It is rare to find a speaker with such high energy and engaging presentation style who connects with the entire audience. Joanna Sprtel Walters, author of Girl at Sea, A Story of Courage, Strength and Growth, From One of the Few Women to Serve on U.S. Warships, is an Annapolis graduate, an accomplished athlete and former Naval Officer who served aboard Navy Warships. It was my honor to play a part in inviting and hosting Joanna Walters as special guest speaker to address guests at a Navy event with both civilian and Navy attendees. Joanna fits the bill when it comes to speaking about personal growth, setting goals, overcoming challenges and heading toward success. Joanna’s energetic presentation was inspirational, providing a great breath of fresh air, re-energizing students and adults, filling them with superb ideas and encouragement. She is becoming an in-demand speaker across the country with schools, corporations, organizations, family groups, and more. Her remarks are tailored to each audience. She is an engaging, inspiring and highly thought-provoking speaker who makes people realize they have the ability to build toward success and achieve their goals. Joanna Walter’s speaking engagement on that evening rates a resounding “Bravo Zulu!”

Joanna Walters, Naval Academy graduate, mother, warrior and author of Girl At Sea spoke to the USNA Parents Club of Colorado in the spring of 2017. Ms. Walters gave a speech that everyone in the room could relate to. All of our children had been through similar experiences at the Naval Academy and we were hopeful that our midshipmen will be as successful. Ms. Walters shares the bad and good experiences of her early years leading to an uplifting and motivational speech for all ages. She is a positive mentor for young women who want to take a path less traveled.

Hosting Ms. Walters, a former Naval Academy graduate, was enlightening to us as current Midshipmen in gaining a female perspective of the U.S. Naval Fleet. Learning about being a female with the “long blue line” of naval service and hearing experiences about courage and leadership aboard integrated naval warships broadened our perspective and appreciation of the Navy and our future careers greatly. Ms. Walters was not only inspiring and informative, she was relatable and an image of our potential.

Joanna was one of our keynote speakers at the No Barriers USA Women’s retreat in Telluride, CO. She brilliantly shared her unique experiences with our group and many good stories about leadership, courage and bravery. What I liked most was her ability to connect with our diverse group of women from around the world. I would definitely recommend her to not only women’s groups, but groups of all types and sizes.

Joanna came to speak to our entire 8th grade class last fall. She kept our students engaged and literally on the edge of their seats as she not only gave them a glimpse of Naval Academy life and sea stories from the fleet, but also shared her real-world writing experience and made the very poignant point that her writing began at their age. She inspired my students to bravely go after their dreams …and to write about it throughout. I would highly recommend she speak to your school—especially your English classes.