Human Potential & Business Strategy Expert & Award-Winning, Bestselling Author

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Cortney McDermott Biography

Cortney McDermott is an award-winning author, TEDx speaker, and human potential enthusiast. Her work in self-development and business strategy has been featured in Inc., Women’s Health, SUCCESS, The Huffington Post, MindBodyGreen, and numerous other mainstream business and lifestyle media outlets.

McDermott's talks on human potential have been presented on stages such as TEDx, Mindvalley University, Oxford Saïd Business School, and Richard Branson’s private island, Necker.

Holding a Master of Science from the London School of Economics, McDermott combines academic rigor with real-world experience to assist individuals and organizations in reaching their highest potential. Her career highlights include executive roles at Vanity Fair Corporation, Vice President at Sustainability Partners Inc., and successfully running her own businesses, collaborating with brands like Universal Music Group, Nike, Kickstarter, and Google.

Fluent in four languages, McDermott divides her time between Italy and the United States. Her books, "Give Yourself Permission: Be Confident, Be Free, Be You"—a transformative guide that empowers individuals to break free from societal constraints, overcome self-doubt, and embrace their true potential—and "Change Starts Within You: Unlock the Confidence to Lead with Intuition"—about a journey of personal growth and intuitive leadership—have been named by Inc. Magazine in the list of "26 Books of High Achievers."

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 07/18/2025.

Cortney McDermott Speaking Topics

  • How to Transform Without ‘Doing’ Anything

    Busy is boring.

    This talk combines three key findings in neuroscience, epigentics, and quantum theory

    • all of which reveal the same fundamental conclusion: Directed consciousness determines experience.

    That isn’t philosophy. It’s physics, biology, and brain science—telling us that how we focus, feel, and perceive isn’t a reaction to life; it’s the foundation of it. We’re not passive witnesses of reality; we’re participators. And the nature of our participation, especially the quality of our inner state, subtly but powerfully shapes everything we touch—from our relationships to our health to the outer circumstances we call “reality.”

  • Unlock the Confidence to Lead with Intuition

    This is confidence, redefined. And it starts by listening to what’s been speaking within you all along.

    Confidence isn’t bravado. It’s not louder opinions, tighter control, or better performance. At its root, the word "confidence" means: with trust, or reliance. Trust in what's yours alone to know, the intelligence that shows up before the logic kicks in.

    This talk redefines what it means to lead. Drawing from neuroscience, epigenetics, and heart-brain science, we’ll explore how intuition—the in-tuition, or “inner teacher”—is not a soft skill or a last resort, but a primary instrument of clear, aligned leadership.

    You’ll learn how:

    • The gut, heart, and nervous system process critical insight faster than thought
    • Real confidence comes not from knowing more, but from listening better
    • Heart-brain coherence sharpens decision-making under pressure
    • Trusting your inner cues leads to more precise, creative, and timely action

    We are already trusting systems we can’t see—heartbeat, gravity, the next breath. This talk is about extending that trust to the part of you that already knows. The shift is subtle but radical: from performing leadership to embodying it. From striving for clarity to sensing what’s already clear.

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Cortney McDermott Videos

Cortney McDermott Speaker Reel

Cortney McDermott Speaker Reel

CORTNEY MCDERMOTT is an award-winning author, TEDx speaker, and mind-body expert who helps the world’s leading organizations and creatives to...

Cortney McDermott - TEDxPadova

Cortney McDermott - TEDxPadova

Redefining Sustainability: Change Starts Within You

  • How do I book Cortney McDermott to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Cortney McDermott for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Cortney McDermott, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Cortney McDermott or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Cortney McDermott

    Speaking fees for Cortney McDermott, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Cortney McDermott are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Cortney McDermott, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Cortney McDermott speak about?

    Cortney McDermott is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Author, Change Management, Personal Growth, Sustainability, TED
  • Where does Cortney McDermott travel from?

    Cortney McDermott generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Cortney McDermott’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Cortney McDermott for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Cortney McDermott for your next private or corporate function.
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    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Cortney McDermott or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
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Cortney McDermott is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as How to Transform Without ‘Doing’ Anything, Unlock the Confidence to Lead with Intuition and Redefining Sustainability, Rethinking Success. The estimated speaking fee range to book Cortney McDermott for your event is $20,000 - $30,000. Cortney McDermott generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Chance Cessna, Cassandra Worthy, Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, Linda Darling-Hammond and Robyn Benincasa. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Cortney McDermott for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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