Clinical Psychologist & World Leading Friendship Expert

Dr. Miriam Kirmayer

Business. Communication. Collaboration. Resilience. Teamwork.

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Dr. Miriam Kirmayer

Speaker Bio

Dr. Miriam Kirmayer is a clinical psychologist, leading friendship expert, and one of the most influential speakers on human connection and social support. With over a decade of research in the science of friendship, Dr. Miriam’s work has revolutionized the way we show up for, mentor, and connect with each other.

A sought-after speaker, Dr. Miriam shares inspiring keynotes and workshops at corporate conferences, leadership summits, community-driven events, and leading academic and healthcare institutions. Her clients include The Aspen Institute, The Atlantic’s In Pursuit Of Happiness summit, Canadian Women in Medicine, The Foundation For Social Connection, The Government of Canada, Entrepreneurs’ Organization, and YPO.

Her hands-on research and relatable advice have helped companies around the world boost belonging, engagement, well-being, and mentorship—while giving their teams the tools that benefit them far beyond the workplace.

Dr. Miriam contributes her expertise as a psychological consultant to both the media and connection-driven organizations around the world, helping them bridge the growing gaps between research, policy, and our everyday approach to relationships, leadership, and mental health. She currently sits on the Mental Health Advisory Committee for Wondermind, a mental fitness company co-founded by Selena Gomez and Mandy Teefey and is a trusted consultant for The Foundation For Social Connection.

Dr. Miriam is the creator of the Confidently Connected™️ digital learning experience. She has interviewed hundreds of people to capture what it really takes to create closer friendships and resilient relationships. She has supported and coached countless more through her clinical and consulting work. A leading voice in the media, Dr. Miriam regularly contributes research-driven insights and relatable advice to top outlets including The Atlantic, BBC, Financial Times, Forbes, The Guardian, The New York Times, Psychology Today, TIME, and The Wall Street Journal. She is also a frequent guest on television shows and podcasts, ranging from The Today Show and Call Her Daddy to NPR. Dr. Miriam inspires people worldwide to recognize that we’re all at our happiest and healthiest when we invest in the moments that matter—and the connections that count.

Dr. Miriam Kirmayer received her Ph.D. from McGill University and lives in Montreal, Canada with her husband and their two curious and spirited sons

Dr. Miriam Kirmayer Topics
Bridge the Connection Divide: Relationships are the road to well-being — discover the steps to closer connections.
Elevate Connected Support & Mentorship: How to take support from transactional to transformational — and show up when it matters most.
Cultivate the Three Pillars of Connection: How to encourage, empower, and equip your teams to connect to each other — and a better way to work.

Feeling connected— to our friends, our colleagues, and our communities — is one of the most powerful predictors of our health, happiness, and success.

Even though we are hard-wired for connection, so much can get in the way of strong, healthy relationships: distance, technology, the busy-ness of life, and, most of all, the misconceptions we have about what it takes to build authentic friendships and connections.

In her thought-provoking signature keynote, Dr. Miriam unpacks the science of friendship and connection to help people build the relationships that can inform and transform their lives. Discover the key practices, skills, and mindset shifts that improve connectivity, reduce feelings of loneliness, fortify our personal and collective well-being, and bridge the connection divide.

Through sharing her professional insights and personal experiences, Dr. Miriam helps us to recalibrate the way we think about, prioritize, and invest in creating the friendships and connections that count, and ultimately add up to a full and fulfilling life.

Key Audience Takeaways:

– Learn why investing in our friendships and connections is the #1 thing we can do for our health, well-being, and success.

– Debunk the top myths and limiting beliefs that contribute to loneliness and stand in the way of closer connections.

– Take home the key practices, mindset shifts, and actionable strategies that strengthen relationships and resilience, even in times of stress, uncertainty, and change

What do people really need to hear (or to happen) when things are challenging or uncertain? How can we encourage growth and support change without compromising on connection and compassion?

In this empathy-centered keynote, Dr. Miriam reveals the 4 supporter archetypes and shares how to maximize mentorship and become a connected supporter by moving from reflexive to responsive. Learn to gauge the right kind of support, guidance, and feedback that is needed in any situation – and to deliver it more effectively and impactfully.

From leaders and managers, to mentors and peers, everyone has the opportunity to better show up for and support others — and contribute to a culture of reciprocated care, belonging, and shared growth. Harness the power of connection to elevate collective well-being and bring out the best in your community and the people who make it extraordinary.

Key Audience Takeaways:

– KNOW YOUR ROLE: Learn the 4 supporter archetypes and discover your unique supporter strengths and slip-ups to better understand yourself—and the people around you.

– PLAY THE PART: Become a connected supporter by moving from reflexive to responsive. Develop the core skills and mindsets needed to exchange support, guidance, and mentorship more thoughtfully and impactfully.

– GO OFF SCRIPT: Reframe the 3 misconceptions that stand in the way of stronger connections, support, and growth. Learn how to ask for, and secure, the right kind of support, in any situation.

Hybrid and remote work. Returning to the office. Differing views and values. Technology and a reliance on digital communication. All can contribute massively to the increasing rates of loneliness, disengagement, and burnout. But they also present opportunities— for collaboration, for inclusion, and for stronger social health.

In this interactive keynote, Dr. Miriam translates her groundbreaking research on the science of friendship into an actionable framework that every organization can use to co-create a powerful culture of connection with their employees—and build an energizing environment where people are motivated, supported, and recognize that they belong.

Join the growing list of organizations who are harnessing the power of connection to increase innovation, collaboration, engagement, and retention — while also contributing to the health and well-being of their employees far beyond the workplace.

Key Audience Takeaways:

– Understand the value of connection and why it’s a primary focus of today’s leading organizations.

– Identify the three pillars of healthy connections at work—and how everyone in the company benefits from and contributes to them.

– Learn practical tools for improving communication, strengthening relationships, and coping with conflict and uncertainty at work Cultivate a workplace that leads to greater belonging, psychological safety, and connection in every environment, from hybrid and hot desking to in-person work

Dr. Miriam Kirmayer

Stories of my life

Testimonials

Words for
Dr. Miriam Kirmayer

Samantha Daoust, Marketing at Ardene

“Her knowledge, humanity and warmth made it easy to build an event that ended up being an overwhelming success. I highly suggest working with Dr. Kirmayer on events.”

Canadian Innovation Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace Government of Canada

“Absolutely outstanding! I already mentioned how useful and refreshing this session was to my team. I adored Dr. Kirmayer’s approach. This is going to be the first presentation that I am going to rewatch. I would love for her to come back, and even better, do workshops with her.”

YPO Bay Area

“Dr. Miriam was a fantastic resource for our large group of CEOs. Informative, provocative and unexpected, persuasive… super engaging, highly interactive and conversational, great topic expert, gave the participants a ton of ‘take home value.’“

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