Sarah Stephenson-Hunter

Sarah Stephenson-Hunter is a highly respected Diversity and Inclusion keynote speaker, blind trans woman and the Founder and Director of Simply Equality, a UK-based social enterprise supporting Disabled and LGBTQIA+ people to thrive at work. With more than 20 years’ experience in equality, disability and inclusion leadership, Sarah brings together deep professional expertise with lived experience to create talks that feel grounded, human and immediately relevant. Her work focuses on resilience, identity, belonging and inclusive culture, helping audiences rethink how they lead, support and work with others during periods of pressure and change.

Sarah’s career spans senior roles across public and higher education, including her time as Staff Disability Adviser and Interim Joint Head of Equality and Diversity at the University of Oxford. In these roles, Sarah led on disability and LGBTQ+ inclusion strategy, policy development and staff support during significant organisational transition. She advised senior leaders, line-managed equality teams and ensured inclusion was embedded into institutional decision-making. Earlier in her career, Sarah held disability advisory and policy roles at multiple universities and national organisations, building a reputation for translating equality legislation into practical, compassionate action that works in real environments.

Alongside her institutional leadership, Sarah is the Founder of Simply Equality, a social enterprise committed to breaking down barriers faced by Disabled and LGBTQIA+ people at work. Through speaking, training, consultancy and coaching, Sarah supports organisations across sectors including law, insurance, policing, charities and education. A committed advocate for visibility and resilience, Sarah completed the London Marathon in support of Stonewall, challenging assumptions about disability, endurance and leadership through action as well as words. Sarah is featured in Trans Is Human, a photo series created by Jake and Hannah Graf for International Transgender Day of Visibility 2025, highlighting her life as a blind trans woman.

As a keynote speaker, Sarah is known for her warmth, honesty and clarity. She speaks openly about navigating blindness, gender transition and leadership responsibility, always linking lived experience back to universal lessons about purpose, resilience and inclusive decision-making. Her talks give leaders confidence to move beyond good intentions and into everyday inclusive practice. Sarah consistently leaves audiences with a clear sense of what they can do differently, whether that is changing how they lead teams, design workplaces or support people through complex change.