From Fairy Tale to Fierce: Donna Star on Redefining Success, Building Confidence and Finding Courage After Adversity

Before she takes the stage at our Women of Courage event next week, get to know keynote speaker Donna Star! Former corporate executive, single mother, and leadership coach, Donna shares her powerful insights on resilience, confidence, and how real transformation begins when we stop proving ourselves and start believing in ourselves in our conversation below. Her story is a must-read for anyone ready to rise after hardship and rewrite the rules on their own terms and her book will be available for purchase at the event.

Experience a powerful and uplifting three-hour event, Women of Courage, on April 16th. Whether you're navigating divorce yourself or supporting someone who is, you're invited to join us. No membership necessary! Reserve your ticket(s) here: I'd like to attend Women of Courage 2025

Q&A with Donna Star

JDW: Your work focuses on leadership, confidence, and personal growth—what inspired you to specialize in this area?

Donna Star: I focus on these areas because after my time in Corporate, I realized leadership requires confidence. Personal growth requires confidence. Growth stems from an unshakable belief in yourself. I did not believe in myself enough and was always trying to prove myself. This caused me to work and worry too much. I didn’t realize until I became a coach that it didn’t have to be this way. My mission is to help my clients realize we have much more agency over our lives.

JDW: What are some of the biggest challenges women face when rebuilding their lives after adversity, and how can they overcome them?

Donna Star: First women have to give up on the ideal of the perfect marriage. That they failed in some way. Acknowledge the loss and feel your feelings. But, don’t stay trapped in the despair, anger or whatever feelings you are feeling that make you feel not so great about yourself.

I didn’t give the overcoming adversity enough time to breathe when I was going through my divorce because I was in the thick of raising and protecting my two young children, ages 3 and 6. But, I did have a therapist, and I did work, which was financially necessary but also mentally took my mind off of the ugliness during this time. There is life on the other side one step at a time.

JDW: Can you share a transformational moment or story from your coaching experience that resonates with the theme of courage?

Donna Star: I have witnessed hundreds of transformative ‘aha moments’ in my coaching practice because it is a space that allows the other person to sit in their feelings and thinking … without being judged. Sometimes the quiet, without needing to fill the space with words, is all you need to finally listen to what is going on within you. It takes courage to tune into yourself and listen to what your wants and needs are. We are often programmed to do the exact opposite.

JDW: What’s one practical step women can take today to embrace resilience and confidence in their personal and professional lives?

Donna Star: I am going to flip the script on this question for a minute. What is one step that a mom or friend would recommend to their child, friend or colleague. Are you giving yourself the same guidance? My guess is not. We are much harder on ourselves than we are others.

And my final thought on this question that I could spend hours on, is this: “Do you want to raise resilient and confident children?” They model after you. Do not take this to mean you cannot be vulnerable or emotional because feeling your feelings is part of the healing process.

I know you want your children to believe in themselves as much as you believe in them, right? It starts with you. We build confidence and resilience by believing in ourselves one action at a time.

JDW: Without giving too much away, what can attendees expect from your keynote at the Women of Courage event?

Donna Star: I had the "fairy tale" life that became a nightmare. I worked hard … too hard … to get to the other side. I kept changing my definition of success. I even wrote a book about it called, Unsuccessfully Successful: Lessons from a Workaholic Corporate Exec Single Mother’s Journey to a Life of Balance.

Today, I live life on my terms, and I help my clients do the same. I can’t wait to meet all of you!

Seeking strength and inspiration during separation or divorce? Or want to support a friend? Join us for the empowering Women of Courage event on April 16th. All women are welcome to attend! Grab your ticket(s) here: I'd like to attend Women of Courage 2025

 To learn more about Donna, her work, writings and services, please visit dstarconsultants.com