Colleen Callahan Communications specializes in personalizing messages, programs, and materials. Colleen's creed is, "To communicate is the beginning of understanding." Following
30 years in radio and television broadcasting, Colleen began CCC to help others become more impactful in communicating their message. Colleen "sets the stage" for a more effective presentation and/or event.

Colleen Callahan grew up on a purebred Hampshire hog and Angus cattle/grain farm near Milford, Illinois. She took ag classes in high school, but was not permitted to participate in FFA (because women weren't admitted into FFA until 1970, and she graduated from high school in 1969). Colleen was the first woman on the Illinois State 4-H Livestock Judging Team and the only woman on the University of Illinois Livestock Judging Team in 1972. She graduated from the U of I in 1973 with a degree in Agricultural Communications. Two weeks after graduation she became the Farm Director for WMBD Radio in Peoria, Illinois.

Awards And Recognitions

• 2005 Friend of Agriculture – presented Nov 22, 2005

The award is given each year to individuals who have significantly contributed to improving agriculture in Illinois. The Friend of Agriculture Award is presented by the Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Corn Growers Association, Illinois Milk Producers Association, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Soybean Association, and Illinois Wheat Association. Nominees are submitted by each of the sponsoring commodity groups and selected by representatives of the groups.

•Illinois Farm Bureau 2005 Eagle Award for Excellence – presented December 4, 2005

This award is given for bringing agriculture’s powerful message to the public on the state and national levels. Callahan was nominated for the award, and described as “a powerful advocate for agriculture and trailblazer for Illinois agri-women.” Callahan is a past president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters and two year ago accompanied former U.S. agriculture secretary Ann Veneman on an official ag delegation to the Middle East.

• WEEK-TV's 25 Women in Leadership Award 2004
• Oscar in Agriculture, Television category
• American Women in Radio and Television Commendation Award
• Farm Wife Financier", 1st place, Television News Category (Presented by Jane Pauley)
• Communication Award, American Soybean Association
• Media Award, Land of Lincoln Soybean Association
• Excellence in Farm News Broadcasting, Illinois Beef Association
• Communicator Award, Illinois Pork Producers Association
• Communication Award, Illinois Corn Growers Association
• Communication Award, Peoria YWCA
• Friend of Agriculture, Illinois Extension Agricultural Association
• Distinguished Merit Award, Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts
• Outstanding Young Woman of America
• Award of Merit, University of Illinois Agriculture Alumni Association (First woman, youngest ever)
• Excellence Award for Public Education, Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education
• Silver Dome Award, Illinois Broadcasters Association
• State 4-H Alumni Recognition Award, Cooperative Extension Service
• Outstanding Farm Broadcaster of the Year, National Association of Farm Broadcasters

Professional Responsibilities

• Co-chaired Regional Meeting of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB)
• Planned National, Annual Meeting, NAFB
• Chair, Ethics Committee, NAFB
• Board of Directors, NAFB
• Director of Development, NAFB
• Vice President, NAFB
• President-Elect, NAFB
• Past President, NAFB (first woman)

Community Involvement

• Peoria YWCA Board of Directors
• National Association of Women Business Owners
• Morton Community Bank - Board of Directors
• St. Mary's Church (Kickapoo) Education Board
• Peoria Notre Dame High School Parents' Board, President
• Membership Chair
• Graduation Event Coordinator
• Peoria Notre Dame High School Auction, Publicity Chair
• Peoria Notre Dame High School "Soccer Mom"
• University of Illinois College of ACES Alumni Association Board, President
• University of Illinois College of ACES, Agricultural Communications Leadership Council, President
• Fighting Illini Pork Club, Co-Chair
• OSF St. Francis Medical Center Women's Heath Services Public Relations Committee
• The Nature Conservancy Board of Directors/Great Rivers Regional Board of Directors
• Youth For A Cause Board Member
• Chicago Farmers Member, Board of Directors
• Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education

Colleen is married to Dick Burns, also a 1973 University of Illinois agriculture graduate. Dick is a regional sales manager for Burrus Seed and raises purebred Angus Cattle. They have a daughter, Brittney, who is a Law student at DePaul University. They live on a farm near Kickapoo. Colleen and her mother, Elaine Callahan, are the co-chairs of the Fighting Illini Pork Club, founded by her father, Fran Callahan nearly 30 years ago. The Club financially supports the U of I animal sciences department and the athletic scholarship fund.

Colleen has recently begun her own business - Colleen Callahan Communications. Communicating to her television
and radio audience for 30 years, she has honed her communication skills, and is now breaking into the world of public speaking - giving motivational speeches, facilitating meetings and debates, and connecting people to enable them to develop a strong professional relationship.

Click here for a PDF download of Colleen's resume.


Colleen and former United States
Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman