Jenny Wood
- Former Google Executive,
- NYT Bestselling Author, Expert in Driving Transformational Business Change
Travels From
Colorado
Jenny Wood Speaker Biography
Jenny Wood is the New York Times bestselling author of WILD COURAGE: Go After What You Want and Get It. In her book—and sought-after keynotes—she reveals nine unconventional traits that power the world’s most resilient and high-performing people.
A former Google executive and Harvard Business School researcher, Jenny spent 18 years rising from entry-level to COO roles across global divisions as the company scaled from 6,000 to 180,000 employees.
She led hybrid, multi-generational teams across the Americas, Asia, and Europe, helping drive billions in annual revenue while navigating hypergrowth, layoffs, and reinvention.
Despite never holding a formal People Operations role, Jenny founded Own Your Career, one of the largest internal career programs in Google’s history. The program reached 56,000 employees in nearly 100 countries—and redefined how Googlers build influence and grow their careers from day one.
Jenny has coached thousands of professionals and executives on leadership, resilience, teamwork, and influence. Her 375+ pieces on those topics, with features in Harvard Business Review, CNBC, Forbes, Business Insider, Entrepreneur, and Inc.
Her dynamic keynotes blend bold storytelling, practical strategy, and real-world tools to help teams break the mold and lead with courage, and impact—especially under pressure. That’s why F500 companies like SalesForce, Oracle, Target, Capital One, Royal Caribbean, State Farm, CVS, and Johnson & Johnson invite her back to speak again and again.
Jenny’s a motivator, unstoppable confidence booster, and fierce advocate for unrealized potential. When she’s not on stage, she’s hiking, flying airplanes, singing in the kitchen, or chasing the perfect zucchini bread recipe.
Lead with Impact: How Courageous Leaders Build High-Performing Teams.
In a high-speed, high-stakes world, courageous leadership isn’t optional—it’s your edge. New York Times bestselling author of Wild Courage, Jenny Wood led large Ops teams as Google scaled from 6,000 to 180,000 employees. Now, she’s revealing the bold, no-BS strategies behind her rise from entry-level to executive over 18 years.
This keynote delivers a practical, high-impact framework to inspire your team, elevate customer experience, and unlock peak performance.
Jenny’s teams helped drive billions in revenue while navigating hypergrowth, layoffs, and reinvention—and now she’s handing you the playbook.
You’ll learn:
-The ONE leadership tweak you can make today to boost your influence.
-Why courage beats charisma every time—and how to own it as your secret weapon.
-A proven playbook to ignite innovation, build unshakable trust, and drive business results.
The New Rules of Teamwork: Unexpected Lessons from Inside Google.
Most team problems aren’t about skills—they’re about courage. And in today’s fast, hybrid, AI-fueled world, tired teamwork tactics won’t cut it.
Jenny Wood—New York Times bestselling author of Wild Courage and former Google exec who led global, multi-generational, hybrid teams as Google grew from 6,000 to 180,000—shares a bold new blueprint for building trust, breaking silos, and getting results across any organization.
With nine gutsy traits most people are told to dial down, this high-energy keynote shows how to unlock speed, spark innovation, and fuel team chemistry.
You’ll learn how to:
-Accelerate trust fast with the IKEA Strategy—perfect for any hybrid, global, or multi-gen team.
-Stop drowning in emails—use the “Pullit and Bullet” technique to collaborate like a pro today.
-Influence in every meeting with the “Tame the Octopus” method.
Ignite Engagement: The WILD COURAGE to Inspire and Motivate.
Reorgs. Burnout. AI anxiety. It’s a lot—and your team still has to deliver. Jenny Wood, former Google executive and New York Times bestselling author of Wild Courage, knows how to cut through the noise and get everyone fired-up.
With 18-years experience leading global, hybrid teams at Google, she delivers a dynamic, no-fluff keynote that teaches you to embrace nine unexpected traits you’ve been told to dial down. Jenny flips the script and gives your audience the spark they need to take bold action and drive business results.
Because when people feel lit up—not burned out—they stay in the game longer, stronger, and more engaged.
Key takeaways:
-The three-step process to reignite energy, creativity, and committment—especially when the pressure is on.
-How to spot the real root of disengagement (hint: it’s not laziness)—and how to fix it with one simple shift.
-The bold question that turns “meh” employees into powerhouses—and why most leaders are too afraid to ask it.
Thrive in Change: The WILD COURAGE to be Resilient.
In an era of AI disruption, economic swings, and shifting markets, resilience is your team’s competitive edge. Jenny Wood—New York Times bestselling author of Wild Courage—led major operational shifts at Google as the company grew from 6,000 to 180,000 employees.
Over her 18-year rise from entry-level to executive, she learned that thriving in change takes more than grit.
It takes nine unexpected traits that most of us were taught to dial down. Jenny shows how to use them wisely to stay adaptable and high-performing.
Because inspired people don’t wait for change—they lead it.
You will learn to:
-Steal Jenny’s 2-step playbook for keeping customers loyal—even when everything behind the scenes is in flux.
-Flip the script on setbacks using the “Truths and Tales” framework that turns obstacles into momentum.
-Copy the 3 daily habits of teams that crush change—and how to hardwire them into your culture starting tomorrow.
Early Career Leadership: How to Lead Before You Have the Title.
You don’t need a fancy title to be a leader. The most successful college grads start building influence long before their first promotion.
Jenny Wood—New York Times bestselling author of Wild Courage—knows this firsthand.
Over 18 years at Google, she rose from entry-level to Operations executive and founded Own Your Career, one of the company’s largest programs, used by 56,000+ interns and employees across nearly 100 countries.
In this high-energy talk, Jenny gives early-career professionals the tools to lead with courage, clarity, and impact—right now.
Her approach flips traditional leadership advice and shows you how to stand out and rise faster in high-performance, matrixed organizations.
You’ll learn to:
-Build influence fast—even if you’re the most junior person in the room
-Harness 9 bold, unconventional traits (like being Nosy, Weird, and Reckless) to get noticed by the right leaders for the right reasons.
-Avoid the 3 career-killing habits that sabotage smart, capable professionals
