Vera Jones

Vera Jones

Keynote Speaker: Empathy-Driven Leadership Coach; Public Speaking and Communications Expert Rebuilding Confidence & Human Connection at Work

Vera Jones Biography

Vera Jones, “The Empathy Coach,” is a motivational speaker, leadership coach, author, award-winning television and radio broadcaster, and Syracuse University Hall-of-Fame Scholar-Athlete. She offers resilience, empathic leadership, communication, public speaking, DEIB, wellness, and conflict resolution keynote speaking and training. She is an inspiring, relatable, and often humorous speaker who thrives on empathy and emotional intelligence to connect and inspire. Jones is also known for her extensive, veteran background in broadcasting, serving over 30 years as a women’s basketball analyst and reporter for various networks, including ESPN, Fox Sports, Madison Square Garden Network, NBA-TV, and the Big Ten Network. She has coached college basketball, performed on stage as an actress with the Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company, and entertained as a stand-up comedian. Known as “Professor Jones” at the University of North Florida, she helps to expand young minds in the communication department teaching public speaking.

Jones is an MTI Certified Mediator and Trainer in Conflict Resolution and the founder of both Play Through the Foul Team Building & Communication Training and the Perseverance Speaker’s Academy. She also facilitates executive coaching with Vistage Florida. In the space of diversity, equity, and inclusion Jones is the past President for the non-profit Colorful Talks, and former Parents Council member of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. Jones is honored and humbled to have become a Hall of Fame inductee with the Boys & Girls Club of America Alumni (2023) and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO 2022).

A Prince George’s County, Maryland native residing in Jacksonville, Florida, Jones deeply understands the personal trials of life. She seeks to use her gifts of service in her faith-based mission to help people maximize their powers of empathy to connect, communicate, collaborate, and conflict resolve.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Vera Jones and other top speakers and celebrities.

Vera Jones Speaking Topics

NOW I SEE: Moving From Blindness To Breakthrough

Vera Jones is renowned for her powerful insights on resilience, drawing from her own life experiences and professional journey. Her signature story ignites belief that for every piece of pain there’s a powerful piece of purpose! Chronicling the daunting emotional and physical challenges her son faced in being diagnosed with a brain tumor and blindness, Vera reveals critical lessons for resilience, change, and finding significance in the midst of adversity. Sometimes humorous, always engaging, this single mom brings spiritual and mindset transformation, moving audiences “from Blindness to Breakthrough!”

With her emotionally dynamic storytelling and engaging personality, Vera inspires audiences to overcome adversity and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. This keynote is also available as a breakout session or workshop and features exploration of her seven “Blind Life and Leadership Lessons” which provide practical tools and strategies to help individuals build mental toughness, adapt to change, and bounce back stronger from setbacks.

Vera’s passionate presentation was adapted by Goalcast in October 2017, instantly going viral to become one of their most watched videos with over 47-million views and counting! The riveting book, "NOW I SEE: A Journey of Prophecy, Pain, and Purpose," is available to compliment this powerful keynote.

LEADERSHIP 6-S: How To Love Them And Lead Them With Empathy

As a former collegiate athlete and coach, Vera Jones understands the critical role empathy plays in effective teamwork and leadership. She knows firsthand there is great truth in the adage, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” This is the brainchild behind Vera’s transformative presentation on empathic leadership. Based on Vera’s most recently released book, "Leadership 6-S: How To Love Them And Lead Them with Empathy," this session weaves powerful and relatable storytelling with the unveiling of six research-backed workplace motivators essential for driving engagement and mastering emotionally intelligent communication. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness as the foundation for growth in understanding and connecting with team members on an empathetic, personal level.

Leaders leave this session with greater understanding of how to foster a culture of empathy that improves communication and trust, and builds stronger, highly motivated, cohesive, and productive teams. When you put “6” and “S” together, you get “Success!” That’s just what Vera delivers for improved connection, communication, and collaboration.

GIRLS DON’T WHISTLE? Cultivating Confidence and Culture Cohesiveness

With the help of the Andy Griffith Show theme song, this presentation invites audiences to change their relational tunes for the better. Vera Jones believes stimulating greater empathy and building trust are major keys for opening doors bolted by biases, fear, ignorance and self-limiting thoughts. Tempering the need for honest self-introspection, Vera sheds light on why we react blindly to differentness and therefore perpetuate stigmas and negative stereotypes.

Always geared towards conflict resolution, Vera brings relatable, palatable, and simple solutions to an otherwise tense or difficult subject. Powerful, relatable, and enlightening, personal narratives are a breath of fresh air in the midst of our challenging social realities. This keynote fosters greater empathy and understanding of diversity, inclusion and cultural cohesion so audience members can make meaningful and productive change in their organizations and communities.

ELEPHANT CHAINS: A Women’s Empowerment Keynote

A passionate advocate for women’s advancement, Vera Jones presents storytelling at her engaging and inspirational best when she takes other women along her own journey to break free of stereotypes, stigmas, and limitations. Entertaining narratives and anecdotes about whistling, elephants, and country music brings a ton of laughter, relatability, and insight specifically designed to uplift and empower women to live their most purposeful and enjoyable lives. Vera’s own experiences of overcoming gender barriers encourage women to conquer imposter syndrome and limited thinking so they can pursue their goals with confidence and determination.

In this very engaging keynote, Vera provides actionable advice and inspiration to help women appreciate their significance and worth, realize their full potential, advocate for their sisters, prioritize self-care, and achieve success in all areas of life.

THE TEN TURTLE TENETS: A Lifetime Rx

In the United States, 45% of individuals with a clinical-level mental health problem do not seek professional help. Healthcare costs resulting from work-related stress total an average of $190 billion a year. Mental wellness is a personal narrative and a critical necessity for Vera Jones’s motivational speaking portfolio. Vera addresses topics such as stress management, self-care, and mindfulness, and reveals 10 practical principles for general wellness and positive living, particularly when faced with overcoming obstacles. Her narrative is captivating – creatively weaving mystery, suspense, and humor. Vera throws in her own prescription for a “chill pill” that allows audience members to real-time self-assess their wellness needs.

Expect to leave inspired and to think positively about the endless possibilities in life instead of succumbing to adversity and anxieties, thanks to theories revealed by Vera’s very peculiar and mysterious turtle named “Mom.”

Vera Jones Videos

Vera Jones Demo 2021
Vera Jones: Blind Can Lead the Blind...Life and Leadership
This is What a Blind Son Taught His Mother about Vision | Vera Jones

How do I book Vera Jones to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Vera Jones for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Vera Jones, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Vera Jones or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Vera Jones for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Vera Jones, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Vera Jones are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Vera Jones, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Vera Jones speak about?

Vera Jones is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Basketball, Sports, Athlete, Disability, Female Leadership, Leadership, Human Resources, Teamwork & Teambuilding, Business Leadership, Women's Empowerment, Personal Growth, Empowerment, Diversity & Inclusion, DEI, Sports Journalism & Broadcasting, Broadcasting, Sports Coaching, Women, Motivational, Resilience, Overcoming Adversity, Emotional Intelligence and Professional Development.

Where does Vera Jones travel from?

Vera Jones generally travels from Jacksonville, FL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Vera Jones?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Vera Jones for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Vera Jones for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Vera Jones or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Vera Jones is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Basketball, Sports and Athlete. The estimated speaking fee range to book Vera Jones for live events is $20,000 - $30,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Vera Jones generally travels from Jacksonville, FL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Donna Orender, Jodi Bondi Norgaard and Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Vera Jones for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 28/05/2026.

Vera Jones Speaking Topics

  • NOW I SEE: Moving From Blindness To Breakthrough

    Vera Jones is renowned for her powerful insights on resilience, drawing from her own life experiences and professional journey. Her signature story ignites belief that for every piece of pain there’s a powerful piece of purpose! Chronicling the daunting emotional and physical challenges her son faced in being diagnosed with a brain tumor and blindness, Vera reveals critical lessons for resilience, change, and finding significance in the midst of adversity. Sometimes humorous, always engaging, this single mom brings spiritual and mindset transformation, moving audiences “from Blindness to Breakthrough!”

    With her emotionally dynamic storytelling and engaging personality, Vera inspires audiences to overcome adversity and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. This keynote is also available as a breakout session or workshop and features exploration of her seven “Blind Life and Leadership Lessons” which provide practical tools and strategies to help individuals build mental toughness, adapt to change, and bounce back stronger from setbacks.

    Vera’s passionate presentation was adapted by Goalcast in October 2017, instantly going viral to become one of their most watched videos with over 47-million views and counting! The riveting book, "NOW I SEE: A Journey of Prophecy, Pain, and Purpose," is available to compliment this powerful keynote.

  • LEADERSHIP 6-S: How To Love Them And Lead Them With Empathy

    As a former collegiate athlete and coach, Vera Jones understands the critical role empathy plays in effective teamwork and leadership. She knows firsthand there is great truth in the adage, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” This is the brainchild behind Vera’s transformative presentation on empathic leadership. Based on Vera’s most recently released book, "Leadership 6-S: How To Love Them And Lead Them with Empathy," this session weaves powerful and relatable storytelling with the unveiling of six research-backed workplace motivators essential for driving engagement and mastering emotionally intelligent communication. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness as the foundation for growth in understanding and connecting with team members on an empathetic, personal level.

    Leaders leave this session with greater understanding of how to foster a culture of empathy that improves communication and trust, and builds stronger, highly motivated, cohesive, and productive teams. When you put “6” and “S” together, you get “Success!” That’s just what Vera delivers for improved connection, communication, and collaboration.

  • GIRLS DON’T WHISTLE? Cultivating Confidence and Culture Cohesiveness

    With the help of the Andy Griffith Show theme song, this presentation invites audiences to change their relational tunes for the better. Vera Jones believes stimulating greater empathy and building trust are major keys for opening doors bolted by biases, fear, ignorance and self-limiting thoughts. Tempering the need for honest self-introspection, Vera sheds light on why we react blindly to differentness and therefore perpetuate stigmas and negative stereotypes.

    Always geared towards conflict resolution, Vera brings relatable, palatable, and simple solutions to an otherwise tense or difficult subject. Powerful, relatable, and enlightening, personal narratives are a breath of fresh air in the midst of our challenging social realities. This keynote fosters greater empathy and understanding of diversity, inclusion and cultural cohesion so audience members can make meaningful and productive change in their organizations and communities.

  • ELEPHANT CHAINS: A Women’s Empowerment Keynote

    A passionate advocate for women’s advancement, Vera Jones presents storytelling at her engaging and inspirational best when she takes other women along her own journey to break free of stereotypes, stigmas, and limitations. Entertaining narratives and anecdotes about whistling, elephants, and country music brings a ton of laughter, relatability, and insight specifically designed to uplift and empower women to live their most purposeful and enjoyable lives. Vera’s own experiences of overcoming gender barriers encourage women to conquer imposter syndrome and limited thinking so they can pursue their goals with confidence and determination.

    In this very engaging keynote, Vera provides actionable advice and inspiration to help women appreciate their significance and worth, realize their full potential, advocate for their sisters, prioritize self-care, and achieve success in all areas of life.

  • THE TEN TURTLE TENETS: A Lifetime Rx

    In the United States, 45% of individuals with a clinical-level mental health problem do not seek professional help. Healthcare costs resulting from work-related stress total an average of $190 billion a year. Mental wellness is a personal narrative and a critical necessity for Vera Jones’s motivational speaking portfolio. Vera addresses topics such as stress management, self-care, and mindfulness, and reveals 10 practical principles for general wellness and positive living, particularly when faced with overcoming obstacles. Her narrative is captivating – creatively weaving mystery, suspense, and humor. Vera throws in her own prescription for a “chill pill” that allows audience members to real-time self-assess their wellness needs.

    Expect to leave inspired and to think positively about the endless possibilities in life instead of succumbing to adversity and anxieties, thanks to theories revealed by Vera’s very peculiar and mysterious turtle named “Mom.”

Vera Jones Videos

Vera Jones Demo 2021
Vera Jones: Blind Can Lead the Blind...Life and Leadership
This is What a Blind Son Taught His Mother about Vision | Vera Jones
  • How do I book Vera Jones to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Vera Jones for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Vera Jones, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Vera Jones or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Vera Jones for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Vera Jones, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Vera Jones are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Vera Jones, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Vera Jones speak about?

  • Where does Vera Jones travel from?

    Vera Jones generally travels from Jacksonville, FL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Vera Jones?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Vera Jones for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Vera Jones for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Vera Jones or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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