Make sure your next event is unforgettable with an in-person, hybrid, or virtual keynote or workshop from Dr. Gillian Mandich that will have attendees raving. Bringing Dr. Gillian Mandich to your next event will give your audience the tools they need to live a happier, healthier, more fulfilled life.
All of Dr. Gillian Mandich’s talks are tailored to suit your event goals and each audience’s unique needs. Her talks are a mix of scientific research, inspirational stories, and practical solutions that will leave your audience with actionable with tools they can immediately use to feel motivated, more resilient, and happier.
Dr. Mandich offers high-impact topics that are available in-person or virtually as a keynote speech (45 to 90 minutes), breakout session (up to 3 hours), half- or full-day workshop, conference plenary, retreat, or webinar. Choose from the following popular topics:
The Science of Happiness
Evidence-Based Strategies for Enhancing Well-Being
Description:
Happiness is more than a momentary feeling; it has measurable links to how we cope with challenges, manage stress, and connect meaningfully with others. It also supports our capacity to flourish and feel fulfilled in both personal and professional life.
A growing body of research in positive psychology, neuroscience, and behavioural science shows that happiness is associated with enhanced energy, elevated performance, increased productivity, and improved health outcomes. In a time marked by accelerating complexity, where stress, disengagement, and uncertainty are at record highs, how do we build and sustain happiness?
Drawing on the scientific literature and her research, Dr. Gillian Mandich shares insights and approaches that create meaningful impact. Bridging current evidence with real-world application, this talk explores how happiness strengthens resilience, promotes psychological flexibility, and drives long-term success. Participants will learn practical tools and strategies to apply happiness science to their daily lives.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the scientific foundations of happiness and its relationship to physical and mental health.
• Identify common barriers to happiness and explore evidence-based practices to navigate them.
• Discover research-backed strategies to increase motivation, support well-being, and enhance quality of life.
Leading with Happiness
The Science of Leadership, Performance, and Well-Being
Description:
Effective leadership goes beyond strategic insight and decision-making; it requires understanding the psychological and social dynamics that drive team performance and organizational success. Research underscores that happiness is a central determinant of leadership effectiveness. Leaders who prioritize well-being are more productive and focused. They also foster a culture that reduces burnout, increases retention, and inspires innovation.
Grounded in leading findings from organizational psychology, neuroscience, and sociology, this session examines how happiness functions as a strategic asset in leadership. As co-lead investigator of The Canadian Happiness at Work Study, Dr. Gillian Mandich outlines how a leader’s mental health affects decision-making, adaptability, confidence, and employee engagement. Drawing on evidence-based insights, strategic storytelling, and practical strategies, attendees will learn how to build emotional resilience, develop a constructive leadership mindset, and create an environment where individuals and organizations thrive.
Learning Objectives:
• Examine current research in leadership science and psychological safety to understand how trust, motivation, and communication shape team performance.
• Understand the key habits and mindsets that strengthen resilience amid uncertainty, stress, and overwhelm.
• Apply evidence-based strategies to enhance engagement, increase retention, and lead teams that flourish, even in high-pressure or rapidly evolving environments.
Resilience, Reimagined
Evidence-Based Strategies for Navigating Change with Clarity and Confidence
Description:
The world isn’t just speeding up. It is becoming more fractured, uncertain, and emotionally taxing to navigate. Stress levels and burnout rates are rising, affecting motivation, performance, and mental health. As change accelerates, the people who thrive are the ones who meet challenges with clarity, adaptability, and the ability to move forward under pressure.
A well-developed capacity to withstand and grow through hardship, grounded in science and forged through challenge, allows people to flourish amid uncertainty. Resilience isn’t just about “bouncing back.” It’s about moving forward, stronger and more capable than before. Research shows that resilience enhances decision-making, sharpens focus, and drives success in work and life. It keeps high performers ahead of the curve, helps teams stay connected under demanding conditions, and enables individuals to navigate complexity without burning out.
Dr. Gillian Mandich blends the latest neuroscience, applied psychology, and behavioural research insights to uncover foundational strategies that support enduring effectiveness and mental strength. Evidence-based approaches are presented to regain control in unpredictable situations, promote problem-solving, and develop a mindset that approaches setbacks with clarity and forward momentum. Grounded in rigorous research, this session offers practical, scientifically informed strategies to build adaptability, improve well-being, and support long-term success.
Learning Objectives:
· Examine a science-backed framework for strengthening resilience and mental clarity through change.
· Learn how to respond quickly and decisively by regulating emotion, sustaining performance under pressure, and maintaining engagement.
· Explore proven tools and techniques to navigate stress in ways that sharpen decision-making, build confidence, and fuel growth.
Happily Ever After Burnout
The Science of Sustaining Energy, Motivation, and Resilience
Description:
From diminished engagement to rising stress and overwhelm, the current complex landscape of burnout isn’t just a side effect of modern work; it’s a measurable risk to individual well-being and business sustainability. Emotional fatigue, declining motivation, and systemic overload make it more challenging for people and organizations to sustain clarity, productivity, and effectiveness. A deeper, evidence-based approach is urgently needed to address both the symptoms and the structural contributors of burnout.
As co-lead investigator of The Canadian Happiness at Work Study, Dr. Gillian Mandich brings insight and a comprehensive perspective on how today’s workplace realities shape employee performance and organizational health. Grounded in psychology, neuroscience, and behavioural research, this session outlines a science-informed strategy to identify the drivers of burnout and applies evidence-based approaches to prevent and address it. Participants will learn actionable tools and strategies to build resilience, energy, and motivation.
Learning Objectives:
• Examine the complex causes of burnout and how to recognize its warning signs.
• Identify behaviours that exacerbate or buffer against exhaustion, and apply research-supported strategies to mitigate it.
• Explore actionable tools to enhance energy, focus, and performance.
The Happiness Algorithm
Science-Based Strategies for Thriving in an AI-Powered World
Description:
It’s often said that happiness is a choice, but especially during difficult or stressful times it can be much easier said than done; yet, research suggests that challenging times can actually increase happiness. Studies on earthquakes, tsunamis, economic crises, and on people handling the front lines of human suffering and trauma have led to some surprising insights about happiness in the wake of what might otherwise seem to be indubitable catastrophes. Using cutting-edge science and her own research findings, Dr. Gillian Mandich will share what you need to know to pandemic-proof your mindset and repair the mental damage caused by difficult times. You will learn evidence-based tools and proven strategies to curb fear and anxiety, build resilience, and cultivate happiness.
Learning Objectives:
· Investigate the psychological impact of AI on happiness, mental health, and burnout.
· Clarify the emotional and cognitive abilities that foster connection, insight, and adaptability in an AI-shaped world.
· Translate science-based insights into daily practices that support attention, motivation, and sustainable well-being.
Tailored Experience: Science-Backed, Strategically Designed
Every organization has its own culture, dynamics, and strategic aims. Dr. Gillian Mandich collaborates directly with your team to understand your goals, challenges, and desired outcomes. She will design a customized session that integrates current research, real-world insights, and immediately actionable strategies. Each session is empirically supported and personalized to reflect your targets and objectives.
Benefits of a Customized Session:
· A science-informed learning experience aligned with your organization’s strategic priorities.
· Evidence-based solutions designed to build resilience, boost engagement, and enhance effectiveness.
· Practical tools and strategies that empower individuals and teams to improve productivity, performance, and long-term success.
The Science of Happiness
Evidence-based practices that will make you happier today
Description:
Happiness is an essential ingredient in a life well lived. In addition to making us feel good, studies have found that happiness can improve health, well-being, and longevity. Happiness is not a one-size-fits-all formula, and Dr. Mandich will share simple, key practices in a fun, innovative way. Participants will leave with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to effectively make the rest of their life the best of their life.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the science of happiness and the connection between happiness and health.
• Explore how to overcome barriers and challenges to true and lasting happiness.
• Apply practical, evidence-based solutions and strategies to cultivate confidence, generate joy, and thrive.
Happy at Work
Rethinking stress, improving performance, and sustaining positive change
Description:
As co-lead investigator of the 2020 Canadian Happiness At Work Study, Dr. Mandich knows the current workplace landscape and how it affects both mental and physical health, productivity, performance, and the bottom line. Research shows that developing happiness is a significant factor in success and thriving at work and home, and that these capabilities can be learned. In fact, increasing happiness and fulfillment may be one of the most productive things people can do to thrive both personally and professionally.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand how to cope with uncertainty, navigate ambiguity and change, build hope, and better manage stress.
• Learn how to respond to challenges more effectively, make the most out of mental resources, and create positive relationships in the workplace.
• Use applied science to elevate happiness at work, increase employee engagement, improve productivity, and inspire innovation.
• Explore the action steps necessary to create lasting behaviour change, communicate effectively, and find more meaning and joy in work and life.
Happiness in the Digital Era
Bridging the happiness gap between the virtual and real world
Description:
Technology is often a key ingredient to being efficient, effective, and successful; however, the grass is not always greener in cyberspace. Our modern relationship with technology is also making it more difficult to switch off and unplug, which is taking a toll on our energy, draining our happiness, and taxing our mental health. Using fresh insights based on the latest research, participants will learn how to effectively leverage technology as a tool to enhance performance, increase well-being, and boost happiness.
Learning Objectives:
· Understand the significant ways that technology is changing behaviour and impacting mental health.
· Examine the direct and indirect effects that social media and smartphone addiction has on mood, performance, and well-being.
· Explore the relationship between autonomy and happiness, how to cope with a lack of control, and how to focus on what is important.
· Learn evidence-based strategies that reduce distraction while maintaining connection.
Creating A Happy Mindset
The art and science of true happiness
Description:
Happiness is more than an emotion, it’s a mindset. Happy people think differently, and research confirms that a happy mindset can be learned. Creating a happy mindset isn’t about eliminating stressful, frustrating, or difficult experiences, rather it’s about developing a resilient mindset and the self-confidence to know that you can overcome any challenges or obstacles. Using Dr. Mandich’s scientific framework, participants will learn how to shift the way they think and make the most out of their mental resources.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand how to use positive psychology and neuroscience to shift your thinking, break old patterns, and harness the power of perception to boost happiness.
• Develop interpersonal courage, compassionate strength, and strategies for peace of mind, no matter what is happening in your life.
• Learn how to get out of autopilot, shift fear into action, and encourage a healthy expression of a wide range of emotions.
• Examine three questions you need to ask to be happy and learn how and why you need to stop seeking happiness, and instead learn to see it.
How to Build Resilience, Boost Happiness, and Thrive (Even During Uncertain Times)
Rethinking resilience, coping with anxiety, and sustaining positive change
Description:
It’s often said that happiness is a choice, but especially during difficult or stressful times it can be much easier said than done; yet, research suggests that challenging times can actually increase happiness. Studies on earthquakes, tsunamis, economic crises, and on people handling the front lines of human suffering and trauma have led to some surprising insights about happiness in the wake of what might otherwise seem to be indubitable catastrophes. Using cutting-edge science and her own research findings, Dr. Gillian Mandich will share what you need to know to pandemic-proof your mindset and repair the mental damage caused by difficult times. You will learn evidence-based tools and proven strategies to curb fear and anxiety, build resilience, and cultivate happiness.
Learning Objectives:
· Identify barriers and challenges that contribute to fear, stress, and anxiety, and learn how to successfully overcome them.
· Explore how to navigate inner turmoil and cope in the face of uncertainty.
· Recognize overt and subtle signs of stress and common blind spots that impact mental health.
· Understand the importance of social connection, how to combat loneliness, and build meaningful relationships.
· Learn scientifically proven tools and strategies to increase resilience, cultivate peace of mind, and create lasting happiness.
Customized Topic – Let’s Discuss!
Please contact Dr. Gillian Mandich using the Contact page or via email at info@gillianmandich.com to discuss other possibilities.
