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Cara Cunniff, in her own words

What I speak about, who I'm right for, what your audience walks away with, and how to book me for your stage, offsite or all-hands. Then tell me about the event.

What do you actually speak about?

I speak about human connection at work: how trust, belonging and opportunity are built in the small, everyday conversations most people overlook.

My signature keynote is Small Talk Is NOT Small. I also speak on putting human connection to work in organisations, on helping graduates and apprentices build relationships from day one, and on the human skills that keep people future-ready.

Who is this for?

I'm the right speaker for you if you're booking for:

  • A conference or industry event that needs a fresh, intelligent voice on human connection at work.
  • A leadership offsite where the senior team needs to feel something, not sit through another framework.
  • A women's network, ERG or rising-talent programme where social confidence and visibility are the real subject.
  • A sales kick-off, partner day or all-hands where relationships, not slides, drive the business.

What makes you different from other speakers on emotional intelligence?

Most speakers in this space sound like HR. I don't. The work is editorial, warm and grounded in my own thinking, not recycled frameworks. My book, Small Talk Is NOT Small, is the foundation of it.

I make the room laugh, then think, then change how they speak to the person next to them.

What will my audience walk away with?

They leave with:

  • A new language for how trust is actually built at work.
  • Permission to stop performing and start connecting.
  • Practical behaviours they can use on Monday, in meetings, intros, hallway moments and hybrid calls.
  • The feeling that the best ideas in the room, not the loudest voices, can finally be heard.

What formats do you offer?

  • Keynote: 30, 45 or 60 minutes, in person or virtual.
  • Fireside chat & Q&A: a moderated conversation, on stage or on camera.
  • Developing Emotional Intelligence in Managers and Leaders: a four-module programme for managers carrying performance, pressure and change.
  • Map Your Emotional Culture: a hands-on session where the team co-creates the culture it works inside.

Who have you worked with?

I've spoken to audiences at BT, Pfizer, HMRC, the University of Oxford, Cambridge Judge Business School and Enterprise Nation, plus leadership teams, ERGs and conferences across the UK and beyond.

Where are you based and do you travel?

I'm based in the UK and speak at events worldwide, in person and online.

How do I book you?

The fastest way is a 15-minute intro call. Bring the date, the audience and the outcome you want the room to walk away with. I'll shape the talk around that.

Prefer email? Send the brief to hello@caracunniff.com.

What people remember after Cara speaks.

Such a brilliant talk Cara. You had us hanging off every word.
Sophia Hodges
I walked away feeling more inspired, more grounded, and more committed to being the kind of leader people remember for all the right reasons.
Gemma Watts, The Whitehall & Industry Group
Thought provoking, energetic and made an impact on our attendees. We highly recommend Cara as a speaker.
Enterprise Nation and HISCOX StartUp Show

Put human connection to work for your people.

Keynotes and workshops that turn everyday interactions into trust, visibility and stronger performance at work.

Book Cara