Jane Chen
Serial Entrepreneur, Leadership Coach & National Bestselling Author
Jane Chen
Serial Entrepreneur, Leadership Coach & National Bestselling Author
Biography
Jane Marie Chen is a serial entrepreneur, keynote speaker, leadership coach, and national bestselling author of Like a Wave We Break (Penguin Random House). She is the co-founder and former CEO of Embrace Global, the social enterprise behind a low-cost infant incubator that has helped save the lives of more than one million babies worldwide.
A TED speaker and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Jane has been recognized on Forbes’ Impact 30 list and received honors including the Economist Innovation Award, Fast Company Innovation Award, and the World Economic Forum’s Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, CNN, ABC, Newsweek, Fortune, Reuters, and the Associated Press.
In her bestselling memoir, Like a Wave We Break, Jane shares the inner journey behind her public success. After her company ultimately failed, she confronted the childhood trauma, burnout, and self-worth challenges that had driven her relentless pursuit of achievement. Today, Jane helps leaders redefine resilience—not as grit or endurance, but as self-compassion.
Jane holds graduate degrees from Stanford University and Harvard University and is based in the United States.
Speech Topics
Redefining Resilience: Why Self-Compassion Outperforms Grit
Jane reframes resilience for high achievers, showing why self-compassion, not relentless endurance, is the foundation for sustainable performance, leadership, and well-being.
Burnout, Identity & the Hidden Cost of Success
A candid look at how burnout develops in high-performing cultures and what leaders can do to build healthier, more human workplaces.
Leading Through Failure, Loss & Uncertainty
Drawing from the collapse of her company and personal identity, Jane offers insights for navigating failure and uncertainty with clarity and courage.
High Performance Without Self-Sacrifice
How leaders and organizations can maintain ambition and excellence without sacrificing mental health, creativity, or connection.
Trauma, Drive & the Stories We Tell Ourselves
Jane explores how unexamined trauma shapes leadership behaviors, and how awareness can unlock more authentic, effective leadership.
Testimonials
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