Draft:John Foppe

• Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia’s Conflict of interest guideline, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Johnpaulfoppe (talk) 13:17, 22 August 2026 (UTC)

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‘’‘John Foppe’’’ is an American author, motivational speaker, and nonprofit executive. Born without arms, he became a professional speaker in the early 1990s and has spoken internationally on leadership, organizational execution, and resilience. He is the author of ‘‘What’s Your Excuse? Making the Most of What You Have’’. In 1993, he was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce.Early, Rosalind (July 6, 2012). "No Excuses! John Foppe, Executive Director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of St. Louis, Was Born Without Arms But Has Found Ways to Touch Thousands". St. Louis Magazine. Retrieved August 22, 2026.

Early life and education

Foppe was born in Illinois without arms and with additional congenital conditions. He grew up near Breese, Illinois, in a large family and attended Mater Dei Catholic High School.

As a teenager, Foppe traveled to Haiti on a church-related service trip. He later described an encounter with a child at a hospital there as influential in changing his understanding of disability and service. After returning to Illinois, he began speaking to churches and civic organizations about poverty in Haiti.

Foppe attended Saint Louis University. While a student, he began speaking to larger audiences and in 1990 addressed a seminar sponsored by the United States Department of Defense, where he met motivational speaker Zig Ziglar.

He later returned to Saint Louis University and earned a master’s degree in social work. In 2013, Saint Louis University selected Foppe as its commencement speaker and awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humanities and Public Service degree."Past Honorees". Saint Louis University. Saint Louis University. Retrieved August 22, 2026.

Corporate motivation career

After graduating from Saint Louis University, Foppe joined the Ziglar Corporation in Dallas, where he worked with motivational speaker and author Zig Ziglar. Foppe subsequently established an independent speaking career, addressing corporate, government, educational, religious, and nonprofit audiences in the United States and internationally.Ramachandran, Mythily. "John Foppe: how to do more with less in life". Gulf News. Retrieved August 22, 2026.

His speaking and training work has focused on leadership, organizational performance, resilience, and overcoming adversity. His engagements have included programs for business organizations and the United States military. He has also conducted leadership and motivation training for Air Force Air Mobility Squadron commanders.

Foppe has spoken at TEDx events internationally. In 2011, he appeared at TEDxDanubia in Budapest, Hungary."TEDx Danubia 2011". TEDxDanubia. Retrieved August 22, 2026. In May 2012, he spoke at the inaugural TEDxScottAFB event at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, presenting a talk titled “Within Reach: Help Yourself by Helping Others.”"Scott hosts first TEDx". United States Air Force. May 31, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2026.

Foppe wrote ‘‘What’s Your Excuse? Making the Most of What You Have’’, a memoir and personal-development book with a foreword by Ziglar. The book was published by Thomas Nelson and has appeared in multiple editions.Foppe, John P. (2008). What’s Your Excuse? Making the Most of What You Have. Thomas Nelson. ISBN 9781595552389. ‘‘St. Louis Magazine’’ reported that the book had been translated into six languages.

In 1993, at age 22, Foppe was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce in the category of personal accomplishment."Ten Outstanding American Winners". United States Junior Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Retrieved August 22, 2026.

Nonprofit career

Foppe has also worked in nonprofit management. He served as executive director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Archdiocesan Council of St. Louis, a Catholic charitable organization serving the St. Louis region."Society Of St Vincent De Paul Archdiocesan Council Of St Louis". Nonprofit Explorer. ProPublica. Retrieved August 22, 2026. During his tenure, the organization operated charitable programs and a network of thrift stores supporting assistance to people in need.2018 Annual Report (PDF) (Report). Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Archdiocesan Council of St. Louis. Retrieved August 22, 2026.

After leaving the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Foppe founded Friends of the Forgotten, a nonprofit organization that connects disabled adult mentors to children with disabilities and other disadvantages living in isolation throughout the developing world.Ratermann, Megan (February 12, 2026). "Friends of Forgotten continues to help disadvantaged children". Breese Journal. p. 3A.

External links

• Friends of the Forgotten official website