Availability dot

Available to book

Maritime leader & resilience expert

Sandy Yawn

Transform leadership and team dynamics with Captain Sandy Yawn, speaker and maritime leadership expert. Sandy works with organizations to develop resilience and overcome barriers, delivering powerful insights from her bestselling book and three decades of yachting industry experience.
Sandy Yawn, Speaker | Superyacht Captain, TV Star
Sandy Yawn

Sandy Yawn

Denver, United States

Typical fee range

$26k–50k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

Get Sandy's availability

Availability dot
Instant quote
No upfront fee
Vetted speaker

Book Sandy

Denver, United States

Starting from

$26k–50k

Send an email

loading@getapeptalk.com

Give us a call

+44 203 835 2929

Enquire Sandy Now

Availability dot for speakers
Instant quote
No upfront fee
Vetted speaker

Sandy Yawn's biography

At a glance

  • Renowned Yacht Captain with over 30 years of experience
  • Author of Be the Storm or Be the Calm on leadership
  • Inspirational Speaker on overcoming obstacles and leadership
Captain Sandy Yawn is a highly experienced and accomplished yacht captain renowned for her captivating stories and exceptional leadership style. Throughout her career, she has encountered various challenges, including encounters with pirates and collaborating with influential individuals, all of which have contributed to shaping her distinctive approach to leadership. Her best-selling book, Be the Storm or Be the Calm, provides engaging and insightful guidance on becoming a better leader in both personal and professional life. With over three decades of experience in the yachting industry, Captain Sandy is widely respected within her field. She is available for bookings as a celebrity speaker for private events, public speaking engagements, and virtual appearances worldwide. Despite operating in a male-dominated industry, Captain Sandy's bravery and resilience shine through, making her an ideal keynote speaker for events related to boating, perseverance, women in leadership, travel, and ocean life. Audiences describe her public speaking style as courageous and inspiring, as she imparts valuable advice on breaking barriers and never succumbing to defeat. Captain Sandy's speech topics encompass a range of leadership lessons, overcoming obstacles, and the significance of teamwork. Her extensive experience in the maritime industry has instilled in her timeless leadership principles, such as inspiring and empowering one's team. Despite the challenges she has faced, Captain Sandy approaches her work with unwavering determination, encapsulated by her mantra, "Wake up, Show up, Kick Ass, Repeat!" Her journey of triumphing over addiction and cancer to achieve success in a male-dominated field serves as both an inspiring and entertaining narrative. Captain Sandy delves into the unique leadership and teamwork challenges she encounters in her role, where her crew changes weekly. She shares valuable lessons from her extensive yachting experience, from the inception of a voyage to its final destination. Captain Sandy's works, including her book Be the Calm or Be the Storm, provide invaluable insights into leadership from a woman at the helm.

Topics, sessions and talks

Be The Calm Or Be The Storm
Leadership, diversity, overcoming obstacles: hear top leadership lessons from Captain Sandy of Bravo’s Below Deck.
Port Of Call: Teamwork Lessons From The High Seas
Leadership, diversity, overcoming obstacles: hear top leadership lessons from Captain Sandy of Bravo’s Below Deck.
Navigating Troubled Waters In Changing Times
Leadership, diversity, overcoming obstacles: hear top leadership lessons from Captain Sandy of Bravo’s Below Deck.
Charting Your Own Course
Leadership, diversity, overcoming obstacles: hear top leadership lessons from Captain Sandy of Bravo’s Below Deck.

Why we recommend booking Sandy

Sandy brings over three decades of unparalleled maritime leadership experience, offering your team unique insights into overcoming adversity and fostering resilience. Her captivating stories and proven leadership strategies will inspire and empower your team to break barriers and excel in challenging environments. Booking Sandy as a speaker guarantees an engaging and transformative experience that will leave a lasting impact on your team's approach to leadership and teamwork.

Featured Projects

Sandy Yawn - Be The Calm Or Be The Storm: Leadership Lessons From A Woman At The Helm book cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Sandy Yawn for my next event?
Email sandy.yawn@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk 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 Sandy's 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.
What is Sandy Yawn's speaking style like?
Sandy Yawn draws on first-person accounts from her yachting career — including encounters with pirates and working alongside high-profile individuals — to illustrate leadership principles, structuring her talk around the arc of a voyage from departure to destination.
What topics does Sandy Yawn specialise in?
Sandy Yawn's sessions cover leadership under pressure, teamwork dynamics, and navigating adversity and change. She brings over 30 years of experience as a professional yacht captain and is the author of Be The Calm Or Be The Storm, a bestselling book on leadership.
Can PepTalk help plan the speaker programme for my event?

Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.

What does 'typical fee range' mean?

Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

What logistics should I prepare before my speakers arrive?

Before your speakers arrive, confirm AV is tested, a green room is ready, and printed schedules are on hand. Prepare warm introductions for each speaker and brief your team on timings. PepTalk speakers come fully briefed, making event-day logistics smoother and stress-free from the start.

What's the difference between a keynote speaker, an MC, and event entertainment?

A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule a speaker booking?

Life happens! Most speaker bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker, but PepTalk handles all the details & contracts transparently upfront so there are no surprises. Our team supports you through any changes, making the process as smooth as possible.

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. Alongside direct talent, 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.

What information do I need to provide when booking a comedian?

When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.

What information do I need to provide when booking a speaker?

When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.

Can I book entertainment and speakers as a package?

Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.

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.

How can I report an issue or make changes to an expert profile?

If you notice something that needs attention or have any queries regarding an expert speaker profile, please email us at experts@getapeptalk.com, and we’ll be happy to assist.

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!

No problem! We often handle last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, comedian, awards or event host quickly — almost anywhere in the world. However, speaker availability might be limited as the event date approaches. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.