Who Is Nella Yerkes
Nella Yerkes is a nationally recognized speaker, resilience expert, and transformative voice for mental health and trauma healing. Nella is not just a speaker, she’s a storyteller, and a catalyst for change. Once silenced by a chaotic childhood and foster care, Nella found her voice through resilience and restoration. Now, she uses it to help others rise from survival into strength.
As a child and teen in foster care, her basic needs often went unmet, facing adversity at a young age. As one of the rare few—just 1%—of former foster youth to graduate from college, her story is one of rewriting narratives and defying odds.
Today, Nella empowers others to recognize that they are never too broken to begin again, and that their story still matters.
Empowering Others Through Her Services
Nella's main mission is to empower the youth and communities impacted by trauma to reclaim their stories and rise in resilience. What once felt like a curse is now her calling. Nella speaks for everyone who’s ever felt unseen, unheard, and unworthy.
Keynote & Motivational Speaking
Nella delivers powerful, soul-stirring keynotes that move audiences from survival to strength. Her storytelling is raw, real, and redemptive, igniting healing and hope.
Workshop Facilitator
Nella is a team building and burn out prevention expert. Through interactive and healing-centered workshops, she equips participants with tools to reclaim identity, process trauma, and find their voice.
Small Group Coaching
In these safe and empowering spaces, Nella offers coaching experiences for youth, and trauma-impacted individuals ready to do the inner work to achieve growth and healing.
Hosting Services
With warmth, presence, and authenticity, Nella brings a grounding and engaging energy to any event she hosts. Whether emceeing a conference or leading a panel, she creates connection, and impact.