Shanna Adamic
Audacious Optimism: The mindful choice to live boldly and create endless possibilities.
Fortune 100 Exec | Former Chiefs Cheerleader | Brain Tumor Survivor| Author of Audacious Optimism. Learn to tap into the life-changing power of optimism.
Shanna Adamic shares her inspirational formula for practicing audacious optimism to lead with bold confidence, curiosity, and resilience in the face of adversity.
She inspires leaders, individuals and organizations to tap into the life-changing power of optimism by embracing the unknown, igniting “I will” power, and imagining what extraordinary possibilities lie ahead!
Fee: $10,000 + $1,500 travel and hotel
Key Speech Themes:
Inspirational
Motivational
Overcoming Adversity
Resilience
Perserverance
Personal Leadership
Shanna Adamic's story is one of the most layered on our entire roster. She has led corporate social impact and global philanthropy at Oracle through one of the largest mergers in healthcare IT history. She spent nearly a decade as a tenured NFL cheerleader for the Kansas City Chiefs. She is a regional Emmy winner. And she is a hearing-impaired woman executive who has operated at the highest levels of corporate America.
Then came the brain tumor — a diagnosis that came with a 4% chance of recovering facial function. Shanna calls what got her through it "audacious optimism," and her upcoming memoir of the same name captures exactly what that means in practice: not positivity as a performance, but as a deliberate, disciplined choice made every single day in the face of real uncertainty.
Her keynote is not about surviving. It's about what it looks like to lead with optimism as a professional strategy — and how that mindset compound-interests over time into something that changes outcomes.
Ideal for: women's conferences, healthcare events, corporate leadership offsites, resilience and wellness programs.
Meet Shanna
As a Fortune 100 corporate social impact and global philanthropy leader, Shanna Adamic has dedicated her career to leading impact and change. She recently led her team through the largest merger in healthcare/IT history with Oracle—a feat not for the faint of heart and was a defining moment in her leadership. But her leadership extends beyond corporate walls with her voice and relationships in the community. As a hearing-impaired woman executive, Shanna is an influential and inspiring leader who leads with optimism as her North Star!
Shanna's journey has also led her to be a regional Emmy winner and a former tenured NFL cheerleader for the Kansas City Chiefs for nearly a decade. Amidst these triumphs, her most remarkable story unfolds—as a life-threatening brain tumor survivor. Armed with the power of optimism, she defied the odds. Her upcoming memoir, “Audacious Optimism,” invites us all to embrace the unknown, ignite our "I will" power, and encourages us to imagine what could be possible!
Topics & Descriptions
Signature Motivational & Inspirational Keynote:
The Power of Audacious Optimism: The mindful choice to live boldly and create endless possibilities.
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In the face of uncertainty, adversity, and monumental change, Shanna Adamic stands as a beacon of audacious optimism.
As a seasoned speaker, she shares powerful insights to transform mindsets and ignite potential.
1. Embrace the Unknown: Shanna’s journey—from an ambitious youth to NFL sidelines to corporate boardrooms—taught her that the unknown is where opportunity happens. She invites you to step into uncertainty, to dance with curiosity, and to discover the untapped potential that lies beyond your comfort zone. Embrace the challenges as steppingstones toward your boldest self.
Audience takeaways:
Accepting and stepping into uncertainy
Finding the opporunities in the challenges
Understanding the difference between optimism and happiness
2. Ignite Your “I Will” Power: When faced with life’s toughest battles, Shanna’s unyielding belief became her secret weapon. She draws from her victorious fight against a life-threatening brain tumor—a battle that left her with a mere 4% chance of regaining her facial function. Learn practical tools to practice optimism daily, to replace fear with bold confidence, and to ignite your “I will” power. Let adversity fuel your resilience.Audience Takeaways:
Letting adversity fuel resilience
Replacing fear with confidence
Learning the power of two simple words “I WILL”
3. Imagine What Could Be Possible: Shanna’s audacious optimism isn’t just about survival—it’s about thriving. Close your eyes and envision a future beyond limits. Through curiosity and possibility thinking, you’ll rewrite your story. As you leave her keynote, you’ll be confident in your ability to thrive amidst life’s disruptions and courageous enough to believe in yourself and chase dreams that once seemed impossible.
Audience Takeaways:
Envisioning beyond limits – seeing yourself and that big dream
Celebrating big and celebrating failure
Thriving not just surviving – daily practices to shape an optimistic mind
Join Shanna Adamic on this transformative journey of audacious optimism!
Videos
Full Bio
Shanna Adamic embodies audacious optimism as a way of life. As an executive for Oracle, she has dedicated over two decades to leading corporate philanthropy, global nonprofit work, and community engagement at the intersection of healthcare and technology. Her optimism fuels her personal drive for a healthier, more equitable world—where intelligent and connected healthcare is a reality.
Shanna’s story transcends professional accomplishments; it’s a testament to the indomitable human spirit. Her journey took an unexpected turn when she faced a rare, benign, yet life threatening brain tumor diagnosis. Now partially deaf, but with an unyielding spirit, she emerged a survivor. As a result of this experience, Shanna’s health journey became a source of strength, refining her optimism and deepening her commitment to the change needed in healthcare.
Shanna possesses an extraordinary gift—the ability to unite hearts and minds under a shared vision. Whether addressing a packed auditorium or engaging in intimate conversations, her words resonate with individuals across many platforms. She is a seasoned speaker and inspiring storyteller, infusing her talks with contagious enthusiasm and unwavering belief in humanity’s potential.
Shanna is also a former NFL cheerleader for the Kansas City Chiefs and was a proud athlete for the organization for eight seasons. Now, as a speaker and published author, she channels her energy into storytelling to ignite hope and spark change.
In a world often clouded by doubt and cynicism, Shanna Adamic stands tall—as an inspiring example of audacious optimism. Her story reminds us that adversity can be a catalyst for transformation, and that even the darkest moments carry within an ember of hope. As Shanna shares her very personal walk through life.
Cheerleading, and her health journey, she invites us all to practice audacious optimism—believe that it is a choice, trust your inner voice, embrace the unknown and let it ignite your determination to loudly proclaim “I will!”
Rave Reviews
“I cannot stop thinking about your talk. When it was over, I did a guttural exhale. I mean, I am usually just looking at the clock to see if we are on time, and not this ‘in it’. You blew me away and our audience is all over LinkedIn today talking about you.
Thank you for being so vulnerable and open and giving of your story and your time. I am so grateful you said yes because you helped make the event so powerful. I love that we ended with you!” - Event Director, Kansas City Business Journal
“We’ve all heard the quote ‘to know her is to love her’ and this holds true for Shanna, but the better phrase to describe her is ‘to know her is to be inspired by her.’
Shanna was the keynote speaker for LBMC’s women’s retreat this year & her talk on audacious optimism had the audience captivated. She allowed the women to recognize pain and hardship in their lives while reminding us all that optimism is a choice and a daily practice. Having the space to feel these emotions and connecting with our identity and asking ourselves ‘Who are you? Who do you want to be?’ is not something women often get the time to do in our busy lives. Shanna inspired me to ask myself ‘What do I want the world around me to look like?’ and this is something I have taken to work and home with me. Shanna reminded me that my mindset is in my own hands & I am thankful for her giving me that power back. - Senior Accountant, Audit & Advisory, LBMC, PC
“Shanna Adamic delivered a dynamic and impactful presentation at our Secretaries' Conference. Her story was deeply personal and resonated powerfully with the attendees. She brought authenticity, relatability, and inspiration to the stage, creating a connection that left a lasting impression. Shanna’s genuine and heartfelt approach was exactly what the audience needed, and her message was both uplifting and motivating. We truly appreciate her contribution to making the event a memorable success!” - Demica Sanders, Dir. of Prof Learning, Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools
“Shanna did a great job. Comments that I have heard have all been wonderful.” - Event Director, Louisville Business First
“The feedback was very good for Shanna! Most people rated her at Extremely valuable or valuable. Comments made by people about Shanna:
Shanna was the best part of the seminar
Shanna was amazing
Shanna was an incredible speaker and very inspiring
Loved Shanna’s message
I really enjoyed the perspective and energy of the keynote speaker
The keynote was one of the best I've seen. She was both inspiring and relatable and her overall message was fantastic
We enjoyed working with both you (Kelly - Upside Speakers) and Shanna – you were very easy to work with and flexible which was much appreciated!” - Kathy Lang, Executive Assistant, Lockton Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Shanna Adamic
Q: What does Shanna Adamic speak about?
A: Shanna Adamic speaks on audacious optimism — the disciplined, daily choice to lead with possibility rather than fear, even in the face of real adversity. A Fortune 100 executive at Oracle, brain tumor survivor, regional Emmy winner, and former Kansas City Chiefs NFL cheerleader, Shanna delivers a keynote that gives audiences a practical framework for using optimism as a leadership strategy rather than a personality trait.
Q: What is Shanna Adamic's speaking fee?
A: Shanna Adamic's fee is $10,000 for in-person U.S. events, plus travel and accommodations. Contact Upside Speakers for current availability and exact pricing.
Q: What types of events is Shanna Adamic best suited for?
A: Shanna Adamic is an ideal fit for women's conferences, healthcare industry events, corporate leadership offsites, and resilience and wellness programs. Her story reaches audiences who have heard a lot of motivational speakers and thought they had heard it all.
Q: How do I book Shanna Adamic for my event?
A: Shanna Adamic is exclusively managed by Upside Speakers. Contact us through the form at upsidespeakers.com/book-a-keynote-speaker with your event details and we will confirm availability.