Deirdre Spina
"The very thing you thought disqualified you is the reason you're called to lead." - Deirdre Spina
My Purpose
In a world that often rewards perfection and performance, the true advantage lies in authenticity. This keynote is a bold invitation for women to stop hiding, start healing, and lead with unapologetic purpose.
Drawing from her own unfiltered story—from silence and shame to courage and connection—Deirdre reveals how telling the truth about who you are and where you’ve been isn’t a liability, it’s your greatest leadership asset.
Through powerful storytelling and lived experience, she helps women reclaim the parts of themselves they've been taught to hide. Whether you're a woman at the top of your game, rebuilding from challenge, or ready to own your voice, this keynote is a call to rise. Because the very thing you thought disqualified you is the reason you're called to lead.
Meet Deirdre
Deirdre is a seasoned speaker, nurse leader, and coach with over 20 years of experience in healing spaces — both professionally and personally. She has a Master's degree in Education and two Nursing degrees. With years of recovery and a deep understanding of what it means to rise from shame, silence, and burnout, she brings warmth, wisdom, and fire to every stage.
She has spoken to women across corporate, clinical, educational, and recovery spaces, helping them rewrite the narratives that once held them back.
From mental health counselor, to women's college coach, to nurse leader, and now to the stage, Deirdre is known for her rare ability to blend vulnerability with strength, leaving listeners feeling seen, empowered, and inspired to take meaningful action. Whether the goal is to help you in your professional or personal life, her mission is clear: to help women stop hiding, start healing, and lead lives that reflect their truth. When you tell your untold story, it becomes the bridge someone else needs to find their way home. When she is not speaking you can find her golfing every day possible, reading a book, or attending any and all sporting events!
Testimonials
Deirdre's Talks
Empowering Women to Lead with Unapologetic Purpose
In a world that often rewards perfection and performance, the true advantage lies in authenticity. This keynote is a bold invitation for women to stop hiding, start healing, and lead with unapologetic purpose.
Drawing from her own unfiltered story—from silence and shame to courage and connection—Deirdre reveals how telling the truth about who you are and where you’ve been isn’t a liability, it’s your greatest leadership asset.
We're Only as Sick as Our Secrets
In recovery circles, we say, “You’re only as sick as your secrets.” It’s more than a cliché — it’s a call to courage. Because what we bury doesn’t die. It festers. In our bodies. In our relationships. In our leadership. In the way we love and the way we show up (or don’t) in the world.
Being sick can mean anything that disconnects us from ourselves: the anxiety we mask with overachievement, the shame we hide under perfection, or the family secrets that shaped our wiring long before we had language to name them.
In this keynote, Deirdre invites women to break that silence. We explore how unspoken pain becomes stored pain, and how telling the truth becomes the gateway to healing, leadership, and lasting transformation.
Your Best Thinking Got You Here
You’ve tried it all — your way, your logic, your control — and still ended up at the bottom, exhausted, out of answers, and unhappy. It’s been said to me: “Your best thinking got you here.” It's not a judgment; it’s a mirror. It reminds us that no matter how smart, capable, or well-meaning we are, we can't think our way out of pain and dysfunction using the same thoughts and patterns that got us into it. Maybe it’s time to stop doing it alone. Maybe it’s time to take suggestions, ask for help, and do it differently. In essence, it's a nudge toward surrender. Because if your way was working, you wouldn’t be here.
In other words: I can’t. You can. I think I’ll let you.
Coaching
With over 20 years of nursing experience, I bring a wealth of knowledge, compassion, and authenticity to mentoring the next generation of nurses. Nursing is my third career, and I hold a BSN, a Master’s in Education, and certification as an Orthopedic Nurse. Throughout my career, I have served in diverse leadership roles—including Clinical Nurse Leader, Quality Coordinator, Nurse Manager, and Director of Orthopedics—each one deepening my commitment to excellence in patient care and professional development.
I absolutely love teaching and guiding new and student nurses. My approach combines a deep love for the profession, genuine compassion for those in need, and an unwavering commitment to being an authentic provider. I believe nursing is far more than passing the NCLEX (and a few medications!). It’s about showing up as your truest self for those who need you most—equipped with strong knowledge, confident skills, and a passion for humanity.
Whether you’re just beginning your nursing journey or stepping into your first role, I’m here to walk alongside you. Together, we’ll build the confidence, competence, and heart-centered approach you need to thrive in one of the most rewarding careers in the world.
Calling all nurses!
Click HERE to schedule a discovery call!
1:1 Nurse Coaching
I provide personal, transparent, and supportive online coaching to guide you through your nursing education or new RN graduate journey. You can choose individualized 30- or 60-minute sessions focused on the topics and challenges most important to you—it’s your time, so let's dive in! For a more cost-effective option, I also offer group coaching with weekly themes that address the real issues nursing students and new grads face. Together, we’ll create a safe space to talk openly about what’s often left unsaid, while building the skills, confidence, and resilience you need to succeed.
