Jenn Donahue, PhD. is a retired US Navy Captain and former Commodore for an 1,800 personnel Regiment. She is also a civil engineer who works on large-scale, high-profile geotechnical projects. Over her 27-year military career, Jenn has built a bridge across the Euphrates River, in the midst of the Iraq war, commanded an 800-personnel Battalion in Afghanistan, and constructed combat outposts in the middle of deserts filled with insurgents.
Jenn has led earthquake and tsunami reconnaissance missions in places like Samoa and Japan; designed the seismic plans for a bridge over the Panama Canal, and built roads by blasting and drilling in the coldest climes of Ketchikan. Astonishingly, Jenn has even served as the seismology expert at no fewer than five nuclear power plants. Along the way, she mentored scores of young leaders. Jenn founded JL Donahue Engineering, Inc. and Dare to Rise. She also lectures at UC Berkeley and UCLA.
As a speaker, Jenn focuses on leadership, overcoming imposter syndrome, and inspiring audiences to achieve greatness. Jenn covers various leadership topics informed by her experiences commanding battalions, including trust-based leadership, self-awareness, and team-building. She takes pride in her ability to adjust her message to fit the needs and goals of any audience, passionately helping them overcome the obstacles that prevent them from achieving their grandest dreams and most ambitious goals.
“Practical & actionable. Jenn's experience provides a unique perspective on managing hyper-growth teams.”
“Practical & actionable. Jenn's experience provides a unique perspective on managing hyper-growth teams.”