Vanessa LeMaistre

Vanessa LeMaistre is a shaman, motivational speaker, author, minister, and healer whose professional journey has been shaped by personal transformation. LeMaistre’s path to shamanism began in childhood and included travel to India, where she developed a passion for yoga and meditation along the Ganges River. She earned a master's degree at Naropa University and trained with shamanic practitioner Michael Harner. Embracing her Haitian heritage, LeMaistre integrates traditional wisdom with contemporary spiritual practices, reflecting her identity as a Haitian-American shaman.

LeMaistre holds an M.A. in resilient leadership, focusing on sustainability and social justice. Her commitment to healing and spiritual advocacy was strengthened by overcoming personal adversity, including the loss of her infant son, Kamden, to a rare disease. Experiences with ayahuasca ceremonies in Peru, where she was told her ancestors were calling to her, further deepened her understanding of authenticity and personal power. These experiences inform her work in spiritual coaching, divination readings, sound bowl healing, motivational speaking, and facilitating healing talking circles that emphasize diversity and inclusivity.

LeMaistre addresses topics such as motivation, grief and loss, psychedelic advocacy, diversity, inclusivity, and spirituality. Her keynote presentations cover personal growth, mental health, overcoming adversity, self-love, and sexual assault recovery, drawing on her lived experience to connect with audiences. She is dedicated to diversifying the speaking platform and representing women of color.

LeMaistre is the author of "Believe in Your Soul," a book that combines memoir and self-help, offering affirmations and insights on resilience. She hosts community wellness events featuring sound bath healing, shamanic drumming, guided meditation, cacao ceremonies, and talking circles. Through her venture "Sacred + Céramique," she merges artistry with spiritual practice under the VanessaSoulXO brand.

In honor of her son, LeMaistre created "Kamden's Room," a not-for-profit project that partners with Better World Books to donate children's books and teach meditation to children in communities including Baltimore, India, and Haiti. As an author, speaker, shaman, philanthropist, advocate, and entrepreneur, LeMaistre is recognized for her work at the intersection of spirituality, social justice, and personal empowerment.