Dr. Shanna B. Tiayon

Shanna B. Tiayon, known as The Wellbeing Dr., is a social psychologist, keynote speaker, writer, and consultant specializing in workplace culture and employee wellbeing. Tiayon holds a doctorate in sociology with a focus on social psychology. Her academic research has centered on mental and physical health in minority populations, supported by fellowships from the National Science Foundation and the Ford Foundation. She began her career as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer and later held senior leadership roles in international development and human resources across public and private sectors, including positions in Cameroon, Chad, Rwanda, and Uganda. Tiayon is fluent in French.

While pursuing her doctorate, Tiayon identified a gap in human resources training related to supporting the psychosocial needs of employees, which are critical for workplace productivity. This observation led to the founding of Yes Wellbeing Works, a consulting firm dedicated to advancing employee wellbeing through research, training, and strategy development. The firm offers services designed to foster belonging, psychological safety, and employee esteem in organizational settings. Tiayon has been recognized as a Culture Amp Top 25 Emerging Culture Creator for her contributions to workplace wellbeing.

As a speaker, Tiayon combines scientific analysis with personal narrative. Her TEDx talk, "How to Live in an Unkind World," addresses unkindness as a form of interpersonal trauma, drawing on personal experiences to highlight the impact of workplace and societal behaviors. She presents on topics such as "Employee Wellbeing: The New Bottom Line Metric" and "Psychological Safety: The Scaffolding for Success," covering issues related to mental health, stress, work-life integration, and the effects of racism on wellbeing. Tiayon has participated in forums including a panel at a Department of Defense Leadership Forum.

Tiayon's writing has appeared in publications such as Greater Good Magazine, The Guardian, and Yes! Magazine. She has been recognized as a National Magazine Award finalist and is a Best American Travel Writing award winner. Her work has also been featured in Longreads, Food and Wine, Sojourners, and Narratively. Frequently cited as an expert in mental health, Tiayon contributes to Greater Good Magazine, the publication of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, where she translates academic research into practical insights for leaders and individuals.