Speaking

Dr. Sue Varma brings the depth of a practicing psychiatrist, the clarity of a professor, and the ease of a seasoned broadcaster to the stage. An internationally recognized keynote speaker and author of Practical Optimism, she makes complex psychological science feel personal and immediately useful, drawing on more than 20 years of clinical experience with candid storytelling, warmth, and humor. She speaks across industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, media, and education, helping audiences navigate pressure and change while protecting their well-being. Each presentation is shaped around the audience’s challenges, with practical tools and reflective exercises that turn insight into action. From executive gatherings to large conferences, Dr. Varma creates a connection that makes people feel understood and ready to put what they have learned into practice.

Dr. Varma is available for keynote speeches, fireside chats, interactive workshops, leadership retreats, panel discussions, professional development sessions, and virtual events.

Selected Speaking Engagements: McKinsey, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, NBCUniversal, The New York Times Company, Allstate, Chick-fil-A, U.S. Renal Care, American Cancer Society, and Massachusetts Conference for Women.

What Event Organizers Say

Massachusetts Conference for Women

“We had the distinct pleasure of hosting Dr. Sue Varma as a speaker at the Massachusetts Conference for Women, and she exceeded all expectations. Dr. Varma brings a rare combination of high energy, humor, and warmth that immediately engages the audience. Her compassionate approach, coupled with her insightful and thought-provoking content, left attendees feeling inspired and deeply motivated.

Dr. Varma’s ability to connect with people on a personal level while delivering powerful messages on mental health and resilience is unmatched. She created an atmosphere of positivity and reflection, making each participant feel seen and heard. Her presentation was not only engaging but also impactful, leaving our audience with actionable takeaways and a renewed sense of purpose.

We highly recommend Dr. Varma for any event. She is a dynamic and compelling speaker who brings both depth and joy to any stage.”

Chick-fil-A

“Sue’s dynamic speaking style, combined with her genuine warmth and expertise on mental health and well-being, created an intimate connection with the audience, even in a large setting. She skillfully wove practical, applicable tools and reflective exercises into her presentation, empowering attendees to personalize the content and immediately apply what they learned. Her decades of practice, research, and insights from her book shone through, establishing strong credibility and making the content come alive.”

U.S. Renal Care

“It was an absolute privilege to have Dr. Sue Varma as a speaker at our event. From the start, she went above and beyond to ensure her presentation was tailored perfectly to our needs. Dr. Varma took the time to thoroughly understand our company, our mission, the people we serve, and the unique challenges we face. She even reviewed the scientific literature and journal articles we shared – something no other speaker has done in our experience. Through several in-depth conversations, she worked closely with us to craft a presentation that would truly resonate with our audience.”

Allstate

“Dr. Varma did an amazing job with her Thrive Talk on the 4 M’s of Mental Health for World Mental Health Day! It was clear she cared about making the session impactful, and her experience came through in the practical tips she shared and her comfortability in presenting. People were engaged throughout the talk, and the feedback afterward was overwhelmingly positive. We were so happy to have her as our speaker, and the session was a big success!”