Human Connection is the Chemistry of Trust, Collaboration and Thriving Cultures
SIGNATURE KEYNOTE
Harness the Science Behind Trust,
Collaboration, and Performance
Why it works:
Grounded in over 15 years of research, Shasta Nelson reveals how friendship—not just trust—is the hidden chemistry behind thriving teams. Through her Friendship AcceleratorTM frame- work, she breaks down the three measurable dimensions of relational health that predict performance: positive emotion, consistency, and vulnerability. Leaders and teams walk away with a new understanding of how to intentionally cultivate trust,
Why it matters:
Shasta’s work bridges what Gallup has long shown — that people with a best friend at work are seven times more engaged — with the deeper science explaining why: friendships boost employees’ health, happiness, and job satisfaction while also increasing retention, collaboration, and trust across the organization. In other words, real connection fuels performance for everyone.
For organizations ready to rehumanize the workplace, Shasta Nelson delivers the missing metric of organizational health: friendship.
Connection is not soft. It’s strategic.
Shasta’s most requested topics are typically delivered as 45–90 minute keynotes, but can also be customized into half- or full-day interactive sessions.
01
WORKPLACE CULTURE
Relational Intelligence: Accelerating High-Trust, Resilient, and Rewarding Relationships
02
LEADERSHIP
The Connected Leader: Driving Performance and Growth through Human Connection
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CONFERENCE CONNECTOR: Hire Shasta to Host Your Event!
Want your event to feel cohesive, warm, and truly impactful? Shasta doesn’t just speak—she weaves connection into the fabric of your entire experience. Whether welcoming guests, interviewing speakers, or guiding moments of reflection, she brings emotional intelligence, humor, and heart to the role of emcee.
*Because belongingness is central to nearly everything we do, each program can be customized and packaged for a variety of purposes and audiences, including team building, sales, retention, hospitality, resilience, or customer service. Please inquire if one of these popular programs isn’t quite the right fit for your needs!
Want a more hands-on and facilitated experience for your workplace?
Testimonials
Shasta is a powerhouse speaker & educator! Shasta hosted an incredible virtual session on the business of belonging & relationships for my Marketing team at Google. She left the team with incredible insights & thinking tools that are just so valuable for a mindset change. Our event with Shasta felt like a warm but productive hug with a focus on being intentional about the experiences people are creating for each other.
Supriya Gujral
Senior Director, Global Partner Marketing at Google
5 Reasons to Hire Shasta
01
SHE'S
THE VOICE WE NEED RIGHT NOW
60% of employees feel disconnected at work—hurting engagement, loyalty, and collaboration. Shasta equips leaders and teams with practical strategies to build the meaningful relationships today’s workplace demands.
02
SHE TURNS DATA INTO ACTION
With 15+ years of experience and over 10,000 people surveyed, Shasta translates research into clear, actionable insights your audience can immediately apply.
03
SHE BUILDS CONNECTION IN THE ROOM---NOT JUST TALKS ABOUT IT
Through audience interaction, shared moments, and group reflection, Shasta transforms her talks into experiences that bond attendees in real time.
04
SHE'S AHEAD OF THE CURVE
Before the U.S. Surgeon General declared loneliness a public health crisis, Shasta was already doing this work. Her insights are timely, relevant, and backed by both science and story.
05
AUDIENCES
LOVE HER!
“She was outstanding!” “Why have I never heard this before?” Shasta’s keynotes keep people of all ages engaged—combining warmth, humor, and depth in a way that feels both personal and profound.
For Event Planners
Shasta is...
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Easy to work with—responsive, reliable, and collaborative
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Ready to customize every talk for your audience and goals
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Focused on bringing high energy and high impact to the stage
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Always blending heart + strategy: audiences will leave inspired and equipped
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Infusing every keynote with meaningful audience participation—because connection doesn’t happen by listening alone
Meet Shasta Nelson
Social Relationships expert, three-time author, popular media resource, and in-demand keynote speaker
She’s been called the OG of friendship, a trusted workplace strategist, and the woman who can turn a room full of strangers into a connected team. Meet Shasta—speaker, author, and connection expert.
Her TEDx talks have reached nearly 1 million viewers, her research has been featured in Harvard Business Review and TIME, and her frameworks are used by companies like Google, LinkedIn, and Walmart.