Ordinarily, high-level NCAA basketball players don’t join the military after graduating from college — but Danielle Green is far from ordinary. She was raised in the inner city of Chicago, a place where challenges were a daily reality. Despite the obstacles, she worked tirelessly to earn a basketball scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, showcasing her determination and talent and leaving as the program’s 16th All-time leading scorer.
After teaching and coaching for a couple of years, her call to serve others became her driving force. At the age of 25, Danielle felt she could do more to serve others — so she enlisted in the U.S. Army as a military police officer.
In 2004, while patrolling on a 115-degree rooftop in Baghdad, Iraq, she was severely injured by a rocket-propelled grenade. She was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in combat.
Danielle believes that our greatest challenges can become our greatest gifts. Instead of agonizing over her loss, she learned to embrace it to become stronger than before. Raising the bar to new unforeseen heights. Sharing her story with whoever wanted to hear her story became therapeutic for her while those who listened became inspired. She had to re-learn how to do almost everything, reinvent herself and build a new purpose.
Danielle returned to Chicago to complete a master’s degree in counseling. She embarked on a career with the Chicago Board of Education and continued with a career with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs for 12 years as a readjustment counselor. As a result of her work with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the community in which she served, she received the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2015 ESPY awards on National TV.
Now Danielle travels the country to share her powerful story as a storyteller in the hope of making a difference in people’s lives.
It is Danielle hope that by sharing her story, she can show people that they can create a future after a crisis hits. Life-changing experiences are not something you can plan for. However, you can live your life in a way that allows you to accept setbacks as they occur, move on, and create new possibilities.
Danielle is the mom to a 10-year-old son, her main “Why.”
Ordinarily, high-level NCAA basketball players don’t join the military after graduating from college — but Danielle Green is far from ordinary. She was raised in the inner city of Chicago, a place where challenges were a daily reality. Despite the obstacles, she worked tirelessly to earn a basketball scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, showcasing her determination and talent and leaving as the program’s 16th All-time leading scorer.
After teaching and coaching for a couple of years, her call to serve others became her driving force. At the age of 25, Danielle felt she could do more to serve others — so she enlisted in the U.S. Army as a military police officer.
In 2004, while patrolling on a 115-degree rooftop in Baghdad, Iraq, she was severely injured by a rocket-propelled grenade. She was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in combat.
Danielle believes that our greatest challenges can become our greatest gifts. Instead of agonizing over her loss, she learned to embrace it to become stronger than before. Raising the bar to new unforeseen heights. Sharing her story with whoever wanted to hear her story became therapeutic for her while those who listened became inspired. She had to re-learn how to do almost everything, reinvent herself and build a new purpose.
Danielle returned to Chicago to complete a master’s degree in counseling. She embarked on a career with the Chicago Board of Education and continued with a career with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs for 12 years as a readjustment counselor. As a result of her work with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the community in which she served, she received the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2015 ESPY awards on National TV.
Now Danielle travels the country to share her powerful story as a storyteller in the hope of making a difference in people’s lives.
It is Danielle hope that by sharing her story, she can show people that they can create a future after a crisis hits. Life-changing experiences are not something you can plan for. However, you can live your life in a way that allows you to accept setbacks as they occur, move on, and create new possibilities.
Danielle is the mom to a 10-year-old son, her main “Why.”
Rising Above: Finding Hope and Empowerment in Adversity
Format: 30-45 [keynote, general meeting to inspire and/or motivate, breakout sessions]
This program is perfect for:
- Organizations
- Veterans, Women's, Disabilities ERG Meetings
The audience will leave with
Perspectives of perseverance, resiliency, and how military experiences are used in the...
2 recommend Danielle
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Americorp
On-Site
C.M., Human Resource Generalist, Americorp
Oh my goodness. Thank you so so much. The feedback was so intense! All good, no bad, no ugly. My chat and phone were blowing up when you were done. I took a screenshot of what my boss sent me and put it below. You resonated with so many people. The feedback was so overwhelming that when we did our breakout sessions, I pivoted, and I decided to ask people to share their thoughts and feelings on you, as the speaker since so many people were sharing positive feedback. And let me tell you, the kudos for you just continued! One lady said your quote on "I didn't want to be better, but be better" I may have butchered that lol but it stuck with her. Another person said that she lost the use of her arm during a car accident and really felt it when you shared how you had to relearn with your non-dominant arm. Another person was amazed how you went on after this tragedy and did schooling, charity work, etc. Again, you took up all the time on our call girl, to where we didn't even get to the official breakout questions! Before we knew it, time was up!
Hinge Health
On-Site
J.W., Onboarding Specialists, Hinge Health
I wanted to send a quick note expressing my gratitude that we were able to take some time away from our day yesterday to hear this brave woman's story. I am not a veteran myself, however several members of my family are, but I was not sure exactly what to expect or if I would be able to fully relate. However, as a co-lead of the ABLE ERG, Danielle was a perfect fit for not just veterans or someone dealing with a physical disability, but she was relatable to almost anyone who has faced any type of adversity in their lives. Her resilience and excitement for life, no matter the circumstances, were very inspiring. As someone who did not know too much about the Wounded Warrior Project, I left that hour with a lot more insight and appreciation for the important work that is done within that organization. I would highly recommend Danielle to any organization or group! All the best! Jennifer Wanderley
