Lauren Manning

Lauren Manning is an author, entrepreneur, and business executive recognized as one of the most severely injured survivors of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Manning began her Wall Street career at Lehman Brothers before becoming a partner at Cantor Fitzgerald, where she served as managing director and led the Global Market Data division. On September 11, Manning arrived at the North Tower of the World Trade Center as the first plane struck, sustaining burns over 82 percent of her body. She underwent extensive medical treatment and survived despite a low survival rate, later learning that many colleagues had not survived.

Manning’s recovery and resilience have been widely covered in national and international media, with appearances on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "The NBC Today Show," and CNN. Her story has been featured on the front page of The New York Times, Reader's Digest, and in Vogue Magazine. At a Cantor Fitzgerald memorial service, the Associated Press described her as a symbol of resilience. CNN named her among the most intriguing newsmakers of its first 25 years, and her story has been recognized by leaders and chronicled globally.

Manning is a keynote speaker and the author of the New York Times Bestseller "Unmeasured Strength: A Memoir of Hope, Survival and Transformation." She is also the subject of the New York Times Bestseller "Love, Greg and Lauren." Her presentations focus on leadership, resilience, crisis management, and personal growth, offering insight into overcoming adversity in both professional and personal contexts.

In addition to her writing and speaking, Manning has pursued entrepreneurial and philanthropic initiatives. She serves as managing director at Golden Seeds, a leading early-stage investment firm focused on women-led businesses. Manning is the founder and executive director of Narrative Mindworks and the International Narrative Practices Association, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing narrative practice and supporting professionals in narrative care. She holds an MS in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University and is the author of "Ricochet: Patients and their Clinicians, Unintended Victims in the Friendly Fire of American Healthcare Reform."

Manning has received several honors, including the Norman Vincent Peale Award for Positive Thinking from the Blanton Peale Institute, the Burke Award from the Burke Rehabilitation Center, and the National Award from the American Occupational Therapy Association. She was also nominated as Woman of the Year by NAPW. Manning continues to address audiences worldwide, emphasizing that adversity does not define individuals—rather, their response to it does.