Testimonials

Jamie Woolf, Director of Culture and Learning, Pixar

"Aarti is simply captivating. She is such a powerful storyteller. Her talk packed a big emotional punch. And yet her unique journey was super relatable. We've all had to navigate unfair power dynamics and either stay silent, not knowing how or whether to speak up; or speak up in a way we immediately regret. Aarti has been through it and shares her lessons with vivid detail, gripping audio excerpts from real life interviews, and comedy. She’s hilarious. There was so much ground covered in our hour together, I thought about Aarti’s talk the morning after, and the one after that. So did my colleagues. She didn’t just entertain us. She is a true teacher. Her lesson, grounded in deep experience, is: Be bold. Don’t mute yourself. Do it respectfully.”

Luz R. Bertadillo Rodriguez, Director, Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration

“Aarti served as the keynote speaker for the 2025 SUCCESS Convening, captivating the audience with reflections from her memoir. A talented storyteller, Aarti transforms curiosity into a powerful vehicle for exploring complex family dynamics, immigration, and belonging. In her keynote, she delved into the deeply personal and universal themes woven throughout her life and writing—illuminating the complexities of navigating between cultures, the importance of owning one's narrative, and the courage it takes to ask profound questions about selfhood.”

V. R. Ferose, Senior Vice President, SAP

“Aarti is a regular keynote speaker for our cohorts at SAP. A master storyteller, she blends comedy, tragedy and practical skills-building effortlessly into an unforgettable keynote. Her talks keep the audience on the edge of their seats, hanging onto her words and reflecting deeply on their own power. She reignites the fire inside. Aarti also graciously sticks around for a personalized book signing. The lines are long, as almost everyone who’s heard her wants a moment together.”

Dr. Tammi Dice, Dean, Old Dominion University (alma mater of Renee Good)

“Thank you so much for the incredible presentation Aarti conducted at ODU. I was deeply moved by her experiences and inspired by her message. I love her focus on optimism, even in the face of what can feel like hopeless situations. Her perseverance, depth of research, and passion are truly inspirational. In my privileged space, know that I will continue to advocate for those whose voices are often ignored, and I will remain optimistic!”

Lara Dickinson, Executive Director and Co-Founder, One Step Closer

“Aarti is an exceptional presenter. She delivered an impassioned AND practical keynote for the first ever Women's Summit at ExpoWest. Her journey from undocumented migrant to national voice is not only inspiring. She makes it relatable, imparting a steady stream of self-help tips to remove internal barriers to one's authentic voice and to build power through connection to others. Even though it was a Friday morning (last day of convention), the room was packed and stayed that way. Some participants even choked up in tears. After Aarti delivered her keynote, she expertly interviewed celebrity Chrissy Teigen on stage. Aarti has an uncanny ability to build rapport instantly with anyone, getting even the most guarded people to surprise themselves with how much they open up. After the keynote, Aarti then hopped into a panel to be in conversation with female leaders from Fortune 500 companies. Again, she was completely at ease and imparted wisdom that had everyone — the audience and fellow panelists — laughing, applauding, taking notes. Grab this gem.”

DJ Patil, U.S. Chief Data Scientist; General Partner, GreatPoint Ventures

“Aarti is both a phenomenal speaker and helped communicate hard, complex topics in a manner that made everyone feel safe and comfortable. And on top of that, she did it virtually.”

Jole Seroff, Director of Library Services, Castilleja School

“Hosting Aarti Shahani as virtual Author-in-Residence at our high school was an excellent experience. Aarti spoke to the whole student body about finding her voice and learning to navigate around expectations based on race, culture, and immigration status. She worked directly with Junior English classes, who had read a portion of her book. Aarti planned her lesson based on the needs of our curriculum; she helped our students brainstorm topics for their own personal essays that would include research into family background. The students were engaged by her writing, and in person they responded to her warm, direct approach.”

The Brearley School (Lois Kahn Wallace Writers Award Committee)

“We loved Shahani’s voice—so genuine, lively, and intelligent—and were moved by her story, or shall we say stories, as there were so many narrative threads deftly woven together. We were impressed by the way Here We Are tackles some of the big issues our society faces but also is very personal and specific. We look forward to reading her next work!”

Craig Harwood, Director, Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship For New Americans

“Aarti shared her story and facilitated a conversation for the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship’s virtual Fall Conference in October. Aarti’s conversation was so personal yet touched upon a host of universal themes, from the power of personal narrative, to navigating family dynamics, building a career and making a mark as an immigrant. Aarti’s journey became a launching pad for a deep and meaningful conversation amongst the fellowship community during the conference. By sharing her story in such an honest and open way, Aarti inspired this already accomplished group of young adults to consider how both their struggles and their triumphs can help them make a difference in the world.”

Malachi Jones, Williams & Connolly LLP

“Aarti’s discussion about the immigrant experience, our legal system, and her personal journey was as interesting and compelling as her memoir. The presentation resonated in a thought provoking way that is sure to generate ongoing talks and reflection about today’s meaning of the American Dream.”

Oren Etzioni, CEO, Allen Institute for AI

“Hearing Aarti’s story, which speaks to our collective humanity, was a welcome and refreshing change. Despite the bitter battles she details [in her book], her talk was inspiring, honest, and relatable. Aarti speaks openly and conversationally about her deeply personal story. In this year filled with challenges, Aarti’s talk was a highlight.”