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Loree “Rowdy” Draude is an inspiring speaker whose unique background as a U.S. Navy combat aviator and leader in Silicon Valley tech companies gives her the authority and expertise to help others reach new heights in their personal and professional lives. Known for her warmth, humour, and captivating storytelling, she uses her experiences to guide audiences towards resilience, leadership, and joy. Her keynotes and workshops focus on overcoming fear, building high performance, and leading with purpose.
Early in her career, Loree made her mark as one of the first women to break barriers within the U.S. Navy, flying F/A-18 Hornets and S-3B Vikings in combat, and later becoming the first female airwing-qualified landing signal officer during her second deployment. With ten years of naval service, Loree became a pioneer for women in aviation, proving herself in high-stakes environments where precision and leadership are critical. Her time in the Navy shaped her understanding of leadership under pressure and honed her ability to inspire others to perform at their best, regardless of the obstacles in their way.
In recent years, Loree has shifted her focus to leadership and personal development, drawing on her experiences in the tech industry, where she held senior positions at Google and Meta. She also founded her own startup, gaining valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. Loree’s passion for helping others thrive led her to become a certified executive coach and a bestselling author of ‘Soar Into Joy: A Combat Pilot’s Wisdom on Falling in Love with Your Life’ and ‘She’s Just Another Navy Pilot: An Aviator’s Sea Journal’. Her work has been recognised in global media outlets such as CNN, BBC4, and Fox News.
As a speaker, Loree is hired for her ability to inspire individuals and teams to overcome fear, embrace failure, and achieve high performance. Drawing from her experience as a combat pilot and technology leader, she teaches audiences how to apply the principles of SOAR—Self-Awareness, Openness, Appreciation, and Responsibility—into their everyday lives. Through her dynamic storytelling and actionable insights, Loree helps leaders find purpose, drive, and joy, both in their careers and personal lives.
Loree Draude is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:
“Loree is an exceptional professional. Bright, team-oriented, diligent and a joy to work with. I recommend Loree unreservedly and would welcome the opportunity to work with her again.”
“Ms. Draude was the featured speaker for NPower‘s graduation at Splunk in San Jose, CA. Her thoughtful tales and sage advice amplified the warmth of the occasion leaving us uplifted and inspired. Couldn’t recommend Loree enough for engagements where deep, direct discourse is in high demand.”
“[Loree’s talk] was a breath of fresh air and a new perspective on leadership!”
“Loree was our keynote speaker at Lithium’s annual LiNC conference, with an audience of approximately one thousand attendees. Her enthusiasm and expertise in online communities captivated our audience and motivated them with the lessons she shared. If you’re looking for a speaker with humor, warmth, and compelling stories who can inspire an audience, hire Loree!”
“Healthcare workers are feeling the strain of the pandemic and staffing shortages. Loree’s presentation gave us tools to help manage and improve our mental well-being.”
The High-Performance Speakers Agency is the UK’s leading bureau for teamwork, leadership, and marginal gains speakers. We hire speakers for corporate conferences and events across the world and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars. Our roster includes sportspeople, business leaders, adventurers and more, to ensure audiences of all industries receive tailored, impactful advice on optimised performance.
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