Hiba Tanvir is an Emotional Intelligence speaker, author, and creator of the ZEST Framework™—helping leaders perform at their ZEST™ by cultivating the uniquely human qualities AI can never replace.

She is the co-author of The Career Breakthrough Playbook, a five-time award-winning book, and co-author of Future Ready Performance Playbook, a call to remain unapologetically human in the age of AI by reclaiming the qualities that technology can never replicate.

At the heart of Hiba's work is one simple belief: high performance should never come at the cost of your humanity. Through her signature ZEST Framework™ and Play & Pause™ Methodology, she helps leaders playfully strengthen emotional intelligence in action—so they can lead with greater clarity, creativity, connection, and aliveness without emotional depletion or reactivity.

Don't expect another lecture. Hiba is known for replacing traditional leadership training with Play-Doh®, wooden blocks, crayons, guided walks, and other unexpected experiences that help people feel emotional intelligence—not just learn about it. Her interactive keynotes and workshops leave audiences with practical tools they can use immediately, long after the event ends.

With an MBA and advanced training in resilience from Harvard University and Emotional Intelligence from The Gottman Institute, Hiba brings both research and real-world application to every stage.

Hiba’s work and thought leadership have been featured on NBC5, where she shares the power of the Pause and the real-world impact of her Play & Pause™ Methodology. .

Her impact spans boardrooms and communities worldwide. She leads global initiatives such as the Man Up program for African youth and founded Hope Kitchen to create dignified work for women facing economic hardship—bringing Emotional Intelligence to life across generations and continents.

In her free time, she can usually be found travelling, reading or playing and pausing with her two sons.

Meet Hiba

The Creator of the ZEST Framework™