Shasta Nelson | Leading Expert on Human Connection.

Shasta Nelson

Leading Expert on Human Connection.

Fee Range
Please contact us for pricing
Travels From
San Francisco, CA

Shasta Nelson
Biography

A leading expert on relationships, Shasta Nelson is an in-demand keynote speaker, trusted media resource, and author of three books, including The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of the Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time. For over 15 years, Shasta has translated the science of human connection into actionable strategies that help individuals and organizations build high-trust, resilient, and rewarding relationships. Her work has empowered companies like Google and LinkedIn to improve employee retention, engagement, and collaboration by fostering healthier workplace dynamics.

Shasta is a contributor to Harvard Business Review, has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and TIME magazine, and has appeared as a guest on The Today Show, The Steve Harvey Show, and the Harvard Business Review podcast. A two-time TEDx speaker—her first TEDx talk has garnered almost 1 million views—Shasta has delivered more than 500 keynotes across 20+ industries, including tech, healthcare, education, and non-profits.
 

Shasta Nelson
Featured Videos

Current: Speaking Reel

Time 07:04

More Videos From Shasta Nelson

Speaking Reel
Time 07:04
What Does Shasta Speak About?
Time 00:55
TEDx: Frientimacy: The 3 Requirements of All Healthy Friendships
Time 16:24
Relationally Fit: The Social Secret to a Longer, Happier Life | Shasta Nelson | TEDxPleasanton
Time 17:51

Shasta Nelson
Featured Keynote Programs

Relational Intelligence
Accelerating High-Trust, Resilient, and Rewarding Relationships

Did you know that employees who have 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 have higher loyalty to their companies? Belonging is the #1 factor for employee satisfaction, and creating a culture of belonging is an effective solution for decreasing turnover and increasing employee fulfillment. 

In this dynamic 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 provides a framework to evaluate relational intelligence within your teams and delivers practical tools to create and accelerate the high-trust and resilient relationships that boost employee productivity, retention, and profitability. 

•    Perfect for:
    o    Leaders and organizations who want to…
        * Increase employee retention, engagement, and collaboration
        * Inspire and gift their employees with skills to improve their wellbeing and fulfillment at work and in their personal lives
        * Create a culture of belonging at work
•    Audiences will leave with:
    o    The latest research on how meaningful relationships at work impact employee engagement and retention
    o    The 3 requirements of all healthy relationships and how they establish a culture of belonging
    o    A framework to evaluate relational intelligence within your teams and identify areas of improvement to focus on for maximum impact 
    o    Strategies to implement the 3 requirements in your company culture and accelerate high-trust and resilient relationships at work
 

The Connected Leader
Driving Promotion 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
 

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
 

Frientimacy
The 3 Requirements for All Healthy Relationships

Did you know that over 60% of us feel lonely on a regular basis? With the constant connectivity of today’s world, it’s never been easier to meet people—but it’s never been harder to form meaningful relationships. The truth is, most of us aren't lonely for more interaction, but rather for more intimacy, more support, and more depth. But how do we create these relationships we all want? 

In this energizing program packed with real-world research and inspiring stories, relationship expert Shasta Nelson unlocks the secret to turning acquaintances and casual friendships into deep, supportive connections and reaching a level of trust that she calls “frientimacy.” 

•    Perfect for:
    o    Fundraising galas, nonprofit organizations, philanthropic foundations, client appreciation events, and community-focused events

•    Audiences will leave with:
    o    The 3 requirements of all healthy relationships and how they work together to deepen our connections 
    o    The ability to identify which of the 3 requirements need to be developed in your own relationships
    o    Tools to strengthen the 3 requirements and achieve the supportive relationships you’re craving
 

Shasta Nelson
Featured Books

Frientimacy: How to Deepen Friendships for Lifelong Health and Happiness by Shasta Nelson

Frientimacy: How to Deepen Friendships for Lifelong Health and Happiness

by Shasta Nelson
Friendships Don't Just Happen!by Shasta Nelson

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 Timeby Shasta Nelson

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

How Do You Choose the BEST Speaker for Your Event?

We’ve had 30 years and 40,000 events to perfect the process—and we’ll do it for free.
Get more details and availability

Shasta Nelson

Share some basic details about you and your upcoming event, and one of our experts will be in touch with you quickly regarding pricing and availability.
Event Details
Your Details
Cancel
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.