Anna Sheppard is a social entrepreneur, impact expert, and producer with a deep commitment to equality.
Anna believes in a future where every leader and organisation is committed to creating a sustainable world of equality and opportunity for everyone.
Anna Sheppard, Founder and CEO of Bambuddha Group, strongly believes in the world-changing power of Kindness. With a deep commitment to creating equality based on their lived experience, Anna initiated Bambuddha Group to empower corporate leaders and their teams in learning how to 'work kinder.' The team at Bambuddha has developed an evidence-informed kindness curriculum that minimizes risk and improves outcomes across all organizational areas. Bambuddha Group stands as a multi-award-winning social enterprise providing impact and people advisory leadership coaching, training, and ESG programs.
In the backdrop of Anna's life, they grew up in a caravan park on the northeast coast of England, one of five sisters, several of whom face physical and learning disabilities. Their childhood was marked by a relentless battle against prejudice, and for a brief period, they entered the care system before taking on the world alone at the young age of 16.
The good news is that Anna was fortunate enough to discover and understand their purpose from a young age. Early life experiences fuelled a profound passion for equality and a compelling vision for change. Anna worked diligently and optimistically, putting themselves through college, and university, eventually earning a master's degree.
Following their experiences on various community development projects across Europe, Africa, and Asia, Anna conceived an enterprise with a clear vision for driving social and environmental change. Thus, Bambuddha Group was born, with a mission to pay forward a percentage of business profits to work towards achieving balance and equality. They are also the visionary behind several significant initiatives, including The Kind Business Awards, Working Kind Collective (the world's first kind business centre), Impact Studios, and The Corporate Kindness Project.
Anna Sheppard and Bambuddha Group have garnered multiple awards in recognition of their impactful work in this space. Anna's accolades include the 2022 Best Speaker, being a finalist for the Telstra Best of Business Awards and earning the prestigious Stevie award.
Throughout their career, Anna has raised millions in funds for charities through mutually beneficial partnerships designed to reduce inequalities. Anna is a seasoned hand at showing industry leaders how to give back and thrive while doing so.
Anna likes to keep things simple ‘If you work as hard as you do kind, success is inevitable’.
