Kerry O'Brien

About

Born in Holloway Prison and raised amid hardship, Kerry O'Brien overcame adversity through creativity and healing. As CEO of Young Urban Arts Foundation, she has impacted over 22,000 young people by leading art, theatre, and mentorship programs that foster self-expression and personal growth. Kerry's dynamic career includes roles as an MC, Rinse FM presenter, Reiki Master, and guest lecturer at the University of Westminster.

Her signature presentations blend performance, mindfulness, and raw honesty-encouraging participants to reframe their narratives, embrace authentic leadership, and channel adversity into creative power.

Kerry's collaborations with major brands like Sony Pictures, eBay, and The British Council showcase her ability to create transformative experiences in corporate and educational settings alike.

Key Topics

1. Resilience & Mindfulness: How creative practice and mindfulness transform trauma into strength.

2. Authentic Leadership: Leading from the heart and using personal stories to inspire others.

3. Creative Empowerment: Using arts and performance to build confidence, self-worth, and community cohesion.

Review

"I worked with Kerry and the team on a leadership development programme for Sony Music Entertainment and it was one of the most powerful experiences I have been part of. Using music to connect a group of very senior leaders with youth from the local area to help them better understand themselves was magical. We saw real behaviour in the moment which enabled us to feedback and review at the same time as delivering a project that made a significant difference to the lives of the participants." - Tiffany Kelly, Beyond Bamboo Global