Meet Danielle
A life full of gratitude is a life full of joy
Danielle Bongiorno
Danielle Bongiorno is a speaker, writer, and former collegiate athlete who is passionate about inspiring others to pursue lives of authenticity and purpose. A natural leader on and off the court, Danielle served as a two-year captain and starting point guard for her college team, leading them to significant success, including a Conference Championship. After her playing years, she transitioned into coaching, where she found deep fulfillment in mentoring young women. Danielle not only helped her players develop as athletes and leaders, but also guided many of them toward opportunities to continue their basketball careers in college.
In the business world, Danielle’s drive and determination propelled her from a territory sales representative to a Senior Director in just a few short years. Despite her achievements, she felt an undeniable pull to chase her dreams. This leap of faith led Danielle to embrace her passion for writing and public speaking, where she now empowers audiences to dream big, confront their fears, and pursue their most authentic lives.
However, this wasn’t Danielle’s first leap of faith. At 30 years old, she made the bold decision to come out about her sexuality and pursue a life path more aligned with her authentic self. Her journey is marked by courage, trust, and resilience. Through her storytelling and actionable insights, Danielle inspires others to break free from the fears and insecurities holding them back from the life they’re meant to live. Her message is simple yet profound:
Don’t settle. Trust your heart. And when life nudges, take the leap!
When she’s not delivering a keynote or crafting her next piece of writing, Danielle can be found traveling the world with her partner, Camille, enjoying live music, or relaxing at home with their beloved Golden Retriever, Belue.
Danielle is guided by a few simple convictions: live in the present, be kind, and make life count. She approaches life with purpose, joy, and a deep appreciation for the journey. Her story and message inspires others to step boldly into their dreams and create lives they truly love.
Background
Athletics
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Full basketball scholarship to Lenoir-Rhyne University
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2- year captain and starting point guard
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Led team to Conference Championship and #1 seed in the NCAA DII National Tournament
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South Atlantic Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year (2013-14)
Coaching
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Coached and trained hundreds of female athletes at the middle school, high school and college level
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Started a travel basketball program for girls in NC
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Helped 15 ladies in 5 years receive a scholarship or opportunity to play in college (NAIA, NJCAA, NCAA DI, DII, and DIII)
Business
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Advanced from Territory Sales Representative to Senior Director within a span of two years
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Played a key role in developing and expanding multiple territories for the company, amassing over $3 million in revenue per year
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Successfully opened up a new market of business, closing over 200 deals in one year