Unni Turrettini
Title: Author, Speaker & Human Connection Expert
Financial Services and Wealth Management
Education: LL.M. - Boston University School of Law
Oslo, Norway
Biography
Unni is an award-winning and bestselling author, speaker, coach and human connection expert who helps leaders and teams deactivate survival mode, connect, and create relational energy for increased success. Unni has studied loneliness and human connection since Norway’s lone wolf massacre in 2011. Since then, she has published two books, given keynotes, media interviews, and been a repeat guest on The James Altucher Show.
New York’s Brown Brothers Harriman named her one of 22 Women To Watch In 2022.
Born in Norway, Unni spent most of her adult life abroad, including the United States, France, and Switzerland before returning to Oslo in 2016 with her family. With law degrees from Norway, France, and the United States, Unni is a member of the New York Bar and worked in law and finance for nearly a decade before becoming a full-time writer, speaker, and trainer.
Unni is a cowgirl at heart, is the mom of the world’s most spoilt Boston Terrier, and drinks her coffee cold.
Passion
Helping people reconnect with themselves and remember who powerful they are; teaching people how move from survival mode to creator mode; helping people overcome loneliness; transforming workplaces into communities where people feel they belong; increasing sales and productivity; helping people solve conflict and relationship issues; mental health; spirituality.
Best Story
Many years ago, when I was working at a bank in Geneva, my boss sent me to a big conference in Moscow. I didn’t know anyone. The only other woman there, was Madeleine Albright. I couldn’t hang out with her.
One morning, I’m in the elevator when this man enters.
He looks at me, “Hey Unni, how are you this morning?”
I barely remembered meeting him briefly at the one of the events earlier in the week.
Just him recognizing me gave me such a boost, the rest of the conference, I’m on fire.
I’m talking with everyone I meet; and I’m finding new investors for our fund.
This is the power of “relational energy” – a term used by Owens, Baker, Sumpter, and Cameron to describe the energy that is created in our social work interactions.
They found, it’s powerful because it sparks the chain of reactions I felt that day at the conference:
• First relational energy can make someone feel really good.
• This shift can give them more clarity, focus, and concentration.
• And this makes them more productive.
Origin Story
13 years ago, I wrote a book about Anders Breivik, a mass shooter who killed 77 people in Norway in 2011, in my hometown. I needed to understand what would drive someone like him to become a mass killer - so I followed his trial, I studied him. Then I studied similar killers around the world.
I learned that Anders Breivik, these other mass killers, and I aren’t that different.
A couple of months after Breivik’s massacre, I was home in Geneva playing with my kids…Axel was 4; Ella 2.
Axel is lining up his mini airplanes.
Ella’s cranky, cause her brother won’t let her play with his airplanes.
I pick her up, hold her in my arms to soothe her – She has that beautiful baby scent.
I’m thinking, “Oh my gosh, I’ve everything I could ever want.”
Yet inside I feel empty. Lonely.
How can this be when I’m surrounded by people I love and people who love me?
Just last year, I shared this story on Instagram. The reel got a million views. I received hundreds of messages from people all over the world all feeling the same way.
And I knew - from my research - Breivik and other mass killers knew this feeling too. They also felt empty. And lonely.
That's when I started researching human connection and I began helping leaders and high achievers connect - to themselves and others in a deeper and more meaningful way.
Example talks
SURVIVAL MODE: The Secret Killer Of Relationships and Success—And What To Do About It
You’ve mastered the art of achievement—but at what cost? True success comes when you shift your energy and align with your higher self, not just your goals.
Most people spend 70% of their time in survival mode. While this state may help keep you safe, it also limits access to the thinking part of your brain and critical information needed for decision-making. Survival mode undermines collaboration and connection, leading to poor communication, stalled sales, and career stagnation.
Your success in life is directly tied to how deeply connected you are to yourself and to others.
As a human connection expert, Unni helps leaders and high achievers deactivate survival mode and access the 99% of reality most people overlook. This shift unlocks transformative breakthroughs in both work and life.
Key Takeaways:
After attending this keynote, attendees will be able to:
• Recognize the signs of survival mode in themselves and others
• Master strategies to deactivate survival mode
• Shift their energy for greater clarity and focus
• Strengthen their relationships and communication
• Unlock higher performance and unleash their full potential
Featured Video
I am willing to travel
More than 100 miles
When it comes to payments
Everything is negotiable
Topics
Best Story
Many years ago, when I was working at a bank in Geneva, my boss sent me to a big conference in Moscow. I didn’t know anyone. The only other woman there, was Madeleine Albright. I couldn’t hang out with her.
One morning, I’m in the elevator when this man enters.
He looks at me, “Hey Unni, how are you this morning?”
I barely remembered meeting him briefly at the one of the events earlier in the week.
Just him recognizing me gave me such a boost, the rest of the conference, I’m on fire.
I’m talking with everyone I meet; and I’m finding new investors for our fund.
This is the power of “relational energy” – a term used by Owens, Baker, Sumpter, and Cameron to describe the energy that is created in our social work interactions.
They found, it’s powerful because it sparks the chain of reactions I felt that day at the conference:
• First relational energy can make someone feel really good.
• This shift can give them more clarity, focus, and concentration.
• And this makes them more productive.
Origin Story
13 years ago, I wrote a book about Anders Breivik, a mass shooter who killed 77 people in Norway in 2011, in my hometown. I needed to understand what would drive someone like him to become a mass killer - so I followed his trial, I studied him. Then I studied similar killers around the world.
I learned that Anders Breivik, these other mass killers, and I aren’t that different.
A couple of months after Breivik’s massacre, I was home in Geneva playing with my kids…Axel was 4; Ella 2.
Axel is lining up his mini airplanes.
Ella’s cranky, cause her brother won’t let her play with his airplanes.
I pick her up, hold her in my arms to soothe her – She has that beautiful baby scent.
I’m thinking, “Oh my gosh, I’ve everything I could ever want.”
Yet inside I feel empty. Lonely.
How can this be when I’m surrounded by people I love and people who love me?
Just last year, I shared this story on Instagram. The reel got a million views. I received hundreds of messages from people all over the world all feeling the same way.
And I knew - from my research - Breivik and other mass killers knew this feeling too. They also felt empty. And lonely.
That's when I started researching human connection and I began helping leaders and high achievers connect - to themselves and others in a deeper and more meaningful way.
Example talks
SURVIVAL MODE: The Secret Killer Of Relationships and Success—And What To Do About It
You’ve mastered the art of achievement—but at what cost? True success comes when you shift your energy and align with your higher self, not just your goals.
Most people spend 70% of their time in survival mode. While this state may help keep you safe, it also limits access to the thinking part of your brain and critical information needed for decision-making. Survival mode undermines collaboration and connection, leading to poor communication, stalled sales, and career stagnation.
Your success in life is directly tied to how deeply connected you are to yourself and to others.
As a human connection expert, Unni helps leaders and high achievers deactivate survival mode and access the 99% of reality most people overlook. This shift unlocks transformative breakthroughs in both work and life.
Key Takeaways:
After attending this keynote, attendees will be able to:
• Recognize the signs of survival mode in themselves and others
• Master strategies to deactivate survival mode
• Shift their energy for greater clarity and focus
• Strengthen their relationships and communication
• Unlock higher performance and unleash their full potential