Shasta captivated the room and was able to shift her program to fit perfectly with our audience. She was fun, organized, inspiring, and energetic. My organization does events every week and Shasta's was hands down one of the very best.
Shasta Nelson
Friendship Expert, Keynote Speaker & Author
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Fee Range
Please contact us for pricingTravels From
Sacramento, CA
Shasta Nelson
Biography
Shasta Nelson is a friendship expert, keynote speaker, and the author of three books on the science of friendship (with a fourth arriving in 2027) who helps organizations build the workplace connection and belonging that drive trust, retention, and performance.
Shasta has spent 15 years researching what makes relationships thrive — as Chief Friendship Officer of the U.S. Chamber of Connection, author of three books on relationships and belonging (with a fourth arriving in 2027), a two-time TEDx speaker with nearly 1 million views, and a speaker with 500+ keynotes. For the past six years, she's used a diagnostic tool with organizations to actually measure relationship health — not intuition, data.
Her research has identified three behaviors that bond any two people — positivity, consistency, and vulnerability — and she translates the science behind them into frameworks that determine whether teams trust each other, cultures thrive, and conferences create real connection.
Organizations invite Shasta to speak when they want to:
Accelerate trust on teams so leaders collaborate faster and navigate change with resilience
Strengthen culture, engagement, and retention
Equip leaders and employees with practical relationship skills that improve belonging and performance
Transform conferences from passive events into connection experiences
Her clients include global companies, healthcare systems, associations, and leadership teams working to strengthen trust and culture.
Because it’s time to trust the data: when relationships get stronger, everything else works better.
Shasta Nelson
Featured Videos
Current: 2026 Speaking Preview
Time 03:14
More Videos From Shasta Nelson
Shasta Nelson
Featured Keynote Programs
The Science of Friendship at Work
Accelerating High-Trust, Resilient, and Rewarding Relationships
Did you know that employees with meaningful relationships at work are seven times more likely to be engaged in their jobs, take fewer sick days, collaborate more effectively, provide better customer service, and stay longer with their companies? A sense of belonging is the #1 factor in employee satisfaction — and building it is one of the most effective levers for reducing turnover and increasing fulfillment.
In this dynamic, interactive keynote, friendship expert and author Shasta Nelson teaches the Science of Friendship at Work — translating her signature framework, the 3 Requirements of Relationships, into a practical lens for evaluating and strengthening connection within your teams.
Perfect for:
• Increase employee retention, engagement, and collaboration
• Equip employees with skills that improve well-being and fulfillment at work and at home
• Build a genuine culture of belonging
Audiences will leave with:
• The latest research on how meaningful workplace relationships drive engagement and retention
• The 3 Requirements of every healthy relationship — and how they build a culture of belonging
• A framework to evaluate connection within their own teams and pinpoint where to focus for maximum impact
• Concrete strategies to implement the 3 Requirements and build high-trust, resilient relationships at work
Relationally Fit
The Social Secret to a Longer, Happier Life
How many of us struggle to muster the energy to socialize with strangers or even with our closest friends? Making new friends or deepening our existing relationships is uncomfortable, awkward, and—at times—painful. But choosing to avoid social discomfort often leaves us feeling lonely, with over 61% of the United States and 73% of Gen Z-ers feeling lonely on a regular basis.
The damage to our health, happiness, and longevity is devastating. Feeling disconnected is as harmful to our wellbeing as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, twice as harmful as being obese, and is the equivalent of being a lifelong alcoholic. So what’s the solution?
In this energizing program packed with real-world research and inspiring stories, relationship expert Shasta Nelson explores the #1 health factor more important than kale and treadmills and teaches us how we can enjoy long, connected lives.
• Perfect for:
o Hospitals and other healthcare organizations who want to teach their communities and employees how to improve mental health through human connection
o Leaders and organizations who want to improve their employees’ health and wellbeing
• Audiences will leave with:
o The latest scientific discoveries on the devastating side effects of loneliness and the health benefits of positive relationships
o A framework to reflect on and assess your social health, and identify which takeaway will make the biggest difference in fostering meaningful connection in your own life
o Healthy expectations of relationships and their discomforts, such as conflict, disappointment, and insecurities
The Connected Leader
Driving Performance and Growth through Human Connection
We frequently talk about how lonely it is “at the top,” and yet we’ve almost resigned ourselves to believing that’s the way it has to be. Just as our team members need to have meaningful relationships at work to be more engaged and productive, our leaders need to feel connected and supported. The stats speak for themselves: 60 percent of CEOs say they’re lonely, and three-fourths of them say that it’s hurting their performance.
But it doesn’t have to be this way—leaders who have supportive relationships at work are more resilient through crisis, communicate more effectively, and enjoy increased longevity and health.
In this fun and interactive program, relationship expert and author of The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of Our Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time, Shasta Nelson delivers strategies to create and maintain the supportive relationships that your leaders need and addresses the biggest fears around boss-employee friendships such as favoritism, confidentiality breaches, and more.
• Perfect for:
o Leaders and organizations who want to…
* Boost leadership performance, resilience, and job satisfaction
* Improve communication and trust between leaders and team members
* Ensure their leaders’ health and wellbeing by building better relationships at work and at home
* Combat potential favoritism, power imbalances, and confidentiality breaches arising out of boss-employee friendships
• Audiences will leave with:
o The latest research on how meaningful relationships at work impact leadership performance, resilience, and communication
o The 3 requirements of all healthy relationships and how they establish a culture of support and belonging
o Strategies to strengthen the 3 requirements and create the supportive relationships that will boost your leaders’ performance and job satisfaction
o Insight into addressing the biggest fears around boss-employee friendships, such as favoritism, power imbalances, confidentiality breaches, firing and/or reprimanding a friend, and more
Shasta Nelson
Featured Books
Frientimacy
by Shasta Nelson
With the constant connectivity of today’s world, it’s never been easier to meet people and make new friendsbut it’s never been harder to form meaningful friendships.
In Frientimacy, award-winning speaker Shasta Nelson shows how anyone can form stronger, more meaningful friendships, marked by a level of trust she calls frientimacy.” Shasta explores the most common complaints and conflicts facing female friendships today, and lays out strategies for overcoming these pitfalls to create deeper, supportive relationships that last for the long-term.
Shasta is the founder of girlfriendcircles.com, a community of women seeking stronger, more fulfilling friendships, and the author of Friendships Don’t Just Happen. In Frientimacy, she teaches readers to reject the impulse to pull away from friendships that aren’t instantly and constantly gratifying. With a warm, engaging, and inspiring voice, she shows how friendships built on dedication and commitment can lead to enriched relationships, stronger and more meaningful ties, and an overall increase in mental health.
Frientimacy is more than just a call for deeper connection between friends; it’s a blueprint for turning simple friendships into true bondsand for the meaningful and satisfying relationships that come with them.
Friendships Don't Just Happen!
by Shasta Nelson
This essential go-to guide reveals how women can enhance their lives by creating valuable friendships in today's busy, mobile world, from nationally recognized friendship expert and CEO of GirlFriendCircles.com. Every woman is searching for a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life. Many realize the significant role that an intimate, tightly knit circle of friends plays in creating a more fulfilling life, but with hectic schedules, frequent moves, and life changes, it's more important than ever for women to establish natural, meaningful friendships that will contribute to their overall wellbeing. In Friendships Don't Just Happen!, Shasta Nelson, friendship expert and CEO of GirlFriendCircles.com, reveals the most important proven steps, processes, and secrets vital to establishing the five different levels of friendships, or Circles of Connectedness, that women-no matter their age or relationship status-are longing for in today's stressful and mobile culture. This revolutionary, engaging guide will also benefit women who already feel rooted to fabulous friends, with insightful principles that will help them maintain and enhance their current friendships. Full of practical how-to tips, fun activities, guiding questions, and step-by-step instructions, Friendships Don't Just Happen! highlights several areas of developing lasting friendships, teaching women how to: -Evaluate their current circle of friends -Recognize what types of friends they are seeking based on career, interests, location, and relationship status -Create a prioritized friendship action plan -Find extraordinary friends-where to look and how to approach them -Take initiative to jumpstart friendships and face fears of rejection -Establish "frientimacy," trust, and happiness through conversation and activities -Maintain meaningful friendships and determine which ones are worthwhile
The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of Our Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time
by Shasta Nelson
It is virtually impossible to feel connected and supported in life when you don’t feel that way where you spend most of our time—at work.
In The Business of Friendship, friendship expert Shasta Nelson unpacks the distinct ways we can make work relationships the healthiest they can be, both for the sake of the employee and the mission of the company. She inspires readers to see why friendship is crucial to our health and our careers, and teaches us exactly how to develop the supportive and meaningful connections we need.
Our organizations benefit as friendships at work result in higher levels of workplace productivity, employee retention, safety, innovation, collaboration, and profitability. In having a best friend at work, we are seven times more engaged in our job, which translates to better customer service, less absenteeism, fewer workplace accidents, and more loyalty to our organizations.
Through Shasta’s stories, research, and practical guidance, she:
- Breaks down what creates healthy bonds and reveals the 3 requirements necessary in all healthy relationships and teams.
- Helps managers and employees assess the health of their relationships and learn ways to repair and improve them.
- Provides advice for addressing some of the biggest fears around workplace friendships, such as increased drama, favoritism, confidentiality, gossip, toxic coworkers, relationship with bosses, and potential romantic attractions.
The Business of Friendship is for those who are ready to maximize the two most significant factors of our wellbeing—career and relationships. Whether you are a leader or an employee, when you feel more connected and supported at work, everyone wins.
Shasta Nelson
Featured Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to some of the most common questions about booking Shasta Nelson for your event.
How do I book Shasta Nelson for my event?
Booking Shasta Nelson with Premiere Speakers Bureau is a streamlined 4-step process:
- Availability Check: Contact us with your event date and budget to verify if your desired speaker is available.
- Hold Date: We place a temporary "hold" on the speaker's calendar while you finalize internal approval.
- Contracting: We issue a contract outlining the fee, cancellation policy, and event expectations.
- Logistics: Once signed, our event management team handles all travel booking, itinerary, and AV requirements.
Why should I partner with Premiere Speakers Bureau rather than contacting speakers directly?
Partnering with Premiere Speakers Bureau provides a comprehensive safety net for your event that direct booking cannot match. You get the same speaker for the same price, but with a dedicated team with over 30 years of event experience handling contracts, logistics, and are prepared for any emergency. We know what it takes to run an excellent event.
What makes Premiere Speakers Bureau unique compared to other agencies?
Premiere Speakers Bureau distinguishes itself by having over 30 years of experience while partnering with more than 35,000 events. PSB has also built a streamlined, fully online process that makes booking a speaker, handling travel and payments extremely easy for anyone looking to plan a speaker led event.
How does Premiere Speakers Bureau's 'Zero Cost Service' model work?
Premiere Speakers Bureau operates on a 'Zero Cost Service' model for event planners. Our services—including research, booking, and logistics—are always free to the client. The speaker covers our commission from their standard honorarium as payment for our role in marketing and managing their engagements.
How are speaker fees structured, and what is typically included?
A speaker's fee typically covers the keynote presentation, a pre-event planning call, and standard customization. Travel expenses are usually billed separately.
What are the standard policies for speaker travel and expenses?
Travel expenses are negotiated during contracting. We generally recommend a flat travel fee for simplicity, though we also offer line-by-line invoicing when preferred. PSB ensures these expenses adhere to professional standards, and our Event Portal allows for easy tracking and invoicing.
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