Cory Hepola
Cory Hepola is a 3-time Emmy-Award Winning Documentarian & TV Anchor. Growing up in small town Perham, Minnesota, Cory is the Director, Writer, and Host of the popular documentary series – “My Town” – which serves to break down the negative stereotypes associated with the rural lifestyle showing the opportunity, innovation, and connectedness in our small towns & businesses. It’s all part of the purpose-driven work at The Brookshire Company where Cory helps companies succeed and communities thrive through Site Selection, Brokerage, and Storytelling.
Before Brookshire, Cory won an Emmy-Award as the creator and host of the docuseries “Rural By Choice,” had a successful broadcast journalism career earning two more Emmy’s for “Outstanding TV Anchor” at KARE 11 in Minneapolis, and was named “100 People To Know” by Twin Cities Business Magazine as the Host of his own daily show on iconic WCCO Radio. In 2022, Cory was honored by his alma mater – Concordia College – with the “Sent Forth Award” which is presented “to a young alumni who has made an impact early in their career, emphasizing service to others and demonstrating a strong vocational commitment.”
In his speech, Cory inspires communities and companies to understand the power of storytelling, detailing the outside challenges and offering positive solutions.
Most Requested Programs
“Learn, Listen, Mission”
In “Learn, Listen, Mission” Cory Hepola shares an easy 3-step process to discovering peace with WHO we are and WHY we’re here. This leads to JOYFUL IMPACT, where we start capitalizing on the opportunities to fully use our gifts to serve those around us.
“My Town: You Have What Everyone Is Searching For”
Cory Hepola inspires people to understand the power of a connected community, detailing how proactive storytelling plays a vital role. This session will be catered toward and customized for individual organizations.
Testimonials
“Cory Hepola is a dynamic and inspiring force for rural America. His passion for community-building is infectious, and his ability to connect with audiences through storytelling and genuine energy is unmatched. As a public speaker, Cory sparks meaningful conversations, challenges conventional thinking, and motivates people to take pride in and invest in their communities. He is a fierce champion for creating vibrant, connected, and thriving rural regions." - NeTia Bauman, CEO & President at Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation
“Cory Hepola is a dynamic and inspiring speaker who brings a refreshing perspective to education policy and leadership. His message on centering our work around HOPE resonated deeply with our rural fellows, reminding us that transformative change starts with belief in possibility. Cory's ability to connect his media background with education creates powerful insights, challenging us to think differently about storytelling, leadership, and impact. His passion is contagious, and our fellows left the conversation energized and empowered. We are grateful for his time and wisdom!” - Troy Haugen, Director of Career and College Readiness at Lakes Country Service Cooperative
“We were honored to have Cory Hepola as the keynote speaker for our annual meeting, where he delivered a compelling and insightful presentation on Redefining the Rural Narrative. Cory’s ability to blend storytelling, data, and personal experiences made for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion that resonated deeply with our audience. His message challenged outdated perceptions of rural America and highlighted the opportunities, innovation, and resilience found in communities like ours. He brought a fresh perspective on how we can embrace change, attract talent, and cultivate economic growth while maintaining the core values that make rural communities special. Cory’s energy, passion, and deep understanding of the challenges and strengths of rural areas made his presentation both inspiring and actionable. His ability to connect with the audience and spark meaningful conversations left a lasting impact on attendees. We highly recommend Cory Hepola as a speaker for any organization looking to inspire and empower their community to rethink and reshape the rural narrative. His message is one that will continue to influence our work long after the event.” - Mary Berlie, President at Grand Island Area Economic Development in Grand Island, NE
“Cory Hepola delivered a powerful and thought-provoking keynote at the Community Foundation for Carver County’s 2023 Celebration of Philanthropy. His insights on purpose, joyful impact, and the importance of putting others first resonated deeply with our audience. With his engaging storytelling and reflective approach, Cory challenged us to consider how we learn, listen, and discover our mission in life. His message was both inspiring and timely, reminding us of the true essence of philanthropy—serving others with intention and joy. We are grateful for his contribution to our event and highly recommend him as a speaker who leaves a lasting impact.” - Khai Tran, Executive Director of The Community Foundation for Carver County, MN