Awards & Praise

Awards & Professional Achievement

2017 Inductee - CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame®

The Council of Peers Award for Excellence Speaker Hall of Fame® is a lifetime award for speakers who have reached the top echelon of platform professionalism. Currently there are only 237 inductees, including former US President Ronald Reagan, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and General Colin Powell.

Legend of the Speaking Profession

A Lifetime Achievement Award presented to a select number of speakers who have an outstanding national/international stature, a minimum of 20 years as a professional speaker, and have make unique contributions to the speaking profession.

CSP—Certified Speaking Professional®

Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) is an earned international measure of professional platform competence, continuing education and experience.

Praise

We are so grateful for all you have done for our clients and prospects! Our crew is buzzing with ideas about how to keep the momentum going. We are excited for all the possiblities you have helped create.
– Jeff Laudermilk, President, First Bank; Sterling, Kansas

Jolene has spoken at our annual customer meeting twice and both times were thoroughly enjoyable. Our customers raved about her entertaining message and meaningful content in 2019 so we invited her back in 2023! The entertaining stories touched home with all of us and made for an evening full of laughter and reminiscing about our personal farm experiences. Jolene is one of the best, most entertaining speakers we’ve ever had and is extremely easy to work with!
– Kelly O'Toole, O'Toole, Inc; Letts, Iowa

We recently had Jolene as one of our session speakers at the 2021 Iowa Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. She had a unique way of engaging the audience by incorporating humor into a topic that can be difficult for people. Jolene’s past experiences and examples were relatable and resonated with our Farm Bureau members."
– Ronnette Vondrak, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Community Resources Manager

Jolene’s panel discussion on farm business planning was a huge it. She presented live last year and virtually this year. She does a great job working with the panel and pulling relevant content to share with the audience."
– Philip McCutchan, AgriGold National Marketing Manager

We have had Jolene present at our in-person conferences before and the audience loved her. This year, she was able to very effectively transition her presentation to a webinar format, while still keeping our audience informed and engaged. Couldn't be any more pleased!"
– Mike Scherer, President, Ag Risk Solutions; Atchison, Kansas

You are one of the most engaging speakers I've heard. And you're speaking on a vitally important topic so you cause necessary action. Can't get any better than that! Thank you for sharing your knowledge, time and true passion for the farming industry."
– Farm Credit Canada event, Humboldt, Saskatchewan

Wyoming is blessed with many multi-generational ranches and your presentation “The Top Ten Mistakes That Break Up a Family Business!”™ is a subject that strikes deep in our hearts and weighs on our minds. A couple said that after having suffered a recent family tragedy, "the laughter was good for our souls" in the keynote "Who's Hiding the Humor?" Several ranchers related so well to your message they said they wished you were one of their neighbors!"
– Terry Henderson, Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming (ICOW)

Some go to a one day Women in Agriculture conference thinking they need a mental break, but instead find themselves walking away with life changing information. Your session on family business shined a much needed light on our situation. Since I heard you speak, we've had difficult and important conversations and have taken important steps to assure the farm business and family might continue. Thank you for giving me priceless advice."
– Monica Becker, event attendee

“The Positives of Passing It On” was a home run for the Bank and our clients. Several of the participants made comments like: “Did you tell her our story? I thought she was talking to me and my family the entire time.” I would highly recommend Jolene for any family business gathering. If our participants only go home with 1/10 of the tools and/or advice that Jolene presented, the Bank will have a better, stronger customer base. Jolene kept the crowd entertained the entire time with useful knowledge and laughter."
– Don Ball, Community Bank President, Union State Bank/Bank of Atchison; Atchison, Kansas

Thanks again for sharing your time and talent with the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association at our convention. Once again, you provided valuable tools for family businesses to thrive, along with lots of laughs to keep them interested and engaged. People really appreciate your candor and the real-life scenarios you weave into your workshops. It helps them relate and feel like they are not alone. God bless you for what you do. Thank you for helping making North Dakota cattle operations and cattle families stronger!"
– Julie Schaff Ellingson, Executive Vice President, North Dakota Stockmen's Association; Bismarck, North Dakota

Your presentations hit all the right notes of humor and information after a long day of business. Your high energy was exactly what was needed to revive the crowd during the afternoon and the evening banquet ended on a laughter-filled note with many in the audience relating to your real-life anecdotes."
– Julie Baird, Executive Assistant, Manitoba Pork; Winnipeg, Manitoba

Your years of research, your depth of understanding, and your ability to present in such a captivating way produced one of the most memorable ag events in our history."
– Stephanie Parish, Marketing Director, Alliance Bank; Francesville, Indiana

Jolene’s passion for agriculture clearly shows in her excellent presentations. Her humor and real-life stories will have you crying you’re laughing so hard! You come away with knowledge and great information to use in your family business. She makes you want to get up, be proactive, and put those plans in place. We will definitely have Jolene back in the future – she hasn’t seen the last of us! There’s so much more to learn!"
– Anna Baker, Soil Conservationist, Nemaha County Conservation District; Seneca, Kansas

Jolene has been an opening speaker at the Advancing Women in Agriculture Conferences in Alberta and Ontario. If you are looking for a motivational speaker with a great message, Jolene is one who stands out. She is not only great to work with in the planning stage, but once she hits the stage, she has a commanding presence. With examples from her own life experience, Jolene will have you laughing, reflecting, thinking forward and going home with a feeling of empowerment. She is a must at any podium."
– Iris Meck, President Iris Meck Communications Inc., and Host of Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference; Calgary, Alberta

Wow! What a fantastic event!You knocked it out of the park. I always have such confidence having you at our events and the audience really enjoys you. Thank you!!”
– Rabo AgriFinance

I know that every student and their family members left your two presentations with great take-home value, and big smiles on their faces. You brought laughter with the learning. You brought targeted information on family business that brought them more than hope….you brought relevant help!”
– Lake Area Tech Institute

For our 25th anniversary celebration we wanted you – back! Your humor, style, professionalism and messages brought something for each of us to take back to our organizations.”
– International Leadership Alumni Conference

Came away from Jolene’s keynote and workshop, energized and with a written list of things we will do to better lead and manage our family business. Can’t wait to get started!”
– Manitoba Farm Women’s Conference

We wanted a small group of our key clients to meet with you. You went well beyond the “conversation” we were anticipating. You gave them real insight and value; you brought them laughter; you held them to account for action. We’ll be doing this again!”
– RBC Royal Bank of Canada

Your presentations and delivery are exceptional. But the real testimonial of your affect is the lineup of attendees wanting to visit with you after you’re done…and we had a really long line!”
– Principal Financial Group

Your banquet keynote brought humor and a renewed sense of pride of what it means to be a farmer. The way you engaged the audience and had them laughing was just what we needed after a long day of technical presentations.”
– Oregon Blueberry Growers

Throughout Jolene’s family business workshop I felt as if Jolene had a window into our lives…and she spoke directly to me. But I found out that was the reaction of all attendees! You made each us of and our community feel special and important.”
– Montana Family Business Workshop – Big Timber

Wow! This was definitely not one of those “sell your product to me meetings!” It really was a whole night of good conversation, great food, and a fantastic speaker who was honest, inspirational and humorous! I like doing business with this kind of company!”
– Corn Capital Innovations Customer Appreciation Event – Minnesota

Jolene was an inspirational speaker with practical application. And she knows how to make us laugh! She’s one vibrant and value-adding speaker!”
– AG Connect – attendees

Loved her! Her speaking was dynamic, entertaining and awesome! Her message was clear and encouraging. Loved how she involved the whole audience!!”
– Michigan Farm Bureau – Young Farmer Program

Not only did you give them an appropriate push, you gave them the tools to tackle the joy! You have amazing credibility and a warm way of touching us all with humor and those important real life stories. Thank you!”
– Cotton-Grave Farm Management Client event

Jolene’s the best speaker of the entire Classic…and yes, I went to many sessions! When I see her name on any event agenda…I’m there!”
– Commodity Classic

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