--- title: Our Story | Donnelly Effect description: Since 1997, Donnelly Effect has been improving customer experiences, the work lives of employees, and leadership effectiveness for organizations.   image: https://www.donnellyeffect.com/hubfs/Mike%20Donnelly%20Disney%20Experienced%20Keynote%20Speaker_Our%20Story.png --- [![Donnelly-Group_Logo](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/hubfs/Donnelly-Group_Logo.png "Donnelly-Group_Logo")](https://www.donnellyeffect.com) [(410) 212-4471](tel:4102124471) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/donnelly-effect/) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/donnellyeffect) - About - [About Us](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/about-us) - [What We Do](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/about-us-what-we-do) - [Who We Serve](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/about-us-who-we-serve) - [Our Executive Team](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/our-executive-team) - [Our Story](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/about-our-story) - Training - [Signature Service Programs](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/signature-service-programs) - [Kickstart](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/signature-service-programs-kickstart) - [Impact](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/signature-service-programs-impact) - [Ignite](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/signature-service-programs-ignite) - [Training Types](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/training-types) - [Executive Leadership](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/training-types-executive-leadership-development-workshops) - [Managers & Supervisors](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/training-types-manager-supervisor-training-workshops) - [Front-Line Employees](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/training-types-front-line-employee-development-training) - [Training Topics](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/training-topics) - [Customer Service](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/customer-service-training) - [Leadership](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/leadership-training) - [People Management](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/people-management-training) - [Service Culture](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/service-culture-training) - [Talent Selection & Hiring](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/talent-selection-hiring-training) - [Employee Onboarding](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/employee-onboarding-training) - [Training Delivery Methods](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/training-delivery-methods) - [Keynote Speaking](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/keynote-speaking) - Resources - [SPARKS! Blog](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/sparks-blog) - [Our Book: Unlock the Magic](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/unlock-the-magic) - [Book a Consultation](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/contact-us-donnelly-effect) ![Our Story_Donnelly Effect](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/hubfs/Our%20Story_Donnelly%20Effect.jpg "Our Story_Donnelly Effect") ### Our Story Who IS the Donnelly Group? ### It Started With The Effect... In the mid 80’s, when Mike Donnelly was in the Walt Disney World College Program, he and his friends would head to Cocoa Beach for a little respite from Orlando on their days off. Often, there were overcast skies when they exited Orlando...but inevitably, when they reached the beach, the skies would clear and the sun would shine bright. His friends started dubbing the improvement in weather “The Donnelly Effect”. This phrase then began to envelop Mike’s personality–inferring that when Mike was interjected into the scene, his ***effect*** would be to improve and brighten it. So in 1997, it only seemed fitting that he would name his business–one that is dedicated to the improvement of organizations, teams, employees and customer experiences–The Donnelly Effect. When Mike and his team are invited to intervene in an organization, **the effect is bright! **The "Effect" has grown into The Donnelly Group with our team of highly EFFECTive and highly experience professionals. ![Mike Donnelly Disney Experienced Keynote Speaker_Our Story](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Mike%20Donnelly%20Disney%20Experienced%20Keynote%20Speaker_Our%20Story.png?width=567&name=Mike%20Donnelly%20Disney%20Experienced%20Keynote%20Speaker_Our%20Story.png "Mike Donnelly Disney Experienced Keynote Speaker_Our Story") ![disney inspired customer service training](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-02-26%20at%2012.08.35%20PM.png?width=1432&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-02-26%20at%2012.08.35%20PM.png "disney inspired customer service training") ### Learn more about The Donnelly Group #### Contact Us! ###### [EMAIL US](mailto:mike@donnellyeffect.com) to learn more or share the needs of your organization to see how the Donnelly Group can help. ###### [GIVE US A CALL!](tel:4102124471) ###### [(410) 212-4471](tel:4102124471) to chat, ask questions about how the Donnelly Group can help, or just to say hello! [Book a FREE Consultation](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/contact-us-donnelly-effect) ![Donnelly Group_Logo-2](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Donnelly%20Group_Logo-2.png?width=200&height=71&name=Donnelly%20Group_Logo-2.png "Donnelly Group_Logo-2") Creating customer loyalty by preparing people to work happy. - Annapolis, MD - [(410) 212-4471](http://#) - [mike@donnellyeffect.com](mailto:mike@donnellyeffect.com) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/DonnellyEffect) - [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/donnelly-effect/) #### Explore - [What We Do](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/about-us-what-we-do) - [Who We Serve](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/about-us-who-we-serve) - [Signature Service Programs](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/signature-service-programs) - [Training Types](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/training-types) - [Training Topics](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/training-topics) - [Speaking](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/keynote-speaking) #### About Us Applying decades of Disney professional development & leadership experience, we help destination locations create customer loyalty by preparing their people to WORK HAPPY. #### Recent SPARKS! 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