Going all-in
FROM FINANCE TO FOUNDER
A candid, entertaining journey from the trading floor to serial entrepreneur — and how poker equipped her for the ride.
Best for: An inspiring keynote that energises.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
UK · EUROPE · US
High stakes. High impact.
Lessons from the poker table to raise your game.
MEET JO LIVING
From trading floor to casino floor.
Former investment banker, tech founder and poker player, Jo Living used poker strategy to take her seat at the table, read the room and raise venture capital funding — then founded award-winning Aces High to bring those lessons into the boardroom.
Raised by two bridge teachers in a house full of cards, Jo's story moves through passing out on the trading floor, a big win in Morocco, and the loss of her mum, dad, brother and best friend in quick succession — and what it taught her about living authentically.
Poker was the thread that helped Jo to thrive in high-stakes moments. But Jo's insights prove you don't need to gamble - or even lift a chip - to learn strategic lessons from a game where you play the people, not the cards.
“Negotiation and risk management are tough skills to learn. Jo was clear and engaging, with an interesting point of difference. I'm all-in.”
Richard Branson · Virgin Group
Keynotes
Three ways to play it.
A keynote with a difference.
Sessions can be tailored or blended.
Read the Room
NEGOTIATION & INFLUENCE
How to read body-language, manage your own tells and assert your value under pressure. Practical, interactive, and memorable.
Best for: Audiences who want practical skills.
Reframing risk
RISK & DECISION-MAKING
Poker is the ultimate game of decisions with incomplete information. Reframe how leaders weigh, communicate and act on risk.
Best for: Senior leaders seeking a fresh lens.
Your audience leaves with
Learning that sticks.
Read the room
Body language tips and managing 'tells'.
Self-regulation
Stay composed when the stakes are high.
Table persona
Are you a jackal, an elephant, or a mouse?
Expected value
Weigh risk & reward in a world of uncertainty.
Resulting
Separate good decisions from lucky outcomes.
Resilience
Not going 'on tilt' after a bad beat or downswing.
Trusted by
BlackRock · EY · Sky · Premier League · Amazon · Databricks · Seismic · Superseed VC · Ruffer
Featured in
Financial Times · BBC News · CBS News · CityAM · Stylist · The Standard · Metro · Mail on Sunday
Recognition
UK Startup Award Winner · Virgin Startup Winner · Finalist: Inspirational Woman (Startups Magazine)
LISTEN, WATCH & READ
Hear Jo in action.
Enquire
Ready to go all-in?
Tell Jo about your event and she'll be in touch.