Nataly Kogan
Nataly Kogan | |
|---|---|
| Born | St. Petersburg, Russia |
| Occupation(s) | Author, entrepreneur, keynote speaker, emotional fitness specialist, artist |
| Known for | Founder and CEO of Happier Inc., founder of Work It, Mom; author of Happier Now, Gratitude Daily, The Awesome Human Project; creator of the Happier Method™ |
Nataly Kogan is an American author and entrepreneur originally from Russia, known also as a keynote speaker, emotional fitness specialist, and artist. She has published three books: Happier Now, Gratitude Daily, and The Awesome Human Project. Additionally, she hosts The Awesome Human Podcast and frequently delivers keynote presentations. In her 2013 TEDxBoston presentation, she highlighted the significance of appreciating everyday moments through gratitude rather than focusing solely on major accomplishments.
Kogan is the founder of Work It, Mom, a digital network designed for professional mothers. She also co-founded and currently serves as CEO of Happier Inc., a wellness company established in 2012 that provides books, educational programs, media content, and the Happier @ Work initiative tailored for organizations.
Her expertise centers on emotional wellness, leadership development, fostering creativity, and addressing burnout. Kogan created the Happier Method™, which builds emotional resilience by cultivating five key abilities: gratitude, acceptance, self-care, purposeful kindness, and connecting to a larger purpose.
Her contributions have been recognized by prominent publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Inc., and she has appeared on platforms including CNBC, Bloomberg Businessweek Podcast, and The Kelly Clarkson Show.
Early life and education
Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Kogan relocated to the United States at age 13 with her family as refugees, eventually settling in Ypsilanti, Michigan. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan University's College of Social Studies.
Career
Following her graduation, Kogan began her career as a Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company. She then founded Natavi Guides, Inc., a publishing enterprise. In 2002, she assumed the role of managing director at Hudson Ventures, a venture capital firm based in New York. Later, she held senior positions at Microsoft and Where, which was acquired by PayPal in 2011.
In 2012, she launched Happier Inc., described by Inc. magazine as a "learning platform helping people optimize emotional health." The company offers courses and content rooted in scientific research focused on well-being, equipping individuals with tools to enhance happiness and resilience.
Introduced in 2017, Happier @ Work aims to improve employees' emotional fitness and prevent burnout by providing educational resources for teams and organizational leaders.
Books
- Happier Now: How to Stop Chasing Perfection and Embrace Everyday Moments (Even the Difficult Ones) ISBN 9781683641100
- Gratitude Daily: 21 Days to More Joy and Less Stress ISBN 9781683643159
- The Awesome Human Project: Break Free from Daily Burnout, Struggle Less, and Thrive More in Work and Life ISBN 9781683647850