Speaking testimonials


Joan is the essence of authenticity. Her style is genuine and warm, and her message resonates with all that seek to be their best selves. We are eager to have Joan back for more! — Megan G Graham, Engineering Program Manager, Medtronic, Inc.
I can’t thank you enough for being a part of our 1st Annual Lucy Hobbs Project Celebration event last week. You are truly inspirational and I am so grateful you were able to share your story with our audience. I think you brought more women to tears than anyone else (in a good way of course). I also can’t thank you enough for taking most of the day to meet and greet almost EVERY guest and sign your books. You truly were the highlight of the day! Thank you!!! Please keep in touch and keep writing – you are an amazing person and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to meet you. — Julie Radzyminski, Director of Business Innovation, Benco Dental Company
I wanted to thank you again for telling your story at Caribou. Everyone was so mesmerized and inspired by you. I spent most of the afternoon talking to people about how they felt after listening to you. You have such a powerful, loving, and peaceful presence Everyone I spoke to was really taking a look at there lives. There were several that truly were in tears and felt so free after realizing that they really were not alone in the feelings of emptiness.You are the best!—Karey Borowicz, Caribou Coffee Headquarters
We had Joan serve as our keynote inspirational speaker at our second annual women’s leadership breakfast. We had over 100 participants including students, faculty, community members, and political leaders. Joan’s message was appropriate for every person in the room. Her words of encouragement and self-empowerment really hit home with the audience. She has a wonderful presentation style that draws her audience in and keeps them engaged. After the presentation, Joan spent a great deal of time connecting with the women who attended. Her professionalism and personality delighted the audience to make for a perfect event. — Patty Sagert, Rasmussen College Campus Director
Joan is one of those speakers who comes alive when she’s up in front of people. She is engaging, warm, funny, wise…I could go on. We had her speak in front of 250 women, and within the first minute she had us all laughing, and from that moment on we were with her completely. Joan spent years really connecting with people through her television career, and telling people’s stories… and she does the same as a speaker. When Joan is up there, you feel like you are having a delightful and funny and warm conversation, just with her. I would bring Joan back again, without reservation. — Sally Koering, Youth Frontiers
As the Keynote Speaker for our first Illumination Conference, Joan did a wonderful job engaging the participants and setting the tone for the day. People really related to who she was and the message she shared because she was so open and down-to-earth. She was able to emotionally connect with the audience on all levels and her presentation had a lasting impact on many. I highly recommend Joan as both an incredible presenter and person.  — Michele Bergh, Illumination Conference Producer
Thanks so much for helping to make the Arboretum Spring Expo’s Saturday program a great event; and the book-signing so fun and successful.Your expertise, heartfelt experiences that you shared and general aura made special connections with the audience, with your presentation a favorite among the crowd of 110. We greatly appreciate you taking time out from a busy schedule to share your expertise with Arboretum members and visitors. Thanks for the beautiful message. — Judy Hohmann, Marketing and Communications Director, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Our group was ecstatic and mesmerized with Joan’s charm. She is a savvy speaker and a delightful entertainer. Her stories were touching and her talk was exceptional. Professional and endearing, Joan captivated our hearts. —Valerie Lis, Courses for LIFE® and the Intuitive Forum®
Joan Steffend attracted a capacity crowd to her appearance at my Intuitive Forum – one of our most popular speakers EVER. Her talk was inspiring, humorous and highly entertaining. Joan has a gift of motivating and captivating an audience, leaving them all smiling and wanting more. She has a standing invitation for a return engagement. — Kathryn Harwig, author/speaker
Joan Steffend sparkles! I want to take just a minute of your time to offer my support to Joan Steffend as a dynamic and engaging keynote speaker. When she joined Hammer Residences, Inc. at their annual meeting this past April the room was packed with enthusiasts who had the rare opportunity to be moved to both laughter and tears. Ms. Steffend has a grace and ease of delivery – so much so I found myself feeling as though part of an engaging conversation. Professionally, I have listened to hundreds of speakers and I can heartily recommend Joan Steffend to any group looking for a bright, upbeat and engaging experience. —Joe Reis, President/CEO Coldwell Banker Burnet and Hammer Residences, Inc.
The process of booking and communicating with Joan was flawless and I remain so grateful that she was willing to be with us that day. Her message is one of hope, discovery and peace. It was uplifting, personal and very thought provoking. Joan shared much of her own journey in a way that, no doubt, each of us could relate to and identify with. Joan is a strong advocate for the joy of self discovery and becoming the person each of us was meant to be. Her message is both inspiring and hope-filled. — Sandie Ordahl, Peoples Bank of Commerce
Joan Steffend brightens a room with her energy and words. I had the pleasure of listening to Joan give a keynote and was amazed when I looked across my table at the people listening to her words. Two of my co-workers had tears in their eyes right at the point Ms. Steffend urged the audience not to give up on their dreams. She is adept at sharing personal stories and anecdotes from her life in such a way the audience is both challenged and entertained. Her timing is great as those who had found themselves moved to tears also found plenty of moments to also laugh at her humor and levity. I highly recommend her as a keynote speaker. She sparkles! — Lynne Dablow, Tamarix Counseling Services
I had the pleasure to attend a Christmas luncheon recently where Joan Steffend was the guest speaker. She was radiant, delightful, and she sparkled! She has had successful careers having spent 30 years in the media as a TV anchorwoman, the host of TV’s Decorating Cents, has been on Oprah just to name a few of her many accomplishments. She is now the author of two books. Everyone who attended this event and heard Joan speak left inspired and encouraged. Her warm and friendly personality shines! — Alice Guse
Joan was engaging and inspirational at Hammer Residences Inc.’s Annual Meeting as she shared her story and her new book; “…and she sparkled.” The audience was excited to have an opportunity to meet her given her genuine congenial nature. I left our event feeling renewed and confident to be me. — Ellen Timmerman-Borer, Director of Development and Communication, Hammer Residences, Inc
Thank you for your funny, touching talk at Centegra’s event yesterday. I was the fifth person at the end of the line when you ran out of books and I ran out of time! I wish you the best. True authenticity is a treasure. Bravo! — Linda Saran, Executive Leadership Coach, Wolf Motivation
I am touched and feel privileged to have been able to hear you publicly speak. Your energy is infectious & we all need a catalyst in our lives. If you are ever speaking again in the Chicagoland area please include me on the list of people to notify. I will bring many friends! — Gail Alexander
I’m so happy you were able to come speak and do the book signing—the ladies loved every minute of your presence. Your presentation drew a good amount of conversation in the days after the event. I know that my mom and all her friends who attended were enlightened by some of the topics you brought up. They especially noted the eye-opening perspective you brought, so thank you for that. — Caitlin Wember, Centregra Health System

Find out Joan’s speaking topics and how to book her for a speech