Shanna Adamic
The Power of Audacious Optimism
As the Executive Director of the Oracle Health Foundation and Director of Social Impact, Shanna Adamic has led a mission to remove financial barriers to healthcare for children worldwide. With over two decades of experience in advancing corporate philanthropy and social impact, Shanna recently led her team through the largest merger in healthcare/IT history with Oracle. Notably, she achieved a groundbreaking feat by becoming the first 501©(3) organization to be taken on and supported during a merger of this magnitude.
A trailblazing female executive in a Fortune 100 company, Shanna’s leadership extends beyond boardrooms. She is also a healthcare host for OracleTV, where she shares healthcare industry insights through expert interviews.
But Shanna’s journey isn’t just about corporate triumphs. She’s a regional Emmy winner and a former tenured NFL cheerleader for the Kansas City Chiefs. On the sidelines of GEHA Arrowhead Stadium, she captained the Chiefs cheerleading team for nearly a decade. Her passion extended even further as she co-led the Chiefs military touring team, taking her from Egypt to Guantanamo Bay.
Yet, Shanna’s most remarkable story lies in her personal health journey. As a hearing-impaired survivor of a rare and life-threatening brain tumor, she defied the odds—facing a mere 4% chance of regaining her right-side facial function. Her life strategy of audacious optimism has been her personal North Star and empowered her to envision beyond the impossible.
Soon, Shanna will share her inspiring journey in her upcoming memoir, “Audacious Optimism.” Through her experiences, she encourages others to embrace the unknown, ignite their willpower, and defy limits. Shanna Adamic is more than a speaker; she’s a beacon of resilience, hope, and audacity.
EXPERT ON
Resilience
Motivation
Inspirational
Adversity
PROGRAM INFORMATION
It’s all about OPTIMISM.
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 uncertainty
Finding the opportunities in the challenges
Understanding the difference between optimism and happiness
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”
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