Book IWD Speaker: Kiru Thangadurai

Harvard-educated leadership speaker & immigrant founder empowering women

Kiru Thangadurai is a leadership development strategist, keynote speaker and founder of Adept, a leadership consultancy based in Perth, Western Australia.

Her work focuses on helping professionals build the confidence, clarity and influence needed to lead and thrive in complex, high-pressure environments.

With more than two decades of global experience across consulting, mining, healthcare and technology, Kiru has worked with hundreds of leaders navigating organisational change, career transitions and leadership challenges.

She currently facilitates leadership development programs and advises leaders across large organisations, supporting the development of confident, psychologically safe and high-performing teams.

Kiru’s story resonates strongly with International Women’s Day audiences because it reflects the very themes IWD celebrates: courage, opportunity and the power of women to shape their own path.

Born and raised in Coimbatore in southern India, Kiru grew up in a financially struggling household and became the first generation in her family to attend high school and university.

After moving to Australia, she rebuilt her career from the ground up, beginning in blue-collar shutdown roles in regional mining towns before transitioning into HR, organisational change and leadership consulting.

Today she runs a global leadership consultancy and works with leaders across multiple industries.

Her work combines evidence-based leadership frameworks, neuroscience insights and lived experience to help women navigate the challenges many face in their careers, from imposter syndrome and confidence barriers to influencing in male-dominated environments.

Kiru completed Executive Education at Harvard Kennedy School in Adaptive Leadership and advanced study in neuroscience and leadership from MIT, bringing cutting-edge research into practical, relatable insights for audiences.

For International Women’s Day events, Kiru delivers inspiring and practical sessions that help women step more fully into their potential. Her talks explore topics such as:

• Building confidence and self-belief in challenging environments

• Navigating career growth and leadership transitions

• Turning adversity into strength and resilience

• Influencing with authenticity and courage

• Rewriting your career story and stepping into your next chapter

Known for her warmth, authenticity and powerful storytelling, Kiru connects deeply with audiences and creates an atmosphere that encourages reflection, growth and possibility.

Her talks leave audiences feeling inspired, grounded and equipped with practical tools to move forward with greater clarity, confidence and courage, both in their careers and in their lives.

---