“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, whether anyone names it or not. When it's unseen and unsupported, it shows up in presenteeism, blunted performance, and teams quietly fraying at the edges. When it's acknowledged, contained and understood, 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 senior professionals to navigate grief, loss and change in ways that strengthen the organisation rather than erode it. This work often happens one-to-one, supporting individuals directly – particularly those in senior or high-responsibility roles – where the impact of grief is both personal and organisational.
The risks of getting this wrong are clear – irrevocable loss of trust, loss of talent and avoidable disruption. Getting it right builds confidence, strengthens teams and long-term commitment. It's also a chance for organisations to act with straightforward humanity.
Talks, Webinars and Training
All sessions are designed in response to your context and the situations people are dealing with. I work carefully with each organisation to ensure the work is relevant and appropriate, rather than generic.
Webinar (60–75 minutes) — A practical introduction to grief in the workplace, suitable for teams, managers and staff groups. This session supports greater understanding of how grief and loss show up at work, and how to respond with clarity rather than avoidance.
In-person Talk (90 minutes) — A deeper exploration of grief, leadership and organisational life, with space for reflection, questions and real-world application. Particularly useful where loss and change is already present.
Training (2.5 hours) — A structured workshop for leaders, HR and those in key supporting roles, including Executive Assistants. The focus is on developing confidence, judgement and practical capacity when supporting others through grief, loss and change.
Finalist in the Speaking and Training category, Strategic PA Network Awards 2026.
You can also read my recent piece for Executive Support Magazine, Learning and Leading Through Grief and Loss, on how grief affects assistants, administrative professionals and the organisations they work in
Executive and Leadership Support
Organisations often seek support at moments of major loss, transition or difficult change. This is often where my work matters most.
I offer one-to-one support for founders, senior leaders and people in high-responsibility roles. This work is individual, while holding the wider organisational context. It may include:
The Grief Recovery Method®, offered one-to-one
Specialist sessions focused on clarity, emotional complexity and orientation
Support during periods of loss, disruption or complex organisational change
This work supports those who lead to remain oriented and think clearly in the midst of loss, change and emotional intensity – without forcing resolution or performance.
“Floored, in the best possible way. Today's lunchtime Strategic PA Network October Power Hour was nothing short of extraordinary. We were absolutely honoured to welcome Jess Goyder, a specialist grief counsellor… Jess effortlessly guided us through the complexities of grief, explaining the different types, approaches and ways to cope. It was truly a safe space where everyone felt heard and understood. The session resonated deeply and has opened up ongoing conversations for all who attended… Jess is an absolute superpower in this field and we can't thank her enough for her time."
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 the right conditions 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’re considering how to respond to grief or loss within your organisation, you’re welcome to book a short conversation to explore what might be helpful. I keep my organisational workload intentionally small so the work remains thoughtful and effective.