30 April 2026 · 8 min read
Speaker of the day: Sophie Lavaud — Well-being at Work
Every day we spotlight one voice from the UnoMe network. Today: Sophie Lavaud, Well-being at Work — one of the keynote speakers we recommend for corporate events and conferences in AlUla, Hawalli and across the GCC.
Who is Sophie Lavaud?
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Sophie Lavaud
Switzerland | France | Canada
Sophie Lavaud is a mountaineer, author, and keynote speaker. She is the first French, the first Swiss, and the first Canadian woman to have climbed all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters in the world, earning her the nickname “Lady 8000”.
A former businesswoman, Sophie transitioned to high-altitude mountaineering in her forties. She has since become an iconic figure in Himalayan mountaineering. It all began with the ascent of Mont Blanc following a friendly challenge in 2004, where she discovered a profound inner connection with the mountains. Her Himalayan adventure started with the ascent of Shishapangma in 2012, and she completed the 14 “8,000m” challenge with Nanga Parbat in 2023. By 2025, her mountaineering career spans over two decades. She has shared her Himalayan experiences in two books: Les Quatorze 8000 de Sophie Lavaud and Une femme, sept sommets, dix secrets.
Beyond mountaineering, Sophie uses her voice to champion recognition for the contributions of Sherpa mountaineers and advocates for sustainable mountaineering. She is also the founder of the project “Let’s Go Summit”, which promotes women's empowerment through high-altitude expeditions.
In recognition of her contributions to mountaineering, she was awarded the title of Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Mérite in 2023 by the French Republic.
A passionate mountaineer and dedicated speaker, Sophie deeply believes in the art of “followership” (the art of following to collaborate better) and team spirit. She speaks on numerous themes related to applying high-altitude lessons to life and business. She continues to explore new horizons with the aim of honoring pioneers and inspiring the next generation of adventurers.
From Mont Blanc to the Quest for the Highest Summits
Her passion for high altitude began in 2004 when she climbed Mont Blanc. Since then, she has never stopped aiming higher.
After summiting Everest in 2014, Sophie Lavaud's objective was clear: conquer the remaining peaks above 8,000 meters. She decided to dedicate 100% of her time to this ambition.
The Quest for the 14×8000: Determination and Resilience to Achieve the Goal
In June 2023, after 11 years and 22 expeditions, Sophie Lavaud completed her ultimate challenge, earning her the new nickname “112,000 Lady”. Director and mountain guide François Damilano accompanied her on this 40-day ascent, capturing it in the documentary “Sophie Lavaud: The Final Summit”. The film offers viewers an unprecedented immersion into the extreme world of ultra-high mountains, up close with Himalayan climber Sophie Lavaud.
Beyond the Peaks: Committed to Humanity
A Mountaineer with a Big Heart
Sophie Lavaud is an ambassador for the NGO Terre des hommes and supports meaningful projects in the countries where her expeditions take place. Furthermore, as an ambassador for Recco®, she organizes training sessions in Nepal and Pakistan to educate Sherpas and high-altitude porters on avalanche risks.Languages Spoken by the Speaker
- English
- French
Sophie Lavaud delivers a variety of keynotes across French-speaking countries, French-speaking Switzerland, and globally in English.Inspiring Speaker: From Peaks to Business
From High-Altitude Experience to Corporate Inspiration
Sophie Lavaud delivers captivating keynotes that skillfully bridge high-altitude adventures with valuable business and life lessons. Her unique experiences turn into inspiring takeaways for audiences. She draws compelling parallels, analogies, and comparisons between mountaineering and the corporate world. Her stories serve as a powerful source of inspiration for anyone aspiring to reach new heights in their personal and professional lives.
Her keynotes and workshops bridge the world of Himalayan expeditions with corporate challenges through impactful storytelling and themes such as individual and collective motivation, followership, and leadership.
Her 14 X 8,000m Summits
- 2023: Shishapangma (8,027 m, Tibet) & Nanga Parbat (8,126 m, Pakistan)
- 2022: Lhotse – 8,516 m
- 2022: Manaslu (main summit) – 8,163 m
- 2021: Dhaulagiri – 8,167 m
- 2019: Annapurna 1 – 8,091 m
- 2019: Kangchenjunga – 8,586 m
- 2019: Gasherbrum 1 – 8,068 m
- 2018: K2 – 8,611 m
- 2017: Manaslu – 8,163 m
- 2017: Broad Peak – 8,051 m
- 2016: Makalu – 8,485 m
- 2015: Gasherbrum II – 8,035 m
- 2014: Everest – 8,850 m
- 2012: Cho Oyu – 8,201 m
- 2012: Shishapangma (central summit) – 8,027 m
Films
– « Sophie Lavaud – Le dernier sommet », directed by François Damilano (2024)
– RTS Film – Passe-moi les jumelles – « Sophie Lavaud – Lady 8000 », directed by Lisa Röösli (2021)
– « On a marché sur l'Everest », directed by François Damilano (2014)
– « K2, une journée particulière », directed by François Damilano (2017)
Books
Sophie Lavaud is the co-author of the book « Une femme, sept sommets, dix secrets », published in 2019 by Éditions Favre.
She also co-authored with François Damilano « Les quatorze 8000 de Sophie Lavaud », published in 2024 by Éditions Glénat.
Topics on stage
- Well-being at Work
- Leadership and Management
- Individual and Collective Motivation
Who is this keynote for?
A talk by Sophie Lavaud fits annual kick-offs, leadership days, industry conferences and talent programmes. The format usually runs 45 to 60 minutes, with an optional Q&A or a closed-door executive workshop.
Booking in the UAE and the Gulf
UnoMe, the Swiss Speakers' Bureau in Dubai, handles everything: selection, negotiation, travel and preparation with your team. Contact us to check Sophie Lavaud's availability for your date.