Erin Kennedy is one of Great Britain’s most accomplished coxswains, having led her crew to multiple Paralympic, World, and European titles. She made history as the first and only coxswain to simultaneously hold all major international rowing titles, cementing her reputation as a leader in the sport. Her achievements on the water were recognised with an MBE in 2022, followed by an OBE in 2024 for services to rowing and breast cancer awareness.
Erin began rowing at Oxford University, where she steered the Blue Boat to victory in the 2014 Boat Race. She went on to compete internationally in both the Olympic and Paralympic pathways, finding her greatest success with the GB Paralympic four. A consistent presence on the podium, she secured gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and has remained unbeaten in international competition since 2018.
In May 2022, Erin was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29. Determined to continue competing, she won gold at the 2022 European Championships while undergoing chemotherapy. She returned to full-time training in 2023 and successfully defended her Paralympic title in Paris 2024. Her resilience and determination have made her a leading voice in breast cancer awareness, using her platform to support and inspire others facing similar challenges.
Beyond her sporting career, Erin is an experienced speaker and advocate for leadership, teamwork, and resilience. She shares insights from elite sport, drawing on her role as a coxswain to illustrate the importance of communication, strategic thinking, and high-performance culture. She has delivered talks and workshops to various audiences, from corporate leaders to aspiring athletes and students, offering practical lessons on achieving success in any field.
Accomplished across multiple disciplines, Erin continues to train for future competitions while supporting initiatives in education, sport, and cancer. Contact the PepTalk team today for fee information and a speaker availability check.
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