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  3. Wes ODonnell
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Wes ODonnell

MBA
Speaker, Veteran, Author, Corporate Trainer
Founder- Warrior Lodge Media
Country or state 
United States (Michigan)
Available to 
North America
City 
Grand Rapids
Fee 
Languages 
Russian,
English
Volunteer
Yes

Personal Details

Bio

Ready to Hire Veterans? I'm America's #1 veteran hiring expert. I work with HR, recruiters, and senior leaders to set up bulletproof recruiting and onboarding programs for veterans. I am the founder of Veteran Analytical, a corporate training firm that's been building high-performing teams since 2015.

With a tight job market, companies are increasingly interested in motivating employees and attracting the best talent. Forward-thinking companies see the value that transitioning service members bring to their bottom line and want the best tools to recruit, onboard, and retain veteran talent. I can give you those tools.

In addition, I am a serial entrepreneur, author, speaker, filmmaker, a military veteran of both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force, and a 2L law student at Western Michigan University Cooley School of Law.

I am the author of "Own the Crowd" at bookstores nationwide! In addition, I am a highly sought-after presenter who has recently spoken at TEDx on Data Visualization and at the US Air Force Academy on Leadership, as well as dozens of corporate clients like United Health Group and Quicken Loans. I am noted for my fascinating, informative, dynamic and entertaining keynotes.

Finding speakers for your event is often a brutal and thankless task. How do you know when you have found the right presenter? Many times, looking for the right speaker is a tug-of-war between your budget and the notoriety or expertise of the speaker. I understand these challenges and strive to be the pinnacle of professionalism by being on time, knowledgeable and well-dressed. A professional speaker can add tremendous credibility to your event and sometimes fill gaps in the expertise of your in-house talent. I want to be your professional speaker.

Reach out through SpeakerHub messaging or email me directly at [email protected]

Current position (1)

Speaker, Veteran, Author, Corporate Trainer

Founder- Warrior Lodge Media

Achievements (1)
TED Speaker

Data Visualization can save the world

Degrees (2)
MBA
American Military University
2010 to 2009
Law
Cooley School of Law - Western Michigan University
2020

Presentations

Presentations (5)
Hiring Veterans: The Best-Kept Secret in Business

Veterans are some of the best employees you can snag, but their retention rate is low. Why are veterans so great and how can your company find, recruit and retain them?

With a tight job market, companies are increasingly interested in motivating employees and attracting the best talent. Forward-thinking companies see the value that separating servicemembers bring to their bottom line and want the best tools to recruit, onboard, and retain veteran talent. I can give you those tools.

Format: ​45-60 minute keynote

This program is perfect for:

​Organizations and companies looking to hire veterans
Political organizations that want to explore the role of veterans in politics
Government organizations

Veteran Cultural Competency

How to engage and win with your Post 9/11 veteran coworkers. Dispelling myths and misconceptions about veterans, like "all veterans served in combat." How to effectively recruit, onboard, and retain veterans and get the most out of this amazing human resource. Everybody is military-friendly... Is your company "military ready."

Format: ​45-60 minute keynote

What Do Veterans Bring to the Table?

In this riveting talk, speaker Wes O'Donnell takes the audience through the historic role of veterans in our society. The result? A net positive for everyone. Veterans bring a unique presence to any environment, be it corporate, college or entrepreneurship.

Format: ​45-60 minute keynote

Information is Beautiful - How Data Visualization Can Save the World

Every day, our attention is being fought for. We're drowning in data from work, from home, friends, and family, social media, and leisure; even our cars talk to us now! But because of the way our brains absorb visual information, making information "beautiful" may be the key to living healthier and wealthier and just maybe, save the world.

Format: ​30-45 minute keynote

This program is perfect for:
​Senior management
Organizations that want to explore the role of data visualization in their business

The audience will leave with:
​A solid understanding of how data visualization is a form of "knowledge compression" and immediately grasp its importance in both business settings and social roles.

This program is a high-level view from 30,000 feet of data visualization and avoids heavy technical, granular details in favor of concepts that are easily digestible.

DIY Success Motivational Speech

How cutting my own hair gave me the confidence to start a world-class business!

Success doesn't require you to look out the window, just that you look in the mirror. With the world's accumulated knowledge at your fingertips, what's stopping you from learning a new skill? It's extremely likely that you're amazing at a particular task or skill, but you don't know it because you have never tried it. Try EVERYTHING! Find new passions and you're much more likely to live a fulfilling life and increase your chances of financial independence.

In this program, Wes takes audiences on a personal journey from the depths of depression, homelessness, and addiction to success beyond imagination.

Format: ​45-60 minute keynote

This program is perfect for:
​Every human that feels that they are meant for something greater

Past talks (14)
Data Visualization Can Save the World
TEDx
Muskegon, MI
November 18, 2015
Lightning in a Bottle
Military Influencer Conference 2017
Dallas, TX
October 20, 2017
Veteran Suicide
Kevin's Song
Detroit, MI
November 7, 2017
Motivation
LandOpt Speech
Nashville, TN
January 9, 2018
Motivation
Disabled Veteran Business Alliance Speech
Las Vegas
May 1, 2017
Data Visualization
Cultura Technologies Speech
San Diego
August 25, 2017
The Veteran Uprising
Monster Inc Speech
Multiple Locations in Tour
June 17, 2016
Motivation
US Air Force Academy Speech
Colorado Springs
March 18, 2016
Hiring Veterans: The Best-Kept Secret in Business
Yello.co Conference
Chicago
April 27, 2018
Motivation
National Fireworks Association Expo
Grand Rapids
March 17, 2016
Uncommon Charisma
APUS Community Event
Virginia Beach
October 25, 2018
Hiring Veterans
United Health Group
Minneapolis
January 26, 2018
Veterans are all the Greatest Generation
American Legion Veterans Day Event 2020
North Muskegon
November 11, 2020
Dealing With Kids on Drugs
South Carolina PTA
Online - Remote
April 15, 2021
  • All (25)
  • Videos (2)
  • Photos (12)
  • Slides (1)
  • One sheet (1)
  • Press information (9)
Veterans' Composure Under Pressure
"Information is Beautiful: How Data Visualization Will Save the World" Wes O'Donnell
Wes speaking at TE Connectivity 2022
Wes speaking at TE Connectivity 2022
Wes speaking at the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association 2020
Wes speaking at the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association 2020
Wes' book on public speaking
Wes' book on public speaking
Wes speaking at the Yello Conference
Wes speaking at the Yello Conference
Wes interviewed by American Military University
Wes interviewed by American Military University
Wes at the USS Silversides Submarine Museum
Wes at the USS Silversides Submarine Museum
Wes speaking at TE Connectivity 2022
Wes speaking at TE Connectivity 2022
Wes speaking at TE Connectivity 2022
Wes speaking at TE Connectivity 2022
Wes speaking at TE Connectivity 2022
Wes speaking at TE Connectivity 2022
Wes speaking at TE Connectivity 2022
Wes speaking at TE Connectivity 2022
Wes O'Donnell 2022 Veteran Kit
Wes O'Donnell one-sheet
How I Started A $21K/Month Military And Veterans Media Company And Ecommerce - Starter Story
Ep 42 Wes O'Donnell - Veteran on the Move
Growing An Online Furniture Shop To $13k/mo Post-Military - Starter Story
Vet Pivot Episode 5
TGPP EPISODE 13 Wes O'Donnell, Army Infantry, Air Force Surveillance Radar Journeyman by The Garrison Project Podcast
Wes O'Donnell - IMDb
USS Silversides Submarine Museum: Living history in Muskegon
Meet the Military Veteran Filmmaker Who Wants to Change the Way Hollywood Makes Movies
All Marine Radio - Interview with Wes O'Donnell

Books & Articles (21)

Own the Crowd - A guide to give the best speech of your life
Warrior Press,
2020
A Cowboy Without a Coat: How a Texas Exile Learned to Love Michigan Paperback – March 27, 2018
Best Michigan Press,
2018
RISE: The Veteran's Field Manual For Starting Your Own Business & Conquering The Online Economy
Warrior Lodge Press,
2014
Cultivate This Ancient Philosophy to Succeed in Entrepreneurship
Hiring Veterans: The Best-Kept Secret in Business
Vietnam-Era River Patrol Boat Roars Back to Life on Lake Michigan
Google Releases New Search Function Designed to Help Veterans Find Jobs Matching Their Skills
Ukrainian Soldiers Tell of Fighting in Europe’s Forgotten War
New VA Report Provides Clear Line of Sight into Veteran Suicide Rates
D-Day: The Military Stories of Four Brave Celebrities
Beyond UFOs: What Are Navy Pilots Seeing in the Skies?
D-Day 75th Anniversary: Eisenhower’s “In Case of Failure” memo
Military Spouse Unemployment Needs More Creative Solutions
Are We Losing the War Against First Responder Suicides?
5 Tech Tips for Avoiding Avengers Endgame Spoilers
Stem Cell Therapy Shows Promise for Veterans with TBI
Veteran and Author Discusses Finding Your Unique Gifts
All Secure Foundation: Returning Warriors to Civilian Life
Nukes for Neighbors: The world is about to get much more dangerous
Strange But True: The US Military Once Wanted to Blow Up the Moon
Veteran’s Review: First Man

Expertise (26)

Leadership
Media & Marketing
Business
PR & Communications
Travel & Adventure
Hiring Veterans Veterans Military Agile Leadership HR Drug Addiction Addiction suicide 21st Century Leadership Administrative Leadership Military Veterans Leading All Generations Hiring Charisma and Personal power charismatic speaker Authentic Confidence diversity recruiting Recruiting a Diverse Workforce Motivational speaker Culture Optimising your company culture

Clients

Quicken Loans
AMEX
National Fireworks Association
American Military University
Baker College
Cultura
Disabled Veterans Business Alliance
Monster Worldwide
Kevin's Song
Land Opt
Rotary International
TEDx
United Health Group
Military Influencer Conference
Yello.co
US Air Force Academy
USS Silversides Submarine Museum
Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association
American Legion
South Carolina PTA
Slippery Rock University
TE Connectivity

Reviews

Testimonials (5)
  • TE Connectivity was fortunate to have Wes speak at our Pennsylvania location on Veterans Day 2022. His presentation was broadcast globally for all of our employees - with a heavy compliment of HR people attending in person. He was engaging, informative and opened our eyes to the challenges of hiring and retaining Veterans. Thank you, Wes!
    DANNA SHINGARA
    Verified
  • "I attended a speaking engagement presented by Wes O’Donnell at the USS Silversides (Muskegon) in 2016. I was motivated and impressed by Wes’s encouragement to veterans and millennial’s about leadership and the importance of pushing oneself towards excellence in all areas of life, personally and professionally. Wes is a gifted speaker and I left motivated and inspired by his story and presentation!
    Nicole Zaagman
  • “I saw Wes speak at TEDx 2015. His presentation on Data Visualization was engaging and innovative; graphics representing the kind of data that can be visualized were amazing (the crowd went “oooh and ahhh”) but it was his humor that won the crowd over. I left the event wanting to learn more about data visualization and how I can apply it to my job.” -Sarah Bujak
    Sarah Bujak
  • “All of the TED Talks were inspirational, but Wes O’Donnell’s “Information is Beautiful” was the most applicable for my life. As a high school student about to enter college, it is important to have the aptitude to utilize data visualization.”
    Gavin Poulin
  • “Watched Professor Wes O’Donnell talk about Data Visualization at TEDx. How do I take your class?! I want to save the world with data, too!”
    Elizabeth Council
Recommendations
Why choose me? 

America's #1 military veteran hiring speaker! Founder of Veteran Analytical and Warrior Lodge

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