Hello.
Welcome to The Agenda Lounge, where we elevate every agenda and create a safe space for all. Our mission is to drive societal change by breaking down barriers and stigma for those who have faced adversities. Together, we foster an inclusive environment that encourages open dialogue and collaboration. Join us in creating meaningful experiences that uplift and empower everyone.
Our Story.
At The Agenda Lounge we open up conversations and put important social agendas on the table, bridging business expertise with community purpose in a warm, motivational way.
Our founder’s 20 years of private sector leadership and her lived experience form a unique perspective that drives meaningful change at every level. We offer a full suite of services; including interactive workshops, comprehensive DEI strategies, leadership coaching, and strategic advisory on social mobility and social value. ​
All designed to empower organisations with inclusive practices.
Our mission is to train businesses in advancing social mobility and creating social value, while educating public sector partners on effective collaboration with companies and involving the education sector.
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Central to our approach is a commitment to enhancing opportunities for individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds, leveraging our founder’s authentic networks and unwavering passion for social mobility to open doors and bridge divides.
Warm, motivational and authentic, we deliver credible leadership and practical strategies that inspire stakeholders to embrace a more inclusive future.
Founder.
Marisa Lloyd
I know what it feels like to wonder if your past will define your future. My childhood mirrored my mum’s in so many ways, both of us carried the weight of her addiction and the uncertainty of the social services system. Yet our stories took very different paths. Her fight ended too soon, leaving her voice unheard. Mine, however, is just beginning. And, I’m determined to make it count.
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That determination is the heartbeat of The Agenda Lounge.
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I founded this community not just to honour the struggle I’ve inherited, but to celebrate the strength I’ve forged from it. I’ve spent two decades in recruitment learning how workplaces operate and all too often, talent gets passed over because someone’s background doesn’t “fit the mould.” I’m here to change that.
Whether you’re a young person wrestling with self-doubt or a business leader seeking fresh perspectives, The Agenda Lounge is for you.
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Here’s how we make impact together:
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Elevate Lived Experience
I speak openly about my mum and myself, not to dwell on the pain, but to highlight the strength born from it. When young people hear that I made it through the same struggle, they see their own potential instead of their past mistakes.
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Embed Social Mobility in Your Strategy
We partner with businesses to build mentorship circles, remove bias from job descriptions, and connect directly with communities. These aren’t just “nice extras”, they slot perfectly into your social value goals and show your teams you mean it when you say, “Everyone belongs here.”
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Drive Growth Through Inclusion
I’ve seen firsthand how socio-economic diversity ignites innovation. People who’ve fought for every opportunity bring tenacity, fresh ideas, and loyalty that outperforms any LinkedIn “ideal candidate.” Companies that open their doors wider, who back their inclusion talk with real investment, see higher engagement, better problem-solving, and yes, stronger revenue.
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My mum’s story ended before she could see her voice mattered. Mine is still unfolding, powered by purpose and unshakable resolve.
Through The Agenda Lounge, I’m on a mission to prove that what you’ve been through can be your greatest advantage. So, let’s rewrite the script together: turn stigma into strength, loss into leadership, and build workplaces, and lives, where every story has the chance to keep going.
Education.
We offer a comprehensive portfolio of services designed to support education by aligning with lived experiences. Our holistic approach empowers individuals to cultivate skills, resilience, and determination, fostering personal and professional growth. Together, we believe in nurturing potential and creating pathways to success.
Let us guide you on your journey towards empowerment and achievement.
'The Agenda' Talk
Dive into The Agenda Lounge for a high-energy, 45-minute motivational talk, where inspiration meets action.
Experience Marisa’s raw, unfiltered journey: from overcoming relentless adversity and defying every expectation, to forging a path far beyond her origins. You’ll walk away with battle-tested techniques to ignite unshakable determination, craft compelling stories, and stand tall; no matter where you start.
Ideal for secondary schools, colleges, and universities craving an electrifying, lounge-style learning adventure.
Healing through Connection
A transformative talk designed for educators ready to champion students who’ve faced trauma.
We’ll explore empathetic communication techniques, trauma-informed practices, and creative classroom strategies that break down barriers and dismantle stigma.
Through vivid case studies and hands-on exercises, you’ll discover how to foster safe spaces, spark genuine dialogue, and turn compassionate understanding into powerful healing.
Walk away energised with practical tools to uplift every learner, because when we replace silence with support, resilience blossoms in the most unexpected places.
Connect To Work
A fresh, immersive talk that equips young students with the universal skills to thrive in any field. Creative problem-solving, confident communication, and agile collaboration.
Through candid stories of trial and error, you’ll see how every misstep can become a springboard for growth, transforming setbacks into resilience.
By the end of our session, you’ll not only map out your own skill toolkit but also embrace the mindset that mistakes are simply the drafts of success; fuelling your journey from ambition to accomplishment.
Corporate.
We proudly offer services that address employment barriers linked to stigma. Our mission to provide valuable insights and cultivate a genuine sense of belonging, empowering individuals to navigate their career journeys with confidence.
Together, we will create inclusive workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to succeed and thrive.
'The Agenda' Talk
An electrifying 45-minute leadership lab where Marisa’s real-world journey, from breaking through barriers to charting unexplored paths, becomes the blueprint for purpose-driven corporate storytelling.
Leaders will learn how to weave personal and organisational values into compelling narratives that spark social value initiatives and galvanise teams. You’ll leave with battle-tested frameworks to turn setbacks into strategic advantage, inspire authentic connection, and drive inclusive behaviours at every level of your business.
Ideal for ERG sessions, Management Training or Annual conferences craving an electrifying, lounge-style learning adventure.
Enhancing your
Social Value Strategy
'Community to Work' reimagined for the corporate sphere: a dynamic, hands-on session that codifies the essential skills, creative problem-solving, agile collaboration, and confident communication needed to embed social value into your core strategy.
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Through interactive breakout challenges and real-life corporate case studies, you’ll map out how to pilot projects that benefit both community and company, learn from inevitable missteps, and build the resilient mindsets needed to iterate toward ever-stronger stakeholder impact.
Creating Connection
Dive into “Creating Connection” tailored for leaders who shape DEIB from the top.
You’ll engage with strengths-based strategies, active listening practices, psychological safety mapping, and open, stigma-free conversations that cultivate cultures where every team member feels recognised, supported, and empowered.
Through immersive, hands-on scenarios, you’ll learn to dismantle silos, champion mental wellbeing, and foster a lasting sense of belonging that fuels both individual growth and organisational resilience.
Bespoke Packages available
Testimonials.
“Their workshops gave our learners hope and real-world tools, confidence has never been higher.”
— Dr. Simon Patel, Head of Student Success
“In one workshop, they broke down walls. Our people walk away inspired and our brand shines because of it.”
“The Agenda Lounge opened our eyes to bias we didn’t know we had. Now, our talent pool, and our profits are brighter than ever.”
James O’Neill, Head of D&I
