About Elke Geraerts

Boundless curiosity and a passion for people – this perhaps best describes Elke. This unique combination quickly led to a flourishing academic career. With a PhD in psychology, Elke held various positions at the universities of Harvard, St Andrews, Maastricht and Rotterdam, where she attracted international attention with her solid research work. But she was drawn to the business world. Triggered by her scientific insights about mental resilience, she started the company Better Minds at Work. This international consultancy company focuses on increasing mental resilience, energy and productivity of employees and now consists of about seventy psychologists, doctors, coaches, and consultants.

Elke’s trademark is without doubt the way in which she manages to translate new psychological insights into fresh and accessible day-to-day applications. This is how she inspires people and organisations to hone their mental resilience and to become the best possible version of themselves. Her big breakthrough came with her bestseller Mentaal Kapitaal (2015). This book, which is now in its thirteenth edition, was translated into English under the title Better Minds. A Chinese translation is currently also in hand. In 2016, Het Nieuwe Mentaal(lit. The New Mental) followed; it takes a closer look at the importance of courage for a successful life. In her latest book, Authentieke Intelligentie (lit. Authentic Intelligence), Elke passionately advocates that we capitalise fully on what makes us unique as humans in an increasingly digitised world. In her most recently released book, The Mental Reset, she challenges post-covid a new path and the opportunity to optimize the way we work and live (hybrid).

Random Facts — Elke gets her energy from encountering new people, new personalities and new work challenges. She only ever relaxes her focus on innovation and the future for her family, taking time out to enjoy the here and now and a solidly grounded family with her daughters Feline and Florence. She is only really in her element when she can travel with them to her favourite places in the world: San Francisco, Cape Town, Kyoto and London. And what if Elke ever needs to still her mind? In that case, songs by Leonard Cohen are her secret weapon.

“I had the pleasure of listening to Elke's vivid expose at a "Resilience Workshop" for BESIX in Dubai. For me personally, her story contained a number of “aha”- points and allowed me to connect some dots on certain challenges encountered in the daily work environment. I left the workshop with a number of insights, quotes ("Attention is the new scarce resource") and practical steps. Her interesting and highly relevant presentation is the best invitation to read one of her books. Definitely worth some "focus"-time!”

Peter LembrechtsManager Six Construct, Dubai

“Together with my global team I had the opportunity to experience one of Elke’s sessions on Resilience. This was the best 90 mins I have spent in years! Elke's approach is fabulous. She captures her listeners with her authenticity and passion for the topic. While clearly grounded in science the use of metaphors and practical frameworks makes it easy to access. As a global team we have started our 48 hour sprint to put at least 3 tips in to practice. Her talk is a must for all in the challenging times we live in!”

Yvonne MaloneDirector EMEA Talent and Organization, Abbott

“Disruptive. That is probably the single best word to describe the impact of my meetings with Elke. Authentic interaction, and a lot of smiles too. During meetings I make sure to write down one impactful sentence. With Elke, I wanted to remember every sentence. It all made sense. Grounded in science, yet applicable in daily life. As I am working in developing technology for preventive health, getting Elke’s insights and feedback was essential in shaping our program. Evidently we invited her to speak at our international customer event, where she had a similar strong impact – this time on the entire audience. Thought provoking. Yet so simple, to remember, to apply. You have to experience it for yourself – I highly recommend meeting Elke.”

Chris Van HoofSenior Director Imec

“Powerful – loaded with applications and insights. Wonderful speaker! Professional, real and useful. Elke’s talk was very positive and provided actual tools to support a more efficient way of working. It’s amazing the preparation, creativity and skills that goes into speaking.
Elke makes people learn. Elke makes it look easy. Elke makes people laugh. And, Elke moves people into action. Elke is an expert at captivating and engaging with the audience. I am very happy that her talk was recorded so I can watch it again and again.”

Genevieve DeschenesEvent Marketing Manager at Allianz Partners

“Elke has the rare talent of combining scientific insights with our everyday struggles in life. From the moment Elke starts to speak, she is able to hold the audience’s attention. She takes you on a mental journey through our brain and teaches us to get the best out of ourselves. The ultimate 'Elke effect' is that everyone who attends continues to contact each other long after the presentation to talk about how their brain is. A warm, special and, above all, highly talented person whom I wholeheartedly recommend.”

Elmas DudukOrganisatiestrateeg Gemeente Amsterdam

“During the COVID-19 pandemic our leadership team decided to talk openly about mental health. Thanks to Elke, we were able to discuss mental resilience. Elke has the great talent to bring theory in a very vivid way. She is not just another keynote speaker in, yet another, webinar. She makes her insights actionable and easy to recognize. Her talk has been shared by many of our international colleagues. On a personal note, I very much value authentic people with real emotions and honest stories. I am very glad our roads crossed and we all hope for a sequel. Warmly recommending Elke to everyone in search for a “mirror, mirror on the corporate wall”.”

Korneel WarlopDirector Corporate Communications, Barry Callebaut Group

“A fantastic lecture by Elke Geraerts on Authentic Intelligence, the training of our brain, but also an insight into neuropsychology and its relationship with our behavior. What an enthusiasm and passion. Always a challenge to contract a good speaker for a market event, but it was a great success !!! Thanks every, you were top and an absolute must.”

Ron GardenierChief MGA Aon Risk Solutions/Voorzitter NVGA

“Elke is one of those rare talents who can integrate research and practical examples into clear insights and practical recommendations. She does this in her books and in her real-life contributions. Thanks to her enthusiasm and expertise, resilience becomes a tangible, concrete thing that matters not only in what we think, but definitely in what we can do. From now on, we will look at rabbits and elephants differently.”

Jan van AcoleyenChief HR Officer, Proximus

“Elke gave her presentation on Mental Capital and the human brain for our colleagues at Van Havermaet. As we all know from Elke, it was again a very inspiring and haunting "journey" along the complex matter of our well-known gray matter. Her expertise, room for dialogue, funny yet recognizable examples and especially the application of the material specifically to our organization and for our colleagues made it a top moment for everyone. And the effect continues: especially when I am currently experiencing the many applications of Elke’s challenge with our colleagues. Highly recommended and we are already looking forward to the follow-up sessions of Elke and her colleagues.”

Kristof MeestersAlgemeen Directeur van Havermaet

Discover Elke