“How an organisation responds to grief is a litmus test of its values. People feel supported and stay, or remember the absence of care and move on.” — Jess Goyder
Organisations and Leadership
Grief is part of every workplace. When loss is unseen and unsupported, it shows up in presenteeism, reduced effectiveness, overwhelm and fractured team dynamics. When it’s understood, contained and acknowledged, people think more clearly, make better decisions and re-engage in a way that fits their reality rather than a false timeline.
I support organisations, leaders and employees to navigate grief, loss and change in ways that strengthen the organisation rather than erode it. How an organisation responds to grief is a litmus test of its values: people either feel supported and remain loyal, or remember the absence of care and often move on. The risks of getting this wrong are clear – irrevocable loss of trust, loss of talent and avoidable disruption. Getting it right strengthens teams and systems, builds confidence and long-term commitment. It’s also a chance for organisations to act with straightforward humanity.
Talks, Webinars and Training
All sessions are tailored to your context and the needs of your people.
Webinar (60 minutes)
A practical introduction to grief in the workplace – suitable for teams, managers and staff groups.
In-person Talk (90 minutes)
A deeper exploration of grief, leadership and organisational impact, with space for questions and real-world application.
Training (2.5 hours)
A structured workshop for leaders, HR and those in key supporting roles, including Executive Assistants. Builds clarity, confidence and the ability to support others through loss and change.
Tailored sessions
Longer or fully customised sessions can be designed for selected organisations.
Executive and Leadership Support
Organisations often seek support at moments of major loss, transition or difficult change. This is the point at which my work is especially effective.
I offer discreet, specialist one-to-one support for senior leaders, founders, CEOs and those in high-responsibility roles. This includes:
The Grief Recovery Method®
Specialist sessions focused on clarity, emotional regulation and decision-making
Support during periods of loss, disruption or complex organisational change
This work helps leaders think clearly, communicate well and navigate demanding circumstances without losing themselves or their teams.
“Jess Goyder’s style and approach are seamless. When she keynoted at our event, she captivated the entire audience with her authenticity and warmth. She has a unique ability to connect with people on a deep level, creating a safe, inclusive environment where every voice feels heard. Her engaging presence and thoughtful insights sparked meaningful conversations and left a lasting impression. Jess didn’t just deliver a keynote – she created a special, memorable experience for everyone”.
Marianne Whitlock, Co-founder and Director, Strategic PA Recruitment and Network.
“I had the absolute privilege of working alongside Jess as we delivered a session on Grief in the Workplace for BPAS. She brings a rare blend of deep expertise, empathy and lived experience, making a difficult subject feel accessible, engaging and impactful.
What sets Jess apart is her ability to create a safe space for people to explore grief – not just bereavement, but the many life changes that bring loss. She delivers with compassion, clarity and real-world insight, ensuring people walk away with practical ways to navigate grief in their workplaces and beyond.
If you’re looking for someone who can bring meaningful, human-centred conversations to life and drive real change in how organisations support their people, I can’t recommend Jess highly enough.””
Nick Elston, Forging People Ltd., Award Winning Mental Health, Keynonte and Event Speaker.
“This was honestly one of the most impactful, thought-provoking, well-supported and thoughtfully delivered sessions I’ve ever attended (and I’ve been around a while!). I’m so grateful you brought Jess Goyder in to present and lead this session – it has already started important conversations for so many of us. Absolutely superb.”
Helen Rees, EA to CEO and Board at Parkrun
Next Steps
If you’d like to explore what would support your organisation, you can book a short conversation. I keep my organisational workload intentionally small so the work remains thoughtful and effective.