About Franssen Strategies

Helping Brains Work Better: At Work and in Life

In today’s fast-paced world, success doesn’t just depend on skills—it depends on understanding how we think, make decisions, manage stress, and relate to others. At Franssen Strategies, we translate cutting-edge neuroscience into practical, usable strategies that help people lead, learn, and live with greater clarity and impact.

Founded by Dr. Catherine Franssen, a neuroscientist with two decades of experience in academia, corporate consulting, and public communication, Franssen Strategies delivers brain-based solutions for real-world challenges. From the classroom to the boardroom, our work empowers individuals and teams to align their goals with how the brain actually works.

We specialize in:

  • Creating and delivering science-backed workshops and keynotes

  • Coaching high performers through stress, change, and leadership growth

  • Designing practical, engaging learning experiences

  • Equipping individuals and organizations with tools for sustainable well-being and performance

Meet Dr. Catherine Franssen

Neuroscientist. Educator. Speaker. Problem-Solver.

Dr. Catherine Franssen earned her Ph.D. in Neurobiology from the University of Chicago and a B.A. in Psychology from Randolph-Macon College. She has spent the past 20 years studying how the brain handles stress, decision-making, and behavior—and helping others understand what to do with that knowledge.

As a tenured professor, Catherine has trained thousands of future professionals in biology, psychology, and neuroscience. She’s developed new academic programs, authored peer-reviewed scientific research, and created courses that make brain science practical and powerful.

Her work has been featured in CNN, The Washington Post, Reader’s Digest, HuffPost, and more. She's a sought-after speaker known for making complex science accessible, actionable, and even fun.

Catherine founded Franssen Strategies to take the best of neuroscience beyond the lab—into the hands of people who need it most: leaders, educators, healthcare professionals, students, and teams navigating an increasingly demanding world.

Our Approach

Science-Based. Human-Focused. Change-Oriented.

We believe:

  • Brains are built for change. But they need the right tools and support.

  • Knowledge matters. But insight without action doesn’t lead to transformation.

  • Everyone has a brain—but not everyone has the strategy. That’s where we come in.

Every workshop, keynote, or coaching session is designed to:
✔ Reduce overwhelm
✔ Increase self-awareness
✔ Improve focus and decision-making
✔ Build resilience
✔ Strengthen communication and collaboration

Our work isn’t theoretical. It’s personal. It’s science with heart and strategy.

Who We Work With

  • Businesses and organizations seeking better leadership, trust, and performance

  • Educators and universities building brain-friendly curriculum

  • Entrepreneurs and solopreneurs seeking clarity and calm

  • Healthcare and wellness professionals supporting behavior change

  • High-performing individuals ready to thrive, not just survive

  • “Dr. Catherine Franssen is brilliantly insightful, interesting, and wise. She has basically made a career of answering all those questions we have ever had about why we do the things we do – so cool!!”

    — Georgia Van Cuylenburg (actress, producer, writer)

  • “She’s kinda like a scientific superhero whose power is to tell people information they didn’t know they needed.”

    - Collegiate Athlete Workshop Attendee

  • “Dr. Franssen is like a nerdy hippie. She tells you to love yourself and then explains all the scientific details of why and how.”

    - High School Student Coaching Client