I!
Over the past six years, I’ve been working with incredible brands, businesses and events as a keynote speaker, as an MC, as a facilitator (and of course, as a writer, journalist and disability advocate) across Melbourne, and across Australia, including Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
I’m real. I’m honest. I’m bold. I’m constantly cracking jokes and trying to put a smile on people’s faces. And I love the impact speaking can have on audiences. That power is what sticks with me–and it’s why I keep doing it, even though it sometimes terrifies me. But when I get on that stage, I shine. I get to share stories. Information. Build a vibe. Make people feel comfortable and connected, empowered and inspired.
I genuinely care about making your event the best event it can be. I take my job as a keynote speaker and MC as the privilege and honour it is.
And that’s why I’m a sought-after keynote speaker and MC.
Zoe Simmons shared her story as part of the She’s the Boss and Stories that Stir® International Women’s Day event. She was real, raw and had me on the edge of my seat listening to her every word. I learnt a lot from listening to her story and left feeling more empathy for what people with disabilities go through. I also learnt some simple ways I can make sure my events are inclusive and inviting for those who live with a disability. I was very inspired by her courage and determination and am grateful I was given the opportunity to see the world from her perspective.
Zoe Simmons was an exceptional host and researcher during her time presenting on the inaugural season of Laneway – A CTV+ news project. Zoe’s integrity and dedication to sharing underrepresented stories is extremely important in our current news climate. She offers unique perspectives through her lived experiences and it is clear these experiences drive her search for important stories; in particular those centering issues around disability, mental health and LGBTQ+ and gender identity. Zoe was a pleasure to work with on set, she always had a friendly demeanor and was an invaluable member of our crew. I look forward to working with her again on upcoming seasons and future projects.
I’m a keynote speaker about topics like:
- Genuine diversity and inclusion–because disability is often left out of the conversation entirely!
- Workplace accessibility and disability leadership
- Complex mental health recovery (including surviving suicide)
- Transmuting darkness like trauma and pain into storytelling and advocacy for change-making
- The importance of ethical, independent journalism and media, especially today
- Lived experience
- Creating positive change through connection and storytelling
- Disability representation in media and TV (and lack thereof)
- Being a proud disabled, autistic, LGBTQIA+ person in a world that wasn’t built for us
- Chronic illness, chronic pain and invisible, dynamic disabilities
- Challenging stigma and ableism, including internalised ableism
- What is accessibility and why does it matter in everything–including events and marketing
- Disability rights
- Creating safe, equal and respectful spaces for disabled, autistic and LGBTQIA+ people
- Surviving the medical system (including medical gaslighting and medical misogyny)
- Building a business as a disabled entrepreneur because traditional workplaces aren’t accessible
- Being a disabled TV host and creating my own TV show (coming soon to Channel 31!)
- And opposite to all these other topics, I also sometimes talk about gaming and nerdy stuff, especially as a woman in the industry
I candidly share insights from my 15-year career in journalism, communications and advocacy, as well as my experiences as a multiply disabled, multiply neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ person. Want to see examples of my work? Check my portfolio and my in the media page.
Events I’ve been a speaker at include:
- MC/emcee for Grow Bold, a 2-day summit for LACs (local area coordinators) in 2016 for Feros Care
- Speaker for Our Watch on creating safety, quality, inclusion and respect for women with disabilities in the workplace in 2026
- Speaker at the 2026 Protect Our NDIS rally about the importance of NDIS, and supports for disabled people and their families
- Panel facilitator and moderator at Equiarts Australia in 2025 on breaking the glass ceiling as a disabled creative
- Speaker at A Voice of Our Own National Online Conference with People with Disability Australia for IDPWD 2025
- Speaker at From Stigma to Science: Educating for Change MECFS and Long Covid action forum with Emerge
Australia at Parliament 2025 - Speaker at Parliament House for the NDIS Cuts protest in 2025
- Keynote speaker at 2025 Social Media and Marketing Conference about inclusion and accessibility in marketing
- Emcee at Navigating My Way launch in 2025 with VMIAC (Victorian Mental Illness Alliance Council)
- Speaker at Stories That Stir for a 2025 International Women’s Day event. I shared my experiences with disability,
surviving suicide, and using lived experience and storytelling to make a difference in the world - Keynote speaker at Connect Up 2024 conference with CoAct for those in the disability employment service
- Workshop facilitator with Writers Victoria as part of their 2024 and 2025 programs on advocacy through journalism
- Speaker at Youth Action NSW’s 2024 Ask For Health: Endometriosis panel, exploring pain and medical gaslighting
- Keynote speaker at the 2023 National Youth Disability Summit by Children and Young People with Disability
Australia, and a speaker at their 2022 summit, talking about identity, disability, ableism and pride - Speaker on an NDIS Greens Panel with Senator Jordon Steele-John in 2024
- Speaker at a 2022 Headspace panel on disability and mental health allyship
- Speaker at the 2021 and 2022 National Young Writers Festival, on journalism, trauma, mental health and gaming
Zoe was a thoughtful and vulnerable podcast guest, bringing so much heart and honesty to the topics we explored! Her storytelling made for a powerful, relatable conversation that resonated with my audience.
I really love being a speaker at events. It can be so powerful and transformative. If you’re looking for a keynote speaker, motivational speaker, MC, facilitator, or really, anything else, I’d love to be involved!
While I’m based in Melbourne, Victoria, I speak all across Australia: and hopefully someday, internationally!
Book me as a keynote speaker today!