Summit, NJ
Polly is a social psychologist, well-being coach and social connection strategist, who brings more than two decades of experience to promoting well-being, belonging, and connection across academic, nonprofit, and organizational settings. While she began her career researching what pulls people apart (bias, discrimination), she now works to bring people together and especially enjoys facilitating transformative conversations with educators and parents – the anchors of well-being for our young people, our future leaders. Currently, she designs and leads evidence-based trainings, workshops and coaching programs that help people build social connection and stronger relationships — in families, schools, workplaces, communities, and everyday life.
With prior roles as a Social Good Fellow at the United Nations Foundation, a parenting columnist for Psychology Today and AOL, and a research psychologist in numerous labs, she has collaborated with thought leaders, policymakers, scientists and journalists to elevate national conversations around well-being, strong relationships, parenting and public health. In addition to her professional practice, she leads the Board of Trustees at SEEDS, a Newark-based nonprofit dedicated to expanding educational access for students in low-income households so they can thrive at schools across the country.
Polly’s mission is helping people build well-connected lives and communities. In both her professional and personal life, she strives to create spaces where people feel grounded, curious, and connected. She practices cultivating connection every day, whether it’s smiling at people she doesn’t know on the street, reconnecting with a friend, or eating dinner with her family at home in New Jersey.
Ambassador story coming soon!