About Us - Less Awkward

the brains behind less awkward

Meet Our Founders

It’s hard to find 2 people who love their jobs more — the original architects of the modern puberty conversation who changed the way we talk about growing up. They’ve built the most joyful, science-based solution for the most transformative stage of life.

CARA NATTERSON, MD

Founder and CEO

Dr. Cara Natterson is a pediatrician, speaker, and educator. She graduated from Harvard college and Johns Hopkins Medical School; trained in pediatrics at UCSF; and then launched her medical career at Tenth Street Pediatrics in Santa Monica. Eventually, Cara traded patient care for writing –– she’s the author of 10 books including the New York Times bestselling series The Care and Keeping of You (also known as those American Girl books). When her kids were in the thick of adolescence, Cara collaborated with Vanessa on social channels, podcasts, a growing library of books, and most recently curriculum. It’s all in service to their mission –– getting less awkward — which is, conveniently, also the name of this company.

VANESSA KROLL BENNETT

President of Content

Vanessa Kroll Bennett is a national bestselling author and educator who helps adults raise tweens + teens with joy. She is co-author of the bestselling book This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained, co-host of the This Is So Awkward podcast, and co-founder of Less Awkward, a company dedicated to making growing up more comfortable. She is the author of the forthcoming book TEENHOOD: Confessions & Lessons for the Trickiest Phase of Parenting. Vanessa was the founder of Dynamo Girl, a company focused on building kids’ self-esteem through sports and puberty education. Vanessa is a graduate of Wellesley College and holds a Masters in Jewish History, but perhaps her most important schooling comes from raising her own four children, ages 15 to 23.