Jamee D.

Keynote and Conference Speaker at JL Speaking & Coaching

Motivational/Self Development

Education: Towson University
Long Beach, CA, USA

Biography

Jamee is a speaker, coach, and comedian. She is the youngest of three children, which she attributes to her outgoing personality and survivor mentality. After completing a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology, she began her career in counseling. The sudden death of her mother changed the course of her life. Jamee decided to move to New York City and get involved in the performing arts. She spent over a decade in film, television, and stand-up comedy. Her credits include Anna, a film released in September 2016, and "Just Kickin’ It," a sketch comedy pilot that premiered on Comedy Central. The recent loss of her sister was the driving force behind Jamee's move from performer to public speaker. She has returned to the stage, speaking to survivors about turning loss into leadership. She has a thriving private coaching practice, helping professionals find the value in loss and adversity in a more personal setting. Jamee is currently writing her first book, Betting on Better, a raw, funny take on overcoming grief. When Jamee is not working, she enjoys cooking and traveling with her husband, golden retriever, and imaginary Downton Abbey staff.

Passion

Empowerment, empowerment. empowerment. I genuinely love being the oracle and vehicle that helps others rise. The first time I stood on stage as a comedian, told a joke, and heard the audience laugh in unison, I had arrived. Now, my power comes from watching audiences connect to my words. What if you could use the lessons from your loss to propel yourself professionally? Survivors owe it to themselves to use the struggles from the lowest point in life, transform them into power, and strive for the highest point in life. There is no better job in life than lifting others. Get to know your inner CEO.

Featured Video

I am willing to travel

More than 100 miles

When it comes to payments

I always get paid for speaking

Topics

motivational speaker coach grief in the workplace empowering women be the ceo of you decision making risk taking ceo leadership how to overcome loss speaker empathy upward mobility comedy loss success overcoming adversity healing and balance leadership lessons innovation purposeful living survivor

Origin Story

I was a lucky little girl. I grew up in the country, surrounded by nature, animals, and dirt. My family had just enough love and dysfunction to make adult life interesting. I have, however, had more experience with untimely tragic deaths in my life than I personally think is necessary. I was thirteen years old when my best friend was killed in a freak accident, twenty-one years old when my mother suddenly died of a heart attack, and fifty-one years old when I held my sister's hand as she lost her battle with cancer. Despite my losses, I remain optimistic. By my early twenties, I had experienced more loss than most people in their fifties. I was ripe for risk. I quit my job, ended my lease, and moved to New York City. I knew no one and loved it! I walked into a teaching theater in downtown Manhattan and, in spirit, never left.
My acting life made me a better person. Playing other people required me to look harder at myself. Stand-up comedy has been a life spent having intimate conversations with large audiences. Standing on stage and making people laugh has been one of the best experiences of my life.
The loss of my sister was my "aha" moment. I have survived the loss of my mother, sister, and best friend. After spending close to forty years navigating grief, it was time to pivot from performer to public speaker. I want to continue my intimate conversation from the stage, empowering others within the parameters of complicated grief. None of us escapes the tragedies of life. There is value in grief; survivors owe it to themselves to use the struggle from the lowest point in life, transform it into power, and strive for the highest point in life.

Speaking Engagements

Western Positive Psychology Association – 8th Annual Conference

Albuquerque, NM, USA, 03/22/24

2024 HSC Annual Conference

Long Beach, CA, USA, 02/26/24