For the last 25 years, I have been immersed in the art and science of negotiation. My professional journey began in the financial sector, where I worked with global investment banks and a stock exchange, leading teams in Sales and Strategy. These roles entrusted me with the responsibility of steering high-stakes negotiations, often involving markets worth billions of dollars. The complexity and magnitude of these negotiations required not only strategic acumen but also deep emotional intelligence and composure under pressure.

In 2013, my fascination with negotiation deepened when I enrolled in an intensive training program on complex negotiations, rooted in FBI negotiation methods. This program unveiled the intricate interplay between human behaviour, neuroscience, profiling, and psychology — elements that elevate negotiation from a skill to an art. Driven by this newfound passion, I transitioned out of finance, completed an Executive Coaching program, and blended my expertise to become a professional negotiator, dedicating myself to teaching leaders how to negotiate with confidence, competence, and integrity.

However, my most profound negotiation wasn’t in the boardroom. In 2017, my son was diagnosed with a fatal condition. In the face of unimaginable hardship, I found myself applying every negotiation skill I had ever learned — not for a business deal, but to be the best possible advocate for my child. I negotiated access to life-saving treatments and navigated complex healthcare systems, but the most challenging negotiations were the ones I had with myself. I had to summon the resilience to face each day, to be the mother my son needed, and to find peace amidst chaos. This experience reshaped my understanding of negotiation as a tool for survival, transformation, and unconditional love.

This unique blend of professional expertise and deeply personal experience has fueled my mission as a motivational speaker. My goal is to inspire people to become better negotiators — in business and in life — so they can achieve their goals, resolve conflicts, and navigate adversity with grace. Through keynotes, trainings, and executive coaching, I empower individuals to harness their innate negotiation skills, enhance their emotional intelligence, and lead with empathy and composure.

I have had the privilege of working with an incredibly diverse range of people, from C-level executives and diplomats to hostage negotiators and humanitarians. I tailor every speech to the audience’s specific context, investing time to understand their industry, culture, and unique challenges. This meticulous approach ensures that my messages resonate deeply, providing not only inspiration but also practical insights that can be applied immediately.

One of the greatest challenges I face when preparing a speech is deciding what to leave out. After 25 years of negotiation experience across various sectors and personal hardships, I have an abundance of stories, strategies, and lessons to share. But time is limited, so I carefully curate each speech, balancing analytical data with emotionally compelling storytelling. People don’t remember facts alone — they remember how those facts made them feel. That’s why I weave humour, disruption, vulnerability, and surprise into my talks, creating an emotional arc that captivates the audience and ensures the message lingers long after the event ends.

The core messages I strive to convey are simple yet powerful:

• We are all negotiators. From the moment we are born, we negotiate to have our needs met. Recognizing and honing this innate skill can transform our personal and professional lives.
• Negotiation, emotional intelligence, and leadership are intertwined. Mastering negotiation enhances our ability to lead with empathy, integrity, and composure.
• Confidence stems from competence and experience. The more we practice negotiation, the more capable and self-assured we become.
• Negotiation is a path to conflict resolution. It’s not about winning or losing but about understanding needs, finding common ground, and crafting solutions that benefit all parties.
• Calmness is a superpower. The ability to remain composed in high-pressure situations is invaluable, not just in negotiations but in life.
• Becoming a better negotiator makes us better human beings. Skills like active listening, empathy, and authenticity enrich every aspect of our relationships and interactions.

Engaging with an audience is not a performance for me — it’s an exchange of energy and vulnerability. I don’t need motivation to speak; it’s an intrinsic part of who I am. Perhaps it’s because I’ve negotiated peace within myself during my darkest moments, or maybe it’s the long lines of people who wait to share their stories after my speeches. Knowing that my words have touched someone, helped them navigate a challenge, or empowered them to take action is the greatest reward.

Looking ahead, I aspire to share my insights on even larger platforms. Whether it’s through TEDx talks, books, podcasts, or media appearances, my goal remains steadfast: to help people realize their own power and equip them with the skills they need to shape their destinies. We are all far more capable than we believe, and sometimes, all it takes is a shift in perspective to unlock our true potential.

The quote that encapsulates my philosophy is this: “It’s not who we think we are that holds us back. It’s who we think we’re not.”

I share my stories, not because they are extraordinary, but because they reveal the extraordinary strength that lies within every one of us. And if my journey can inspire even one person to negotiate a better outcome — for their career, their family, or their well-being — then every step of my path has been worth it.