Els van der Helm
Neuroscientist; Expert in Sleep, Performance, and Leadership
Dr. Els van der Helm delivers dynamic, science-backed keynotes and corporate sleep programs that drive real results — cutting sleep debt by 53%, reducing stress by 25%, and boosting productivity by 20%. A trusted advisor to executives and organizations worldwide, she delivers keynotes internationally and is the author of the upcoming Sleep Intelligence: The High-Performance Blueprint for Sharper Thinking and Leadership, to be published by Penguin Dutton (US), Transworld (UK), and Spectrum (NL). Her expertise has been featured in Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, TIME, McKinsey Quarterly, and more.
Under $25,000
As a sleep neuroscientist and performance expert, Dr. Els van der Helm transforms cutting-edge science into game-changing strategies that drive personal and organizational success. With experience at a top management consulting firm and as the founder of a VC-backed tech startup, she understands firsthand the demands of high-performance environments — where sleep is often sacrificed yet essential for sustained success. Bridging research and real-world application, van der Helm delivers dynamic keynotes and masterclasses, including her flagship program, The Power of Sleep, equipping leaders and teams with actionable tools to optimize energy, sharpen decision-making, and sustain peak performance. Her sessions don't just inform — they inspire lasting change, helping professionals unlock their full potential by leveraging the often-overlooked power of rest. Audiences walk away with science-backed insights and practical strategies to build healthier habits, boost creativity, and drive meaningful results in their work and lives.
Featured Videos
Els van der Helm
Speaking Reel
Els van der Helm’s Speech Topics
Leadership & Sleep Session
Science shows that team leaders sleep better than their team members. This leads to a false expectation of what good sleep is and maybe not even the right sleep culture in a team or company. This session focuses on how to remove any taboos around the topic of sleep, what a good expectation of sleep is for teams and its members, and how to establish a healthy company culture in which sleep has a place.
Sleep & Mental Health
A good night's sleep is the key to good mental health. Sleep makes you more resilient and provides you with the energy on stay on top of things instead of becoming overwhelmed with everything that is happening in these weary times. Gain insights in how sleep affects your mental health and get clear tips and tricks on how to protect it.
Stress & Sleep
In the Stress & Sleep Session you learn not only how stress influences sleep, but how you can use sleep to combat external stressors. Break the vicious cycle of feeling stressed and not sleeping well by understanding what stress is, how it affects our entire physiological and mental state, and why you respond the way you do. Sleep is the key into feeling less stressed.
Power of Sleep
The Power of Sleep addresses the fundamentals of the science of sleep. Learn everything about why we sleep, what the consequences are of sleep deprivation, how you build up your sleep debt, and what you can do to repay it. Walk away with tips & tricks on how to start improving your sleep tonight and get crystal clear insights on how your daily activities influence your nights. Unlock your potential by harnessing the Power of Sleep!
Els van der Helm Topics & Types
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