Jenn Donahue

International Keynote Speaker | Author | US Navy Veteran | Engineer PhD | Leadership Coach & Mentor
Jenn
Donahue

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AVAILABLE FOR

Keynote
Virtual Presentation
Workshop & Training
Webinar

Fee ranges

Domestic In-Person (USA):

$10,001 - $20,000*

International In-Person:

$15,000 - $25,000*

Virtual:

$5,001 - $15,000*

Other:

* Ranges are presented as a guideline only. Speaker fees vary by engagement type and are subject to change without notice. For an exact quote, please contact Gravity Speakers.

Traveling from

Bend, Oregon, USA

About

Jenn Donahue, PhD, is an internationally recognized keynote speaker, best-selling author, and 27-year military combat veteran. She’s delivered powerful, perspective-shifting talks to thousands, headlining stages for Ryder, Chevron, and SiriusXM. Known for her commanding presence and relatable storytelling, Jenn helps people who feel discontent or unfulfilled chart a new path forward—with clarity, courage, and a renewed sense of self-worth. 

A retired US Navy Captain, Jenn brings battlefield-tested leadership and engineering precision to every keynote. Whether she’s recounting the time she built a bridge across the Euphrates under enemy fire, or drilling and blasting in Alaska (in the winter), she delivers insights with candor, grit, and just enough wit to make the hard lessons stick. Drawing from decades of experience in high-stakes environments—from combat zones to complex engineering projects—Jenn delivers neuroscience-backed strategies that spark life-changing transformation—or at the very least, help you survive your next staff meeting. 

Jenn is not just a speaker—she’s a storyteller and author who helps people rewrite their inner narrative. Her book, Becoming the Warrior, is a powerful guide for anyone grappling with fear, insecurity, or the feeling that they’re not living up to their potential. Drawing from her own journey through war zones, engineering labs, and leadership challenges, Jenn offers readers a blueprint for turning your inner turmoil into strength. Her writing is both deeply personal and universally relatable, blending hard-earned wisdom with actionable strategies. Her widely read newsletters continue to reach thousands with messages that challenge, uplift, and empower. Whether on the page or the stage, Jenn’s voice is one of insight, strength, and confidence.  

Jenn’s military and engineering careers are a testament to her resilience and innovation. She commanded thousands of troops across multiple deployments, including leading an 800-person battalion in Afghanistan. She’s also the founder of JL Donahue Engineering and Dare to Rise, and was recognized by the National Academy of Engineering’s “Frontiers of Engineering” for her contributions to the field. She continues to support the military community through her work with the Navy Seabee Foundation. 

Jenn’s clients walk away not only informed with the “how to” but transformed by a renewed understating of “how to think and grow”. Whether she’s guiding C-suite executives, mentoring rising professionals, or coaching frontline managers, Jenn helps her audiences step into their own power—arming them with practical tools, habits, and battle-tested frameworks so they can face challenges head-on and move forward with conviction. Her mission is to help people unlock their potential, thrive under pressure, and lead lives defined by purpose, resilience, and momentum.

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Topics

Topics

Unshakeable: Navigating Change, Chaos, And Crisis

The Unity Paradox: Creating Teams With Unparalleled Success

Becoming The Warrior: Harnessing You Inner Strength To Silence Self-doubt

Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_W8fb7Z2iKI
Jenn Donahue - Keynote Speaker Reel - The Unity Paradox
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj-ZbC9pyJ0
What New And Current Leaders Need To Know Today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp59Z-cYNKk
What the Great Resignation Means For Your Organization
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZwFWIrNmUI
The 3 B's Of Great Leadership
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kb1oHeHryk
How To Reveal Your Inner Badass

Books / Movies As an Amazon Associate, Gravity earns from qualifying purchases.

Testimonials

“Jenn’s experience provides a unique perspective on managing a team. She presented practical and actionable material that I’ve been able to use with my team effectively. I’d highly recommend her to anyone who wants to learn more about leadership!”

Sarah Sullivan, P.E., Vice President of Career Development
Society of Women Engineers

Jenn’s presentation for our group was hands down one of the best presentations I have seen. The effort she put in to prepare for us was top notch. Her speech was engaging, enthusiastic, and all around amazing. By the time she was done, we left feeling empowered and ready to take on whatever was ahead of us. Jenn was the final speaker at our event and couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the week.

Jamey Toland, Program Specialist
US Forest Service Fire and Aviation Management

I invited Captain Jenn Donahue to give the keynote speech for the NEBB Annual Conference held in Monterey California. The message of her speech was exactly what I was hoping for, inspiring everyone, no matter where you are in your career to take that next step and accept the challenge before you. Captain Donahue’s life story is not one we can relate too by many means, but it is one we can all learn from. She has a heart of servitude and a soul for leading. I had countless people come up to me and thanked me for inviting you to our conference. You knocked it out of the park and your speech was exactly the message I wanted our audience to hear. Bravo Zulu.”

Phil Emory, President
National Environmental Balancing Bureau

Jenn was extremely professional and a pleasure to meet. She engaged our audience prior to her presentation to ensure inclusion on the day of our event. She was fun, energetic, and presented ideas that can be applied in work or our everyday life. Highly recommend Jenn as a speaker/presenter.

Carolee Schmidt, Director, Membership & Annual Conference
PPA

We couldn’t ask for a better speaker for our event. Jenn was amazing! Her ability to match the message to the needs of our audience was a gift. Her message will continue to impact our area for years to come. We’ve even had people reach out to tell us how much it meant to them. And as an event planner, you can’t ask for more than that.

Sharon Whittaker, Founder
Whittaker Marketing

Jenn was an absolute pleasure to work with and her presentation was nothing short of outstanding. Her dedication, experience, and warm personality made a significant impact on our event, leaving us feeling empowered for the rest of the conference. I wholeheartedly recommend Jenn to any organization seeking a speaker who not only delivers exceptional content but also enhances the overall event experience.

Victoria Engelen, Governance Manager
Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging