Vanessa
Van Edwards

Vanessa Van Edwards is a renowned behavioral researcher, bestselling author, and acclaimed international keynote speaker. Her books Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People and Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication have been translated into 18 languages. As founder of Science of People, Vanessa’s YouTube tutorials have reached over 100 million people. For over a decade she has worked with top brands, universities, government entities, nonprofits and companies to increase their effectiveness by improving their communication.

Vanessa helps entrepreneurs, growing businesses, and speaks to trillion-dollar companies including Google, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon and more.  Her work has been featured on CNN, BBC, CBS Mornings, Fast Company, Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, USA Today, The Today Show, and many more. 

Vanessa shares tangible skills to improve interpersonal communication and leadership. Her science-backed framework helps anyone communicate with confidence. She is also an Instructor, Professional & Executive Development, Harvard Division of Continuing Education. Her Masterclass, People Intelligence launched in Fall of 2025 and was an instant hit.

Vanessa is renowned for teaching science-backed people skills to audiences worldwide, including Harvard, SxSW, MIT, and Stanford. Her engaging workshops and courses teach individuals to succeed in business and life by understanding the hidden dynamics of people.

Millions visit her website monthly for her methods that turn “soft skills” into actionable, masterable frameworks that can be applied daily. Hundreds of thousands of students have taken her popular communication courses and thousands have taken her advanced social skills course: People School.

As a prolific motivational speaker she has keynoted at companies, events and on major stages, including Dave Ramsey’s Entreleadership Summit, Lewis Howes’ Summit of Greatness, and twice at the Global Leadership Summit.