My experience is best expressed on stage, talking about the things I've actually lived. I love to tell stories and plant ideas for change, enabling people to see the world from a different lens. I keynote, sit on and chair panels, host whole events and run workshops.
Want to book me? Email hello@arfahfarooq.com. Already booked me? Bios and photos are on the bio and headshots page.
From small, intimate rooms to global stages
- 1,500people at Muslim Tech Fest, the festival I co-founded
- 5 countriesUK, USA, Netherlands, UAE and Pakistan
Recognition
- Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame, 2026
- Ranked 6th in Computer Weekly's most influential women in UK tech, 2025
- Top 20 in the Women in Software Power List, Google for Startups and Makers, 2021
- London Tech Week Top 30 Changemaker, 2018
- Churchill Fellow, 2017, researching Muslim women in tech across the USA, UAE and Pakistan
Where I've spoken
Watch
More interviews and podcasts are on the press page.
What I talk about
Every talk is tailored to the event and the audience. Tap a topic for more.
Practical AI for people who are already stretchedKeynote, panel or workshop
Moving teams and communities from playing with AI to working systems they actually use. This comes from building the AI in healthcare community at NHSX, where I created AI Deep Dive workshops to help professionals build confidence and capability with AI, and now training organisations through AI Compass Labs, plus how I use AI as an accessibility tool with ADHD and dysgraphia.
Building communities with the 5CsKeynote or workshop
Create, Connect, Collaborate, Care, Consistency. What I've learnt growing Muslamic Makers from a meetup where we expected 5 people and 50 came, leading a 1,500+ community in UK Government, running the ImpactVC community at Big Society Capital, and building Muslim Tech Fest.
Faith inclusion and supporting Muslim colleagues30 min talk or 90 min to 2 hr workshop
Islam basics, allyship during Ramadan and Eid, how media narratives turn into bias in hiring, and how to talk about it confidently in your team. A strong fit for Islamophobia Awareness Month in November.
Ramadan and tech20 to 30 minute keynote
The five pillars, why Ramadan matters, the apps and tools I actually use through the month, and what good support for fasting colleagues looks like at work.
Tech, entrepreneurship and building in governmentKeynote, panel or fireside chat
What it takes to launch something new inside big institutions and outside them. I helped launch the first Number 10 Innovation Fellowship programme, led the ImpactVC community of 600+ venture capitalists at Big Society Capital, invested as an Ada Ventures angel, and co-founded grassroots communities that grew into global movements.
My story: from MSN to Muslamic MakersKeynote or fireside chat
Resilience, failure and the founder reality. A startup that folded over a tax bill, finding my place in tech, a Churchill Fellowship across three countries, and building for my community for a decade before building for my family.
Workshops, panels and hosting
Communities don't happen by magic. There are forces at play that bring people together, and they can be taught. Every workshop ends with an actionable plan.
Panels and hostingChair, fireside or the whole day
I'm an experienced host and facilitator. I can chair your panel, run a fireside chat or host the whole day, and facilitate meaningful conversations.
AI capabilityBootcamps and programmes
Practical AI training for teams runs through AI Compass Labs: bootcamps, multi-week programmes and AI Systems Sprints.
Community building2 hour crash course or full day
How to build a community, how to rebuild and re-energise one, building a community manifesto, and how to self-sustain and operationalise. Everyone leaves with an actionable plan and a new community of people to help them deliver it.
Storytelling and personal brandWorkshop
I've navigated industries where I was often the only person of colour in the room. I teach how to battle imposter syndrome, leverage your network and build a personal brand with authentic storytelling.
Diversity and inclusionWorkshop
Built from a decade of doing the work, including my Churchill Fellowship research across three countries. Founders walk away with a plan for building diversity into the foundation of their company, not bolting it on years later.
What people say
"Arfah is a committed and dynamic leader in tech and advocacy. She spoke at our London Conference and simultaneously was able to inspire and captivate our audience, while providing actionable takeaways. I highly recommend her as a speaker, she's wonderful to work with and a fantastic speaker."
Melinda Epler, Founder, Tech Inclusion
"She spoke very passionately on the panel, demonstrating an in depth knowledge of the subject area, and a real devotion for educating people around the topic of creating a welcoming inclusive culture in an organisation or at events. Her contributions on the panel were invaluable, and I wouldn't hesitate to invite her to speak again."
Clare McDonald, Business Editor, Computer Weekly
"Arfah is an incredible public speaker. We were delighted to have her share her career journey with our young people, they left feeling inspired and motivated."
Noreen Niazi, Board Secretary, EY Foundation
"Working with Arfah has been amazing. She can take an inactive community and help them find aligned vision, purpose and goals, whilst driving forward change in routine practices. She is also gifted at D&I and isn't afraid to have the necessary discussions needed to make change."
Samantha Bryant, Delivery Manager, UK Government
"Arfah helped educate the entire company on diversity and inclusivity topics, which made us a better place to work at."
Evgeny Shadchnev, Co-founder, Makers
"When it comes to communities Arfah is the person to know. You can follow her lead on how to create and run successful communities."
Amir Anzur, Author
Book me
Email hello@arfahfarooq.com with your event, audience and dates, and I'll come back to you with a tailored outline.
Writing the event page or the introduction already? Everything you need is on the bio and headshots page.