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Simone Heng Keynote Speaker and human connection specialist

Simone Heng

Human Connection Specialist & Award-Winning Author | CSP | TEDx, SXSW & Harvard Speaker | Virgin Radio Dubai, HBO Asia & CNBC

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Simone Heng is the world's leading specialist on human connection and the loneliness epidemic, a Certified Speaking Professional who has addressed Google, Amazon, Meta, Harvard, SXSW, TEDx, and the United Nations. Her Hay House book Let's Talk About Loneliness won six international awards in 2024. She brings rare warmth and scientific grounding to every stage, leaving organizations with practical tools to build cultures of genuine connection.

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    Simone Heng biography

    Simone Heng is a global authority on human connection and one of the world’s most in-demand voices on the loneliness epidemic reshaping how we live and work. A former international broadcaster for Virgin Radio Dubai, HBO Asia, and CNBC, she spent fifteen years mastering the art of connecting with audiences across cultures and continents — on air, on stage, and face to face. Today, she channels that rare expertise into helping Fortune 500 organizations build cultures where genuine connection drives performance, retains top talent, and fuels lasting engagement.

    Motivational speaker Simone Heng is recognized as one of the youngest female Certified Speaking Professionals (CSP) in the world — a designation awarded to fewer than 800 speakers globally, based on demonstrable skill and professional track record. She has spoken to thousands of people across six continents for organizations including Google, Meta, Amazon, ByteDance, KPMG, Spotify, Salesforce, SAP, and Lucasfilm, and has taken the stage at Harvard University, SXSW, TEDx, and the United Nations. Her TEDx talk, “How to Connect Authentically to Anyone,” and her SXSW address on the four pillars of human connection have introduced her framework to global audiences.

    Her book Let’s Talk About Loneliness, published by Hay House and available globally, draws on her personal experience of loss, caregiving, and isolation to build a rigorous, practical guide to meaningful connection. The book won six international awards in 2024, including the Silver Nautilus Book Award in the Social Change and Social Justice category — a prize whose past recipients include Eckhart Tolle and Deepak Chopra — and the Gold eLIT Award for Best Audiobook in the Self-Help category. It was also recognized as a finalist across multiple categories at the International Book Awards. Heng has also created a LinkedIn Learning course on fostering connection in hybrid and remote workplaces, and is an advisor to the Foundation for Social Connection in Washington, D.C.

    The Human Connection Expert for the Age of AI

    As AI reshapes the workplace and loneliness reaches epidemic levels globally, Heng’s message has never been more strategically urgent. She has been featured on CNN and in Forbes, Harvard Business Review, Vogue, Al Jazeera, BBC Radio, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar, cementing her standing as the go-to expert on human connection for media and organizations alike. In 2025, she founded Thought Leaders Now, a consultancy helping leaders communicate with impact on page and stage. She holds a communications and cultural studies degree from Curtin University of Technology and has studied in Switzerland, was raised in Australia, and is based in Singapore.

    As a speaker, Simone Heng brings a combination of genuine warmth, broadcaster-honed stage presence, and evidence-based insight that consistently earns standing ovations from diverse, global audiences. She speaks on combating loneliness in the workplace, building authentic connections in hybrid and remote environments, using technology as a bridge rather than a barrier, and why human connection is the competitive advantage organizations can no longer afford to overlook. Her talks are immediately actionable — audiences leave with a framework they can apply the next day.

    Simone Heng Speaking Videos

    Simone Heng
    Simone Heng - How to connect authentically to anyone

    Simone Heng Keynote Topics

    Loneliness is no longer just a personal struggle — it is a measurable organizational crisis. In this keynote, Simone Heng draws on her award-winning book and years of research to expose the scale of the loneliness epidemic in the modern workplace, and what it is costing organizations in productivity, retention, and culture. She explores how remote work, digital communication, and constant technological mediation are eroding the quality of human connection at every level — and presents a clear, practical framework for leaders who want to reverse that trend. Audiences leave with an evidence-based understanding of why connection is a business imperative, and with actionable strategies they can implement immediately to build workplaces where people genuinely belong.

    In a world where AI is automating more of what we do, the ability to connect authentically with other human beings is becoming the defining competitive skill — for individuals and organizations alike. In this keynote, Simone Heng introduces her proprietary framework for human connection, developed from over fifteen years of experience as a broadcaster and global speaker, and grounded in the latest research on relationships, belonging, and social health. She identifies the four pillars that underpin lasting, meaningful connection, explains how each pillar is being eroded by modern work patterns, and gives audiences concrete tools to rebuild and strengthen them — whether in the boardroom, the hybrid team, or the customer relationship.

    Great connection does not happen by accident — it requires skill, intentionality, and practice. In this high-energy, deeply personal keynote, Simone Heng shares the techniques she developed over fifteen years connecting with audiences in Dubai, Singapore, Australia, and beyond — on camera, on microphone, and face to face across profound cultural differences. She covers how to build authentic rapport in virtual and hybrid environments without falling back on superficial substitutes, how cultural background shapes the way people connect and what leaders can do to bridge those differences, and how to use technology as a genuine lifeline to human connection rather than a replacement for it. A practical, memorable session for any organization working across borders, time zones, or screens.

    The most successful organizations in the world share a common trait: people inside them feel like they genuinely belong. In this keynote, Simone Heng makes the strategic case for belonging as a measurable driver of performance, innovation, and retention — and outlines exactly what leaders must do to create it. Drawing on her personal story of loss, displacement, and rediscovering connection, as well as evidence from organizational research, she explores why belonging cannot be manufactured through perks or policies, what authentic connection actually requires from leaders, and how organizations can hardwire connection into their culture from the top down. A compelling and emotionally resonant talk for leadership teams ready to invest in their most human — and most powerful — competitive advantage.

    Speaker topics

    Motivational SpeakersKeynote SpeakersMedia SpeakersTED SpeakersVirtual Keynote SpeakersWomen Speakers

    FAQs on Booking Simone Heng

    Why Simone Heng?

    Booking Simone Heng means bringing one of the world's most compelling voices on human connection and loneliness to your event — a speaker with the rare combination of a broadcaster's instinct for audience engagement, a scientist's respect for evidence, and a storyteller's ability to make complex ideas feel deeply personal. As one of the youngest female Certified Speaking Professionals in the world, she has spoken for Google, Amazon, Meta, Harvard, the United Nations, SXSW, and TEDx, consistently delivering talks that generate standing ovations and measurable cultural impact. In an era where remote work, digital overload, and AI-driven transformation are intensifying the loneliness epidemic, Heng's message is not just inspiring — it is strategically essential for any organization serious about talent retention, team performance, and organizational wellbeing. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to inquire about her availability and speaking fees.

    What is the loneliness epidemic and why does it matter for organizations?

    The loneliness epidemic refers to a global public health crisis in which a significant and growing proportion of people — including employed adults — report chronic feelings of disconnection, isolation, and lack of meaningful belonging. Research consistently links loneliness to reduced productivity, higher turnover, increased absenteeism, and poor mental and physical health outcomes. It predates the pandemic but has been dramatically amplified by remote work, digital communication, and social fragmentation. Simone Heng's work helps organizations understand loneliness not as a personal problem but as a structural challenge — one that leaders can actively address through intentional culture design, better communication practices, and a renewed commitment to authentic human connection at every level of the organization.

    What is Simone Heng's book Let's Talk About Loneliness about?

    Let's Talk About Loneliness, published by Hay House, is Simone Heng's guide to understanding and overcoming the global loneliness epidemic. Drawing on her own experience of isolation while caring for her mother, as well as research on the science of connection, the book explores why loneliness is so pervasive, how to distinguish authentic connection from superficial substitutes, the impact of family trauma on our ability to relate to others, and the five types of human connection that research identifies as necessary for genuine social fulfillment. It won six international awards in 2024, including the Silver Nautilus Book Award — whose past recipients include Deepak Chopra and Eckhart Tolle — and the Gold eLIT Award for Best Audiobook.

    What topics does Simone Heng cover as a keynote speaker?

    Simone Heng speaks on human connection in the workplace, combating loneliness and isolation in remote and hybrid teams, authentic communication and relationship-building across cultures, using technology as a tool for genuine connection rather than disconnection, and why belonging and connection are measurable drivers of organizational performance. Her keynotes are regularly tailored for leadership summits, HR conferences, company kick-offs, and sales and customer experience events where the human dimension of performance is a strategic priority. To book Simone Heng for your next event, contact Aurum Speakers Bureau.

    How to book Simone Heng as a keynote speaker?

    Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Simone Heng as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Simone Heng'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 Simone Heng or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.

    How much is Simone Heng speaking fee?

    Simone Heng 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 Simone Heng 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 Simone Heng.

    How can I contact Simone Heng?

    We only work with Simone Heng on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Simone Heng and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Simone Heng 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 Simone Heng for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.

    Can I book Simone Heng for a virtual keynote?

    Yes, Simone Heng is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Simone Heng for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.