Orly Wahba
Orly is the founder of the global non-profit, Life Vest Inside, a kindness expert, educator, best selling author, entrepreneur, and keynote speaker who inspires audiences to take action. Her talks and workshops provide the groundwork for lasting change and motivate people to become the best version of themselves so that they can influence the world for good. Drawing from her personal journey, groundbreaking science, and her signature wit, Orly inspires people to tap into the power of kindness—the most underutilized skill in today’s world. Through her talk, Orly demonstrates how kindness and a simple shift in perspective can alter the way a person connects with themselves and the world around them.
From a young age, Orly was determined to become a part of the change she wished to see in the world. After tragedy struck her and her family in her adolescent years and she was thrown into a deep depression, Orly found her voice, her strength and made a promise to be there for others the way she had wished someone would have been there for her. It is that promise that has guided her along her journey.
From her teenage years as a community activist, Orly went on to become a middle school educator teaching the children to embrace unity, build their self-esteem, and identify their purpose. In 2011, Orly founded Life Vest Inside, a non-profit organization with a mission to inspire, empower, and educate people of all backgrounds to lead a life of kindness.
Life Vest Inside gained international acclaim when Orly’s award-winning film “Kindness Boomerang” went viral, receiving over 100 million people, landing her a spot at TED2013 and launched what has come to be known as the “Kindness Revolution”. Her film set a precedent that was incorporated into the culture and marketing strategy of companies and organizations alike.
Through Life Vest Inside, Orly has created a powerful kindness network that fosters dialogue with people across the globe, including parts of the world torn apart by conflict. Through our approach, we establish peace in place of conflict, love in place of hatred, hope in place of fear, and kindness in place of mistrust. As a result, we have seen a positive change in the way people engage with one another and respect each other.
In 2012, Orly created and launched Dance for Kindness, the largest annual worldwide FlashMob which has grown to be a phenomenal leadership training program in over 50 countries. In 2015, she co-created Project Hope Exchange – a digital online repository of messages of hope. In 2017, Orly released her best-selling first book, Kindness Boomerang.
Orly travels globally giving talks and workshops in schools, companies, and community centers as a means of inspiring others to infuse a culture of kindness into the everyday. Most recently, in 2019, Orly created and launched a mobile app in memory of her grandfather. The app, Abraham’s Legacy: A Social Network for Prayer connects people across the globe through the power of collective prayer.
Fun Facts:
Orly attended Trapeze School NYC, directed community theater, plays drums and piano, figure skates, plays basketball, softball, and is a mean ping pong player. She also has hopes and dreams of infusing positive change in the political arena by focusing on ethics, character, and values.
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Trade Paperback
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The first book by the creator of the Kindness Boomerang video (more than 20,000,000 views on YouTube) shows readers how to make kindness something they can practice every day....Read More
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Developing the Kindness Muscle
This talk can be adjusted to address audiences of all ages
Orly shares her personal journey of overcoming adversity through her childhood and adolescent years and how kindness played a huge role in developing her sense of self-value and self-love. She addresses the deeper meaning of kindness and how even the smallest gesture can result in powerful connections——the greatest being a connection to oneself. Orly explains that, by dealing with social issues such as bullying, depression, substance abuse, and violence from the “anti-” approach, those issues are only exacerbated. Through her story, she illustrates how we can prevent those issues from materializing in the first place. “The answer is simpler than you think,” she explains.
From Dream to Reality: The Process
For all audiences
We’ve all have dreams of accomplishing great feats. What stops us? Orly takes the audience through a journey of her life, starting as a four-year-old dreamer who wished to change the world. She outlines the social obstacles she faced and the magic ingredient that changed it all around: kindness, with a bit of self-love. Audience members will take away practical advice and tools for incorporating kindness into both their personal and professional lives, as well as a newfound understanding of their own strengths and capabilities.
Kindness Culture
For companies
Orly touches on how companies can incorporate a culture of kindness into the workplace atmosphere by simply shifting their perspective. While this talk is focused on kindness, it builds on concepts of self-value and empowerment. Orly shares her personal journey of overcoming adversity, how kindness played a huge role in her success, and how even the smallest gesture can result in powerful connections. Audience members will be left with practical ways to begin making changes in both their personal and professional lives.
The Magic of Kindness
For younger audiences: nursery through fifth grade
Orly shares her personal journey of overcoming adversity in her young childhood years, from difficulty learning to feelings of isolation from her peers. She shares how kindness from a teacher and her renewed sense of confidence helped her to push through and find that her greatest strength was inside of her all along. A presentation of Orly’s short film, Kindness Boomerang, generates conversation and dialogue as students share what kindness means to them and how they can begin making changes in school and at home. Students will leave with a greater understanding of their inherent value as well as a toolbox of practical ways to begin making a change——and a one of a kind kindness challenge from Orly.
Orly Wahba interviewed recently with The Jewish Press on being the “Queen of Kindness.”
Watch Orly call audiences to action at TED.
Kick off a season of kindness with Orly on The Today Show.
Watch Orly on CBS.
Watch Orly and Life Vest Inside on NBC.
Learn what Orly and the Dance for Kindness flash mob can teach us about business on Bloomberg TV.
Orly Wahba interviews on her mission to spread kindness for Young & Shining and Goodnet.
Orly sits down with Blog Talk Radio to discuss Life Vest Inside and the World Kindness Movement.
Check out Orly’s 2014 Dance for Kindness in Times Square.
Parade magazine features Orly Wahba’s Kindness Boomerang online and in print in its January 2017 cover feature!
Read about Orly’s work with children on Ivanka Trump’s site.
Read about the Dance for Kindness in the NonProfit Times.
Read Catherine Ryan Hyde’s “Better than Blurb” about Kindness Boomerang.
Read a feature on the viral “Kindness Boomerang” video in the International Business Times.
Read a feature from Adweek on the power of Life Vest Inside’s video message.
Listen to podcasts featuring Orly as a guest, including Good Life Project with Jonathan Fields, Sounds Good with Branden Harvey, Conscious Shift with Julie Ann Turner, and Vibrant Happy Women with Jen Riday.
You can also find Orly on Bartel in the Morning, 95.5 WPLJ with Race Taylor, and upcoming in the Huffington Post and the podcasts Radically Loved with Rosie Acosta and Your Kickass Life with Andrea Owen.
Find out more about Orly, Life Vest Inside, and Kindness USA.
“I had the privilege of hearing Orly speak at a conference I attended with Janney Montgomery Scott in Orlando. Not only was her message of kindness timely but her entire presentation was extremely motivating and inspiring. Her dedication and passion are contagious. I look forward to sharing her message. She is an incredible speaker and I would recommend her to everyone.”
— Joe Martinez, Financial Advisor at Janney Montgomery Scott“Orly just recently spoke to our attendees which was a mix of employees and their spouses (with some teenagers in the crowd) and her message completely resonated with everyone. She is an amazing storyteller the way she shares herself and her experiences. What binds us in this crazy world is our humanity and everyone in the crowd of 200+ left feeling happy and inspired due to Orly’s passion and compassion.”
— Jamie Fungard, CMP – Asst. VP, Event Planner, Janney Montgomery Scott“Orly did not just speak to a group of conference attendees, she spoke to me. Though the audience was large, her words individually pierced my conscience. Her story is one that should be heard and absorbed. I walked away from the talk with an increased appreciation of people around me, those I know, and even those I don’t. This can be applied to personal, business, and community.”
— Ed Blumenthal, Executive Vice President, Wealth Management at Janney Montgomery Scott“Orly Wahba is an fantastic speaker with a message the world needs. Her combination of humor and personal reflection kept our audience both engaged and entertained, and her warmth and kind heart shone through. Orly doesn’t just talk – she walks the walk. Our parents were thrilled with her presentation and we’ve had many requests to bring her back to speak to our students as well and we are looking forward to making that happen”
— Andrea Steinkamp, Co-President, PTA of PS 199“Orly came and spoke at our company wide sales meeting last month. She was absolutely wonderful. It was the first time that I had seen all of our sales staff put down their phones and actually listen and engage in what she was saying. She is an amazing speaker and I would highly recommend her to anyone!”
— Kristen Beeman, Heffernan Insurance Brokers“Orly Wahba spoke at Pacific Hospitality Group’s Annual Conference about the power of kindness and the impact it can have on others. During her speech, Orly shared her personal journey with kindness and how even the smallest gesture can result in powerful connections. Her speech resonated with our employees and moved many of them to tears. I highly recommend Orly for speaking engagements. Your team and/or employees will not be disappointed!”
— Pacific Hospitality Group“Orly Wahba demonstrates the unique skill and courage of being self reflective and sharing her process with those around her. She is a gifted public speaker who moves those who attend her presentations with personal anecdotes, poems and videos to do that more one kindness that creates the future we all desire.”
— Rabbi Moses Haber, Rav Yeshivah – Barkai“Orly Wahba portrays what true kindness is all about. Orly has a unique way of speaking and connecting with her audience. Orly is full of positive energy, and has dedicated herself to a life full of kindness. She is truly an inspiration!”
— Allison Bardavid, Hesed Coordinator – Barkai“Orly pulls at your heartstrings. She’s authentic, relatable, and funny to boot! She’s artfully woven together her real life personal experiences to pave the way for how people can turn everyday instances into magical moments that make the world a kinder place.”
— Michele Landa, NY“Orly Wahba is an angel that is making a difference, one person at a time all over the country and for that matter all over the world. Orly has found her calling as she has started a kindness revolution at a time we need it most in our society!”
— Gordon A Uehling III, CourtSense“Orly was dynamic. The students loved her and her message was very positive. She stayed and participated in the program way, way beyond what was asked or expected. This was appreciated by the students and staff.”
— SAR Academy“Wow! Orly’s presentation was truly inspirational! I heard only positive responses from the teachers as well as the students. One teacher commented on Orly’s feeling in the Resource Room, something we don’t often talk about. It was a very valuable insight that many kids can relate to. I’m thankful for people like Orly and Lou who have the conviction to stand up and show us – We CAN make a difference. Now that we know this we WILL make a difference!”
— Frankford School“Orly’s presentation at our event was phenomenal. She tenderly tells the tale of her past, guiding you through the peaks and valleys of her life. Her journey is an inspiration and you cannot help but be motivated. Her simple mantra of “spread kindness” makes her goal of changing the world seem not only possible but inevitable.”
— Chem Rx Pharmacy Services, LLC“As an educator, leader and public speaker Orly has sensitized men, women and children to redirect the focus of their lives and embrace a mindset of perpetual kindness. I count myself as someone whose life was changed by her efforts.”
–- Ricky Cohen, Chairman and CEO, Conway Capital LLC“Orly is entertaining, inspiring, a mentor and master teacher for any group. There are few people who carry the passion and vision that belies her young age. Her electricity can excite and motivate in ways that few people can!”
-– Rabbi Goldberg, Founder and Director, Kids Kicking Cancer“Orly Wahba was, by far, the most inspirational speaker we’ve ever had.”
– Elliot Dilamani, Baruch College, Hillel House“Perhaps the most amazing impact of this wonderful program is the effect it has on young people. In our day and age, when it would be so easy for young people to lose any hope for a better world, Life Vest is that breath of fresh air and optimism that is so sorely needed…”
-– Charles Anteby, Director of Development, Sephardic Bikur Holim“When you leave an Orly talk–you feel better about yourself. You leave believing that you can make a difference in the world.”
-– Rabbi David Hertzberg, Yeshivah of Flatbush, Middle Division Principal“In January, Orly Wahba spoke at Pacific Hospitality Group’s Annual Conference about the power of kindness and the impact it can have on others. During her speech, Orly shared her personal journey with kindness and how even the smallest gesture can result in powerful connections. Her speech resonated with our employees and moved many of them to tears. I highly recommend Orly for speaking engagements. Your team and/or employees will not be disappointed!”
– Kristal McKanders, Pacific Hospitality Group“Wow! Orly’s presentation was truly inspirational! I heard only positive responses from the teachers as well as the students. One teacher commented on Orly’s feeling in the Resource Room, something we don’t often talk about. It was a very valuable insight that many kids can relate to.I’m thankful for people like Orly and Lou who have the conviction to stand up and show us – We CAN make a difference. Now that we know this we WILL make a difference!”
– Frankford School“Orly is a remarkable individual and I loved her speech and delivery. As I sat listening to Orly and seeing her presence on the stage, she reminded me of Tony Robbins. The raw voice, the passion and the inspirational message was pure magic! Mark my words, Orly is going to be one of the best and well sort-after speakers in the industry.”
— Dr Tererai Trent, Scholar, Humanitarian, Author and Oprah’s All-Time Favorite Guest“As a veteran teacher in the North Pocono School District, I have had the privilege of participating in many school assemblies. Through the years, we take bits and pieces of the noteworthy school assemblies which offer our student body with positive advice and our staff-inspiration. It’s not surprising that Orly Wahba was chosen for a TED talk presentation because she is THAT good!Her message is clear, and she covers so much ground. Addressing topics including bullying, depression, addiction, and self-worth, she comes from a place of positive. Using her own life as the scaffold for her message, she connects with each individual person in the room while addressing the entire auditorium of listeners. I am one to get “teary” during school assemblies (usually while hearing an incredibly sentimental song that connects with memory). Orly touched my heart AND soul. There’s a song by Jewel called “Hands” that is always a reminder that “In the end, only kindness matters.” It is a message that I – like many of my colleagues- value. Having Orly reinforce this message with such clarity, personality, authenticity, and passion reminds us that positive energy and care should never be pushed aside. In a world where we are surrounded by messages of negativity, hopelessness, and dread- Orly reminds us to see goodness every day. Her film, Kindness Boomerang, reflects the light of her message. One person can make a difference each day in this world. And when one chooses authentic kindness, it is a boomerang that eventually returns. Understanding that meaningfulness is at the heart of important endeavors, I thank you, Orly, for reminding us about what really matters in order to make a difference in this extraordinary world we call home.”
– Christine Sepkowski- 6th grade English teacher, North Pocono School District Praise for Kindness Boomerang
“Kindness Boomerang is filled with fun tips and ideas for finding happiness in everyday activities.”
–Tony Hsieh, NY Times bestselling author of Delivering Happiness and CEO of Zappos.com, Inc.“Orly Wahba’s book Kindness Boomerang is more than good philosophy, it is a box of spiritual tools – it is full of heart and decent thoughts, good will, and makes available a ready course of action for any given day. This is the work of a beautiful and evolved human being. When I grow up, I hope to be more like Orly Wahba. Get this book! Change the world a little bit at a time, and you yourself can change…”
— Peter Scolari, Emmy Award-winning actor“Orly has put together a little gift box of 365 reminders——each one a digestible, practical little to-do item that will spark a change in the world. Kindness Boomerang is a little book that will make a big change, a little bite-sized Bible of reminders for those who want to stay on the path of compassion.”
— Amanda Palmer, lead singer, pianist, and lyricist of the duo The Dresden Dolls.Book This Speaker
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