"A blending of free-flowing confessional prose and scholarly research . . . Kelli Harding stands apart from the horde." –Washington Post
Kelli Harding, MD, MPH, is dedicated to creating a kinder and healthier world for all. An expert in mental health, medicine, and public health, she teaches at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S) in New York City and is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, also boarded in the sub-specialty of consultation-liaison psychiatry or psychosomatic (mind-body) medicine. Known for making complex scientific research understandable to general audiences, she’s the author of the critically acclaimed book The Rabbit Effect: Live Longer, Happier, and Healthier with the Groundbreaking Science of Kindness. Dr. Harding has appeared on Today, Good Morning America, BBC, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Prevention, LA Times, Oprah Magazine, Parents, Medscape, Sesame Street Workshop, and The World Economic Forum. Additionally, she has spoken on global stages, including at the United Nations, World Happiness Summits, TEDx, and SXSW. She has served on the Boards of Organizations such as the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), The Foundation for Social Connection, and the social media platform Nextdoor. Dr. Harding lives in New York City with her husband and three sons—a twelfth-grader, a tenth-grader, and a seventh-grader—and their beloved rescue pup, Athena.
Her next book is Different (March 2027), co-authored with Sara Blanchard.
What are we missing when it comes to our wellbeing? What would truly help us to thrive? Dr. Kelli Harding explores groundbreaking scientific evidence and shares heartfelt personal stories to reveal how surprising hidden factors, such as kindness and connection in our day-to-day lives, can have a far greater impact on our overall health than anything that happens in the doctor’s office. At once transformative and inspiring, Dr. Harding shares a radical new evidence-based way to think about how we live. Her eye-opening talk will change the way you engage in your relationships, workplaces, organizations, and communities.
In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure workplaces, the relentless drive for results can overshadow the human element, leading to burnout and disengagement. In this inspiring keynote, mental health expert and Columbia University Professor Dr. Kelli Harding reveals how fostering positive connections builds resilience, driving productivity and purpose. Backed by cutting-edge science, she offers practical strategies to empower individuals and organizations to thrive through challenges and unlock greater long-term wellbeing and success.
Every organization understands that a strong work ethic is essential for performance, yet under constant daily pressures, we often forget that work without play burns us out and ultimately makes us less productive. In this engaging keynote, mental health expert and Columbia University Professor Dr. Kelli Harding explores how the science of fun can help us tap into our natural resilience. Through actionable, research-backed strategies, Dr. Harding demonstrates how bringing more play into our everyday work lives can boost meaning, creativity, and joy--despite significant challenges.
The daily pressure for results in our fast-paced work environments can leave us feeling burned out and disengaged. In this uplifting keynote, Columbia University Professor Dr. Kelli Harding reveals the often hidden but critical role of purpose in overcoming challenges and building resilience. She empowers participants to rediscover their deeper sense of meaning by offering evidence-based tools and practical strategies that harness the power of purpose--fostering better health, happiness, and long-term success in both work and life.