Nicole Middendorf
Nicole is a money maven, a knowledge junkie, and a born coach. She is an entrepreneur who left Morgan Stanley in 2003 to run her own wealth management firm. Nicole is the author of five books, a world traveler, philanthropist, and an accomplished public speaker.
As a Wealth Advisor and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst with Prosperwell Financial, her main focus is to help people create wealth from the inside out. She is able to accomplish this through one-on-one client meetings, writing books, presenting at conferences, and appearing on TV, radio, and other media.
Nicole shares financial advice and a real-life perspective on saving, planning, and investing with audiences across the country. Her primary goal is to take complicated subjects and make them easy to understand. She works hard to empower her audience to make crucial and positive changes in their own lives. Nicole’s books have received local and national press coverage, where she has become known for her thoughtful concise quotes, relaxed on-air presence, and articulate delivery.
The world needs more people to be financially savvy and wholly independent. Nicole’s goal is to be the one who supports them on all levels and helps them find financial happiness.
Mike Max
Mike Max is the sports director at WCCO TV (CBS), hosts a nightly radio show on WCOO Radio in Minneapolis and has been on the speaking circuit for 25 years. He draws stories from thousands of interviews over the years that range from Michael Jordan to the captain of the Special Olympics softball team, all offer amazing insights into life. Mike received local and national acclaim for his six days of reporting from the front lines of “Minneapolis Riots” following the death of Gorge Floyd that reached millions of viewers throughout the country, earning him numerous awards but more importantly changing his life because of what he observed and connected with the most inside view of the beginning of an international movement. He owns his own company, Mike Max Productions, and has produced over 1000 hours of television programs with it. He also hosted “Life to the Max”, a magazine show that allowed him to travel the United States seeking out stories of inspiration through common people that did the uncommon. He has served as keynote speaker for companies, education groups and associations all looking for stories that only he can tell, because only he was there. He will make you laugh, make you cry, but most importantly, make you think!
Petra Marquart
Petra Marquart is an inspirational speaker who has received rave reviews at conventions and conferences around the globe. She is currently principal in the global speaking and training firm, Petra Marquart and Associates and president of See ME, Inc., which provides customer-service training for long-term care communities. She is listed in Who’s Who of American Women and the author of the best-seller, The Power of Service: Keeping Customers for Life.
Petra has written customer-service training programs for Mall of America, US Bank, Fairview Health Services, Honeywell Space Systems, Minnesota Department of Administration, US Department of Veteran Affairs, US Department of Homeland Security, The MENTOR Network, Senior Linkage Line, and the Wisconsin Department of Child Protective Services.
Whether speaking on customer service, leadership, personal power, or performance, Petra’s skilled stage presence comes, in part, from her experience working as a performer in Las Vegas with such stars as Elvis Presley, Tina Turner,and some of the most recognized names in the world.
David Harris
David Harris is a nationally touring, Midwest Emmy Award Winning comedian, magician, actor, and host. Starting at the ripe age of 15, Harris has entertained North American audiences for over 25 years with over thousands of live performances to date. Harris regularly appears at clubs, colleges, corporate events, theaters, alternative rooms, and other top venues across the U.S. and Canada. Most notably, Harris has performed at the New York Comedy Club in New York, Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Goodnight’s Comedy Club in Raleigh, and at the Hollywood Improv Lab in Los Angeles.
Harris has been lucky to share the stage with some of the best in the business. He’s worked with the legendary Louie Anderson, Bobby Slayton, Mary Lynn Rajskub, and Ben Bailey, to name a few. Based in his hometown of Minneapolis, Harris recently won Minnesota’s Funniest Person Contest. He was also asked by his peers to participate in Minnesota’s own highly competitive 10,000 Laughs Festival two years in a row. Harris received resounding praise from audiences and press alike. His personal and person-driven approach to the topics of work, family, relationships, and anxiety make his act relatable to virtually anyone. Harris is fun, relatable, creative, interactive, and most of all – hilarious. Audiences will benefit from David’s program because he creates a rejuvenating teambuilding experience tailored specifically to your group.
On screen, Harris has scored rave reviews from local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC TV affiliates. He’s even won two regional Emmys for his sketch television show, “Nate on Drums,” back in 2006, which aired on Minneapolis’ ABC sister station, KSTC. Harris has since starred in several online award-winning videos and TV commercials, including recent spots for Robert Half and Panchero’s Mexican Grill. He also recently produced and hosted a cutting-edge variety and talk show entitled, “Vaudeville Remix” for three seasons. That show featured some of the best acts in the region and its final season took place at the Brave New Workshop ETC Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. The Twin Cities alt newspaper, CityPages, called it “Consistently Entertaining.” In short, Harris is born entertainer who is sure to please.
Jean Abbott
Jean Sharon Abbott was misdiagnosed as a young child with Spastic Dipligia, a form of Cerebral Palsy. After 33 years of countless doctors visits, medical procedures, unnecessary medications and surgeries, she was correctly diagnosed with Dopa Responsive Dystonia (DRD). Jean enjoys all the adventures of her new life, but wouldn’t change the journey that brought her to where she is today. Her positive attitude is highly contagious as she encourages others to appreciate the little things in life.
Jean’s powerful story of perseverance no matter what life brings will have you laughing one minute and crying the next. Since she appeared on the Today Show, Good Housekeeping, Yahoo!, and the U.K.’s “Daily Mail”, an overwhelming number of people from around the world have contacted Jean to tell her how inspired they were by her journey from “wheels to heels”.
Diane Amundson
As a CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) I deliver live and virtual presentations for organizations that want to communicate more effectively with their employees to improve productivity. My expertise is in leadership, team building, conflict resolution and strategic planning. I speak locally & internationally in these areas and am known for my ability to make complex subjects simple to understand and apply. I have worked for General Mills and Pepsi Cola in sales and have taught at Winona State University as an Adjunct Professor of Organizational Behavior. My background also includes working as a General Manager with Express Employment Professionals. I have additional expertise in human resources, sales and training. I work with teams, managers and executives that want to improve their communication skills. I have published a chapter titled “Humility Leads the Way” in a book titled “Success Strategies: A High Achievers Guide to Success”. I believe being humble is one of the key components of a successful leader.
Lea B. Olsen
Growing up in poverty in a racially-blended family created social dilemmas for Lea at a young age. She learned that when your family doesn’t fit the mold, you have to get comfortable breaking the mold. It was one of her first Wins in Life.
Lea began her basketball career in the junior year of high school and, after only two years, went on to play Division I basketball at the University of Minnesota. Surrounded by coaches and teammates while doing what she loved was transformational. She developed an appreciation for the critical role process plays in achieving your goals.
Lea’s unique perspective on Winning in sports, business, and life has given her a game plan on how to Win with purpose and passion. As a speaker and thought leader, she thrives on helping people and businesses find their Wins while staying true to their core values and beliefs.
Chad Ellsworth
Chad Ellsworth is an author; professional keynote speaker; career, leadership, and life coach who empowers people to cultivate courageous cultures in their workplaces and organizations. In 2018, he published, “Building up without tearing down: How to cultivate heroic leadership in you and your organization.” On December 29, 2018, he was featured in a story in the Star Tribune, “Coaching us to purposeful lives.” In 2007, Chad was named an Anti-Hazing Hero by HazingPrevention.Org, and in 2010, he received one of two national awards that year for outstanding professionals by the Fraternity Information & Programming Group (FIPG).
Chad served the University of Minnesota community for more than 15 years as a Career Coach for the Carlson School of Management, where he was recognized in 2018 as Staff of the Year; an Academic Advisor and interim Pre-Health Career Coach for the College of Biological Sciences; an Academic and Career Coach for the Center for Academic Planning & Exploration; Adjunct Faculty for the College of Biological Sciences, Leadership Minor, and Office of Undergraduate Education; Program Director for the Office for Fraternity & Sorority Life; and Student Activities Advisor.
Originally from Lincoln, Nebraska, Chad received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska in 2001, and his master’s degree from the University of Maryland in 2004. He currently serves Carleton College as the Program Director for Employer Relations. He lives in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area with his wife, Kristin, and two sons, Joey and Paul.
Kit Welchlin
Kit Welchlin began public speaking at age 9 in 4-H. Purchased his first manufacturing company at age 21, and by 26 was CEO of 3 manufacturing companies in three states.
Kit has B.S. and M.A. Degrees in Speech Communication. He has delivered more than 3,500 presentations to more than 500,000 people over the past 29 years.
In 2014, Kit was inducted into the Minnesota Speaker Hall of Fame and in 2018 earned the Certified Speaking Professional designation from the National Speakers Association. In 2020, Kit earned the Certified Virtual Presenter designation from espeakers.
Audiences learn strategies for effective communication, leadership development, and stress, time and procrastination management.
Casey O’Brien
Casey O’Brien, a native of St Paul, Minnesota, is a five time cancer survivor and widely recognized motivational speaker. After being diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, an extremely rare form of bone cancer, at the age of 13, his main goal in life has become inspiring others. After having the cancer relapse in both of his lungs in high school, he made varsity football debut as a Placeholder. He checked into the hospital for chemotherapy the following morning. He later walked on to play football as a Placeholder for Coach PJ Fleck and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. Casey played in his first career Big 10 football game at Rutgers on October 19th, 2019. His first play and moment shared with Coach Fleck were covered by ESPN, ABC World News, The Today Show, and more. He spoke in front of a national audience at the 2019 ESPN College Football Awards Show after receiving the Disney Spirit Award for the most inspiring story in all of college football. He was the keynote speaker in front of 2,000 people at the 2019 Big 10 Media Days in Chicago, and his speech has now been viewed over 100,000 times. He looks to spread his positivity, unbelievable resiliency, and motivation to succeed to every group he speaks to.