Unni Turrettini Profile Picture

Keynote SpeakerUnni Turrettini

Human Connection Expert, Best-selling and award-winning Author

Helping high-achieving leaders and teams shift out of survival mode and into powerful, connected performance through the neuroscience of human connection.... Read more

Biography

What if the key to higher performance, stronger retention, and unstoppable momentum wasn’t doing more—but connecting deeper?

In today’s high-pressure workplaces, leaders and teams don’t need more hustle—they need more humanity. Because when people feel truly seen, safe, and energized, they perform at a level that strategy alone can’t reach.
 
Unni Turrettini is a bestselling author, transformational speaker, and human connection expert who helps high-performing leaders and teams break free from survival mode and unlock their next level of performance, creativity, and wellbeing.

Drawing on decades of experience in law and finance—and an unlikely journey that began with researching the mind of a mass killer—Unni reveals the hidden epidemic affecting today’s most talented people: disconnection. It shows up as burnout, disengagement, and performance plateaus. Her solution? A science-backed shift from stress-driven survival to relational energy and self-connection.

Blending storytelling, provocative data, and neuroscience, Unni empowers leaders to build cultures of psychological safety, emotional clarity, and peak productivity. She delivers powerful, practical tools to rewire team dynamics, ignite trust, and generate lasting results.

Educated in Norway, France, and the United States, Unni is a member of the New York Bar and a former investment banker. Her work has been featured by the BBC, ABC, FOX, The Huffington Post, and NY Post, and she was named one of 22 Women to Watch by Brown Brothers Harriman.

When she’s not on stage or leading retreats, you can find her diving into the icy Oslo fjord or pampering her (unapologetically spoiled) Boston Terrier.

“Unni is an incredibly engaging and professional speaker! She lifted the event and left all the attendees with something new to think about and reflect upon. Unni left me feeling inspired and more knowledgeable. Her in-dept approach to the subject matter manages to both educate and captivate” Astrid Skaugseth, CEO of SHE Community
“One of the most engaging and inspiring sessions in a long while.” Paal Christian Mossin Gjøen
"Unni is an excellent storyteller, the audience was mesmerized." Cheryl La Monica, Harvard Club of Boston
"A brilliant presentation!" American Scandinavian Society, New York
“Practical steps! Typically, speakers ignite inspiration but don’t give steps and real-life tips on how to move forward. Unni gave me incredible clarity and hope!” Attendee, All Rise Live Global Summit, Toledo OH
"Unni helped me think about how disengaged in life I am and she gave me tools to help me connect with me." Attendee, All Rise Live Global Summit, Toledo OH
“Unni is not only a great storyteller, but a talented evangelist with a powerful and inspiring mission to help keep the world a connected place.” Trent Huffman, USA Today Network
"We hired Unni to speak in connection with International Women’s Day. Unni is engaging, thought provoking, funny, and she connects with the audience. Unni is a pleasure to work with, and I would highly recommend her to speak at your company event." Ingrid Skjelbred Smyth, U.S. Bank
“Unni was such an incredible part of our speaker series about the dangers of perfectionism, and how isolating trying to be the best can become. Thank you so much Unni for speaking with our group of creatives—your talk is definitely a necessary voice in today’s society.” Elizabeth Ramsey, CreativeMornings
“Unni Turrettini’s presentation was clear and energetic and fully held the student and faculty audience’s attention. She ably fielded questions after her initial remarks and made a strong impression. I would highly recommend her as a speaker to academic and general audiences.” US Ambassador Derek Shearer, Occidental College, Los Angeles
“Unni captured the room with her powerful storytelling and left the audience in awe of her vulnerability and magical presence.” Andrea Belck-Olsen, Nordic Choice Hotels
“Unni Turrettini is an exceptional speaker. She has that rare gift of making the individual universal. She spoke at Mt. San Antonio College about Anders Breivik and a mass shooting in Norway, but she might as well have been talking about anywhere, and my students were riveted.” John Brantingham Professor at Mount San Antonio College, Los Angeles

Popular Talks by Unni Turrettini

  • From Survival Mode to Creator Mode: The Hidden Energy Shift That Changes Everything

    Most high performers operate in survival mode without realizing it. It’s productive—but it’s not sustainable. This powerful keynote helps leaders identify survival-based patterns in themselves and their teams, and teaches how to shift into creator mode—where better decisions, deeper connection, and real innovation flow with ease. Combining neuroscience, storytelling, and...

  • Connection Is the New Competitive Edge: Why Energy, Not Information, Will Define the Future of Work

    In an AI-driven world, knowledge is no longer a competitive advantage—everyone has access to the same information. The new edge is relational energy: the unseen but powerful force that impacts engagement, trust, and collaboration. This keynote explores how leaders can cultivate this energy through intentional presence, deep listening, and emotional...

  • AI and Human Connection: How to Lead with Soul in a World of Machines

    As artificial intelligence accelerates, human connection becomes more essential—not less. In this thought-provoking session, Unni explores how we can use AI to enhance, not replace, the emotional and energetic intelligence that makes us human. She helps leaders navigate this paradox, showing how to stay grounded, intuitive, and connected in a...