ABOUT
Our Team
Science of People reaches millions of curious minds every month. Whether you’re reading our articles, watching our videos, or taking one of our courses, our mission is to demystify the world of human interaction – giving you actionable and fun ways to be people smart.
Vanessa Van Edwards
AUTHOR & FOUNDER
Hi, I’m Vanessa, and I am a recovering awkward person. I’m also the Lead Investigator at Science of People and the bestselling author of Captivate and Cues. My courses and YouTube training have helped over 50 million people level up their people skills. I give workshops for incredible companies like Google, Microsoft, and Nike.
I created People School for students who want to be master communicators. My mission is to help introverts leverage their strengths, show high achievers how to activate their secret skills, and teach awkward people to feel more confident. I live in Austin, Texas, with my daughters and husband of 10+ years.
Scott Edwards
COO
I run Operations, Marketing, and Technology at Science of People. I built the very first version of the website when Vanessa told me about her idea to help others with their communication. I officially joined the team as CEO in 2017.
I love working with data, systems, and, automation that enable small businesses to act big. If you’ve read Cues, I lean towards competence and love a good fact-checking mission.
Robert Hwang
CONTENT SPECIALIST
My name is Rob Hwang, and I’m passionate about people. But I didn’t always get along with them. When I was a child, I’d hang out alone in the corner by the tree. But as I silently watched, I slowly developed a superpower of my own. I saw exactly how others socialized. Why they laugh. What makes them tick. And how to be influential. And through my people-watching, I became a slightly more normal human being in the process (I’m still getting there!).
Through Science of People, I’m able to fully combine my passions for people skills and writing by managing the brand’s content.
Carolyn Remillard
SUPPORT SPECIALIST
I’m fortunate enough to dive into a little bit of everything here at Science of People. My fascination with human behavior has always driven me, so being part of a team that’s dedicated to understanding and enhancing how we connect with one another is truly fulfilling. It’s a joy to work alongside such passionate individuals, and I’m excited to help you in any way I can!
Rea Aguilar
Hi! I’m Rea—a curious soul with a love for arts, film, and exploring the world through running and film photography. I’m always excited to learn and grow from each experience. Whether I’m working on social media projects or connecting with creative communities, I find real joy in collaboration and new perspectives. As an introvert, Science of People has been a game-changer for me, helping me embrace my strengths and make a meaningful impact through what I do.
Apryl Schlueter
Accountability Coach
Hi, I’m Apryl! I’m an Accountability Coach for Science of People, and I LOVE helping people accomplish goals! Connection is one of my core values, and I absolutely love learning about people – how their experiences have shaped who they have become, what lights them up, and what it takes for them to get things done. Pairing this with another core value of mine, Accomplishment, this role with Science of People is a great match.
One of my biggest strengths is versatility – my experiences span across many spectrums, which allows me to relate to many different kinds of people and be successful at a wide variety of things. As such, I leverage my background in engineering to help brainstorm and build custom solutions for people’s life challenges and encourage a healthy balance of play and process when it comes to supporting people on their productivity journey.
Anthony Castillo
People School Ambassador
I’ve always been super interested in psychology and communication and I believe a huge part of it comes from moving around a lot during my youth. I was always the new kid transferring to different schools from the city of Chicago to the surrounding suburbs, so I got to explore new groups of people and personalities every couple years, which I had to adapt to quickly.
Then as an adult and avid reader, I read a good amount of books about psychology, communication, and philosophy which then helped me piece all the pieces of the puzzle together from my own personal experiences. If there’s anything that life has taught me personally up until this point, it’s that everything comes down to one’s understanding of self and being able to effectively communicate to the world.
Helping people, who also recognize how life changing this can be, is a personal mission for me after experiencing the impact it has had on mine.
Mike Mantell
CONTENT WRITER
Hi, I’m Mike. I’m a former mathlete and actuary turned relationship coach and connection nerd.
I graduated with a degree in mathematics, but it didn’t take long for me to see the limits of numbers and logic. Curious what this “life” thing was all about, I bicycled between Buddhist monasteries and ashrams, spending weeks at a time in silent meditation. Interestingly, what struck me most about these spiritual traditions was the community aspect.
I came to believe that human connection is both our greatest source of meaning and the most effective practice grounds for personal growth. So I trained as a life coach and relationship coach, studied trauma-informed healing modalities, and co-created several communities.
It is an act of joy to research these invaluable topics and share my learnings to help others live more fulfilling and connected lives.
Latest Posts by Mike
Logan Hailey
CONTENT WRITER
Howdy! I’m Logan Hailey. I am a vivacious writer, van life nomad, and entrepreneur. I am passionate about helping people optimize their mindset and wellness to become the best version of themselves. I’ve always been a loquacious “people person” who loves to learn from others and make connections everywhere I go.
I write about personal development, communication, business, a healthy lifestyle, and joyful living. Through Science of People, I am able to merge these passions to empower others to become better leaders and forge deeper connections with their fellow humans.
Galina Hitching
CONTENT WRITER
I’m Galina Hitching, a trauma-informed writer who loves far-off places and multicultural communication. When my gap year turned into two years of living overseas, I knew I’d never see the world in the same way again. Connecting with people of different cultures changed my worldview. It opened my eyes to see each person has value and beauty if I just look for it.
As a Writer for Science of People, I’m passionate about equipping others to see that value in themselves and others.
Krista Brown
CONTENT WRITER
Hi, I’m Krista and I think humans are fascinating! Why do we behave the way we do? What about our behavior is learned and what is taught? How can we become the best version of ourselves possible? I grew up stuck in-between spaces—I was an American kid living in Eastern Europe, a classically trained violinist performing improv with an indie-alternative band, and an avid tea drinker working at a coffee shop. My desire to fit in led me to analyze and adapt to the people around me. But what that observation really taught me is that for one reason or another, almost everyone feels like they “don’t belong” sometimes. It’s part of the mess of being human.
Through Science of People, I’m able to use my lifetime of analyzing (and overanalyzing) to write content that I hope helps others navigate the good, the hard, and the beautiful of being human.
Claire Siyan Li
CONTENT WRITER
Hi, I am Claire. I am a management consultant by day and a Hollywood investigator by night. I have an MBA from Duke University and am obsessed with extracting insights about communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills from talk shows, TV series, and movies.
I have personally used and coached hundreds of people to use those “Hollywood insights” to stand out in job interviews, win national business competitions, and create effective presentations for c-suites. I am passionate about combining Hollywood content with professional career development. Science of People has enabled me to make career advice fun!
Valerie Cantella
CONTENT WRITER
Hi, I’m Valerie Cantella, a multi-passionate professional and recovering perfectionist who loves personal growth and sharing the joy of new discoveries. As a little girl, I spent hours forming letters that turned into words, sentences, paragraphs, articles, and books. That love of writing, partnered with challenging life experiences, inspired a desire to encourage, elevate, and support others. I write to connect, reflect, and share in the journey toward a wholehearted, extraordinary, and authentic life.
When not writing for the Science of People, I enjoy walking on the beach in Santa Barbara, California, with my husband and yellow lab, traveling, and visiting my three children.
Vanessa Mae Rameer
CONTENT WRITER
Hey there! My name is Vanessa Mae Rameer, but most people call me Vans. I assisted with research for Cues and currently write from an empirically minded perspective. I’m constantly wondering what the science behind the human experience is. I was that girl in class that always asked way too many questions! From a young age, I would ask my parents and caregivers questions like, “What is the meaning of life?” and more philosophical ones like, “Why don’t dogs wipe their behinds?” Most of my days are spent working in nature with an animal companion by my side. I’m embracing the entrepreneur and wannabe homesteader life with plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Psychology.
I love that through my writing at Science of People, I can help make complicated scientific information readable and understandable so you can apply it to your own life. I know I do for mine!
Mia Barnes
CONTENT WRITER
Hi! My name is Mia Barnes, a writer who walks to the beat of her own drum. (Get it? Writer pun.) I am passionate about personal wellness and healthy living, and I aspire to help others become a little better every day—along with myself! You can find me reading romance novels and attempting new recipes when not writing.
I love people. Writing for Science of People has allowed me to help others help themselves.