Speakers

Explore our Speakers Blogs to gain insights, knowledge, and inspiration from experts across various fields. While these individuals are not featured as speakers on our roster, their stories, experiences, and perspectives add tremendous value to our community. Here, we share articles that highlight unique journeys, practical advice, and thought-provoking ideas to help you grow personally and professionally. We invite you to read, learn, and connect with the voices shaping conversations today. For any questions or to learn more about our services, please contact us. We look forward to supporting your goals through meaningful content.

Ben O’Donnell: Navigating Leadership Success Through TEDx Talks and Keynotes

Ben O’Donnell Keynote Speaker Profile

Introduction

Ben O’Donnell keynote speaker is a prime example of resilience, transformation, and exceptional leadership. Blending a background in science, Lean Six Sigma expertise, and an inspiring personal journey, Ben O’Donnell has become a highly respected speaker, coach, and consultant for organizations across North America. With a history of impactful change leadership and an unparalleled comeback story after surviving a critical case of COVID-19, Ben O’Donnell motivates teams and leaders to break barriers, focus on continuous improvement, and create results through people-first strategies. He is available for conferences, conventions, team events, and corporate workshops as a leading Ben O’Donnell keynote speaker Canada.

Biography Summary

Ben O’Donnell holds a Master’s Degree in Organic Chemistry from the University of Notre Dame and dual Bachelor’s Degrees in Biology and Chemistry from Concordia College of Moorhead, MN. He began his career at Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, advancing from laboratory roles to product development, and launched his journey with Lean Six Sigma, achieving Black Belt status in Design for Six Sigma. Ben O’Donnell speaker Canada furthered his expertise at Beckman Coulter through production and R&D, soon after being integrated into Danaher Corporation’s renowned Danaher Business System for LEAN management.

He accepted a dedicated Continuous Improvement position as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt—attaining Master Black Belt certification through MoreSteam and The Ohio State University and becoming a certified Change Management Practitioner through Prosci. Beyond supply chain and R&D, Ben O’Donnell extends his strategic consulting and coaching impact into HR, Legal, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, Environment, Safety, Marketing, and IT sectors.

Ben O’Donnell deployed organizational Continuous Improvement Programs and led successful ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications at a director level, gaining deep experience with high-profile companies such as Bayer, Siemens, Danaher, Ecolab, and Medtronic.

Personally, his story of survival as the first critical COVID-19 patient in Minnesota—and the first in North America to survive COVID-19 on ECMO—demonstrates his extraordinary determination. After 28 days in ICU and months of rehab, Ben O’Donnell completed Ironman Tulsa, dedicating his journey to healthcare workers and advocating for community support through the Ironman Foundation IRONAID program. He’s testified before Congress on vaccine hesitancy and continues to raise awareness and support for COVID-19-impacted communities.

Ben O’Donnell brings his unique expertise and story to organizations seeking transformation, teaching leaders and teams to thrive through data-driven decisions, resilient leadership, and a people-first approach.

Speaking Topics & Expertise

  • People-First Leadership:
    Ben O’Donnell keynote speaker emphasizes practical techniques for fostering a supportive workplace where employees are empowered to excel. He guides organizations to prioritize engagement, improving morale and productivity by putting people at the center of every process.
  • Continuous Improvement & Lean Six Sigma:
    Drawing on his Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt expertise, Ben O’Donnell speaker demonstrates how to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and align operational practices for measurable results. His approach helps organizations deploy sustainable transformation frameworks.
  • Motivation & Resilience:
    Sharing his journey from ICU recovery to Ironman athlete, Ben O’Donnell keynote speaker Canada inspires audiences to overcome adversity, focus on personal growth, and develop tools to handle business setbacks.
  • Change Management:
    Ben O’Donnell equips HR and leadership teams with proven change management strategies to manage resistance, communicate effectively, and realize lasting organizational improvements.
  • Work/Life Balance – Redefining Success:
    He provides insight on balancing high-stakes careers with personal well-being, helping teams redefine productivity and satisfaction for long-term success.
  • Strategy Workshops & Project Management Training:
    Ben O’Donnell keynote speaker trains teams in best-practice project management and facilitates interactive strategy workshops, empowering staff to initiate and lead impactful business initiatives.
  • Executive & Career Coaching:
    He coaches leaders and professionals, guiding them on career transitions, leadership development, and unlocking new potential within their organizations.

Impact & Recognition

Ben O’Donnell speaker is celebrated as both a business innovator and a champion for community health and resilience. His unique blend of scientific expertise, real-life case management, and leadership in crisis situations offers benchmarks for business transformation and culture change. Ben O’Donnell keynote speaker’s media attention stems from his remarkable COVID-19 survival story, his role in championing healthcare causes, and his ability to deliver results-driven transformation for global enterprises. Clients consistently report that Ben O’Donnell’s presentations lead to measurable cultural shifts, increase leader engagement, and foster sustainable organizational improvement practices.

Media & Appearances

Ben O’Donnell keynote speaker Canada has appeared in national and regional television news, print media, and expert panels, especially regarding pandemic recovery, healthcare innovation, and continuous improvement in business. He has testified before Congress on public health, featured in COVID-19 awareness campaigns, and actively participates in Ironman community fundraising initiatives. His thought leadership is sought-out in industry webinars, podcasts, and live interviews focused on leadership development and operational excellence.

Related Questions Answered

Who is Ben O’Donnell?
Ben O’Donnell is a Canada-based keynote speaker, Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, executive coach, and continuous improvement expert, recognized for his powerful personal recovery story and transformative impact on organizations.
What is Ben O’Donnell known for?
Ben O’Donnell is known for his expertise in Lean Six Sigma and organizational efficiency, his survival and recovery as Minnesota’s first critical COVID-19 case, motivation through resilience, and his advocacy in healthcare and change management.
What is Ben O’Donnell’s background?
Ben O’Donnell holds advanced degrees in Organic Chemistry, Biology, and Chemistry, and has held leadership roles in major healthcare and manufacturing companies. His professional journey covers laboratory science, product development, process optimization, and executive coaching.
What topics does Ben O’Donnell speak on?
Ben O’Donnell keynote speaker presents on people-first leadership, continuous improvement, Lean Six Sigma, motivation and resilience, change management, work/life balance, strategy workshops, and executive coaching for decision-makers and teams.
Is Ben O’Donnell a good speaker?
Ben O’Donnell speaker Canada is widely regarded as an excellent speaker who combines technical knowledge, real-world leadership experience, and emotional storytelling to drive meaningful change and inspire diverse audiences.
Is Ben O’Donnell worth their value?
Organizations that book Ben O’Donnell keynote speaker consistently report significant return on investment, highlighting his actionable insights, the practical application of Lean Six Sigma, and long-term cultural transformation led by his sessions.
What organizations have booked Ben O’Donnell?
Ben O’Donnell has worked with and delivered programs for leading organizations including Bayer, Siemens, Danaher, Ecolab, Medtronic, and nonprofit bodies focused on community health and improvement.
Why do organizations book Ben O’Donnell?
Organizations book Ben O’Donnell keynote speaker to accelerate business transformation, cultivate resilient leadership, implement Lean Six Sigma frameworks, and inspire workers through evidence-driven improvement and personal storytelling.
What is Ben O’Donnell currently working on?
Ben O’Donnell continues to consult with businesses on continuous improvement, delivers keynote presentations across Canada and the US, develops leadership training programs, and raises funds for the Ironman Foundation IRONAID program.
Has Ben O’Donnell received awards or recognition?
Ben O’Donnell has received recognition for his Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt certification, awards for his impact in healthcare and continuous improvement, and media coverage as a survivor and advocate for COVID-19 awareness.
What is Ben O’Donnell’s background and expertise?
His expertise is grounded in advanced scientific education, business process optimization, executive coaching, and practical deployment of Lean Six Sigma in Fortune 500 settings, paired with firsthand experience in crisis recovery and change leadership.
What type of organizations book Ben O’Donnell?
Organizations across healthcare, manufacturing, R&D, government, non-profit, and educational sectors choose Ben O’Donnell keynote speaker to lead transformation workshops, keynote addresses, and strategy sessions.
What can attendees expect from Ben O’Donnell’s keynote presentation?
Attendees will gain a blend of practical organizational strategies, real-world case studies, interactive exercises, and personal insights on resilience, motivating teams to tackle business problems with renewed commitment and efficacy.
Who has interviewed Ben O’Donnell?
Ben O’Donnell has been interviewed by major news outlets and featured in expert panels and podcasts connected to COVID-19 recovery, leadership resilience, and business transformation.
How can I contact Ben O’Donnell or his agent?
To contact Ben O’Donnell keynote speaker, visit the Speakers Bureau of Canada contact page for availability and engagement inquiries.
How do I book Ben O’Donnell?
Ben O’Donnell is exclusively represented by the Speakers Bureau of Canada. To book, use the contact form for expert guidance on event planning or speaker selection.
Why book through Speakers Bureau of Canada?
Booking Ben O’Donnell keynote speaker through the Speakers Bureau of Canada ensures direct access, transparent booking processes, and expertise in matching presentation topics to your audience needs. Contact us today for a personalized booking experience.

Books and In Media

Ben O’Donnell speaker is widely referenced for his firsthand accounts of resilience and transformation, with features in both national news and healthcare journals. His success in overcoming critical illness, leading continuous improvement at industry giants, and testifying in front of Congress adds unique credibility to all his presentations. Ben O’Donnell has contributed to knowledge-sharing through interviews, panel discussions, and leadership training content focused on Lean Six Sigma mastery. His keynote appearances frequently highlight the intersection of operational excellence, personal health advocacy, and evidence-based leadership.

Booking Information

Ben O’Donnell keynote speaker is available for keynotes, workshops, organizational consulting, and executive coaching across Canada and internationally. To secure Ben O’Donnell speaker for your next event, conference, or strategic planning session, please visit the Speakers Bureau of Canada contact page or reach out directly through the booking form to discuss details and check availability.

All Ben O’Donnell speaker engagements are managed via the Speakers Bureau of Canada to ensure seamless planning and direct communication. Visit Speakers Bureau of Canada Contact Us for any inquiries or tailored recommendations related to your event needs.

For more information or questions about Ben O’Donnell keynote speaker topics, expertise, and approach—or to begin your booking process—contact us here and a bureau representative will respond promptly.