About Us 4 - 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, educator, and leading voice in tween + teen health. She graduated from Harvard college + Johns Hopkins Medical School, and trained in pediatrics at UCSF. Cara launched her career at Tenth Street Pediatrics in Santa Monica. She traded patient care for writing, and has authored 10 books including the New York Times bestselling The Care and Keeping of You series with American Girl. Since 2021, she + Vanessa have collaborated on social channels, podcasts, a growing library of books, and most recently curriculum. It’s all in service to the mission––getting less awkward––which is, conveniently, also the name of this company.

VANESSA KROLL BENNETT

President of Content

Vanessa Kroll Bennett is a USA Today bestselling author and podcaster 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 President of Content at Less Awkward. A frequent contributor to Scary Mommy, Vanessa was 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 14 to 22.