Stephanie Decker: Inspirational Speaker
Stephanie Decker inspires audiences with her extraordinary story of resilience, turning a life-altering tornado tragedy into powerful lessons on courage, adaptability, leadership, and overcoming adversity.
Quick Facts:
- Highlights:
- Survivor of the 2012 Henryville tornado; double amputee and national inspiration
- Founder, Stephanie Decker Foundation (supporting children with prosthetics)
- Featured on ABC, NBC, CNN, Ellen, Today Show, People Magazine
- L’Oréal “Women of Worth” honoree
- Formats: Keynote Speaker
- Audiences: Organizations, corporations, educators, healthcare teams, and groups seeking authentic expertise on resilience, adaptive leadership, and overcoming adversity.
- Outcomes:
- Powerful mindset tools for overcoming adversity and change
- Real-world resilience strategies grounded in lived experience
- Emotional connection that inspires action, courage, and renewed purpose
- Travels from: Sellersburg, IN
- **Fee range: $10,001 - $20,000
Talent Services
Keynote Topics:
Courage in the Storm
Since the tornado that took both of her legs, Stephanie Decker had to rethink and rebuild her life as she knew it. Using her own story, Stephanie helps an audience find their inner hero as well as recognize the everyday heroes all around us. She provides the inspirational message to help attendees develop a “can do” attitude to face their own challenges.
Key Takeaways:
- Become inspired to overcome any obstacle and adversity.
- Find your inner hero as well as the strength to overcome challenges.
- Learn the importance of developing a “can do” attitude when facing challenges.
Talent Short Bio
Stephanie Decker is a nationally recognized expert on resilience, courage, and navigating adversity. In 2012, her life changed when a catastrophic tornado struck Henryville, Indiana. Shielding her two young children from the collapsing home, Stephanie sustained life-threatening injuries that led to the amputation of both legs—yet her children emerged unharmed. Her heroic actions and unbreakable spirit captured the nation’s attention and transformed her into a powerful voice for overcoming hardship.
Featured on The Today Show, Ellen, ABC World News Tonight (as “Person of the Week”), USA Today, People Magazine, and more, Stephanie has become one of the most trusted and compelling keynote speakers on resilience. She has been honored as a L’Oréal Woman of Worth and recognized by Successful Meetings as a Most Reliable Keynote Speaker.
As founder of the Stephanie Decker Foundation, she advocates for children with prosthetics, blending personal experience with purposeful action. Her insights extend far beyond survival—Stephanie teaches individuals and organizations how to lead through change, build mental strength, and harness adversity as fuel for growth.
Read Full Bio
Stephanie Decker is a true expert in resilience, courage, and overcoming adversity. In 2012, she faced a life-altering event when a devastating tornado struck her hometown in Indiana. While protecting her two children, she sustained severe injuries that resulted in the amputation of both her legs. Despite the unimaginable loss, Stephanie demonstrated remarkable strength and courage, transforming this personal tragedy into a powerful message of resilience.
In March of 2012, a tornado ripped through the town of Henryville, Indiana. Stephanie Decker, a 37-year-old mother, found herself in a life-altering moment. As her house began to disintegrate around her, she shielded her two young children with her body.
Her dream home fell in, crushing her legs, but because of her heroic actions, Stephanie’s children were amazingly unscathed. It was a miracle that she even survived and made it to the hospital. At that point, doctors determined that parts of both legs would need to be amputated.
Since the accident, Stephanie Decker has been featured on: The Today Show, The Ellen Degeneres Show, ABC World News Tonight as “Person of the Week,” USA Today, USA Weekend, and People Magazine. She was featured in Successful Meetings‘ list of Most Reliable Keynote Speakers who surpass expectations. She was also named as one of L’Oreal’s 2014 Women of Worth Honorees and nominated for the 2015 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award for her foundation work.
Her story of heroism and resilience has earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of “CNN’s Heroes” and a recipient of multiple humanitarian awards. These honors reflect her prominence as an authority in the field of motivational speaking. Stephanie Decker’s voice has been sought after by Fortune 500 companies, healthcare organizations, and educational institutions, who look to her for inspiration on how to overcome challenges and lead with courage.
Furthermore, her foundation’s work underscores her authority in advocating for individuals with disabilities, making her a respected figure in the speaking world. Her lived experiences and leadership make her one of the top motivational speakers for those seeking authentic and transformative keynotes.
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Videos
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Overview of User Reviews for Stephanie's Speaking Engagements
Strengths:
- Captivating Speaker: Reviewers consistently praise Stephanie for her ability to engage and inspire her audience.
- Positive Impact: Attendees appreciate her dedication to using her experiences to benefit others, highlighting valuable lessons learned from her talks.
- High Satisfaction: Many participants noted that her presentations contributed to making events memorable, with one mentioning it as the best conference they had ever attended.
Weaknesses:
- No specific weaknesses were mentioned in the reviews provided.
Overall, Stephanie is highly regarded for her captivating presentations and the positive impact she has on her audience, making her a sought-after speaker for events.
Talent FAQ's
Do speakers charge a flat fee or by the hour?
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
What is the typical duration of a keynote speech and what is included?
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
Does the scale of the event and audience size affect a speaker’s fee?
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses and other costs
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
Deposits and securing a booking
Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.
Additional tips and takeaways
- Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees, often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates.
- There is typically no difference in fee for a 15-minute speech versus a 60-minute speech.
- Some motivational speakers are open to discounting their fee if hired for more than one event by the same organization.
- When browsing speakers, consider their location to keep travel costs down.
- Personal connections to your organization or event location can increase your chances of securing a renowned speaker.
- Be upfront about your needs and expectations to ensure a successful partnership.
- Speaker bureaus like Speakers Inc help guide you through the booking process to negotiate the best deal with favorable terms.
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