Unni Turrettini
Title: Author, Speaker & Human Connection Expert
Financial Services and Wealth Management
Education: University of Oslo School of Law - LL.M. Boston University School of Law
Oslo, Norway
Biography
Unni Turrettini is a bestselling author, international speaker, and performance strategist specializing in human connection. She helps leaders and teams break free from survival mode to make better decisions, foster high-trust cultures, and elevate performance through relational energy and emotional intelligence.
Unni’s expertise was born from a decade-long study of loneliness and disconnection that began after Norway’s 2011 lone-wolf terrorist attack. Her groundbreaking research has fueled two acclaimed books, multiple media appearances, and keynote speeches across Europe and the U.S., including multiple guest spots on The James Altucher Show. In 2022, she was named one of 22 Women to Watch by Brown Brothers Harriman.
Before becoming a full-time speaker and advisor, Unni practiced law and worked in finance in New York, Paris and Geneva. She holds law degrees from Norway, France, and the United States and is a member of the New York Bar.
Born in Norway and fluent in four languages, Unni brings a rare global perspective to leadership and performance.
She now lives in Oslo with her family and her spoiled Boston Terrier.
Passion
Unni is deeply passionate about helping people remember who they truly are—powerful, whole, and worthy of connection. She guides high achievers and leaders out of survival mode and into creator mode, where clarity, courage, and purpose drive both personal and professional transformation. Her mission is to heal the epidemic of loneliness—within individuals, relationships, and organizations—by fostering environments where people feel seen, safe, and like they belong.
Rooted in a belief that workplaces can become communities and that leadership is a deeply human act, Unni is committed to transforming performance through emotional connection, spiritual alignment, and practical tools. Whether she’s helping a CEO resolve conflict, supporting a team in increasing productivity and sales, or coaching someone through burnout, her work always returns to one core truth: when people connect with themselves, everything changes—from mental health to decision-making to the bottom line.
Best Story
Years ago, when I was working at a bank in Geneva, my boss sent me to a major finance conference in Moscow. I didn’t know a soul. The only other woman there? Madeleine Albright. And let’s just say, she wasn’t exactly available for lunch.
I remember one morning, stepping into the hotel elevator—feeling invisible, out of place, and honestly, a little unsure of why I was even there.
The elevator stops, and a man walks in. He looks at me and says, “Hey Unni, how are you this morning?”
I had barely met him earlier in the week—just a quick handshake at one of the receptions—but in that moment, his recognition lit something in me. I felt seen. I felt like I mattered.
And everything shifted.
That one moment of acknowledgment gave me a surge of energy. For the rest of the conference, I was on fire—starting conversations, building new relationships, and even finding fresh investors for our fund.
This is what researchers like Owens, Baker, Sumpter, and Cameron call relational energy—the kind of energy that’s exchanged in human connection. And it’s more than just a nice feeling.
Their studies show exactly what I experienced that day:
A single spark of relational energy can lift someone emotionally
That emotional lift boosts clarity, focus, and confidence
And that inner shift translates directly into performance and productivity
This is the power we hold in how we interact with each other. Connection isn’t soft—it’s strategic.
Origin Story
Thirteen years ago, I found myself pulled into the darkest corners of humanity after a horrific event shook my hometown in Norway: Anders Behring Breivik killed 77 people in one day. I needed to understand what could drive someone to commit such a monstrous act. So I followed his trial. I studied him. And then I went deeper—studying mass killers across the globe.
What I discovered shocked me.
Anders Breivik and I weren’t as different as I had imagined.
A few months after the massacre, I was back home in Geneva. My son Axel was four, lining up his little airplanes on the living room rug. Ella, two years old, was upset he wouldn’t share. I picked her up, held her close. She had that sweet baby scent only toddlers have, and I remember thinking: I have everything I ever wanted—how can I feel so empty?
Surrounded by love, yet completely alone.
It was that moment of quiet dissonance that cracked something open in me. Because I realized Breivik felt that too. So did the other mass killers I had studied. A deep, aching loneliness. A terrifying emptiness. Disconnection—not just from others, but from themselves.
Years later, I shared that story on Instagram. The reel went viral—over a million views—and I received hundreds of messages from people around the world saying: Me too. I feel that way too.
That’s when everything changed.
I began studying human connection—not just as a social concept, but as a path to healing, performance, and belonging. Today, I help leaders and high achievers break free from survival mode and reconnect with themselves and others—because I’ve seen firsthand what happens when we don’t.
Example talks
Beyond Intelligence: Why Connection Is the New Competitive Advantage
In a world where AI can generate information in seconds and outperform humans in speed, accuracy, and memory—knowledge is no longer your edge.
So what is?
Connection. Presence. Energy.
In this paradigm-shifting keynote, Unni Turrettini makes the case that in the age of AI, what sets exceptional leaders and organizations apart isn’t what they know—it’s how they connect. With themselves. With others. With purpose.
Drawing on her experience as a human connection expert and former corporate attorney, Unni reveals the science and soul behind what truly drives performance, trust, and influence in a digitized world.
You’ll discover:
Why survival mode is sabotaging your leadership—and how to shift into clarity and creativity
How relational energy fuels faster decision-making, stronger collaboration, and higher engagement
The role of AI as a mirror—amplifying disconnection or catalyzing deeper human awareness
Tangible strategies to elevate team culture, wellbeing, and performance through connection
This is not a talk about resisting AI. It’s a call to rise into what makes us irreplaceable.
Because in the age of machines, your greatest asset isn’t your mind—it’s your energy.
Humanity at the Crossroads: Reclaiming Connection in the Age of AI
As AI reshapes every corner of our lives and organizations, many are asking: What will it mean to be human in an age of machines?
In this provocative and heart-opening keynote, Unni Turrettini explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and human connection—and why our humanity is not something to fear losing, but something we’re being called to remember.
With deep insight into the neuroscience of survival mode, disconnection, and loneliness, Unni reveals how AI doesn’t have to replace us—it can remind us of who we truly are. When used consciously, AI can amplify connection, not diminish it. It can support emotional presence, spark self-awareness, and even help us lead with more clarity and compassion.
You’ll learn:
Why human connection—not just intelligence—is the new competitive edge
The impact of survival mode on decision-making, leadership, and innovation
How AI can become a mirror that helps us reconnect with our values, emotions, and each other
Practical ways leaders and teams can use AI to enhance—not erode—trust, collaboration, and wellbeing
This isn’t a doomsday talk about robots taking over. It’s a powerful invitation to lead a new era—where technology and humanity evolve together, and where connection becomes our greatest strength.
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
Years ago, when I was working at a bank in Geneva, my boss sent me to a major finance conference in Moscow. I didn’t know a soul. The only other woman there? Madeleine Albright. And let’s just say, she wasn’t exactly available for lunch.
I remember one morning, stepping into the hotel elevator—feeling invisible, out of place, and honestly, a little unsure of why I was even there.
The elevator stops, and a man walks in. He looks at me and says, “Hey Unni, how are you this morning?”
I had barely met him earlier in the week—just a quick handshake at one of the receptions—but in that moment, his recognition lit something in me. I felt seen. I felt like I mattered.
And everything shifted.
That one moment of acknowledgment gave me a surge of energy. For the rest of the conference, I was on fire—starting conversations, building new relationships, and even finding fresh investors for our fund.
This is what researchers like Owens, Baker, Sumpter, and Cameron call relational energy—the kind of energy that’s exchanged in human connection. And it’s more than just a nice feeling.
Their studies show exactly what I experienced that day:
A single spark of relational energy can lift someone emotionally
That emotional lift boosts clarity, focus, and confidence
And that inner shift translates directly into performance and productivity
This is the power we hold in how we interact with each other. Connection isn’t soft—it’s strategic.
Origin Story
Thirteen years ago, I found myself pulled into the darkest corners of humanity after a horrific event shook my hometown in Norway: Anders Behring Breivik killed 77 people in one day. I needed to understand what could drive someone to commit such a monstrous act. So I followed his trial. I studied him. And then I went deeper—studying mass killers across the globe.
What I discovered shocked me.
Anders Breivik and I weren’t as different as I had imagined.
A few months after the massacre, I was back home in Geneva. My son Axel was four, lining up his little airplanes on the living room rug. Ella, two years old, was upset he wouldn’t share. I picked her up, held her close. She had that sweet baby scent only toddlers have, and I remember thinking: I have everything I ever wanted—how can I feel so empty?
Surrounded by love, yet completely alone.
It was that moment of quiet dissonance that cracked something open in me. Because I realized Breivik felt that too. So did the other mass killers I had studied. A deep, aching loneliness. A terrifying emptiness. Disconnection—not just from others, but from themselves.
Years later, I shared that story on Instagram. The reel went viral—over a million views—and I received hundreds of messages from people around the world saying: Me too. I feel that way too.
That’s when everything changed.
I began studying human connection—not just as a social concept, but as a path to healing, performance, and belonging. Today, I help leaders and high achievers break free from survival mode and reconnect with themselves and others—because I’ve seen firsthand what happens when we don’t.
Example talks
Beyond Intelligence: Why Connection Is the New Competitive Advantage
In a world where AI can generate information in seconds and outperform humans in speed, accuracy, and memory—knowledge is no longer your edge.
So what is?
Connection. Presence. Energy.
In this paradigm-shifting keynote, Unni Turrettini makes the case that in the age of AI, what sets exceptional leaders and organizations apart isn’t what they know—it’s how they connect. With themselves. With others. With purpose.
Drawing on her experience as a human connection expert and former corporate attorney, Unni reveals the science and soul behind what truly drives performance, trust, and influence in a digitized world.
You’ll discover:
Why survival mode is sabotaging your leadership—and how to shift into clarity and creativity
How relational energy fuels faster decision-making, stronger collaboration, and higher engagement
The role of AI as a mirror—amplifying disconnection or catalyzing deeper human awareness
Tangible strategies to elevate team culture, wellbeing, and performance through connection
This is not a talk about resisting AI. It’s a call to rise into what makes us irreplaceable.
Because in the age of machines, your greatest asset isn’t your mind—it’s your energy.
Humanity at the Crossroads: Reclaiming Connection in the Age of AI
As AI reshapes every corner of our lives and organizations, many are asking: What will it mean to be human in an age of machines?
In this provocative and heart-opening keynote, Unni Turrettini explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and human connection—and why our humanity is not something to fear losing, but something we’re being called to remember.
With deep insight into the neuroscience of survival mode, disconnection, and loneliness, Unni reveals how AI doesn’t have to replace us—it can remind us of who we truly are. When used consciously, AI can amplify connection, not diminish it. It can support emotional presence, spark self-awareness, and even help us lead with more clarity and compassion.
You’ll learn:
Why human connection—not just intelligence—is the new competitive edge
The impact of survival mode on decision-making, leadership, and innovation
How AI can become a mirror that helps us reconnect with our values, emotions, and each other
Practical ways leaders and teams can use AI to enhance—not erode—trust, collaboration, and wellbeing
This isn’t a doomsday talk about robots taking over. It’s a powerful invitation to lead a new era—where technology and humanity evolve together, and where connection becomes our greatest strength.
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