Pat Armitstead
A master of joyful empowerment and personal growth, Pat shows how it is possible to find joy when it appears there is none.  

Her high energy and joyful presence is melded with her unique raw authenticity , creating an uplifting experience that shifts perceptions and brings hope to every soul in the room.  

She has presented over 600 keynotes across Australia and New Zealand and is well suited as an opening or closing keynote. 

Pat's entire life has been built on the notion of finding joy when it appears there is none!
She is a cancer survivor; has turned around bankruptcy; repaid $80,000 in 2 years; lost her first child, lost her home and business twice; tolerated a violent relationship; had 10 car accidents in 18 months (none her fault she says!); her family did not speak for 20 years;  and she has been literally crippled by ill health. It was when her partner of 20 years left with another woman though,  that she crumbled.  But, rather than succumb to depression she found another way .

In the face of that adversity she  became:-
  • President of The National Speakers Association of New Zealand 
  • The most awarded speaker in 2001
  • NZ Speaker of the Year 2002
She then :-
  • Delivered over 600 conference keynotes 
  • Convened 2 international Speaker conventions
  • Anchored her own multi award winning radio show 
  • Convened the NZ Humour in Business Awards
  • Raised $450,000 and built an art gallery 
  • Was honoured by the Mayor at a Civic Reception in Auckland for her contribution to the nations wellbeing

Now she has launched her own TV show, "The Laughter Channel- Where Human Interest meets humour interest"
 
Pat can take your audience on a roller coaster of emotions, melding storytelling, artistic representation, positive psychology and emotional intelligence to lift spirits, reinvigorate individuals and teams and inspire them to give full self expression to their gifts and talents. ​​
Pats broad educational training and background in both business and health positions her well to deliver into the space of staff wellbeing and personal development.  She has led Managers and their teams to turn around attendance rates and productivity by up to 50%.  

​A summary of some of her qualifications includes :- RGN, Dip Ed ( Armidale UNE) , NLP Practitioner  and Master Practitioner, mBIT Coach - Multiple Braining , Peter Drucker Management/Leadership, Managing Multiple Projects, Myers Briggs Type Indicators ,   Advanced Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer,  Competency Based Training , Conflict Resolution , Improv Acting  and Storytelling,
                                                                                                                                                 
Pat  has worked for 40 years in leadership and training and development roles.  She believes the foundations of effective leadership lie in the development of :-


  • conversational intelligence
  • high trust environments
  • people being their word
  • the consistent practice of integrity
  • the harnessing of skills and talent
  • practices that  honor individual progress

She had 16 years in Nurse Education and as Director of Nursing services , before founding her own Advertising agency Take One Productions.  This business won 11 NSW advertising awards, 1 national and one international.  She also won the NSW Northwards Tourism Award, Media Section and an award from Cacharel in Paris.  Throughout this period she served on a number of Hospital and Business  boards as Chair or President.   

She was President of the National Speakers Association NZ 2001, The Most Awarded Speaker at the 2000 NSANZ Convention and 2002 NZ Speaker of the Year.   She has convened two International Conventions for the National Speakers Association of New Zealand and has toured internationally with Dr Patch Adams.  

She has been a professional speaker for 15 years and is a published author.  Her first book is called Humour Works, the second ANTIZAC - a Joyful prescription for the unhappiness epidemic.  She features in many others, including The Inspiration Bible, Silver Linings on the Long White Cloud by Chris Dodds, and Woman 2 Woman, Amanda Ellis and June McCabe- WESTPAC.  She features in the Amazon Best SellerCommon Threads compiled by Dr Shellie Hipsky and is currently writing Joyful Empowerment!
Humanitys Heart Interview

This interview was full of fun and laughter, Pat is an inspiring, heart centred woman. Pat Armitstead is at the forefront of Transforming Workplace Wellbeing, presenting over 1000 keynotes internationally and facilitating Workplace Wellbeing Programs in business and health sectors. Referred to as “Australasias answer to Patch Adams “ Pat is the epitome of good humour, unwavering positivity and creativity. She has a rare capacity to meld her creativity and compassion to champion the human spirit leading people to find joy where it appeared there was none.  Mike Hutcheson Ex MD of Saatchi and Saatchi Auckland said of her  " Pat is one of the most emotionally intelligent people I know