THE REAL Story That Resonates.
Leaders are expected to talk about mental health—but most conversations stay surface-level.Audiences are burned out. Teams are disconnected. Leaders are asked to inspire resilience and humanity without the language or tools to do it authentically.What’s missing isn’t awareness. It’s honesty, courage, and lived experience.
Why Shawn?
Shawn Lesser doesn’t speak about mental health—he lived THE REAL story.
After years of silent struggle, Shawn experienced a complete breakdown, spending time in treatment and psych wards. That experience led him to ask: How can I use what I’ve learned to help others?
The answer became THE REAL Mental Health Foundation—and a mission to bring the same focus, capital, and innovation he once brought to finance into mental health.
Global Voice for Mental Health & Finance.
Today, Shawn speaks globally on adversity, reinvention, and vulnerability as a leadership strength. He has delivered keynotes at Davos, Deutsche Bank, TIGER 21, and The Carter Center blending lived experience with strategic insight—leaving audiences inspired and equipped to act.
“One of the most impactful speakers we’ve hosted.”
Ron Diamond,
Chair, TIGER 21
“Shawn is not just a voice—he’s a catalyst
for action.”
Richard Zimmerman, Executive Director, Foundation House
His message belongs
in every workplace, from HR to leadership. Men especially need someone they can relate to, laugh with, and open up to. Shawn is that speaker."
Paul Cooney
Vice President
& Financial Advisor
