Available to book

Behavioral scientist & change expert

Maya Shankar

Behavioural Science

Decision Making

Growth Mindset

Transform organizational change with Maya Shankar, behavioral science keynote speaker and cognitive scientist. Maya equips leaders with evidence-based strategies for resilience and decision-making during disruption. Google's Global Director of Behavioral Economics, Rhodes Scholar, and host of A Slight Change of Plans, which Apple awarded as the Best Show of the Year.

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Trusted by Google, United Nations, Obama White House

Maya Shankar

Los Angeles, United States

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Maya Shankar's biography

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Stanford

Yale

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At a glance

Cognitive scientist and global authority on human behavior
Global Director of Behavioral Economics at Google
Senior Policy Advisor in the Obama White House

Maya Shankar is a cognitive scientist and global authority on human behavior who helps organizations navigate change effectively. As the host of the podcast, A Slight Change of Plans, which Apple awarded as the Best Show of the Year in 2021, and author of The Other Side of Change, she translates complex behavioral science into practical insights. Currently Google's Global Director of Behavioral Economics, Maya previously served as Senior Policy Advisor in the Obama White House and as the first Behavioral Science Advisor to the United Nations. Maya's academic background includes a postdoctoral fellowship in cognitive neuroscience from Stanford, a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship, and a B.A. from Yale. She's also a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music's pre-college program, where she was a private violin student of Itzhak Perlman. Maya's expertise helps organizations transform disruption into opportunity through evidence-based approaches. She combines cutting-edge behavioral science with compelling storytelling to reveal how unexpected changes can become catalysts for growth. Her work demonstrates how small adjustments in program design, product development, and policy implementation can significantly improve decision-making and drive meaningful outcomes. Audiences gain practical strategies for building resilience during periods of change, actionable frameworks for making better decisions at scale, and science-backed methods for turning disruption into personal and professional growth. Maya's unique blend of scientific rigor and personal experience creates memorable, applicable takeaways. Book Maya to give your team the rare combination of scientific insight and authentic storytelling that transforms how they approach change and uncertainty.

Maya's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans

Maya Shankar explores how upheaval reshapes our sense of identity and purpose. Drawing on scientific insight and personal stories from her book, she reveals how loss, disruption, and reinvention can transform us in unexpected ways. With empathy and practical wisdom, Maya helps audiences reframe change as a powerful force for self-discovery and growth, offering tools to cultivate resilience and meaning when life takes an unexpected turn.

The Science of Harnessing Disruption

Once a concert violinist at Juilliard, a sudden injury changed Maya Shankar’s life and career path entirely. From this turning point grew a lifelong study of how humans adapt to change. Combining storytelling with behavioral science, Maya shares insights from her acclaimed podcast to show how we can navigate disruption with agility and intention, transforming uncertainty into opportunity and personal reinvention.

How To Improve Decision-Making At Scale

Drawing on her leadership roles at the White House and Google, Maya Shankar reveals how behavioral science can shape smarter, more human-centered systems. Exploring the psychology behind everyday choices, she demonstrates how subtle shifts in design, messaging, and structure can lead to better decisions, improved wellbeing, and greater collective impact. Her insights help organizations design for real human behavior rather than idealized rationality.

Why we recommend booking Maya

Drawing from her unique background as a cognitive scientist, former Senior Advisor in the Obama White House, and creator of award-winning content, Maya Shankar delivers evidence-based strategies that help organizations transform disruption into opportunity through behavioral science. Book Maya to equip your team with practical frameworks for building resilience and making better decisions during periods of change.

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Trusted by Google, United Nations, Obama White House

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What topics does Maya Shankar specialise in?

Maya Shankar specialises in discussing behavioral economics, navigating change, decision making and more.

What is Maya Shankar's speaking style like?

Maya delivers dynamic, insightful sessions that inspire and connect with audiences. Her genuine approach, expert knowledge, and fresh perspective create an engaging, informative, and motivating environment for all participants.

How can I book Maya Shankar for my next event?

Email maya.shankar@getapeptalk.com or call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience. As speaker agents, PepTalk can secure Maya Shankar for commercial and corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity brand endorsements & partnerships, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Maya Shankar's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. Please note, for media interviews, autographs, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Maya Shankar directly.

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