Lena Kemna is a highly sought-after motivational speaker whose work bridges high performance, behavioural science and lived experience in extreme environments. As Germany’s first female Big Wave Surfer, she brings an authentic and disciplined voice to the stage, shaped by years of training in some of the most demanding ocean conditions in the world. Her talks connect courage, preparation and trust to the realities faced by leaders, teams and organisations operating under pressure.
Growing up in Germany, Lena developed an early curiosity about how people think, decide and perform. This interest led her to a broad academic journey, studying at University College Maastricht, completing a semester at the University of New South Wales, and earning a master’s degree from the Nova School of Business and Economics. Alongside her studies, she worked across Europe and Australia in roles combining marketing, community initiatives and social impact. A move to Portugal more than a decade ago proved transformational. Training along the coastline of Ericeira and later Nazaré, she immersed herself in the Atlantic, learning lessons in focus, humility and resilience that would redefine both her athletic and professional direction.
Lena’s achievements span sport, academia and consulting. In 2025, she became the first female German Big Wave Surfer, a landmark moment documented in the international film L E N A, screened across Europe and selected for release on multiple global platforms. The same year, she placed third in the newcomer category at the German National Freediving Championships, underlining her technical skill and mental control. Academically, she has built a strong reputation as an Assistant Professor at Nova SBE, following six years as a Teaching Assistant and Master's Thesis Supervisor in brand management. Her consulting work includes branding and strategy projects for organisations such as BMW, Deutsche Bank and EoM. Her invitation to speak at ISPO 2025 reflects her credibility across sport, business and leadership communities.
Audiences book Lena Kemna because she delivers clarity grounded in experience. She speaks powerfully about leading under pressure, preparing for uncertainty and building trust-based teams in environments where mistakes carry real consequences. Drawing on stories from Nazaré, she explains how fear is managed through preparation, systems and collective responsibility. Her calm presence, combined with academic rigour and lived risk, leaves audiences motivated, focused and better equipped to perform when conditions are at their most challenging.
