Helping individuals, teams and communities cope with the hard stuff.
Life challenges us all at times - whether it’s health, relationships, work, or a significant loss or transition.
Almost two decades of studying the science of psychological flourishing and resilience has revealed the ways of thinking, acting and being that allow people to steer through change and approach it with a proactive, constructive mindset.
Beyond the science though, real life has been my biggest teacher. I bring both to the table, always.
The work I do spans boardrooms and beaches, international stages and intimate masterclasses.
I work across sectors and around the world - helping individuals, teams and communities face life’s hardest moments with courage, clarity and compassion.
From Fortune 500 companies and frontline educators, to emergency responders, health workers, grieving families and government departments, my work is grounded in science and shaped by humanity.
Whether I’m delivering a keynote, facilitating a workshop, or leading a retreat, I don’t preach from the sidelines. I work with people - listening deeply to understand their context, their culture, and what meaningful, lasting change looks like for them.
“Dr Lucy Hone is one of the most highly sought-after speakers in New Zealand, with popularity growing at pace across Australasia. Her storytelling and authenticity set her apart.”
— Louise Ryburn, CEO, Celebrity Speakers
“Your advice on how companies and colleagues can better support someone grieving was invaluable. You speak with such warmth and clarity, on a subject that is so important and yet often overlooked.
— Amanda German, White Balloon, UK
“Lucy and her work have been a ‘game-changer’ in my grief process… Her words gave me hope that we would somehow recover and might even grow.”
— Julie, mother of Mary-Lou, UK
“Not only was Dr Lucy’s content quite brilliant, the way in which she delivered it was simply outstanding. Communicating such emotionally complex material with clarity and compassion takes unique talent.”
— Andy Reid, Auctioneer, Australia
“Lucy ran a Workshop for our Senior Leaders. They were hugely engaged and appreciated the tools enabling them to lead resilient teams within our business.”
— Beca Senior Leadership Team
“Dr Lucy Hone is considered to be one of the key figures in the field of resilience today. Her pioneering work and compassionate approach resonate deeply with those facing real hardship.”
— Prof Ilona Boniwell, University of East London
From elite sports teams to corporate and community groups, this is what my work looks in action.
Large group of people seated at tables in a spacious hall, some talking and engaging with materials, with a green decorated backdrop and attendees of various ages.
A woman with gray hair and a man with a beard, standing in a studio with cameras and lighting equipment, having a conversation with a dark-colored armchair and a water bottle on a small table between them.
Women sitting around a long table participating in a workshop or meeting, reviewing colorful sticky notes and documents.
A woman in a black and white striped dress is giving a presentation in a conference room. The screen behind her displays green and white slides with the phrase "Burn it off" and "get outside and get moving". There are people seated at a table, with notebooks, water bottles, and coffee cups, listening to her.
People making and filling colorful, striped glass bottles with liquid at a counter in an indoor setting.
A speaker in a maroon suit presents on stage at a conference, with a large audience seated facing the stage, blue curtains backdrop, and conference equipment including speakers and a large screen.
A woman standing at a podium giving a presentation to children lying on the floor in a classroom or learning space.
Large conference hall filled with seated audience members attending a presentation or speech.
Group of five women participating in a collaborative activity, seated and nesting on white chairs around colorful sticky notes on the floor.
Group of diverse individuals sitting at a long conference table, engaging in a discussion during a meeting or workshop.
A woman wearing a gray cap and white sweater speaking into a microphone during a panel discussion, with two women sitting beside her, one in a dark blazer and the other in a striped shirt. An audience is seated in front of them.
Group of students gathered indoors, many laughing and celebrating, some reaching up with hands in the air.
A woman standing at a desk, smiling, with a presentation slide projected behind her. The slide discusses resilience and well-being, mentioning the University of Canterbury and the New Zealand Institute of Wellbeing & Resilience.
Woman sitting at a desk with a yellow box, a laptop, notebook, and coffee cup, in front of a blue banner with information about resilience organizations and a colorful abstract art piece on a wall, in an indoor office space with green checkered flooring.
A woman with short brown hair, glasses, and a green shirt sitting at a desk with a laptop, wearing white headphones. Behind her is a large bookshelf filled with books, decorative items, and stuffed animals.
It’s easier to make sense of life looking backwards...
My life has been a series of connected dots - unexpected turns that, at the time, didn’t always make sense.
I’m a born-and-bred Londoner. Studied in Edinburgh. Met my husband in Portobello. Moved to a sheep farm in Dorset, chasing space and simplicity. When my mother died, I came to Aotearoa New Zealand to visit my sister. That was meant to be a six-month stay, but it’s now been over twenty years.
For a long time, I worked as a writer - curious about how different people thrive in contrasting circumstances. But I wanted to know more. A scholarship led me to retrain in applied wellbeing science and resilience at the University of Pennsylvania. Then came the Christchurch earthquakes. I wanted to understand more. So I pursued a PhD in psychological flourishing.
And then Abi died. And nothing made sense. I wanted her. I wanted anything but this. I went searching for research and tools to help me cope actively with grief. But there weren’t any. So I filled that gap by building what I needed. And now I share it - with others trying to find better ways to live, love, lose and keep going.
