Susan David net worth reflects more than money; it mirrors her lifelong impact on psychology, leadership, and emotional intelligence. She is a Harvard-trained psychologist, bestselling author, and global speaker. Her groundbreaking work on emotional agility helps people handle thoughts, emotions, and inner struggles with grace.
Through her teaching at Harvard Medical School, Susan inspires leaders to build resilience, self-awareness, and authenticity in life and work. From South Africa to Boston, her journey reveals a story of adaptability and personal growth.
She empowers individuals to turn pain into purpose and challenges into change. Her wealth highlights her global influence and enduring contributions to positive psychology and human well-being.
Profile Summary Table
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Susan A. David |
| Date of Birth | September 13, 1970 |
| Nationality | South African-American |
| Profession | Psychologist, Author, Keynote Speaker, Management Thinker, Harvard Medical School Faculty member |
| Education | BA and MA in Psychology from the University of Witwatersrand, PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Melbourne, Post-doctoral research at Yale |
| Career Highlights | Founder and CEO of Evidence Based Psychology consulting firm; co-founder of Harvard/McLean Institute of Coaching; Author of Emotional Agility (Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller), TED Speaker |
| Key Expertise | Emotional agility, emotional intelligence, human motivation, change management, resilience, and leadership |
| Major Awards | Thinkers50 Breakthrough Idea Award (2017), featured on Thinkers50 global list of top management thinkers multiple years |
| Public Recognition | TED Talk viewed over 10 million times; book translated into 30 languages; recognized for contributions to leadership psychology and management thinking |
| Books and Publications | Emotional Agility (bestseller), Beyond Goals (editor), The Oxford Handbook of Happiness (editor) |
| Clients & Speaking | World Economic Forum, Ernst & Young, UN, Google, Microsoft, Nasdaq among clients; leading keynote speaker and advisor |
| Media Contributions | Contributor to the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and guest on radio and TV |
| Net Worth Estimate | $1.6 million |
| Online Presence | Official website susandavid.com, Instagram (@susandavid_phd), LinkedIn, YouTube |
Who Is Susan David?
Dr. Susan David stands out in the world of positive psychology, organizational behavior, and behavioral science for her work on how emotions shape our lives, careers, and relationships. She blends rigorous academic training with pragmatic insights about human potential, growth mindset, and leadership development. While many experts talk about emotional intelligence, Susan pushes a step further into psychological flexibility—how people meet their inner world and act with authenticity and adaptability.
Growing up in South Africa during the era of apartheid, she experienced firsthand how complex environments ignite a need for resilience, emotional awareness, and mindset transformation. Her global reach includes advising major organisations like Google, Microsoft, the United Nations, and the World Economic Forum—where the focus is less on just performance management and more on weaving self-compassion, emotional literacy, and inner narrative into high-stakes work.
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What Is Susan David Net Worth?
Dr. Susan David net worth isn’t straightforward because she works in many domains: book publishing, consulting, speaking, and teaching. According to one online estimate, she has a net worth of about $1.13 billion in 2025. That said, that figure is speculative and should be taken cautiously—it may not reflect real asset disclosures or all liabilities.
What is clear is that her financial success is rooted in multiple revenue streams: bestselling books (including her #1 Wall Street Journal bestseller Emotional Agility), global speaking engagements, executive coaching, and consultancy services tied into organizational psychology, employee engagement, and change management. Her work is deeply tied to themes like self-reflection, communication skills, stress management, and emotional self-regulation, which are highly valued in the corporate world.
Where Does Susan David Live?
Dr. David now resides in the Boston area of the United States. While she originally grew up in South Africa, her life and career have become strongly anchored in the U.S., particularly in the academic and consulting world around Boston. Her choice of location underscores the international dimension of her work—spanning countries, cultures, corporate sectors, and academic institutions.
Who Is Susan David’s Husband?
The public information about Dr. Susan David’s private life mentions that she lives with her husband and two children outside Boston. She tends to keep the focus on her professional contributions—publishing research, writing about behavioral change, leading workshops — rather than on extensive personal details. This aligns with her broader message: that our inner stories, relational commitments, and values alignment matter just as much as public success.
Susan David Biography
Born in Gauteng, South Africa, Susan David came of age in a society marked by upheaval and transition. The context of apartheid taught early lessons in injustice, complexity, and human behaviour—lessons that later infused her research into emotional agility, inner narrative, and how we navigate loss and growth. She pursued a BA and MA in Applied Psychology and English at the University of the Witwatersrand, before earning a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Melbourne. Then she completed post-doctoral work at Yale University. This path set her up not just as a researcher but as someone who connects academic insights to real-life organisational and personal challenges.
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Susan David Career Beginnings
Early in her career, Dr. David founded Evidence Based Psychology in 1999, a consulting firm through which she began translating academic insights into practical leadership and organisational tools. She also co-founded the Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School—fusing coaching psychology, positive psychology, and organisational behaviour. Her early work emphasised how leaders and individuals can meet their inner experiences—thoughts, emotions, self-stories—and still act in alignment with their values rather than being hijacked by them. That blend of psychological skills, leadership development, and adaptability defined her distinctive niche.
Susan David Income Streams
Dr. Susan David’s income sources are diverse and each ties into major themes like self-awareness, human behaviour, mindfulness, and self-compassion.
- Book sales and royalties — Her book Emotional Agility reached #1 on the Wall Street Journal list.
- Speaking and keynotes — She speaks at global forums for companies like Google, Microsoft, Ernst & Young, and the United Nations.
- Consulting and executive coaching — Organisations pay for her expertise in emotional literacy, organisational culture, and change management (for example, employee engagement and psychological safety).
- Academic and institutional roles — As faculty at Harvard Medical School and with the Institute of Coaching, she also has roles in thought leadership, research, and educational design.
Because of these streams, she has platformed her work into performance management, behavioural science, and organizational psychology—all of which can carry premium value in corporate environments.
Important Achievements and Significant Milestones
Dr. David’s career features a number of landmark achievements. Her book Emotional Agility was named a “Management Idea of the Year” by the Harvard Business Review. She also won the Thinkers50 Breakthrough Idea Award. Her TED Talk “The Gift and Power of Emotional Courage” reached millions of views. She has influenced leadership development and organisational culture by bringing together emotional regulation, values alignment, stress management, and mindset transformation in approachable ways. Her influence spans across executive leadership, team engagement, and personal growth.
Net Worth in Various Currencies
| Currency | Estimated Net Worth |
| USD | ~$1.13 billion (2025) |
| EUR | ~€1.04 billion (approx.) |
| GBP | ~£900 million (approx.) |
| ZAR | ~R19 billion (approx.) |
Susan David Yearly, Monthly Income, and Salary
Precise figures for yearly earnings, monthly income, or salary for Dr. David aren’t publicly verified. However, given her multiple income streams, one can estimate that a large portion comes from book royalties, keynote fees, consulting engagements, and institutional work. It’s reasonable to assume earnings could be in the high six- or low seven-figures annually. Monthly income would thus fluctuate depending on project load and speaking schedule. Because much of her work is project-based, income may vary significantly year to year.
Early Life and Family
Susan David grew up in South Africa during a time of social and political upheaval. Her early environment shaped her awareness of complexity and change, human behaviour, and resilience in the face of systemic challenges. Her family context and upbringing instilled in her a curiosity about emotions, inner experiences, and how one’s story and values contribute to thriving—not just surviving.
Table of Age, Weight, Height
| Attribute | Details |
| Age (as of 2025) | 55 years (born 1970) |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (Approx. 170 cm) * |
| Weight | Not publicly confirmed |
Susan David Education
Dr. David holds an impressive academic background. She earned a BA and MA in Applied Psychology & English from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, followed by a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Melbourne. She then completed post-doctoral research in emotion science at Yale University. Her training laid the groundwork for her explorations of emotional intelligence, cognitive appraisal, behavioural change, and mind-body connection. It also positions her in the intersection of academic psychology and applied organisational development.
Professional Life
In her professional life, Dr. Susan David has worn multiple hats: academic scholar, consultant, author, speaker, and coach. She applies concepts like self-compassion, psychological safety, emotional self-regulation, and values alignment in both individual and organisational settings. Her work emphasises that it is not enough to cultivate raw talent or productivity; rather, individuals and organisations must become adept at navigating emotions, managing change, and sustaining well-being. Her influence in fields like leadership development, performance management, work-life balance, and coaching psychology showcases how emotional and cognitive factors today matter as much as technical skills.
Social Media Accounts
- Instagram: @susandavid_phd
- Twitter/X: @SusanDavid_PhD
- LinkedIn: Susan David PhD
- Website: www.susandavid.com
Conclusion
Susan David net worth represents both financial success and her deep influence on emotional health and human potential. Her teachings on emotional agility guide people toward resilience, self-awareness, and authenticity. Through her work at Harvard Medical School, she connects science with practical wisdom for modern living.
Her wealth reflects years of dedication to positive psychology, research, and global leadership. From writing bestsellers to inspiring millions through her TED Talk, Susan’s legacy goes beyond numbers. Her true value lies in empowering minds to thrive with mindfulness and self-compassion.
FAQs
Who is Susan David?
Susan David is a Harvard Medical School psychologist, author, and leading expert on emotions and psychological agility.
Where does Susan David live?
Susan David lives with her family outside of Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
What is Susan David known for?
She is best known for her bestselling book Emotional Agility and her research on how emotional skills shape success, health, and happiness.
What are Susan David’s TED Talks about?
Her TED Talks focus on emotional agility, resilience, and how embracing emotions helps people thrive in times of change.
How does Susan David define courage?
Susan David defines courage as choosing to face emotions, thoughts, and situations with compassion and honesty, rather than avoidance or denial.
