Available to book

Ted Lasso inspiration & leadership expert

Donnie Campbell

Effective Leadership

Servant Leadership

Purpose

Transform team culture with Donnie Campbell, speaker and leadership expert. Donnie works with organizations to develop resilient teams and positive leadership strategies, delivering insights as the real-life inspiration behind Ted Lasso.

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Trusted by AAIM Employers Association, Panduit, University of Kansas Medical Center, Symplicity Communications, A Place For Mom

Donnie Campbell

St. Louis, United States

Starting from

$6k–10k

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Book Donnie

St. Louis, United States

Starting from

$6k–10k

Send an email

loading@getapeptalk.com

Give us a call

+44 203 835 2929

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Instant quote

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No upfront fee

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Vetted speaker

Donnie Campbell's biography

Sports Leadership

Educator

STEM

Professional Development

Mentor

Thought Leader

Basketball

Inspirational

Personal Development

International Mens Day

Motivational

At a glance

Inspiration behind the TV character Ted Lasso
Championship-winning basketball coach
Advocate for compassionate leadership and values

Donnie Campbell is a veteran coach and educator whose leadership philosophy has shaped the lives of countless student athletes. Best known as the real-life inspiration behind the character of Ted Lasso, he brings decades of experience in coaching and mentorship to audiences seeking lessons in leadership, teamwork, and resilience. Donnie’s coaching career spans over three decades, during which he has guided young athletes to success both on and off the court. As a high school basketball coach and math teacher in Kansas, he instilled a sense of accountability, respect, and perseverance in his players, many of whom went on to achieve excellence in their fields. His ability to develop talent and foster a strong team culture has led to championship victories and a lasting impact on his students. His influence extended beyond the gymnasium when Jason Sudeikis, one of his former players, credited Donnie as a key inspiration for the beloved character Ted Lasso. This unexpected recognition brought his coaching philosophy into the spotlight, resonating with audiences who value leadership driven by integrity and optimism. Though Donnie remains dedicated to his work in education, he now shares his insights with wider audiences, offering practical strategies for building strong, values-based teams. Drawing on his experiences as both a coach and mentor, Donnie delivers engaging talks on the power of positive leadership. He emphasises the importance of mission, values, and principles in creating winning teams, whether in sports, business, or everyday life. His approach blends wisdom with humour, providing actionable takeaways for fostering growth, motivation, and a culture of mutual respect.

Donnie's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

What’s Your MVP? Leadership Lessons from the Coach who Inspired Ted Lasso

Coach Donnie Campbell, the inspiration behind Ted Lasso, shares invaluable leadership lessons from his extensive experience mentoring championship teams. In his engaging keynote, he reveals techniques for building confidence, defining missions, and motivating individuals. Attendees will learn to establish their own MVP, recognise diverse team contributions, support future leaders, and foster a culture of respect and accountability. Donnie’s insights promise to inspire and equip participants with practical strategies for effective leadership in any field.

Why we recommend booking Donnie

Book Coach Donnie Campbell for your event to inspire your team with proven leadership principles. His engaging storytelling and insights, drawn from decades of coaching, will help your audience discover their core values and foster a positive culture, driving both individual and team success.

Check Donnie's availability

Trusted by AAIM Employers Association, Panduit, University of Kansas Medical Center, Symplicity Communications, A Place For Mom

Testimonials

Donnie Campbell was one of the most inspirational keynote speakers I've seen in 30+ years of event planning. On stage, he effortlessly commanded the room of 540 business leaders as he redefined the concept of LEADER and TEAM for all of us! Off stage, he was kind and gracious and was the consummate professional to work with.

Tim Sater

Vice President, Marketing, AAIM Employers Association

Donnie's presentation was wonderful—and the praise from attendees has been filling my inbox all afternoon!

University of Kansas Medical Center

Donnie was FANTASTIC! What a genuine, authentic person. We all really enjoyed meeting him. In addition, Donnie did a great job on stage. We received all positive feedback from the attendees. It was truly MY the highlight of the event.

Kelly McLeod

Manager, Panduit

15,000+ experts

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What topics does Donnie Campbell specialise in?

Donnie Campbell specialises in discussing coaching, leadership philosophy, team culture and more.

What is Donnie Campbell's speaking style like?

Donnie delivers engaging, insightful talks that blend wisdom and humour. He emphasises positive leadership, values, and teamwork, offering practical strategies to inspire growth, motivation, and a culture of respect.

How can I book Donnie Campbell for my next event?

Email donnie.campbell@getapeptalk.com or call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience. As speaker agents, PepTalk can secure Donnie Campbell for commercial and corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity brand endorsements & partnerships, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Donnie Campbell's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. Please note, for media interviews, autographs, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Donnie Campbell directly.

Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?

Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. We work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

Can I request autographs, personal greetings, signed merchandise, or fan mail from the speakers?

Sorry, we do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, or any non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.

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How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Help, I need a last-minute speaker for my event!

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