Ben uses his story to help transform the lives of others. In Feb 2020, while training for his second Ironman Triathlon when he went on a business trip for a week to Colorado and Texas. On that trip, he contracted COVID-19. He spent 9 days at home before the state of Minnesota was able to test for COVID-19 and was admitted directly to the ICU. He was the first critical case of COVID-19 in the state of Minnesota and the first person in North America to survive COVID-19 while requiring ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) support. He spent 28 days in the ICU, 15 on a ventilator and 12 on ECMO. During that time, he also suffered Liver and Kidney failure.
Upon discharge, Ben was sent home with a walker and supplemental oxygen. He determined that he would still train for and compete in that Ironman triathlon. It was 14 months to the day of coming off of ECMO life support, he completed Ironman Tulsa in May 2021.
Ben experienced setbacks and trials as he moved to a new country with his family and started a business. He dedicated his Ironman to the healthcare workers and community that mean to much to him. He spends time raising funds for the Ironman Foundations IRONAID program to help non-profit organizations affected by the pandemic. Additionally, Ben is working to ensure that others would not have to experience what he went through. He has testified in front of Congress on vaccine hesitancy and continues to spread his message and story.
Part of his journey is chronicled in the ESPN Documentary The Long Haul, which is streaming in ESPN+.
Ben has earned his Master's Degree in Organic Chemistry from the University of Notre Dame and a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Chemistry from Concordia College of Moorhead, MN. He started his career at Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics in the lab purifying antibodies and antigens for use in in-vitro diagnostics. He earned a promotion to product developer and started his Six Sigma journey training to become a Design for Six Sigma Black Belt. Next, Ben transitioned to Beckman Coulter working in production and R&D. Shortly after starting, Beckman was acquired by Danaher Corporation enabling him to learn the deep concepts of LEAN and the Danaher Business System. This experience led him to take a full time Continuous Improvement role as a Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Black Belt. He became a certified LSS Black Belt at Ecolab and then received his LSS Master Black Belt certification from MoreSteam and The Ohio State University. He is also a certified Change Management Practitioner through Prosci.
His experience goes beyond Research and Development and Supply Chain. He has managed and coached projects in Human Resources, Legal, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, Environmental Health and Safety, Marketing, and IT. He has deployed Continuous Improvement Programs to multiple organizations and also lead Quality function through ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 deployments as a Director of Quality. He has deep experience with Fortune 500 companies like Bayer, Siemens, Danaher, Ecolab, and Medtronic.
Ben uses his story to help transform the lives of others. In Feb 2020, while training for his second Ironman Triathlon when he went on a business trip for a week to Colorado and Texas. On that trip, he contracted COVID-19. He spent 9 days at home before the state of Minnesota was able to test for COVID-19 and was admitted directly to the ICU. He was the first critical case of COVID-19 in the state of Minnesota and the first person in North America to survive COVID-19 while requiring ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) support. He spent 28 days in the ICU, 15 on a ventilator and 12 on ECMO. During that time, he also suffered Liver and Kidney failure.
Upon discharge, Ben was sent home with a walker and supplemental oxygen. He determined that he would still train for and compete in that Ironman triathlon. It was 14 months to the day of coming off of ECMO life support, he completed Ironman Tulsa in May 2021.
Ben experienced setbacks and trials as he moved to a new country with his family and started a business. He dedicated his Ironman to the healthcare workers and community that mean to much to him. He spends time raising funds for the Ironman Foundations IRONAID program to help non-profit organizations affected by the pandemic. Additionally, Ben is working to ensure that others would not have to experience what he went through. He has testified in front of Congress on vaccine hesitancy and continues to spread his message and story.
Part of his journey is chronicled in the ESPN Documentary The Long Haul, which is streaming in ESPN+.
Ben has earned his Master's Degree in Organic Chemistry from the University of Notre Dame and a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Chemistry from Concordia College of Moorhead, MN. He started his career at Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics in the lab purifying antibodies and antigens for use in in-vitro diagnostics. He earned a promotion to product developer and started his Six Sigma journey training to become a Design for Six Sigma Black Belt. Next, Ben transitioned to Beckman Coulter working in production and R&D. Shortly after starting, Beckman was acquired by Danaher Corporation enabling him to learn the deep concepts of LEAN and the Danaher Business System. This experience led him to take a full time Continuous Improvement role as a Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Black Belt. He became a certified LSS Black Belt at Ecolab and then received his LSS Master Black Belt certification from MoreSteam and The Ohio State University. He is also a certified Change Management Practitioner through Prosci.
His experience goes beyond Research and Development and Supply Chain. He has managed and coached projects in Human Resources, Legal, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, Environmental Health and Safety, Marketing, and IT. He has deployed Continuous Improvement Programs to multiple organizations and also lead Quality function through ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 deployments as a Director of Quality. He has deep experience with Fortune 500 companies like Bayer, Siemens, Danaher, Ecolab, and Medtronic.
Finding a Better Tomorrow: ECMO to Ironman
Format: _ minute [keynote, workshop, breakout, etc..]
Keynote
This program is perfect for:
- Inspiring employees
- Overcoming challenges
The audience will leave with:
- Large accomplishments come from small, incremental improvements built day by day
- A Better Tomorrow mindset can lead you through the bad days and still give purpose to your...
Treatment and Recovery of an ECMO Patient to Ironman Finish Line
Format: Keynote/Breakout
This program is perfect for:
- Medical Providers (Nurses, physicians, physical therapists, etc)
- Continuing education events and conferences
The audience will leave with:
- The treatment pathway and creativity for a patient requiring ECMO support
- Inspirational messaging of the impact healthcare providers have in...
Compassionate Leadership
Format: Keynote, Workshop, Lunch and Learn
This program is perfect for:
- Associates new to Management
- Leaders of Managers
The audience will leave with:
- Key activities and strategies for engaging and leading
- Knowledge that leading with compassion does not mean you do not keep your team accountable
People are an...
Project Management Fundamentals
Format: 1 day workshop
This program is perfect for:
- Employees new to Project Management
- Project Management Professionals looking for a refresher
The audience will leave with:
- Fundamentals of Project Management such as communication, stakeholder management, and developing a schedule
- Tips and tricks that I have developed over a career of project...
2 recommend Ben
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TEDx Minneapolis
On-Site
D.B., Speaker Coach, TEDx Minneapolis
Ben O’Donnell’s story is that of a true victor. Surviving an extreme Covid case, completing the Ironman triathlon , and fanning the flames of victory inside his listeners as he encourages each of us: “Don’t stop. Don’t quit. Keep moving forward.” Ben speaks directly to those moments in each of our lives where we’re tempted to give in and give up. He speaks to our fears, our desperation, and our despondency. And he empowers us to get back in the game and strive for more. Ben’s powerful talk is one that I will not soon forget, and neither will you!
TEDx Minneapolis
On-Site
L.M.H., Coach/Board Member, TEDx Minneapolis
I’ve coached a lot of speakers -- from corporate executives to TEDx Talk Speakers. Yet, the moment I met Ben O’Donnell – I knew he was differentiated -- in both his leadership capability and his voice as a storyteller. He was connected -- connected to the gravity of his story, its impact, and the indelible connection he’d make with anyone who heard it. Ben’s leadership in and of itself is a courageous act. He’s a true champion in so many ways.
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