Versha Sharma Keynote Speaker

Editor-in-Chief, Teen Vogue (2021-2025)
Award-winning Journalist
Speaks on issues relating to Gen Z, Mental Health, Women & Leadership, Diversity and more

Versha Sharma's Biography

Versha Sharma was the editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue from 2021 to 2025, where she led a team of editors, reporters, social media managers, video producers, and more in covering all things fashion, politics, culture, and identity for young audiences.

Since joining in May 2021, she has won several leadership awards and a National Magazine Readers’ Choice Award for Best News & Politics Cover. While previously working as the managing editor and senior correspondent at NowThis, she interviewed high-profile figures such as Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden and covered global issues with a digital- and social-first mindset. She and her team received an Edward R. Murrow Award for their documentary work on Hurricane Maria’s effects on Puerto Rico, with Sharma leading audience growth across the outlet’s social platforms.

She currently serves on the boards of the Online News Association and International Women’s Media Foundation and has been interviewed by MSNBC, The New York Times, the Columbia Journalism Review, and more. Sharma has continually rallied for diversified voices across the media landscape and in newsroom leadership positions and pushes the conversation forward on any and every issue affecting young people today.

Navigating Gen Z

The rise of Gen Z has upended everything from politics to the workplace. But what actually makes Gen Z tick? What do they want from a workplace, or from politics? What motivates them, and what interests them? As the head of one of the leading publications dedicated to all things Gen Z, Versha can discuss what Gen Z is thinking about everything from fashion to culture to politics, and far beyond - and how you can get the most out of this generation, which is only growing in importance by the day.

Mental Health

The topic of mental health has never been more salient. But with plenty of misinformation still swirling around the topic, what are the best ways to actually navigate the realities and struggles of mental health? As someone who has been open about her struggles with both depression and anxiety, Versha can discuss how to deal with mental health struggles wherever you are: at home, in relationships, in the workplace, and beyond.

Leadership & Being a Woman of Color in Leadership

As the head of Teen Vogue, Versha has led the publication through all kinds of turbulence to greater heights than ever before. But how did she manage to accomplish such success? And what kind of lessons can be mined for other organizations? Versha can discuss how Teen Vogue succeeded where other publications have struggled, and what kind of outside-the-box thinking led to such growth - and where other growth opportunities still exist.

She has led one of the most influential youth media brands as editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, shaping coverage of politics, culture, fashion and identity in ways that move the conversation and mobilise audiences.
She brings deep expertise in digital-first journalism from her years at NowThis, using platform-native storytelling to help organisations understand how narratives form, spread and shift in real time.
She is an award-winning newsroom leader, including recognition from the National Magazine Awards and an Edward R. Murrow Award for documentary reporting, giving audiences a high-credibility lens on media impact and editorial decision-making.
She has interviewed major political figures and shaped coverage for young voters, helping leaders engage Gen Z with authenticity, clarity and trust in an era of polarisation and misinformation.
She advances the future of journalism through board roles with the Online News Association and the International Women’s Media Foundation, equipping leaders with insight into how to build diverse, resilient organisations and earn legitimacy with the next generation.