Meet Kasley,
your social health and connection expert.
Social scientist by training, innovative leader in practice,
human connector at heart.
Kasley Killam, MPH, is the author of The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier. She is a Harvard-trained social scientist, award-winning innovator, and leading expert in social health: the dimension of well-being that stems from relationships. Drawing from over a decade of studying, sharing, and applying the science of human connection, Kasley champions social health as a strategic advisor, keynote speaker, and founder of Social Health Labs, a national nonprofit that empowers community builders.
As a sought-after advisor and speaker, Kasley partners with teams across sectors to improve well-being through connection and community, collaborating with organizations like Google, AARP, and the US Government. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Community Living Campaign and the Scientific Advisory Board for Only7Seconds, and she is an advisor for the Aspen Institute’s Weave: The Social Fabric Project.
Kasley earned a master’s at the Harvard School of Public Health specializing in solutions for loneliness and a bachelor’s in psychology at Queen’s University in Canada. Her background spans technology, healthcare, academia, and social entrepreneurship, equipping her with unique insight when collaborating with partners. Previously, Kasley oversaw a national community engagement strategy for Verily (Google Life Sciences), conducted research on positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, and launched a campaign and app to promote empathy and kindness that won an award at Stanford University.
Kasley is passionate about translating the research on relationships so people can live more socially healthy lives. Her expertise has been featured in major outlets including the New York Times, Scientific American, Health Affairs, Washington Post, Vox, and Boston Globe, and she pens the Social Health Blog for Psychology Today.
For her dedication and impact, Kasley has been recognized as a World Economic Forum Global Shaper, Encore Public Voices Fellow, Columbia University Age Boom Fellow, and Mind & Life Institute Visiting Scholar, and she was invited to the White House during the Obama presidency. Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, she now calls California home.
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A Note from Kasley
Hi there, I’m excited to explore social health with you.
I’ve experienced firsthand the soaring joy of connection and community—and also the deep sorrow of relationship challenges.
You probably have too. We all go through highs and lows in our social lives.
I’ve come to understand that cultivating meaningful relationships is as vital as exercise, nutrition, and sleep—and that social health is as important as physical and mental health.
That’s why I’ve spent over a decade developing and refining ways for us all to be more socially healthy.
My professional journey.
When I first came across the term “social health” buried in an academic journal, a lightbulb went off. Naturally building on the language of physical and mental health made perfect sense—helping me understand that social experiences influence not only my mood, but also the inner workings of my body.
But when I went to learn more, the search came up almost blank.
I realized that whereas the physical and mental pillars of health have been developed over decades, social health has been overlooked and underappreciated.
Until now.
My mission is to elevate the idea of social health and share practical ways that individuals, communities, organizations, and our society as a whole can be more socially healthy.
Together, alongside a growing number of researchers, nonprofit founders, government leaders, corporate executives, and everyday people around the world, we are elevating the conversation on social health.
Now it’s your turn.
Are you ready to join the social health movement?
Join us today.
Fun facts about Kasley
I was born in Vancouver, Canada, have lived in 12 cities and 3 countries, and am now based in Southern California with my husband and our two bunnies, Sherbert and Sorbet.
When I was 15 years old, my mom and I spent a year living in a small fishing village on the Mediterranean Sea. I’ve loved traveling and experiencing different cultures ever since.
I took a gap year halfway through college to study method acting in Paris, meditation at a Buddhist monastery in Kathmandu, and positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania
My hobbies have included guitar, fencing, hip-hop, pottery, sailing, painting, taekwondo, sewing, camping, softball, and poetry. I love trying new things.
I have given hugs to hundreds of strangers (and written about it here).
One time, the Dalai Lama sneezed on me.