Morra Aarons-Mele

About Morra Aarons-Mele

They say all research is “me-search.” That’s why I teach mentally healthy leadership and help “atypical achievers” thrive. My brain is my biggest challenge and the secret to much of my success. I have bipolar II disorder, anxiety, and depression. I’m neurodivergent. And over the last 19 years of writing, research, and interviews, I\'ve been trying to understand why work just doesn\'t work for so many of us. The same themes kept surfacing in people I interviewed. Many had diagnoses — autism, ADHD, bipolar disorder, OCD, depression, lifelong anxiety, or learning differences like dyslexia that made school hard. Some became perfectionists and hyper-achievers. Many knew they were smart but struggled academically, or felt like they didn\'t fit in. Many still battle negative self-talk and years of negative feedback, even now that they\'re successful and confident. They found traditional workplaces as challenging as school. It just felt like work wasn\'t made for them. And yet they\'ve excelled. They share a common thread: they learned to work in the best way for them. They understand themselves, they understand their emotions, they manage stress well and they are mindful, present leaders! That\'s what I help leaders and teams learn. I\'m a keynote speaker, executive coach, and researcher, and I teach executive education at Harvard Kennedy School. I\'ve written two books for Harvard Business Review Press: The Anxious Achiever (2023) and The Atypical Achiever: Leading and Thriving When Your Brain Is Wired Differently (2027), built on my original research into how neurodivergent professionals lead. I also launched the The Anxious Achiever podcast with HBR— [now in its 9th year, with over downloads]. I’m also an expert in building marketing and communications campaigns for social impact. I founded, scaled, and sold Women Online / The Mission List, a political and issue advocacy consultancy that delivered 150+ campaigns for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, President Obama, CDC, P&G, and the United Nations. I was on the founding team of #GivingTuesday. My work has won PR\'s highest honor, the Silver Anvil, along with the Halo, Webby, and Iris Awards. I’ve advised four U.S. presidential campaigns. I speak on: Mentally Healthy Leadership | Neurodivergence at Work | Anxiety & High Performance Stages: TED | SXSW | World Economic Forum | Harvard Recognized by: LinkedIn Top 10 Voice in Mental Health | Thinkers50 | Mental Health America Media Award To book me for a keynote, workshop, or coaching: https://morraam.com/contact

Experience

1. Author

   Harvard Business Review

   Apr 2021 — Present · Boston, MA, US

   The Anxious Achiever: How to Turn Your Greatest Fears Into Your Leadership Superpower, published April 2023. Winner, Thinkers50 Top Ten management book. Winner Bronze Axiom award for best leadership book.Forthcoming 2027 title, TBD.

Education

• Harvard University

  MPA

  2006 — 2008

• Brown University

  BA

  1994 — 1998

• The Catholic University of America

  Master of Social Work - MSW

  2005

Skills

• Anxiety Management
• Team Leadership
• Email Marketing
• Online Advertising
• Coaching
• Non-Profits
• Publishing
• Digital Strategy
• Leadership Development
• Blogging
• Marketing
• Web Marketing
• Mental Health
• Digital Marketing
• Strategy
• Nonprofits
• Training
• New Business Development
• Online Marketing
• Copywriting
• Affiliate Marketing
• Experienced Speaker
• Management Consulting
• Digital Marketing Communications
• New Media
• Influencer Marketing
• Keynote Speaking
• Women Leaders
• Public Relations
• Content Strategy
• Fundraising
• Media Relations
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Social Media
• Blogger
• Employee Mental Health
• Mental Health Advocacy
• Social Networking
• Program Development
• Social Media Marketing