Sneha Villalva, Cut to the Essence Book Launch

Sneha Villalva (Snay-hah Vee-YALL-vuh) is an author, speaker, coach, and former speechwriter and journalist.

With more than two decades of professional writing experience, she served as the executive speechwriter for college and university leaders at UCLA and Pomona College. Formerly, she was a journalist with The Press-Enterprise in Southern California.

Her work has appeared in National Public Radio (NPR), HuffPost, Associated Press, Sojourners, The London Reader, India Currents, and more.

A Maxwell Leadership Certified speaker, coach, and trainer and a Speakers Institute graduate and coach, Sneha has honed her craft among global thought leaders and top-tier communicators.

A TEDx speaker, Sneha was named to MSN’s list of Top 10 Leading Speakers to Follow in 2025.

Sneha’s book, Cut to the Essence was endorsed by New York Times-bestselling author of Essentialism and Effortless Greg McKeown, who called it a thoughtful and resonant guide: "For those seeking a life of greater purpose, poise, and power, Cut to the Essence provides the lens and the language to begin."

Cut to the Essence hit #1 in multiple new release categories in the USA and Australia and #5 in a new release category in India upon its debut. Since its release in mid-June it was named a NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite, received an International Impact Book Award, an Open Book Award, and a Readers’ Favorite Five-Star review.

A former Claremont resident, Scripps College graduate, and Pasadena native, Sneha is married to her first (and last) husband and currently makes her home in Azusa, California, with extra dark chocolate always on hand.

30% of proceeds will be donated to the Pr*son Library Project.