Claude Silver, the world’s first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, believes that showing up with heart and humanity is the key to unlocking greatness in people. As a leader, she sees it as her job to infuse empathy into every aspect of the organization. As a speaker, podcaster, industry trendsetter, and LinkedIn influencer, she’s now inspiring other leaders to do the same. Claude has proven time and time again that empathy fuels growth. With her as Chief Heart Officer, Vayner...Read More has grown from 400 people to a global team of 2,000 with offices in 11 countries. Claude also helped lead VaynerMedia—Vayner’s foundational company—to be named the Breakthrough Media Agency of 2022 by Adweek. At a young age, Claude was repeatedly told she thinks too much with her heart — something she has now learned is her superpower. This evolved into what she calls “emotional optimism,” a concept that anchors her heart-first leadership style and is at the center of her new book, Be Yourself at Work. Thinking with her heart led Claude to start an outdoor adventure and surf company in San Francisco, become an Outward Bound instructor, and spend years studying transpersonal psychology, positive psychology, and Buddhist and other spiritual traditions. Before joining VaynerX, she was also a global advertising executive at JWT London, JWT San Francisco, and Publicis London. Claude has received Campaign US’s Female Frontier Award and Adweek’s Changing the Game Award and speaks at major national and international conferences and corporate events. She’s been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., and The Wall Street Journal, and interviewed on dozens of leading podcasts. Read Less
Claude was a huge hit. The team loved her wisdom, authenticity, and candor. We were the lucky ones
The Ad Council
Claude's contribution to the learning was meaningful and the Flag Officers greatly appreciated her energy and engagement. Claude's insights have provided helpful framing and inspiration as we continue to pursue a culture of learning and growth in the US Navy.
US Navy
Claude delivered a high-energy presentation that really brought our theme of empathetic leadership in action to life. Claude is an amazing force and a much-needed voice in the conversations that are going on about corporate culture and leadership today.
Carter Myers Automotive
Claude was truly a genuine, approachable, and engaging presenter at our conference. She gave a crucial, intelligent, and inspiring talk on why focusing on culture works from a human-to-human perspective and also from a practical perspective on how to concretely develop a happy, productive, and creative work environment.
Core Connect Conference
Her session touched the whole audience and it was the perfect way to end our two-day conference…she really made an impact on our team that we will never forget.
