Wade Davis
Celebrated Explorer & Bestselling Author. Anthropologist and Advocate for Cultural Diversity
Devon Harris
3x Olympian | Cool Runnings Jamaican Bobsled Pioneer | Resilience & Teamwork Speaker
Devon Harris is a three-time Olympian, retired Jamaican military officer, and internationally trusted motivational speaker whose Keep On Pushing philosophy helps audiences turn adversity into opportunity. From the streets of Kingston to the Olympic Games, he equips leaders and teams with practical tools to build resilience, strengthen collaboration, and perform under pressure when results truly matter. This is performance with purpose.
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Devon Harris biography
Devon Harris speaker programs are built on one of the most improbable journeys in Olympic history. A three-time Winter Olympian, founding member of the original 1988 Jamaican bobsled team, retired military officer, and author, Devon brings a lived message of resilience, leadership, and persistence to audiences worldwide.
Born on Christmas Day in 1964 and raised in the Olympic Gardens community of Kingston, Jamaica, Devon grew up in an environment defined by volatility and limited opportunity. Yet he carried an unshakable belief that attitude and discipline could outpace circumstance. His original dream was to represent Jamaica in track and field, but destiny had other plans.
How Devon Harris Went from Kingston to the Olympic Stage
While serving as a lieutenant in the Jamaica Defence Force, Devon responded to a call for volunteers willing to undergo rigorous training to represent Jamaica in the Winter Olympics. With no snow, no sledding history, and few resources, the idea sounded impossible. Devon pushed forward anyway. He recorded the fastest push time at team selections and went on to compete in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. He later returned as captain of the 1992 and 1998 Olympic teams.
Today, as part of Aurum’s sports speakers, Devon Harris speaker engagements blend powerful storytelling, humor, and actionable strategies. Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofits, schools, and associations value his ability to customize every program to align with event themes and organizational goals. He motivates and informs while delivering practical insights audiences can apply long after the applause fades.
In 2018, Devon was inducted as an Olympian For Life by the World Olympians Association for his significant contribution to society. He is also the founder of the Keep On Pushing Foundation, a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit launched in 2006 to support and enhance education for children in disadvantaged communities.
Why Event Planners Choose Devon Harris Speaker Programs
Meeting planners consistently choose Devon Harris speaker programs because of his professionalism, preparation, and adaptability. He takes pride in understanding the audience before stepping on stage and tailoring his message accordingly.
He arrives prepared, engages audiences from the first moment, and often stays afterward to connect with attendees. Event leaders appreciate that his presence enhances the overall tone of the conference and reinforces the organization’s objectives.
His authenticity resonates because he has lived what he teaches. From a Kingston ghetto to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, from army captain to Olympic competitor, Devon’s journey embodies the power of personal responsibility, belief, and persistence.
Devon Harris Speaking Videos
Devon Harris | Olympic Mindset Speaker | Keep On Pushing
Devon Harris Speech Excerpt | Keep On Pushing
Devon Harris Keynote Topics
Devon’s signature keynote converts his Olympic journey into a practical framework for overcoming adversity. Audiences learn how to expand their vision, build inner strength, and maintain forward momentum even when the odds feel overwhelming.
Key outcomes:
Reframe challenges as opportunities for growth
Take personal responsibility regardless of circumstances
Develop resilience that fuels sustained performance
Drawing from his experience as an Olympic team captain and military officer, Devon shows how trust, alignment, and shared purpose transform ordinary groups into high-performing teams.
Key outcomes:
Align around a compelling shared vision
Leverage diverse strengths for collective success
Maintain cohesion during high-pressure situations
This program introduces Devon’s Three R’s framework for resilient living. He demonstrates how accountability, perspective shifts, and courageous relaunching create growth after setbacks.
Key outcomes:
Shift from victimhood to empowerment
Transform obstacles into innovation opportunities
Relaunch stronger after disappointment or failure
High-stakes moments define leaders and organizations. Devon shares proven strategies for maintaining clarity, composure, and performance when pressure peaks.
Key outcomes:
Prioritize what matters most
Break challenges into manageable steps
Build mental toughness that sustains excellence
Drawing on his lived experiences across cultures and institutions, Devon provides an accessible and practical look at how diversity strengthens performance and innovation.
Key outcomes:
Improve communication across differences
Build inclusive, high-trust environments
Strengthen collaboration through varied perspectives
FAQs on Booking Devon Harris
What Makes Devon Harris Speaker Programs Different from Other Olympic Speakers?
Devon Harris speaker programs stand out because his story is not just about athletic success. It is about building excellence from scratch. He competed in a sport his country had never attempted, with no infrastructure, no winter climate, and no precedent. That experience allows him to speak directly to organizations building new initiatives, navigating disruption, or attempting what has never been done before.
Unlike speakers whose message centers on medals or championships, Devon focuses on mindset, preparation, discipline, and the decision to persist when results are uncertain. His background as a military officer adds structure and leadership credibility, while his storytelling style keeps audiences fully engaged.
How Does Devon Connect the Cool Runnings Story to Real Business Challenges?
Many audiences know the Disney portrayal, but Devon Harris speaker engagements go deeper than the movie. He shares the real pressures, failures, skepticism, and discipline behind the scenes. He translates those lessons into business realities such as leading without resources, building trust quickly, adapting under scrutiny, and performing under pressure.
Organizations navigating change, launching new strategies, or uniting diverse teams often see direct parallels between the Jamaican bobsled journey and their own transformation efforts.
Does Devon Harris Offer Programs Specifically for Schools and Universities?
Yes. In addition to corporate keynote programs, Devon offers his School Runnings series designed for K–12 schools, colleges, and universities.
These programs include:
Yes, I Can, an interactive student assembly based on his children’s book and Olympic journey
Collaborating for Student Success, a professional development session for administrators and educators
Success Through Diversity, focused on building inclusive, high-performing school communities
School audiences benefit from the same core philosophy of personal responsibility and persistence, delivered in an age-appropriate and highly engaging format. These programs are ideal for student assemblies, leadership days, faculty development, and commencement-style events.
Does Devon Harris Customize His Keynotes?
Yes. Devon invests time before each engagement to understand the organization’s goals, challenges, and culture. His presentations are tailored to align with the event’s theme and audience demographics.
Is Devon Available as an Opening or Closing Speaker?
Yes. His energy and storytelling make him an effective opening speaker who sets the tone for a conference, as well as a closing speaker who crystallizes key themes and sends attendees away inspired and focused.
How to book Devon Harris as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Devon Harris as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Devon Harris's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Devon Harris or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Devon Harris speaking fee?
Devon Harris speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Devon Harris to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Devon Harris.
How can I contact Devon Harris?
We only work with Devon Harris on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Devon Harris and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Devon Harris speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Devon Harris for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Devon Harris for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Devon Harris is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Devon Harris for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
