Keynote Speaking
A story that changes the way people think about preparation, resilience, and purpose.
Bob Jenkins brings September 11 — and everything that led to it — into the room.
“Bob Jenkins was on the 39th floor of the North Tower when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the building.”
Bob Jenkins was on the 39th floor of the North Tower when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the building. What he experienced in the hours that followed — and in the decades before — forms the foundation of a keynote that is equal parts gripping narrative, hard-won wisdom, and unexpected humor. The situation was, by any measure, FUBAR. What helped him get out was a lifetime of experiences, especially what the Marine Corps had built into him years earlier.
His message is not simply about tragedy. It is about preparation — the experiences, lessons, mistakes, and people that shaped Bob long before September 11. Semper Fidelis — Always Faithful — is more than a Marine Corps motto to Bob. It is a principle he carried with him into the North Tower stairwell and throughout his life.
Watch Bob Speak
See the Story in Action
Watch Bob share his firsthand account of September 11 and the experiences that prepared him for that extraordinary day.
Programs & Topics
What Bob Brings to the Stage
The Stairway to Heaven Keynote
Bob's signature keynote draws directly from his memoir, STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN. He takes audiences inside the North Tower on the morning of September 11, through his descent from the 39th floor, and back through the lifetime of experiences he later realized had helped prepare him for that day.
Duration
45 – 75 minutes
Best For
Corporate leadership, military and veteran organizations, first responder groups, memorial events
Prepared Without Knowing It
A focused session built around the central idea of Bob's story: many experiences that seemed ordinary at the time became important when he faced the extraordinary circumstances of September 11. Bob shares what those experiences taught him about preparation, resilience, and purpose.
Duration
30 – 60 minutes
Best For
Leadership conferences, corporate retreats, professional associations, university programs
Semper Fidelis: Leadership Under Pressure
Rooted in Bob's United States Marine Corps service, this session explores the leadership lessons he learned from the Marines who trained and led him. Bob shares how those lessons stayed with him throughout his life and became especially important inside the North Tower on September 11.
Duration
30 – 45 minutes
Best For
Military and veteran organizations, executive leadership programs, law enforcement and first responders
September 11: A Firsthand Account
A memorial and commemorative presentation for audiences who want to hear September 11 described from inside the North Tower — not from a news broadcast, but from a man who was there. Respectful, honest, and deeply human.
Duration
45 – 60 minutes
Best For
Memorial ceremonies, civic organizations, schools and universities, government and public service events
Who Bob Speaks For
Corporate & Executive Leadership
Military & Veteran Organizations
First Responders & Law Enforcement
Memorial & Commemorative Events
Leadership Conferences
Universities & Schools
Bring Bob to your next event.
Available for keynotes, half-day programs, panel discussions, and memorial ceremonies. Inquire about availability and fees.