Dr. Rebecca Heiss: Workplace Performance
Dr. Rebecca Heiss is a behavioral biologist and keynote speaker who transforms science into actionable strategies for leadership, resilience, and workplace performance.
Quick Facts:
- Highlights:
- Ph.D. in biology; expert in human behavior, stress, and decision-making.
- Author and international keynote speaker on leadership and workplace resilience.
- Renowned for translating complex science into engaging, practical insights.
- Helps teams overcome biological biases to improve collaboration and performance.
- Formats: Keynote speaker (45–60 minutes), executive workshops, leadership retreats.
- Audiences: Corporate leaders, HR professionals, educators, and teams seeking to improve resilience, performance, and workplace culture.
- Outcomes:
- Recognize how biological instincts shape stress, communication, and leadership.
- Learn science-backed tools to manage fear, bias, and reactive behavior.
- Build more adaptive, innovative, and connected teams.
- Travels from: Greenville, SC
- **Fee range: $20,001 - $35,000
Talent Services
Keynote Topics:
Fear(less) Leadership: Excelling Through Uncertainty
In this engaging keynote, Dr. Rebecca leverages decades of research into stress and human behavior to share simple, science-backed techniques for transforming fear into the fuel that will propel leaders and their teams to greater confidence, focus, and performance.
This presentation is perfect for leaders and teams:
- Feeling overwhelmed by the stress, challenge, or unpredictable change they’re facing
- Ready to return to performance growth and/or concerned about how failure might be perceived
- Hoping to understand the science behind stress and anxiety better so they can know how to manage it more effectively
- Needing to come together to drive performance forward
The audience will leave able to:
- Rapidly transform stress and fear into energy that works for, rather than against, them
- Recalibrate their stress response so they can step into uncomfortable changes and challenges
- Adopt an adventure mindset that will fuel their resilience and adaptability in high-pressure situations
The Stress Advantage
Harnessing the Power of Stress to Boost Performance
We’ve gone through pandemics, supply chain issues, and uncertainty in global markets and now it’s time to get back to work. What if instead of trying to fight stress, we could transform it into a competitive advantage?
In this eye-opening keynote, Dr. Rebecca reveals the secret upside of stress that the highest-performing athletes and leaders use to fuel their performance. Helping to move individuals and companies from symptoms of PTSD to PTG (Post Traumatic Growth), she shares her simple science-based framework that allows anyone to stop fighting stress, and start leaning into it – improving productivity, increasing connection to others, and growing through challenges.
This presentation is perfect for leaders and teams:
- Trying to battle increasing levels of stress, burnout, and disengagement
- Ready to return to performance growth
- Feeling stuck on a treadmill that’s always moving faster
- Wanting to alleviate stress, but wary of the traditional “stress management” techniques that only add MORE “to do’s” (and stress) to their plates
The audience will leave able to:
- Understand the biological root of their stress response and recalibrate that response to work for their benefit in the modern world
- Effectively engage with their fears and reframe them as energy that can optimize performance and growth
- Adopt a simple framework for rewiring their brains so they can respond differently to challenges, reduce burnout, and restore purpose and fulfillment to their work
Finding FEAR[less]
A journey to the most powerful version of yourself
This inspiring keynote incorporates science, storytelling, and audience improv to guide participants past the “shoulds” and “not enoughs” in their heads to own their role as protagonists of their own lives. Using a potent combination of science and heart, Dr. Rebecca motivates anyone to become the best versions of themselves – the version that their 8 (and 88) year old self would be proud of.
This presentation is perfect for leaders and teams:
- Struggling with negative self-talk and limiting expectations
- Feeling like imposters in their lives but unsure how to feel fully authentic
- Wanting to bring more purpose and meaning to the work they do
- Needing to come together to drive performance forward
The audience will leave able to:
- Cultivate an empowered sense of self and deeper connection to others in any situation
- Understand how challenges, changes, and stress can lead to greater purpose and fulfillment in their lives
- Develop their own unique Superpower and show up “all in” as their authentic selves to help others.
Talent Short Bio
Dr. Rebecca Heiss is an evolutionary biologist, author, and sought-after keynote speaker who bridges the gap between cutting-edge science and real-world leadership. With a Ph.D. in biology and years of research into human behavior and stress, she helps organizations understand how our ancient instincts still shape modern decision-making. Her work empowers leaders and teams to recognize their biological triggers, adapt under pressure, and cultivate environments that foster innovation, collaboration, and well-being.
Dr. Heiss’s engaging presentations blend humor, storytelling, and science, leaving audiences inspired to rethink their patterns and unlock their potential. She has worked with global organizations across industries, guiding them to thrive through self-awareness, adaptability, and trust. Known for her energy and relatability, she brings research to life on stage transforming complex biological insights into simple, actionable tools for personal and professional growth.
Read Full Bio
Dr. Rebecca Heiss is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, author, and expert in evolutionary biology who brings a fresh and dynamic perspective to leadership, communication, and workplace culture. With a background in research and a passion for making science accessible and applicable to everyone, Dr. Heiss is on a mission to empower organizations to thrive by understanding and leveraging the inherent strengths of human biology.
Her engaging presentations and workshops challenge audiences to rethink their assumptions, break free from limiting behaviors, and build more resilient, innovative teams. Dr. Heiss’s work has impacted organizations across the globe, inspiring leaders and employees alike to embrace change, reduce stress, and create environments where everyone can perform at their best.
Dr. Rebecca Heiss is not just a speaker; she is a scientist dedicated to unlocking the potential of human biology to improve performance in the workplace. With a Ph.D. in biology, her research focuses on understanding how our evolutionary history shapes our behavior, particularly in stressful or high-stakes environments. Dr. Heiss has spent years studying the physiological and psychological factors that influence decision-making, risk-taking, and leadership. Her work is grounded in the latest scientific discoveries, yet she presents it in a way that is accessible, engaging, and directly applicable to everyday challenges.
At the core of Dr. Heiss’s message is the idea that our biological instincts, while powerful, are often outdated in today’s modern workplace. She explains how our brains are wired to react to threats that no longer exist, leading to stress, poor decision-making, and a lack of collaboration. Through her presentations, Dr. Heiss helps organizations understand these biological triggers and provides strategies to overcome them. By fostering self-awareness and intentional behavior, she empowers leaders and teams to break free from their “ancient wiring” and create a culture of innovation and trust.
Dr. Rebecca Heiss is a dynamic keynote speaker who combines her expertise in evolutionary biology with a passion for helping organizations thrive. Her presentations challenge audiences to rethink their behaviors, reduce stress, and create more resilient and innovative teams. With a proven track record of driving real change within organizations, Dr. Heiss is a standout choice for event planners looking to inspire and empower their attendees.
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Talent Videos
2024 Dr. Rebecca Heiss Sizzle Reel
In this 4-minute highlight reel, Dr. Rebecca Heiss showcases her signature message—using science to help leaders and teams overcome instinctual limitations, reduce stress, and unlock human potential in the workplace.
Video Summary & Key Moments
The 2024 sizzle reel captures Dr. Rebecca Heiss’s dynamic stage presence and the science-driven insights that make her one of today’s most compelling keynote speakers. Opening with vibrant clips from conferences and leadership summits, the video introduces Dr. Heiss’s mission: helping people rewire their “ancient brains” to thrive in a modern world. She explains that our biology is programmed for survival, not success and that many workplace stressors, fears, and biases stem from outdated instinctual responses.
Throughout the reel, Dr. Heiss combines humor, warmth, and research to demonstrate how leaders can use self-awareness to overcome these barriers. She shares that understanding how the brain responds to perceived threats allows individuals to shift from reactive to intentional behavior, leading to stronger communication and decision-making. Her message resonates deeply with audiences: fear isn’t the enemy, it’s information.
Clips highlight key topics she covers in her keynotes, including leadership under pressure, emotional intelligence, and team dynamics. Attendees describe feeling “energized,” “seen,” and “empowered” by her approach. The reel also includes moments of audience engagement and laughter, showcasing her gift for making science relatable and actionable.
By the end of the video, viewers see why Dr. Heiss’s work is sought after across industries: she bridges hard science with human connection. Her message calls for a new kind of leadership one rooted in awareness, adaptability, and compassion. The sizzle reel closes with a powerful reminder that our instincts may be ancient, but our potential to evolve has never been greater.
Key Moments
- 00:26–01:05 – Dr. Heiss introduces the concept of “ancient wiring” and modern stress.
- 01:06–01:45 – Insights on how biology shapes leadership and communication.
- 01:46–02:35 – Audience laughter and real-world examples of fear-based reactions.
- 02:36–03:20 – Reframing instinct: from fear to focus and growth.
- 03:21–04:00 – Testimonials and clips of audience engagement.
Rebecca Heiss | 30 Second Preview
Dr. Rebecca Heiss delivers a rapid glimpse into her high-energy, science-based approach to leadership, stress, and human potential in the modern workplace.
Video Summary & Key Moments
This short preview video distills the essence of Dr. Rebecca Heiss’s keynote message: understanding the science of human behavior to perform better under pressure. In just half a minute, she introduces her core philosophy—that our brains are wired for survival, not success and challenges audiences to recognize how outdated instincts can hold them back. With an energetic, confident delivery, she emphasizes the importance of awareness, adaptability, and intentional leadership in overcoming fear and stress.
The clip highlights her signature blend of humor, storytelling, and actionable science, offering a snapshot of the energy and insight she brings to every keynote. The message is clear: when we understand our biology, we gain the power to rewire our behavior and lead with purpose.
Key Moments
- 00:09–00:18 – Quick insights on fear, instinct, and adaptability.
- 00:19–00:26 – Energy-filled delivery showcasing her speaking style.
- 00:27–00:30 – Closing message: awareness creates stronger, more resilient leaders.
Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry
Guests describe Rebecca as a standout success at the Phoenix Conference—engaging, fun, and packed with practical takeaways. Attendees were highly enthusiastic (including two standing ovations) and appreciated her personal touch, noting she stayed afterward to chat one-on-one. No specific drawbacks were mentioned.
Talent FAQ's
Do speakers charge a flat fee or by the hour?
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
What is the typical duration of a keynote speech and what is included?
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
Does the scale of the event and audience size affect a speaker’s fee?
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses and other costs
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Additional tips and takeaways
- Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees, often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates.
- There is typically no difference in fee for a 15-minute speech versus a 60-minute speech.
- Some motivational speakers are open to discounting their fee if hired for more than one event by the same organization.
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- Personal connections to your organization or event location can increase your chances of securing a renowned speaker.
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- Speaker bureaus like Speakers Inc help guide you through the booking process to negotiate the best deal with favorable terms.
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