Peter Fader
Frances & Pei-Yuan Chia Professor of Marketing, Wharton | World's Foremost CLV Expert | Co-Founder, Theta & Incompass Labs | Author, Customer Centricity
Vanessa Van Edwards
Behavioral Researcher & Founder of Science of People | Bestselling Author of Captivate, Cues, and Conversation | Expert on Charisma, Communication & Human Behavior
Speaker Vanessa Van Edwards is a behavioral researcher, Harvard instructor, and bestselling author of Captivate, Cues, and Conversation. As founder of Science of People, she turns research on charisma, likeability, and human behavior into frameworks used by Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta. Her keynotes give executives practical, science-backed cues they can use in the next meeting to build trust, influence outcomes, and connect with anyone.
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Vanessa Van Edwards biography
Speaker Vanessa Van Edwards is a behavioral researcher, Harvard instructor, and bestselling author whose work on the science of human interaction has reached more than 300 million people worldwide. As founder of Science of People, a behavior research lab in Austin, Texas, she translates the hidden dynamics of communication into practical, learnable frameworks for leaders, executives, and high-performing teams.
Vanessa is the bestselling author of Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People and Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication, both published by Portfolio/Penguin Random House and translated into 18 languages. Her next book, Conversation: How to Be Instantly Likeable in Any Interaction, releases in October 2026 and introduces her Conversation Blueprint, a three-level framework for how meaningful relationships develop from first impressions to lifetime bonds. Her insights are regularly featured in Forbes, Fast Company, CNN, and the Wall Street Journal.
From “Recovering Awkward Person” to Global Authority on Charisma
Vanessa describes herself as a “recovering awkward person.” That curiosity led her to spend two decades studying what actually makes people likeable, trusted, and influential, and to break those patterns down into cues that anyone can practice. Her keynotes blend behavioral research with live demonstrations, helping audiences read a room, lead with warmth and competence, and make every interaction work harder. She has spoken at MIT, Stanford, and SXSW and counts Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Comcast among her clients.
Her Science of People platform reaches a global audience through books, online courses, and a YouTube channel that has surpassed 60 million views, equipping professionals with science-backed tools for charisma, persuasion, and trust.
As a speaker, Vanessa Van Edwards gives leadership audiences something they rarely get from communication keynotes: research-backed techniques they can use in the very next meeting. Senior teams leave with practical cues for likeability, confidence, and connection that compound across negotiations, sales calls, and high-stakes presentations.
Vanessa Van Edwards Speaking Videos
Vanessa Van Edwards - You are contagious
Vanessa Van Edwards - The Psychological Tricks To READ ANYONE & Be More CHARISMATIC
Vanessa Van Edwards Keynote Topics
High performers approach productivity differently, and the data shows the best of them are not working harder; they are communicating better. In this keynote, Vanessa Van Edwards reveals the communication habits behind high-output teams and gives audiences a simple framework for cutting noise, building intentional connection, and getting more done in less time. She also covers how to keep human-centered communication intact while AI tools take a larger role in everyday work. Attendees leave ready to rethink their to-do lists, their inboxes, and their next conversation.
Our need for community does not stop at the office door. Yet most professionals never learn how to build authentic workplace relationships on purpose. Vanessa Van Edwards introduces a science-backed model of the three levels of connection, the same progression of trust and rapport that powers high-performing teams, sales relationships, and leadership cultures. Audiences walk away with practical tools for opening conversations, deepening rapport, and creating the kind of psychological safety where ideas, candor, and collaboration actually show up.
Communication is the skill that compounds. Research shows people with high interpersonal intelligence earn more, lead larger teams, and contribute more revenue to their organizations. Drawing on her bestsellers Captivate and Cues, Vanessa Van Edwards translates the latest behavioral science into a usable toolkit for charisma: how to balance warmth and competence, signal confidence without arrogance, and turn ordinary interactions into lasting impressions. Attendees leave with cues they can apply in the next meeting, sales call, or stage they walk onto.
Based on Vanessa's forthcoming book Conversation, this keynote unpacks her Conversation Blueprint, a three-level system for moving any interaction from first impression to genuine connection. Audiences learn how to start better, recover from awkward moments, signal interest without sounding scripted, and end every interaction on a high note. It is a practical playbook for sales teams, executives, and anyone whose results depend on the quality of their conversations.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Vanessa Van Edwards
Why Vanessa Van Edwards?
Vanessa Van Edwards stands out because she is one of the few keynote speakers who treats communication as a measurable science, not a soft skill. As founder of Science of People and bestselling author of Captivate, Cues, and the forthcoming Conversation, she has spent two decades distilling research into practical cues that audiences can use immediately. Her clients include Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Comcast, and her work has reached more than 300 million people worldwide. Book Vanessa Van Edwards through Aurum Speakers Bureau to bring a science-backed, executive-grade voice on communication, charisma, and influence to your next event.
What books has Vanessa Van Edwards written?
Vanessa Van Edwards has authored three books with Portfolio/Penguin Random House: Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People, Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication, and Conversation: How to Be Instantly Likeable in Any Interaction, which releases in October 2026. Her work has been translated into 18 languages and is used by leadership teams, sales organizations, and universities to teach evidence-based communication, presence, and influence.
What is Science of People?
Science of People is Vanessa Van Edwards's behavior research lab, based in Austin, Texas. The platform studies the hidden patterns behind human interaction, from microexpressions and vocal cues to the structure of high-trust relationships, and translates those findings into courses, frameworks, and keynotes used by executives, salespeople, and entrepreneurs. Its content has reached over 300 million people, and its YouTube channel has surpassed 60 million views.
What audiences benefit most from a Vanessa Van Edwards keynote?
Vanessa is a strong fit for sales kickoffs, leadership summits, customer events, and any audience where outcomes depend on communication, negotiation, or relationship building. Her work resonates with senior executives who want to lead with more presence, sales teams who need to convert more conversations, and high-performance organizations focused on internal trust and collaboration. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to discuss how Vanessa Van Edwards can tailor her keynote to the specific outcomes your audience needs to drive.
How to book Vanessa Van Edwards as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Vanessa Van Edwards as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Vanessa Van Edwards'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 Vanessa Van Edwards or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Vanessa Van Edwards speaking fee?
Vanessa Van Edwards 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 Vanessa Van Edwards 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 Vanessa Van Edwards.
How can I contact Vanessa Van Edwards?
We only work with Vanessa Van Edwards on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Vanessa Van Edwards and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Vanessa Van Edwards 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 Vanessa Van Edwards for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Vanessa Van Edwards for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Vanessa Van Edwards is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Vanessa Van Edwards for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
