Keynote
Speaker
Nyambe (Yam) Sumbwanyambe
Step into your power. Spark lasting change. Lead with purpose.
Hi, I’m Yam. With nearly 20 years in the life sciences sectors, including leading roles at MSD and Merck, I’ve honed a deep expertise in driving commercial excellence, strategic initiatives, and business growth. My focus is on empowering leaders to create sustainable change and build high-performing teams in complex global environments.
At MSD, I supported the launch of our biggest brands and played a key role in the UK strategy office, delivering impactful initiatives that drove both business results and operational efficiency. This experience has shaped my belief that true growth happens when organisations align their leadership, strategy, and talent development efforts.
One of my superpowers is creating psychological safety… building spaces where people feel truly seen and heard. I have a unique ability to put people at ease, agitating just enough for them to step outside their comfort zones, speak their truth, and take meaningful action. This is at the core of my approach when helping leaders and organisations navigate change and unlock potential.
In 2025, I launched The Black Sherpa to support under-represented talent in thriving within competitive industries. My work focuses on unlocking the potential of individuals and helping leaders foster inclusive, high-performing teams that deliver measurable success. I work with organisations to implement strategies that bridge talent gaps, optimise performance, and drive long-term growth.
Outside of work, I live in East Yorkshire with my wife, Victoria, and our children, Theo and Isabelle, alongside Dexter, our German Shorthaired Pointer. Outside of work, you’ll find me training to keep in shape, enjoying great food, travelling, and spending quality time with friends.
Nyambe (Yam) Sumbwanyambe
Founder of The Black Sherpa | Strategic Consultant & Leadership Coach
Inclusive Leadership Strategist & Culture Transformation Expert
Powerful 60 minute keynotes with tailored messaging and and Q&A to motivate and inspire:
After Dinner Speaking
Bespoke Events
Keynote Speaking
Motivational Speaking
Public Appearances
Virtual Events
“Seen, heard, hired:
Redefining merit in the modern workplace”
Talent progression, visibility, and equity
Outcome: Challenges outdated ideas of meritocracy and equips leaders to recognise and reward diverse talent without bias.
“The cost of fitting In:
Lessons from a career in assimilation”
Personal story, authenticity, psychological safety
Outcome: Shares a powerful lived experience that inspires inclusive leadership and encourages underrepresented professionals to lead without losing themselves.
“The language of inclusion:
Equipping leaders to act, not just empathise”
DEI fluency for senior leaders
Outcome: Provides practical tools and language for business leaders to engage with DEI confidently and effectively in high-performance environments.
“From lone winner to culture shifter:
Why belonging beats burnout”
Culture change, performance, and wellbeing
Outcome: Unpacks the lone-winner mindset and offers a roadmap to building psychologically safe, purpose-led teams that perform and sustain.
“Lead Your Career:
Thriving without compromise”
Career development for under-represented talent
Outcome: Motivates professionals to take control of their careers with intention, authenticity, and influence that gets recognised.
“The realities of social mobility: Breaking barriers, building potential”
Diversity, equity, and inclusion in talent progression
Outcome: Equips leaders to recognise hidden challenges and create environments where diverse talent can thrive and drive lasting impact.
Loved, Lifted, Led:
Leadership Lessons from Fatherhood
What becoming a father taught me about bias, belonging, and building inclusive teamsOutcome: A fresh take on leadership rooted in the transition to fatherhood and raising mixed-race children. This keynote equips leaders to lead with empathy, challenge bias, and create cultures where diverse talent feels seen, heard, and valued.