Helen Sairany
Transform workplace culture with Dr. Helen Sairany, globally acclaimed speaker on trauma, resilience, and post-crisis leadership.
Why book Helen Sairany for your next event
- Award-Winning Healthcare Visionary Recognized for Transformational Impact. Dr. Helen Sairany was named a Next Generation Pharmacist by The Pharmacy Times for her trailblazing work integrating trauma-informed care into patient services, solidifying her as a changemaker at the intersection of healthcare, leadership, and mental health advocacy.
- Celebrated Leader in Business and Innovation “40 Under 40” Honoree. Selected by the Washington Business Journal for its prestigious “40 Under 40” list, Dr. Sairany is recognized as a forward-thinking executive who has redefined leadership excellence through empathy, resilience, and cultural intelligence.
- Best-Selling Author Whose Books Redefine Trauma-Informed Leadership. With three acclaimed titles: Trading Grenades for Candy, The We You Don’t See, and Childhood Baggage, Helen Sairany’s writing has inspired thousands of leaders and professionals seeking to overcome adversity and foster inclusive, healing-centered workplaces.
Non-binding request for Helen Sairany
Leading with Empathy in a Trauma-Informed World
Globally acclaimed trauma expert, executive leader, and bestselling author, this keynote speaker empowers organizations to transform leadership through empathy, resilience, and inclusion. With over 15 years of experience and powerful storytelling rooted in lived experience, she helps companies foster psychological safety, navigate post-crisis change, and build human-centered cultures that thrive in the post-pandemic, AI-driven world.
Keynote Speaker Helen Sairany is a globally recognized trauma expert, executive leader, and bestselling author who helps organizations build psychologically safe, inclusive, and high-performing cultures. With over 15 years of experience in trauma-informed leadership and workforce transformation, she equips corporate audiences with the tools to lead with empathy, resilience, and purpose in the face of disruption and change.
Helen’s compelling personal story, from surviving war-torn Iraq to becoming a top healthcare executive, fuels her mission to humanize leadership in the post-pandemic and AI-driven era. She has spoken to audiences across industries, inspiring leaders to embrace emotional intelligence, foster diversity and belonging, and drive cultural change from within.
Named one of Washington Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” and Pharmacy Times’ “Next Generation Pharmacist,” Helen has been recognized for her pioneering work in trauma-informed care and leadership innovation. Her keynote sessions blend powerful storytelling with actionable insights, leaving organizations better prepared to tackle burnout, boost retention, and elevate employee engagement.
If you're looking to spark meaningful change, address workplace trauma, and future-proof your leadership strategies, book Helen Sairany for your event. Her thought-provoking keynotes are a must for companies committed to building compassionate, resilient, and inclusive organizations. Keynote Speaker Helen Sairany delivers not just inspiration, but lasting transformation.
Keynotes
Keynote by Helen Sairany:
Take Care of Yourself: Burnout, Trauma, and Well-Being for Health Care Providers
In this keynote address, we will explore the critical importance of self-care for healthcare providers in the face of burnout and trauma. Drawing attention to the unique challenges faced by those in the medical field, the session will provide practical strategies for maintaining well-being, managing stress, and addressing the emotional toll of caring for others.
Attendees will leave with actionable insights to foster resilience, prioritize their mental health, and build a sustainable approach to their work in healthcare.
Keynote by Helen Sairany:
Pandemic Created Combat Like Trauma among Frontline Heroes
In this keynote address, we will delve into the profound and lasting impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on frontline healthcare workers, comparing their experiences to combat-like trauma. The session will examine the intense emotional, psychological, and physical toll that these heroes have endured while caring for others in unprecedented circumstances.
Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the trauma faced by frontline workers and explore strategies for supporting their mental health, healing, and resilience in the aftermath of this global crisis.
Keynote by Helen Sairany:
Uncovering Race-Based Stress: Mending the Body & Mind with Mindfulness
This session explores the profound impact of race-based stress on both the mental and physical well-being of individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities. This work delves into the complex ways in which racial discrimination and bias contribute to chronic stress, and how mindfulness practices can be a powerful tool in healing and resilience.
By integrating mindfulness techniques, this exploration offers a pathway to reducing the physiological and psychological toll of racial stress, promoting emotional balance, and fostering a deeper sense of self-awareness and empowerment. It emphasizes the importance of healing the body and mind together providing a holistic approach to overcoming the challenges of race-based stress.
Keynote by Helen Sairany:
Know Thyself: Leading in Times of Uncertainty
In an era defined by constant change and unpredictability, effective leadership requires more than just strategic thinking, it's about deep self-awareness and adaptability.
Explore the power of self-reflection and emotional intelligence as tools for navigating the complexities of today’s world. Learn how cultivating a strong sense of purpose, resilience, and personal insight can help you make clearer decisions, inspire trust, and lead with confidence, even when the path forward isn’t clear.
This session will equip you with practical tools for introspection and personal growth, helping you lead with authenticity and clarity, no matter the external circumstances. Whether you're facing organizational change, market volatility, or personal challenges, discover how knowing yourself can be your greatest asset as a leader in uncertain times.
Keynote by Helen Sairany:
Who Are We When Not Addicted: The Possible Human
This session explores the potential for personal transformation when individuals break free from addiction. By examining the neurobiology of addiction and its roots in trauma, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how healing can lead to self-empowerment.
Learn how overcoming addiction reveals the "possible human" within, with a focus on emotional recovery, resilience, and the path to personal growth beyond dependence.
Keynote by Helen Sairany:
The Addict in All of Us
This session delves into the universal aspects of addiction, recognizing that we all carry the potential for addictive behaviors shaped by emotional pain, trauma, and environmental factors. Participants will explore how addiction is not just a personal struggle but a human condition, and how understanding this dynamic can foster compassion, healing, and resilience.
Through practical strategies, the session will also offer tools to address trauma and emotional regulation, guiding individuals toward healthier ways of coping.
Keynote by Helen Sairany:
Living Among the Triggers of War
This session explores the profound impact of war-related trauma on individuals and communities, focusing on how exposure to traumatic events, whether firsthand or secondhand, can affect mental and emotional wellbeing. Participants will examine the concept of second-hand trauma and its effects on those who work closely with survivors or are constantly exposed to the aftermath of conflict.
The session will provide strategies for recognizing signs of dysregulation, managing emotional pain, and fostering resilience, while also exploring effective workplace support systems to aid those living with the triggers of war.
Keynote by Helen Sairany:
Leading in Times of Trauma
In times of crisis and trauma, effective leadership becomes more crucial than ever. This session provides leaders with the tools and mindset necessary to guide teams and organizations through the most challenging circumstances. Whether dealing with personal loss, a global crisis, or organizational upheaval, leaders must not only navigate the immediate challenges but also support the emotional and psychological well-being of their people.
Through this session, participants will explore the unique dynamics of leading during traumatic events, learning how to foster resilience, maintain clear communication, and provide empathy while staying focused on organizational goals. We will dive into practical strategies for creating a supportive environment, balancing vulnerability with authority, and helping individuals process trauma in a constructive way.
By the end of the session, you will have a deeper understanding of trauma-informed leadership, including how to recognize signs of trauma in others, how to respond effectively, and how to create a culture of healing and resilience within your team or organization. You’ll walk away with actionable insights that will empower you to lead with strength, compassion, and clarity, no matter the challenges you face.
Keynote by Helen Sairany:
Trauma-Informed Strategies for Empowering Learners
In today’s rapidly evolving educational environment, understanding the impact of trauma on students is essential to creating an inclusive, supportive, and empowering campus culture. This session delves into trauma-informed strategies designed to transform the way institutions approach student well-being, engagement, and success.
Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, participants will explore how trauma can affect learning, behavior, and relationships within the campus community. Attendees will gain practical tools for integrating trauma-informed practices across all levels of student interaction, from classroom instruction to advising, extracurricular activities, and administrative policies.
By shifting the campus mindset from a deficit-based model to one that is strengths-based, this session will equip educators, staff, and administrators with actionable strategies to foster resilience, build trust, and promote student empowerment. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to create environments where all students, especially those who have experienced trauma, can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Keynote by Helen Sairany:
Working with Never Good Enough: Imposter Syndrome
Imposter Syndrome affects individuals across all professions, often leading to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and the fear of being exposed as a fraud. In this session, we will explore the root causes and impact of Imposter Syndrome on students, faculty, and staff, and discuss practical strategies for recognizing and addressing these feelings.
Participants will learn how to identify the signs of Imposter Syndrome, understand its effects on performance and well-being, and discover ways to foster a culture of self-compassion and confidence. Through interactive discussions and reflective exercises, attendees will leave with actionable tools to support themselves and others in overcoming self-doubt and embracing their true potential.
