Simone Heng

Simone Heng is a human connection specialist, award-winning author, and one of the youngest female Certified Speaking Professionals in the world. A former international broadcaster for Virgin Radio Dubai, HBO Asia, and CNBC, she now advises Fortune 500 organisations including Google, Meta, Amazon, and Spotify on building meaningful workplace relationships. Simone has shared her expertise at Harvard University, SXSW, the United Nations, and through her book Let's Talk About Loneliness, with her next title Be A Force arriving in 2026. She equips teams and leaders with practical strategies to combat isolation, foster authentic connection, and create cultures where people genuinely thrive together.

After leaving an enviable broadcasting career at Virgin Radio Dubai, HBO Asia, and CNBC to return home and care for her mother, Simone Heng confronted a truth that would reshape her professional path: human connection had become one of society's most urgent, unmet needs. That personal turning point propelled her from lifestyle media into a new mission, one that has since taken her to Fortune 500 boardrooms, Harvard University, SXSW, the United Nations, and onto stages across six continents. Today, she advises organisations including Google, Meta, Amazon, Spotify, Salesforce, and KPMG on building meaningful workplace relationships in an age of profound isolation. Recognised as one of the youngest female Certified Speaking Professionals globally, Simone has transformed her early outsider experiences growing up as the child of immigrants in Australia into a powerful framework for helping others forge authentic connections.

Her credibility extends well beyond the stage. Simone authored the award-winning book *Let's Talk About Loneliness*, published in 2023, which distils the science and practice of meaningful relationships into actionable insight. Her second title, *Be A Force*, arrives in 2026. She serves as a board member for the Foundation for Social Connection, contributing to global research and advocacy around social infrastructure. Her expertise has been featured across CNN, Forbes, Vogue, BBC Radio, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar, whilst her thought leadership continues to shape conversations about workplace culture, digital wellbeing, and the loneliness epidemic. Most recently, Simone collaborated with The Economist Educational Foundation and former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy on the Leadership for Change Prize 2026, a global initiative empowering young people aged 10 to 16 to devise practical solutions to the loneliness crisis. Her work with one of the world's most respected publications underscores her influence in translating complex social science into accessible, actionable strategies for diverse audiences.

Simone equips leaders and teams with the tools to combat isolation, rebuild trust, and create environments where people genuinely thrive. Her presentations move beyond awareness, offering practical frameworks that audiences can implement immediately to strengthen relationships, improve collaboration, and foster cultures of belonging. Whether addressing the role of AI companions in human connection or helping organisations navigate hybrid work challenges, she delivers tangible strategies grounded in research, lived experience, and a deep understanding of what it takes to connect authentically in a digitally saturated world. Audiences leave her sessions not only inspired but equipped with clear, practical steps to transform how they relate to colleagues, clients, and communities, creating lasting impact that extends well beyond the event itself.