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    Ozan Varol, JD

    Rocket Scientist turned Professor, No. 1 Bestselling Author, and Expert on Innovation and Creativity

    Ozan Varol is a rocket scientist turned award-winning professor, No. 1 bestselling author and internationally acclaimed speaker. He is one of the world’s foremost experts in creativity, innovation and critical thinking. Varol helps organizations reimagine the status quo and launch ideas into orbits of their own.


    Varol has been called a “true original” by Adam Grant and dubbed a “superhero” by Dan Pink. His work has been described as “must read” by Susan Cain and featured in the Wall Street Journal, Time, BBC, CNN, Washington Post and Fast Company.


    Audiences frequently call Varol the best speaker they’ve ever seen on stage. He doesn’t just speak; he ignites minds, transforming complex ideas into unforgettable “aha!” moments. He has the rare ability to get people to drop their phones and tune in, leaving his audiences with practical insights they can implement right away to make giant leaps in work and life.


    Varol’s transformative journey—from arriving in the United States alone at 17 to becoming a globally celebrated thought leader—enables him to resonate deeply with varied audiences. His unique talent for weaving together a narrative of inspiration with actionable insights makes him a sought-after voice for those aiming to redefine the boundaries of possibility. His books, Awaken Your Genius and Think Like a Rocket Scientist, aren’t just global bestsellers—they’re touchstones in the world of innovative thought. The books have been translated into 25 languages and received numerous accolades, including being selected as:


    • One of Amazon’s Top 20 business books of the year

    • Adam Grant’s # 1 pick of his top 20 leadership books of the year

    • One of Inc.com’s “6 Business Books You Need to Read This Year (according to Bill Gates, Satya Nadella, and Adam Grant)”

    • One of 6 Groundbreaking Books of Spring 2020 (according to Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, Dan Pink and Adam Grant)


    A native of Istanbul, Ozan grew up in a family where no one spoke English. He learned English as a second language and moved to the United States by himself at 17 to attend Cornell University and major in astrophysics. While there, he served on the operations team for the 2003 Mars Exploration Rovers project that sent two rovers–Spirit and Opportunity–to Mars. Ozan then pivoted and went to law school. He graduated first in his class, earning the highest-grade point average in his law school’s history.

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