Anne Applebaum
Pulitzer Prize Winner | Staff Writer, The Atlantic | Senior Fellow, Johns Hopkins SAIS | Author of Autocracy Inc., Gulag & Iron Curtain | 2024 Peace Prize of the German Book Trade
Nadia Murad
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate | Founder, Nadia's Initiative | UN Goodwill Ambassador for Human Trafficking Survivors
Nobel Peace Prize laureate and founder of Nadia's Initiative, speaker Nadia Murad is one of the world's most compelling voices on human rights, resilience, and survivor-led advocacy. Her firsthand experience and global leadership in rebuilding communities devastated by genocide make her an unforgettable presence on any stage. Audiences leave her keynotes moved to action and inspired to lead with moral courage.
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Nadia Murad biography
Keynote speaker Nadia Murad is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, human rights advocate, and founder of Nadia’s Initiative, a survivor-led organization dedicated to rebuilding communities devastated by genocide and sexual violence. Her courage in sharing her personal story of captivity under ISIS has made her one of the most powerful voices for justice and accountability on the global stage.
Born into the Yazidi community of Kocho in northern Iraq, Murad’s life changed irrevocably when ISIS attacked her village in August 2014. Abducted along with thousands of other Yazidi women and girls, she endured months of captivity, torture, and sexual enslavement before escaping. Rather than retreat into silence, she chose to speak — first to local officials, then to the United Nations, and eventually to world leaders — demanding recognition of the Yazidi genocide and justice for its survivors.
From Survivor to Global Leader
Her advocacy earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018, shared with Dr. Denis Mukwege, for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. She also holds the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought and the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize. The United Nations appointed her as its first Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking.
Through Nadia’s Initiative, she has led the rebuilding of critical infrastructure in Sinjar, including the completion and handover of the Sinjar French Medical Center to Iraqi health authorities, teacher training programs reaching hundreds of educators, and the construction of women’s empowerment facilities. Her bestselling memoir The Last Girl brought international attention to the Yazidi crisis, and her second book I Choose My Beginning continues the story of her decade-long fight for justice.
As a speaker, Nadia Murad brings an extraordinary combination of personal testimony and strategic vision that moves audiences from empathy to action. Her keynotes on human rights, resilience, and the power of survivor-led advocacy challenge leaders to confront injustice and invest in rebuilding shattered communities.
Nadia Murad Speaking Videos
Nadia Murad speaking to BBC HARDtalk
Nadia Murad: Nobel Peace Prize lecture 2018
Nadia Murad Keynote Topics
In this deeply moving keynote, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad shares her journey from captivity under ISIS to becoming one of the world's most influential human rights advocates. Drawing on her personal experience and her work with survivors across conflict zones, Murad explores what true resilience looks like — not as an abstract concept, but as the daily choice to speak when silence would be easier. She challenges audiences to examine their own capacity for moral courage and offers a powerful framework for turning witness into action. Leaders leave with a renewed sense of purpose and practical insight into how organizations can support justice and accountability in their communities and beyond.
Human trafficking remains one of the most pervasive and underreported crimes in the world. As the United Nations' first Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking, Nadia Murad brings unmatched authority to this subject. In this keynote, she exposes the mechanics and scale of modern trafficking networks, drawing on her own experience as a survivor of ISIS captivity and her years of advocacy at the highest levels of government and international institutions. Murad presents a survivor-centered approach to combating trafficking, emphasizing the importance of listening to those directly affected when designing policy, corporate responsibility frameworks, and community interventions.
What does it take to rebuild a community after genocide? Nadia Murad answers this question not in theory, but through the lived experience of leading Nadia's Initiative, which has rebuilt hospitals, trained teachers, and empowered women in the devastated Sinjar region of Iraq. In this keynote, she shares the lessons learned from years on the ground — from navigating government bureaucracies and securing international partnerships to ensuring that survivors themselves lead the recovery process. Murad also addresses the broader global challenge of protecting ethnic and religious minorities, offering a clear-eyed assessment of what the international community gets right, what it gets wrong, and what must change to prevent the next genocide.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Nadia Murad
Why Nadia Murad?
Nadia Murad is not simply a keynote speaker — she is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate whose life story embodies the themes of resilience, justice, and transformational leadership that resonate with every audience. Her ability to connect deeply personal testimony with urgent global issues creates a keynote experience unlike any other. Organizations that have hosted Murad report lasting impact on their teams, with attendees describing her presentation as one of the most meaningful they have ever witnessed. She brings both the moral authority of a Nobel laureate and the practical insight of someone who has built a successful nonprofit from the ground up. Book Nadia Murad through Aurum Speakers Bureau to bring a voice of courage and conviction to your next event.
What happened to Nadia Murad and the Yazidi people?
In August 2014, ISIS launched a systematic campaign of genocide against the Yazidi people in the Sinjar region of northern Iraq. Thousands were killed, and an estimated 6,700 Yazidi women and children were abducted and enslaved. Nadia Murad was among them — held captive for months, subjected to torture and sexual violence before managing to escape. The genocide displaced hundreds of thousands of Yazidis from their ancestral homeland. Murad's decision to share her story publicly led to international recognition of the Yazidi genocide and ultimately contributed to her receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018.
What is Nadia's Initiative and what has it achieved?
Nadia's Initiative is the survivor-led organization founded by Nadia Murad to rebuild communities in crisis and advocate for survivors of sexual violence. Based in Washington, D.C. with a field office in Sinjar, Iraq, the organization has achieved significant milestones including the completion of the Sinjar French Medical Center (handed over to Iraqi health authorities), training programs for hundreds of teachers in the region, and the development of women's empowerment facilities including a Women's Sports Complex. The organization works at the intersection of healthcare, education, livelihoods, and advocacy, always centering survivor voices in the rebuilding process.
What topics does Nadia Murad cover in her keynote speeches?
Nadia Murad's keynotes address human rights, resilience, survivor-led advocacy, the fight against human trafficking, and the rebuilding of communities after genocide. She tailors her presentations to the needs of each audience, whether corporate leaders seeking inspiration on moral courage, policy professionals working on conflict resolution, or university communities exploring social justice. Her talks combine powerful personal narrative with actionable insights on leadership, accountability, and the role organizations can play in creating a more just world. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to discuss how Nadia's keynote can be tailored to your event's objectives.
How to book Nadia Murad as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Nadia Murad as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Nadia Murad's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Nadia Murad or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Nadia Murad speaking fee?
Nadia Murad speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Nadia Murad to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Nadia Murad.
How can I contact Nadia Murad?
We only work with Nadia Murad on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Nadia Murad and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Nadia Murad speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Nadia Murad for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Nadia Murad for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Nadia Murad is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Nadia Murad for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
