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Ginger Hardage

Ginger Hardage

Keynote Speaker: Former SVP of Culture & Communications at Southwest Airlines

Ginger Hardage Biography

Ginger Hardage retired as Senior Vice President of Culture and Communications at Southwest Airlines after an illustrious 25 years, where she served as a member of the CEO’s executive leadership team. At Southwest, Hardage led a team of 150 people responsible for building and sustaining the organization’s legendary culture and communications enterprise.

In 2017, Hardage launched Unstoppable Cultures, a brand designed to help organizations create and sustain cultures of enduring greatness. Hardage was responsible for the activities at Southwest that nourished the culture and the internal and external communications function. Hardage was a tireless ambassador of the world-famous Southwest Culture, leading to honors such as being a perpetual standout on FORTUNE’s “Most Admired Companies in the World” list. She helped champion the values, purpose and “Best Place to Work” initiatives at the nation’s largest airline.

Upon her retirement, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said “Ginger has made countless contributions to Southwest. She has been an invaluable business partner, advisor, and mentor. She brings constant, positive energy and enthusiasm to all those around her, and that is infectious. She has built superb teams that we are very proud of, and that I know will continue her special brand of excellence.”

Hardage has received numerous honors throughout her career, including induction into the Public Relations Hall of Fame, being named as one of Texas’ Most Powerful and Influential Women, and receiving the prestigious Larry Foster Award for Integrity in Public Communication from the Arthur W. Page Society. PRWeek has named her multiple times to its Top 50 Power list and 50 Most Powerful Women in Public Relations. She was named “Legendary Communicator” by Southern Methodist University, Legacy Award honoree by the Plank Center for Leadership, and selected for the James C. Bowling Executive-In-Residence Lecture Series at the University of Kentucky.

Hardage currently serves as Global Chairman of the Board for Ronald McDonald House Charities. In Dallas, she serves on the board of The Trinity Park Conservancy and was a past president of the Trinity Commons Foundation. Hardage previously served on advisory boards of Novartis in Basel, Switzerland; The Page Society; Business Civic Leadership Center, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Big Brothers and Sisters of Metropolitan Dallas; Southwest Cares; and the Council of Public Relations Firms.

Hardage earned a B.A. in advertising/public relations from Texas Tech University and was recognized as an outstanding alumna by the College of Mass Communications at Texas Tech University.

Hardage lives in Dallas, TX and Santa Fe, NM with her husband, Kelly.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Ginger Hardage and other top speakers and celebrities.

Ginger Hardage Speaking Topics

5 Lies About Organizational Culture

When considering organizational culture, some universal lies tend to rise to the surface. In the back of our minds, we have little voices telling us that we can’t change the culture of our companies and teams. Maybe for you, that’s the idea that culture is fluffy, you can’t afford culture, or that if you empower your employees, you might lose control. But, none of those are true!

In Ginger’s signature keynote, she walks through the five lies people tell about why they can’t affect culture and reveals the counteracting truths that allow companies to build Unstoppable Cultures in their own organizations. You already have a culture – will that culture happen by default or will you define it? When you stop believing lies and start living by the truth, your culture flourishes… your employees stick around longer and people achieve more than they ever thought possible. In short, if a leader creates culture intentionally, that organization becomes unstoppable.

Unstoppable Cultures

Every company has a culture. For some, it’s a culture of innovation - new, never been done before ideas. For others, it’s fun (birthday cakes and costumes are often involved). For some, it’s toxicity and gossip. There are cultures that celebrate loyalty, hard work, or profit above all else. There are cultures that are both intentional and accidental. There are cultures that draw people in and ones that drive people away. There are cultures that detract from the mission of the organization, cultures that must be overcome or compensated for, cultures that derail or dead end. Surely, you can resonate with at least one of those descriptions.

But then, there are cultures that are unstoppable. Unstoppable Cultures put people first, are consistent in nurturing their culture through systems, and are relentless in storytelling. In this signature talk from Ginger, she will walk you through these critical characteristics of unstoppable cultures. You will undoubtedly leave with both practical and inspiring ideas on how to begin the journey of building the culture you always dreamed of for your organization.

Building a Brand From the Inside Out

What do you think about when you think about a brand? A logo? A website? A stock symbol? Maybe. But these are just expressions of a brand; they are not what brings a brand to life. So if not these elements, what is the most important thing when we think about our brands? Ginger has a simple answer - people.

In this inspiring talk, Ginger discusses why employee engagement is the single most important element when any of us are thinking about our brands. She knows that the way an organization behaves on the inside will find its way to the outside, and that the true character of any company is expressed by its people. In “Building a Brand from the Inside Out,” learn from this 25-year Southwest Airlines veteran about creating an “employee first” culture where employees are engaged, act like owners, and are connected to their organization’s purpose.

The Power of Purpose

If we look back to our parents’ and grandparents’ generation of organizations, winning was often defined quite simply - as producing the most widgets for the least amount of money. Profits along were the name of the game to companies and a paycheck was all that mattered to employees.

But times have changed. These days, leaders understand deeply that aligning their organization to a deeper, rooted purpose - and ensuring that their employees and even customers are bought in to this purpose - is critical. Purpose mobilizes an organization in a way that profits alone cannot; today’s most successful companies consistently thread purpose and values throughout their organizations, including hiring, training, customer delivery, and performance management. In this talk, Ginger will inspire with insights from category-leading companies that are harnessing a well-defined purpose to propel their success.

Attract + Engage + Retain: Winning the Talent War

An organization is only as strong as its people — and that’s why winning the war to attract, engage, and retain top talent is so crucial to organizational success. With a 96% employee retention rate and decades on multiple lists as a Top Employer, Southwest Airlines has been a standout Employer Brand since before the creation of that buzz phrase. And now former Chief Culture & Communications Officer, Ginger Hardage, is pulling back the curtain on how Southwest attracts, engages, and retains their extraordinary (and extraordinarily loyal) workforce. In this keynote from Ginger, you will glean the timeless strategies that have led to Southwest’s acclaimed success in the people arena, stay current on other top strategies from leading companies, and learn how to apply them to your own organization.

Ginger Hardage Videos

Unstoppable Cultures | Ginger Hardage - YouTube
Episode 29- Ginger Hardage on How Southwest Airlines Built A ...

How do I book Ginger Hardage to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Ginger Hardage for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Ginger Hardage, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Ginger Hardage or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Ginger Hardage for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Ginger Hardage, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Ginger Hardage are $50,000 - $100,000 for live events and $20,000 - $30,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Ginger Hardage, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Ginger Hardage speak about?

Ginger Hardage is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Communication, Marketing, Social Media, Strategic Leadership, Human Resources, Women in Business, Female Leadership, Customer Service, Teamwork & Teambuilding, Leadership, Business and Inspirational.

Where does Ginger Hardage travel from?

Ginger Hardage generally travels from Dallas, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Ginger Hardage?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Ginger Hardage for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Ginger Hardage for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Ginger Hardage or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Ginger Hardage is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Communication, Marketing and Social Media. The estimated speaking fee range to book Ginger Hardage for live events is $50,000 - $100,000, and for virtual events $20,000 - $30,000. Ginger Hardage generally travels from Dallas, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Cassandra Worthy, Jenn Lim and Cynthia Marshall. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Ginger Hardage for an upcoming event.

Ginger Hardage Speaking Topics

  • 5 Lies About Organizational Culture

    When considering organizational culture, some universal lies tend to rise to the surface. In the back of our minds, we have little voices telling us that we can’t change the culture of our companies and teams. Maybe for you, that’s the idea that culture is fluffy, you can’t afford culture, or that if you empower your employees, you might lose control. But, none of those are true!

    In Ginger’s signature keynote, she walks through the five lies people tell about why they can’t affect culture and reveals the counteracting truths that allow companies to build Unstoppable Cultures in their own organizations. You already have a culture – will that culture happen by default or will you define it? When you stop believing lies and start living by the truth, your culture flourishes… your employees stick around longer and people achieve more than they ever thought possible. In short, if a leader creates culture intentionally, that organization becomes unstoppable.

  • Unstoppable Cultures

    Every company has a culture. For some, it’s a culture of innovation - new, never been done before ideas. For others, it’s fun (birthday cakes and costumes are often involved). For some, it’s toxicity and gossip. There are cultures that celebrate loyalty, hard work, or profit above all else. There are cultures that are both intentional and accidental. There are cultures that draw people in and ones that drive people away. There are cultures that detract from the mission of the organization, cultures that must be overcome or compensated for, cultures that derail or dead end. Surely, you can resonate with at least one of those descriptions.

    But then, there are cultures that are unstoppable. Unstoppable Cultures put people first, are consistent in nurturing their culture through systems, and are relentless in storytelling. In this signature talk from Ginger, she will walk you through these critical characteristics of unstoppable cultures. You will undoubtedly leave with both practical and inspiring ideas on how to begin the journey of building the culture you always dreamed of for your organization.

  • Building a Brand From the Inside Out

    What do you think about when you think about a brand? A logo? A website? A stock symbol? Maybe. But these are just expressions of a brand; they are not what brings a brand to life. So if not these elements, what is the most important thing when we think about our brands? Ginger has a simple answer - people.

    In this inspiring talk, Ginger discusses why employee engagement is the single most important element when any of us are thinking about our brands. She knows that the way an organization behaves on the inside will find its way to the outside, and that the true character of any company is expressed by its people. In “Building a Brand from the Inside Out,” learn from this 25-year Southwest Airlines veteran about creating an “employee first” culture where employees are engaged, act like owners, and are connected to their organization’s purpose.

  • The Power of Purpose

    If we look back to our parents’ and grandparents’ generation of organizations, winning was often defined quite simply - as producing the most widgets for the least amount of money. Profits along were the name of the game to companies and a paycheck was all that mattered to employees.

    But times have changed. These days, leaders understand deeply that aligning their organization to a deeper, rooted purpose - and ensuring that their employees and even customers are bought in to this purpose - is critical. Purpose mobilizes an organization in a way that profits alone cannot; today’s most successful companies consistently thread purpose and values throughout their organizations, including hiring, training, customer delivery, and performance management. In this talk, Ginger will inspire with insights from category-leading companies that are harnessing a well-defined purpose to propel their success.

  • Attract + Engage + Retain: Winning the Talent War

    An organization is only as strong as its people — and that’s why winning the war to attract, engage, and retain top talent is so crucial to organizational success. With a 96% employee retention rate and decades on multiple lists as a Top Employer, Southwest Airlines has been a standout Employer Brand since before the creation of that buzz phrase. And now former Chief Culture & Communications Officer, Ginger Hardage, is pulling back the curtain on how Southwest attracts, engages, and retains their extraordinary (and extraordinarily loyal) workforce. In this keynote from Ginger, you will glean the timeless strategies that have led to Southwest’s acclaimed success in the people arena, stay current on other top strategies from leading companies, and learn how to apply them to your own organization.

Ginger Hardage Videos

Unstoppable Cultures | Ginger Hardage - YouTube
Episode 29- Ginger Hardage on How Southwest Airlines Built A ...

Ginger Hardage Reviews

  • We loved Ginger. She is such a gracious lady and has such a fun personality. She was super encouraging to our local speaker, Mitch McCamey, who was very nervous to speak on stage in front of an audience of 700 for the first time. We had the night before speaker dinner at his eatery and she stood up at the end and toasted to him and really was encouraging. He told us afterwards how much that meant to him and he appreciated her. The photo op we did with Ginger following her presentation (and right before her driver picked her up) was a huge hit with our audience; lots of folks enjoyed getting to meet her briefly and have their photo taken with her. The photo op could have gone on for 30 more minutes if she hadn’t had to rush to leave! Her talk was interesting and really resonated with a lot of our crowd as company culture is such an important topic. The consensus was that everyone loved having her right after lunch because of her energy. They liked that she gave the text at the end to receive the slideshow and that she was accessible and seemed “real” and down to earth. She was our platinum sponsor’s CEO’s favorite speaker!
    Community Development Foundation - Jan 22 2020

  • Brother International Corporation - Nov 07 2019

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