A team of 15 speakers will encourage an audience to think outside the box on a range of professional and personal topics at a seminar next month.

Each of the speakers will have five minutes to express their views during the Disrupt Bermuda presentation at the Bermuda College set for May 8.

Topics include workplace engagement and toxicity, data science, neurodiversity, trusts and distribution of final finances, managing redundancy and thriving through menopause.

Felicia Rickards, an executive coach, organised the first Disrupt Bermuda event in 2023.

She said: “The aim was to create a supportive environment with positive energy so that speakers feel comfortable stepping forward to present.

“The event creates an environment where attendees can lift their heads up from daily tasks and engage in a wide range of topics affecting the workplace and the community at large.”

Ms Rickards said that attendees would be given a “masterclass” on the 15 topics.

She said: “The purpose of the presentations is to inspire, educate and challenge. Attendees should attend with an openness to hear varied opinions.

“The event is geared towards the community at large. Speakers will address business, community and social topics that impact everyone personally and/or professionally.

“We usually issue a call for speakers — this being the third year for the Bermuda event, the majority of speakers have reached out to me directly.

“This year’s speakers will cover a broad range of topics, from workplace psychological health, the importance of mathematics in the modern business environment, managing menopause, behaviour science for motivation, leadership and much more.

“It is a safe space to face any discomfort about public speaking, develop confidence in front of an audience or share thought leadership.

“We have had very positive feedback from speakers and attendees complimenting the positive energy and engaging presentations at the Bermuda event.”

Ms Rickards said that the event would also provide an opportunity for attendees to network.

She said: “In the Disrupt setting, networking enhances the experience in several ways.

“It allows for positive connections that drive the supportive energy that is a key aim of the event.

“It allows for direct interaction between the attendees and the speakers so that they can expand on their presentation topic, and it creates connections between people who may have similar viewpoints, or want to collaborate.

“It provides a safe space for productive conversations around differing viewpoints. Finally, it's a great event for expanding one's circle of influence.”

According to Ms Rickards, DisruptHR is a global platform with licensed organisers in 166 cities across 33 countries.

Each licence holder ensures that the event conforms to the standard presentation guidelines, with five minutes allocated, and 20 slides that will advance automatically after 15 seconds.

She said: “Attendees at any event across the globe know what to expect in terms of the format. The community is large, supportive and there is lots of collaboration across jurisdictions.

“I have personally spoken in London and other cities across the UK, expanding my thought leadership to other shores.

“The aim is to provide a high-level overview that encourages attendees to connect with the presenters to further explore the subjects that resonate with them.

“The format does not allow for sales pitches. However, there is scope to create a connection with potential clients and collaborators. These relationships can continue to develop outside the event.”

The speeches will be recorded by a videographer and uploaded to the global DisruptHR website.