Yemi is a researcher, author, and Cultural Alchemist. She completed her PhD at La Trobe University on how cultural trauma is transformed through a decolonising lens, receiving the Nancy Millis Medal for a thesis of exceptional merit.
Before dedicating her work to cultural research and executive advisory, Dr Penn spent 20+ years delivering major rail infrastructure across the UK and Australia, including Crossrail, High Speed 2, Network Rail, Transport for NSW, and Sydney Metro. She brings this background in mechanical engineering to her scholarly work, providing a structural framework for solving complex problems, taking a human centred approach.
Yemi brings a disposition of Rebellious Curiosity™ to every engagement. Having gone against the grain multiple times - she opened an F45 gym in Brixton, London as a single parent living across the world, built and closed businesses, authored books, produced documentaries, and earned a doctorate, she asks the questions a room has subconsciously agreed not to ask, staying in the tension until transformation occurs.
Her premise leans on existing and emerging wisdom: what is not transformed is transferred, and most culture problems are unexamined scripts nobody has been willing or had the time to name.
Career Milestones & Timeline
2025
Awarded the Nancy Millis Medal for Doctoral Thesis of Exceptional Merit
La Trobe University
2023
Finalist, Women's Agenda Agenda Setter of the Year
Media / Leadership
2021–2025
PhD Research
Beyond the Lens: Transforming Trauma Through Decolonial Storytelling
La Trobe University
2020–Present
Founder & Lead Organisational Advisor
Yemi Penn Ventures
2018–2022
Founder & Director (Operated remotely)
F45 Brixton
2018–Present
Academic Program Designer & Facilitator
University of Technology (UTS)
2016–2019
Rail Integration Manager & Design Project Manager
Sydney Metro West
2008–2016
Infrastructure Integration Lead & Senior Project Manager
Cross-rail, High Speed 2& Network Rail
2003–2008
Systems & Mechanical Quality Engineer, Continuous Improvement Facilitator
BMW & General Air ProductS
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dr Yemi Penn?
Yemi is a researcher, author, keynote speaker, and organisational culture advisor (she calls herself a cultural alchemist). She earned her PhD at La Trobe University for her research on transforming cultural trauma through a decolonising lens, receiving the Nancy Millis Medal for exceptional merit. She applies doctoral research and systems thinking to transform organisational culture, leadership dynamics, and systemic ruptures.
How does her 7-Step Framework guide transformation?
Her framework (Ignite Rebellious Curiosity, Limit Less, You: Contextualised, The Art of Navigation, Have the Audacity, Liberate, Cultural Alchemy) bridges individual self-awareness with systemic organisational repair. It ensures teams do not just identify friction, but actively build the audacity to navigate structural tension and liberate their culture.
How do you book Dr Yemi Penn for speaking engagements?
Book Yemi by filling out the contact form with event details, dates, location, and audience. Bureau bookings are also available through global speaker bureaus.
What keynotes does Dr Yemi Penn deliver?
Yemi is often called on to deliver the keynotes below but she also works with organisations and conference organisers to deliver bespoke keynotes, based on the organisational need or conference theme:
1. Rebellious Curiosity™: Disrupting institutional groupthink, questioning inherited norms, and converting cultural blind spots into innovation.
2. Cultural Alchemy: Exploring how we transform cultures of static or frantic survival into cultures capable of thriving. It equips audiences to hold complexity, make meaning and release outdated ways of working, so something more impactful and sustainable can be rebuilt, together.
3. Building a Thriving Culture: Transforming workplaces from survival spaces into high-trust, collaborative, and psychological safe environments.
4. Liminal Thinking: Deconstructing legacy mindsets to solve complex, recurring organizational problems at the threshold of change.
5. Shame & Trauma Resilience: Applying Pain to Power Mapping to convert adversity into leadership authority and courageous action.
Where is Dr Yemi Penn located?
Yemi works globally delivering keynotes and advisory services worldwide. She can therefore be in Sydney one week and New York the next, then onto London. Yemi is a global citizen, with hubs all over the world and regularly travels to different countries in a week, she doesn’t subscribe to jetlag and has a large global community.